Mucus Question - Part Two

When discussing the mucus problem in the first post, I just assumed everyone was talking about the incredible flow during treatment.  When it was happening to me, I asked my doctor about it.  He said what it really was , is fluid weeping from radiation burns inside my mouth and throat.  Just like when you burn your skin.  It blisters up and if you pop it, fluid comes out.

My question is, are some of you talking about mucus problems post treatment?  I ask because I've never had allergies in my life, until now. I consistently feel stopped-up and have a runny nose.  Like a cold is coming on.

My ENT thinks it's allergies. I'm on Allegra, Nasacort and even had a nasal reconstruction.  All this has helped tremendously, but after reading all your post, I have to wonder if what I'm experiencing is a long-term effect of radiation.

Anyone else going through this?

Tom

What I'm talking about is the mucus caused as the radiation kills off the salivary glands. As they are dieing off, they give off terrible mucus.

One thing I found helpful is to whenever you think of it. Massage under your jaw and neck. Everytime I do that, I feel some mucus being released and I can spit it out because it hasn't worked to my throat yet. The radiation mucus is far different from allergy mucus. I too have both. You'll know the difference.

Rick

I have been done with radiation since Nov. '05. The mucus and sinus problems have plagued me since then. No one will tell me for sure if it's caused by the radiation, but I know I did not have these problems before (some sinus, some bronchitis, but not to this extent). I have full-blown upper respiratory infections at least three times a year or more now with coughs that linger for weeks. You just can't tell me it's not a long-term side effect. One of the nurses during treatment said that cold air, dust and smoke would always bother me and boy, was he right. I cannot stand certain smells now, any type of floral air freshener, etc. I have a handicapped sticker for my vehicle for use in the winter because the cold air just burns my throat up and might cause a coughing fit.

I could go on and on, but I think your concerns are valid.

3-putt.

I've had allergies and asthma all my life w/ post nasal drip and clogging. It is nothing like the mucus from radiation. The radiation mucus is so thick it won't swallow down, and won't easily spit up. It's a cloudy white color. Usually cold or alergy snot is thinner and either green or yellow.

BTW: Actually went out and hit balls yesterday on the range for about 1/2 hour. First time since October. I have a feeling it won't be long and I'll be at double digit handicap again. UGLY!!

Rick

Here's a little something on mucositis:

--------------- 

Mucositis is the painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, usually as an adverse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for cancer.

Oral and gastrointestinal (GI) mucositis can affect up to 100% of
patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell
transplantation, 80% of patients with malignancies of the head and neck
receiving radiotherapy, and a wide range of patients receiving
chemotherapy. Alimentary track mucositis increases mortality and
morbidity and contributes to rising health care costs.[1]

For most cancer treatment, about 5-15% of patients get mucositis. However, with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), up to 40% get mucocitis, and 10-15% get grade 3-4 oral mucositis. Irinotecan
is associated with severe GI mucositis in over 20% of patients. 75-85%
of bone marrow transplantation recipients experience mucositis, of
which oral mucositis is the most common and most debilitating,
especially when melphalan is used. In grade 3 oral mucositis, the
patient is unable to eat solid food, and in grade 4, the patient is
unable to consume liquids as well.[2]

Radiotherapy to the head and neck or to the pelvis or abdomen is
associated with Grade 3 and Grade 4 oral or GI mucositis, respectively,
often exceeding 50% of patients. Among patients undergoing head and
neck radiotherapy, pain and decreased oral function may persist long
after the conclusion of therapy. Fractionated radiation dosage
increases the risk of mucositis to > 70% of patients in most trials.
Oral mucositis is particularly profound and prolonged among HSCT
recipients who receive total-body irradiation.

---------------------

Because I had received 5-FU and Cisplatin with the radiation I had grade 4 mucositis after treatment. It lasted about 4 weeks then went away. Guess I got lucky.

Joe 

Have to agree with Rick51....the mucus from treatment is thick...so thick that after about 15 treatments, the mucus would wake me up in the middle of the night choking...I'm still in treatment but anticipating dealing with the mucus afterwards. 

I will add that my doctor told me that if I drank more water, I would thin the mucus, and I really didn't think I could drink more than I ws, but I did, and I think it has thinned it a bit.

Give me 30 days, and I'll write back about my mucus staus.  Good luck.

Mike

On 3/6/2008 Mike1sc wrote:

Have to agree with Rick51....the mucus from treatment is thick...so thick that after about 15 treatments, the mucus would wake me up in the middle of the night choking...I'm still in treatment but anticipating dealing with the mucus afterwards. 

 

I will add that my doctor told me that if I drank more water, I would thin the mucus, and I really didn't think I could drink more than I ws, but I did, and I think it has thinned it a bit.

 

Give me 30 days, and I'll write back about my mucus staus.  Good luck.

 

 

Mike

On 3/6/2008 jessanddonna wrote:

 

On 3/6/2008 Mike1sc wrote:

Have to agree with Rick51....the mucus from treatment is thick...so thick that after about 15 treatments, the mucus would wake me up in the middle of the night choking...I'm still in treatment but anticipating dealing with the mucus afterwards. 

 

I will add that my doctor told me that if I drank more water, I would thin the mucus, and I really didn't think I could drink more than I ws, but I did, and I think it has thinned it a bit.

 

Give me 30 days, and I'll write back about my mucus staus.  Good luck.

 

 

Mike

I finished last radiation mid-Oct. and had same problems with mucus - all I can say is it does get better.  At this time it almost feels comforting because of the dry mouth.  It will improve!

I've been following your thread about the mucus - do you guys remember when it started? My husband (Stage IV Acinic Cell Salivary Gland, lymph node mets, unclear margins, not typical acinic cell as his is aggressive and mid-grade) started daily radiation, IMRT, and weekly cisplatin last Friday the 7th. He has started with the mucus and it's driving him crazy - his voice is also extremely hoarse. At first I thought a cold or strep (it started with a sore throat), but strep test negative and no other symptoms. NONE! Feels ok except for the mucus and ysterday as he was strapped to the table during radiation he got choked... From everything I'm reading I know we should expect this and that it will get really really really bad - we just weren't expecting it this fast.

Thoughts? THANKS!!!!

Michelle