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Mucositis

Clarke39
Offline

Hi

i am having chemotherapy, round one , day 10. Boxing Day. 

i have a very painful raw and swollen, lips, mouth, throat . I am not succeeding in managing the pain. I am taking paracetamol and ibrprofen. I have used salt mouth wash and am only eating liquid foods. But my condition is worsening. 

Can you advise? 

Thanks 

  • Hello Clarke39

    I'm sorry to hear that you've been struggling with a really unpleasant side effect of your treatment the past few days. Please do contact the chemo hotline number that the hospital would have given you for advice and support. Hopefully, they will be able to recommend something that will improve this issue for you. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Hello and thanks for posting

    Mucositis usually occurs because the healthy cells in the mouth are killed off by the chemotherapy as they are frequent rapidly dividing cells. This causes the mouth to develop sores or ulcers and increases the risk of mouth infections. Unfortunately it isn't unusual for the mouth to become painful and swollen that it becomes difficult to eat or drink.

    As our moderator Jenn has advised, it’s best to let your chemotherapy hospital team know about your mouth issues,  and see what they recommend. They may be able to prescribe some mouth gels and mouthwashes to use that will help. There are some tips on our website that may also be useful.

    I hope this side effect improves for you soon. Give us a ring if you would like to talk any of this over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Kind regards,

    Celene

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