I have read that some cancer treatments, radiotherapy being one, can cause thick saliva or mucus production in the throat or mouth areas interfering with eating, sleeping etc.
My son had 6 weeks radiotherapy last Nov/Dec treating a spinal tumour approx T5/6, during that time, in the mornings in particular, he started to sound as though he needed to have a good cough but was unable to produce anything. This slowly got worse, (developing into pneumonia at the beginning of April, his chest is now free of any infection, and sounds completely clear) until the last few weeks when he has been unable to eat, vomiting up a thick sticky mucus along with everything he had just eaten.
He was taking 40mg Omeprazole daily up until last weekend, despite not being on any steriods which was the reason he was first prescibed Omeprazole. We decided that enough was enough as he has never had an acid production problem in the past and reduced the dose to 20mg daily to see if that would make a difference - it has, so far as he is now able to keep food down. However the thick sticky mucus is still very much in evidence.
Has anyone else experienced this?
If so, have you any suggestions that may help my son as this is now causing him distress and hindering his recovery?
We are avoiding dairy products ie: cheese, yoghurt, milk. I am trying to get him to drink as much as possible during the day, including pineapple juice as I have read that the enzymes in some tropical juices helps thin saliva. After that we are stumped!!
Thank you :o)
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Side effects from radiotherapy??
- By Myway
- Posted May 18, 2009 at 5:34 am · 5 replies
- In Health management issues
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- By wilson-hk
- Posted May 18, 2009 at 5:48 am
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take some Spirulina tablet ( health food maded by natural clearwater seaweed ) which could be brough at pharmacy shop. there is no side effect for daily taking. ( search or google Spirulina )
I took two gamma knife and one cyberber knife within 45 days at 2004. It seem to reduce side effect of radiotherapy .
I felt good anyway.
- By Myway
- Posted May 19, 2009 at 3:30 am
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Hi wilson-hk,
Thank you for that - I have googled Spirulina, it looks interesting and definately worth looking into.
I am a little hesitant to rush in just yet as my son has been given alot of medication over the past few months, so I need to be sure that it won't argue with anything, making the situation worse. We are in the process of reducing his meds at the moment, I believe that alot of things can be controlled with diet and herbal remedies, which must better for you??
Were you taking any medication when you took Spirulina? Steriods maybe?
Thanks again :o)
- By wilson-hk
- Posted May 20, 2009 at 1:04 am
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I did taking Spirulina and propolis together with steroid. which I did consulted with my doctor.
Spirulina is made by natural Seaweed, propolis is made by beehive, which are easily found in our daily menu. You gotta make sure the product are from well brand name with 100% natural stated.
I have reminded by Joyce G, that a lot of herbs and health food may have side effect to surgery ( such as ginseng will increase blood flow and its will cause bleeding during open surgery) or treatment, and she is right. Do tell your doctor before treatment.
on the other hand, steriod have quite a lot of side effect ( prednisone may reduce density of the bones....etc) My father and my experience, accupuncture is very good to reduce edema,
Find a good chinese doctor.
good luck.
- By joyceg98
- Posted May 20, 2009 at 2:27 pm
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Wilson is right -- tell your doctor that Spirulina has been recommended, and is there any reason why you should not add it to his meds? And/or, ask the pharmacist.
Best wishes,
Joyce
- By Myway
- Posted May 21, 2009 at 4:59 pm
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Thank you to you both.....
I am speaking to our son's consultant in the next week or so - his oncologist and his neurosurgeon - I will definately ask about this - as I am now quite sure that I can help my son with his recovery through diet.
Have either of you heard of any benefits of Manuka honey?
I am putting up another post about this as I have heard very positive things about the anti-bacterial benefits of this honey which could aid recovery.
Thanks again :o)
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