Sore mouth due to chemo.

[kitty1950]

Hi there, I know I haven't posted in a while but the chemo side effects are starting to attack me. At the moment I am suffering with a sore mouth and find eating difficult and was wondering if anyone can suggest anything that may ease the soreness, I just about managed to clean my teeth this morning. Also suggest nice things to eat, I have made myself a trifle so thats a start. I know you will come up with something and I look forward to your replies. Many thanks, Kath. X

icemaiden, I have not forgotten you, please let me know how you are. X

[Hazel104]

Hi Kitty, poor you. My mum is going through this with Chemo as well it is horrible isn�t it?.

Some advice she has been given is to keep her mouth moist, by eating fresh pineapple or chewing gum (keeps the saliva flowing) and using Vaseline on her lips seems to helps as well.

You should try and clean your teeth with soft brush or child�s one and do this after every meal (she is finding this hard to keep to as it hurts). Also avoid mouthwash with alcohol in it.
Also avoid foods that may irritate such as hot spices, onion, anything salty, garlic and vinegar. She finds having moist food with sauces and gravy makes it easier to eat as well. When you next have your chemo ask about sucking ice chips whilst they give you the treatment as this may help reduce the soreness next time.

That's all I can think of for now, keep well and good luck xx

[kitty1950]

Thankyou Hazel, I am not too keen on fresh pineapple it has always made my mouth sore and I cant eat chewing gum as I have some dentures, not a lot going for me so far. Give your mum my best wishes. Kath. X

[sqad617]

Try either Difflam mouth washes or Chlorhexidine mouth washes.

[kitty1950]

Thanx squad, I will get some when I next go out. Kath.

[bednobs]

gargle with soluble paracetmol then swallow it 1/2 hour before trying to eat. Mouth wash before and after eating. Your gp/cancer dctor can prescribe carious mouthwashes
you can get one called gel-clair that coats the mouth before eating protecting the nerve endings

[kitty1950]

Thanks bednobs, all suggestions are gratefully recieved. Kath.

[kitty1950]

I am closing down for the night now as I am extremely tired (another side effect), I will be back on tomorrow. Night all, Kath.

[icemaiden]

Hi Kitty,i havent forgotten you either. In fact, I have been thinking about you alot recently. Sorry to hear about your discomfort. Hope the suggestions help you.

How are you coping with the Chemo apart from that?

I have my appointment on the 10th June. I am very nervous about it. Constantly on my mind. I am going on holiday with my daughter the week before so hopefully this will keep my mind off it a bit and then deal with it when I return.

Thanks for asking about me. Keep us updated as much as you can. Keep well

XX

[kitty1950]

Hi there icemaiden, I am so glad that you replied to my post as I had no other way of getting in touch with you.
The chemo itself is ok, it's the after effects that aren't so good. I have had severe constipation which I usually manage to clear after three days. Extreme fatigue where eveything aches (I can't even knit because of the aches in my hands). All these things seem to occur between four and seven days after the chemo day, this is why I haven't been posting on here much, cos once I start feeling better I have a load of things to catch up on. My hair started coming out two weeks after my first chemo session so I got my daughter to shave it off, I don't have bad hair days anymore so thats a bonus.
I have had so many hospital appointments for one thing or another up to the 14th May that I was sick to death of having to go out and just wanted to be left alone, I think I can get somewhat back to normal now that I only have the chemo day once every three weeks. My next one is on 28th May.
Anyway enough of me, I would like to hear something about you now if thats ok.
I thought your appointment was on the 27th May and you say it's on the 10th June, I wish I could say don't worry but no one can stop you worrying. I am glad to hear that you are going on holiday with your daughter, I couldn't have coped without my daughter. Are you going abroad or are you staying in the UK? wherever you go you need to relax and enjoy yourself.
I wish there was more I could do to help you. I would send you my email address but they all have my proper name in them and I don't want to post it on here, maybe I can set up another email address without personal information.
I hope you are still around as it has taken me a while to write this, if not I'll keep checking back as I'm going out this afternoon. Chin up girl and keep it up. Lots of love, Kath. X

[icemaiden]

Hi Kitty. Lovely to hear back from you.

I'm sorry to hear you have had bad side effects with the chemo, you have gone through so much already, but I see your strength in your writing. So glad you have your daughters support too. Big virtual hug from me. And think of all the money you are saving by not having to buy shampoo and conditioner!

Yes I have booked to go to Majorca for a week with my 9 year old daughter, I plan to have a great time and spend some precious time with her, something that is difficult with the speed of daily life as it is.


With regards to my appointment, the hospital rang me a few weeks ago to move my appointment, I have no idea why, but now it is on June 10th. I Will try not to think about it too much whilst I am away.

I wouldn't put out your email address on here, you may have lots of unwanted attention. I try to get on here a few times a week, but I don't think there is anyway to speak via a private message in answerbank.

Look forward to hearing from you soon. big hugs
xxx

[Robinia]

hi Kitty, sorry to hear you're having such a tough time.
Has anyone suggested it could be a fungal thing which is common when you're on chemo? It was a long time ago but I remember being given Nytstatin suspension to squirt into my mouth with a dropper. It tasted lovely & really helped with the soreness.
All the very best with your treatment.x

[kitty1950]

Just a quick note before I go out. I have found an email address if you want to contact me directly (I fully understand if you don't). What date are you going on holiday so I know not to worry that you aren't posting. My daughter is 37 so I had lots of support from her and I know it wont]'t be the same with your young daughter. Big hugs back. XX
P.S. I will post the email as and if you want it, it's entirely your choice. XX

[kitty1950]

Thankyou Robinia, It hasn't been mentioned but I will ask at my next chemo session, I shall also ask at the chemist when I go out this afternoon. Kath. X

[icemaiden]

If your happy posting your email Kitty then I would be happy to contact you in that way. I will be on holiday from 30th May - 6th June.

[icemaiden]

By the way, I will be leaving here at three so don't worry if you don't hear from me till the weekend.

[kitty1950]

I went to Boots chemist and asked about all the suggestions I had been given and they told me to either see my gp or my oncologist so I went to the Macmillan unit where I am having treatment and I was given a bottle of Chlorhexidine, why they cannot give you this as a matter of course just like they give you the anti nausea tablets whether you need them or not, I shall be asking for more next week when I go for my next chemo session. Kath.

[kitty1950]

Hi icemaiden, I wont post my email yet as everything could be ok and you won't need me. If I don't hear from you before next saturday then I hope you and your daughter have a great holiday and that the weather is fabulous, enjoy yourself. lots of love to you both, Kath. xx

[icemaiden]

Thanks Kath xxx