Cancer Research UK main site

Mum struggling with mucus before radiotherapy

Matty-C
Offline

Hi, I'm looking after my mum who is 80 and has very aggressive throat cancer, she had a 5 day round of chemo 4 weeks ago and is due to start radiotherapy in 10 days. She can not swallow anything now, only tiny sips of water and is fitted with a feeding tube. Her mucus is really bad, she is struggling to breath, can't lie down, can't sleep and is constantly coughing and retching and having panic attacks due to the breathing problems, she says it feels like she is drowning,  horrendous to watch and bot be able to help  there has been no help from the oncology team with this mucus problem  my mum says there is no way she is gonna be able to lie flat with the mask on for the radiotherapy and just wants to give up. How have other people managed with this? Any advice on how to ease this problem and how to cope with lying down for the treatment. She is so messed up and her mental health (and mine) is on the floor!

  • Offline

    Hello Matty-C and a warm welcome to Cancer Chat, 

    I am sorry to hear about your mum's throat cancer diagnosis and I hope that the radiotherapy treatment will work well for her. It must be so hard to see her fitted with a feeding tube unable to swallow anything apart from tiny sips of water. It sounds so awful what she is going through both for her and for those who are watching her in this state. She definitely needs help and guidance with this mucus problem from her medical team and it might be worth discussing ahead of treatment what the best way will be for her to lie flat with the mask on. 

    You've come to the right place though to talk to an active community of members who have been affected by throat cancer and I would like to mention in particular  who has a lot of experience with throat cancer as well as   - both keep a blog of their experience and I will invite you also to take a look at 's gigantic  thread created 7 years ago on throat cancer which is still very active and which you are welcome to respond to. About a year ago,  also posted this throat cancer thread and mentioned how horrible the build-up of mucus at night had been for them. Don't hesitate to drop a line on any of these threads if you wish - it does help to talk to others who really understand what your mum has been going through.

    If you have any questions and would like to talk to one of our cancer nurses, the number to call is 0808 800 4040 - it's a free helpline open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope that you will find some great throat cancer resources and tips via our forum and that you will get chatting soon to our members who have also been affected by throat cancer. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator 

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Hi there,

    Am sorry to hear about your mum and issues with mucus and panic attacks.

    Treatment, while sucessful is challenging and im afraid  mucus is one of the side issues. In my experience it was quite horrid as well and difficult but it is temporary and doesnt last too long. Peppersmith mints and mandarin mint dry mouth lozenges helped quite a bit if your mum is able to suck them. Ices water or ice cubes if able as well can help.

    On the mask and lying down for treatment, i am the most claustrobic person but i overcame the mask surprising easy.  I had the mindset that this was helping save my life and the mask itself does not take long to make at all and then used for radiotherapy sessions.  So on these the mask is quickly placed over and only takes around approx 10 mins in total. I just kept my eyes closed for these 10 mins and was quickly over each day.

    Only my view, but if possible try and get radiotherapy in the mornings and then head home to rest. The treatment itself is not too bad and fatique kicked in tail end of second week.

    It is challenging treatment and recovery, mainlh because of where treatment is but try and stay postive a little if possible. I used to keep thinking about the light at the end of the tunnel.

    Please ask away any questions and there is a linkmon my blog if you want 1-1 chat and happy to help anyway i can

    Kind regards

    Ian ( anchor 1707)

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.