Dry mouth

[alfredo]

My mouth isn't just dry, it is gritty. The tip of my tongue is sore. I laid off the salt/baking sofa rinse, but I am back on it.

What now, how long should this last?

[Solly Mack]

1. Dry mouth is pretty much a forever thing once you've had radiation to the head/neck region.

I do water, various mouth rinses, and sprays constantly. All day long. Seriously, I usually take a sip of water every few minutes, all day long. I keep a bottle by the bed. I keep spray as well. And, yes, I go to the bathroom all day and night long.

When my tongue gets sore, it is usually from going too long without moistening my mouth. The tip of the tongue gets more air just from opening your mouth, so it would take the brunt.

I'm sorry. I really am. You will find a way that works for you and you will have to stick to it. If the soda/salt mixture helped to keep your tongue from drying out, then keep doing it forever.

Careful that your tongue does not become infected. That can happen once it it too dry. Sores can form that can become infected.

Seasonal changes make it worse, btw. As the temp changes, etc.. . My mouth gets dryer during fall and into winter.

[alfredo]

3. Thanks. I just ate a grape. I can taste it a bit.

I saw my doctor today. She is taking me off pilocarpine, and is giving me a different rinse. She said it is causing my sore nipples and sore tongue. So time will tell what works.

[Solly Mack]

5. I hope that is it. Sucks having to find a new solution, but I do hate it when

my tongue is sore.

I've adopted an attitude of "What now?" about my body after treatment, but not in a grimace sort of way. More like morbid curiosity. I have to laugh, or I would never stop crying.

There are times when I am a less than pleasant person to be around because of all the stuff I'm going through though. Each new thing, or even expected things flaring back up, can be frustrating and depressing.

You'll never really be your old self again, but that doesn't mean you can't be better. Time (and I do hate that word now) is the key, and the hardest thing there is, because it means waiting. I was used to bouncing back quick from illness or surgery. Not anymore.

[alfredo]

6. A nasty surprise happens, then becomes my reality.

I'm so glad I was able to thank my doc for saving my life. She gave me a hug when we parted. That made the pain worth it.

A couple weeks ago, my head and neck doctor told me, that because I am in my seventies, healing will take much longer. I didn't like hearing that, but I tucked it away and carried on.

[alfredo]

9. My Dr called and said my thyroid levels are off.

She has me set up for blood work in two weeks. I guess my thyroid got hammered during Radiation or chemo.

[Solly Mack]

10. That can happen unfortunately.

Let me know how the blood work goes, please.

[alfredo]

11. Sure will. My wife has Hypothyroidism, so she can relate.

She said it could explain why I take several naps every day. We can both be taking synthroid. Togetherness

[Solly Mack]

12. Could very well, with fatigue one of the signs.

Gonna grow old together, may as well do it together all the way. That's kind of the unwritten rule in our house.

[alfredo]

13. I won't know for sure for two weeks.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. The dry mouth stays awhile. I'm 8 years out and still carry a water

bottle everywhere. Even today, some foods, like vinegar and spices, will cause tiny blisters on my tongue.

You're making progress and things get better as time goes by.

[alfredo]

4. I need to be patient, and not give up hope.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Yes. For me, it took a year until I felt my life hadn't been ruined

by the cancer. It took a trip to Italy before I got to eating real food again.

[alfredo]

8. I'm a long way from eating tomatos, or pesto.

I made my wife's favorite dish, broccoli, and garlic in soy sauce over noodles. I tried a taste of the broth. It was awful. He loved it.

I hope to be able to eat greens some day.