Other Treatments
side effects
AFTERMATH OF SURGERY
Because there are so many physical changes, our bodies react protectively by producing excessive amounts of mucous and, at first, we cough a lot. The stoma, being newly formed, needs moisture to keep from drying out and there will be post operative edema around the front of the neck. All of these aftereffects of surgery get better at varying rates of speed.
SMELL
Because we no longer breathe through our noses and our odor receptors are in the nose, we lose much of our ability to smell. We get whiffs of odors. Either we get accustomed to the fainter odors, or we learn to move in such a way that we get more "whiffs", but it does seem to get better.
TASTE
Taste depends partly on being able to smell and is also affected by dry mouth. Some people never have a problem with this and others either lose a good bit of the ability to taste or find a difference in the way foods taste. This gets better or even disappears over time. For an article that might help, read "Shadow of a Taste."
CAROTID STENOSIS
Several of our members have had carotid artery stenosis, a partial blockage of the carotid artery. One possible cause is the radiation we received in past years.
It may be found due to a "bruit" or different noise when the doctor listens to the artery with a stethoscope. It can also be found by other symptoms: TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)--numbness on one side of the body anywhere, unexplained dizziness, vision disturbance (a plaque may have broken loose and lodged in your eye), a stroke (plaque going to your brain).
They are able to find the amount of blockage with a Doppler or CT scan. It can then be corrected with a stent. This is a procedure where the MD inserts a catheter in the groin artery using a balloon with the stent inside and a sort of umbrella over it to make sure no plaque flakes off and heads to the brain. The hospital may keep you overnight just to make sure all is well. You may also be put on meds such as Plavix and low dose aspirin prior to and after the stent placement. (Vicki Metz)
EATING AFTER STOMACH PULL-UP
After having a stomach pull-up, I was having difficulty eating because my stomach would only hold 4 oz. at a time, then I would have to wait an hour. This meant to gain or maintain weight, I had to eat or drink almost every hour and would eat one hour, drink the next. I was told that gravity would cause the stomach to drop down a bit and expand and now, 5 weeks after surgery, I can finally consume over twice as much and not feel as full. This also allows me to drink something with my meals, which I couldn't before. (Roger Scharmen)
WEDGE PILLOW TO ELEVATE HEAD
For elevating my head to avoid reflux, I use a wedge pillow about 12" high at the thickest end. I put a pillow on top of that. I prefer this to a tilted bed as we have no foot board and the mattress doesn't slide down toward the foot of the bed. Also, since I am the only one affected--my husband can lie on a flat bed. I just take this with me whenever we go away from home for the night where getting an extra pillow isn't always easy. See the descriptions and photos of pillows in Everyday Living. (Vicki Metz)
COUGHING
If you feel a scratching or like something is in your throat or you have a dry constant cough, squirt some saline solution into each nostril. You will feel it go down and this can be repeated as often as necessary to stop the cough. I have found this to be wonderful and get almost instantaneous relief. (Carole Rabin)
DEPRESSION
Any serious medical procedure is a trauma to your entire system. Concerns about having had cancer, about being able to return to work, worries about your lifestyle and personal relationships all take a toll. Do not hesitate to get whatever help is needed from your doctor.
MOUTHWASH AND TOOTHPASTE
My Dentist recommended a treatment, basically a Sodium fluoride mouthwash that I have found it quite refreshing and it would appear has kept my gums and mouth in good order. Recommendations also included the use of a toothpaste which is made up with the same ingredients as the wash but unfortunately this information came to late to help my teeth which were in the latter stages of decay. Both the mouthwash and toothpaste are used once or twice a week and therefore the outlay is not expensive in the long term if it helps to avoid radiation and chemo dental problems incurred by laryngectomees. The wash and toothpaste are Colgate products, Duraphat. Talk with your dentist. (Jim McDougall)
THICKENED SALIVA
For thick saliva - I was given this bit of advice by my dentist - keep some pineapple squares in their own juice in the fridge and eat one now and again - it works. (Liz UK)
Moisture, Moisture, Moisture! Use your humidifier, drink lots of water. Sometimes tart drinks or hard candies stimulate production of saliva, but your body needs the water to thin it. Try both hot and cold drinks to see which works better for you. Cold bubbly club soda may cut it loose. (Suggestions from the WW Email list).
SALIVA STIMULATING LOZENGES
I have found a product that really makes saliva. It is called Salix and is made by a company called SalivaSure, http://www.scandinaviannaturals.com . I put one between my gum and cheek and just let it dissolve. It is good for 30 minutes to an hour. I can do an hour of aerobics now without having to wet my mouth. I have had a lot of cavities and my teeth stain real easily but otherwise not much trouble except for the lack of saliva. (Janet Pounds)
HINTS FOR DRY MOUTH
I discovered Biotene products, made by Laclede, at the IAL Convention held in Toronto. They have a chewing gum, which I like a lot! Although, it breaks down in my mouth after chewing it awhile, it does last longer than the other chewing gums that are on the market. I still have most of my teeth and since I had extensive radiation, it is very important that I keep my mouth moist. I didn't have much success with the "sprays" that are on the market but I find that lemon drops, or other hard bitter candies, help generate saliva. I carry a small water bottle at all times, otherwise I lose the quality of my "TEP" voice, since late in the day my saliva becomes very thick, and I am unable to swallow it easily.
XEROSTOMIA
This after effect of radiation therapy or medications can be temporary or permanent. In response to requests for information and recommendations about xerostomia, remedies include the following:
1. Sip water frequently. Use a humidifier regularly to moisten air. These will both help to decrease thickness of salivary secretions.
2. Stimulate flow from salivary glands by using sugarless candy and gum or chewing fibrous foods, such as celery or carrots, between meals (if tolerated).
3. Alternate solids and liquids during meals. Use sauces or gravies to add moisture to dry foods. Take small bites and chew well.
4. Saliva substitutes are available in sprays, liquids and, I believe, in gums, and gels. Ask your pharmacist to recommend products (i.e. Salivart, MouthKote). Be aware that saliva substitutes are a temporary solution and many patients consider them ineffective.
5. If xerostomia is severe, consider the use of medications, such as Pilocarpine and Bethanechol (Urecholine), which stimulate salivary production. Talk to your physician to determine if these are appropriate in your individual circumstances.
6. Prevent dental decay that may be associated with xerostomia by visiting the dentist more frequently and not eating sugar between meals.
Good luck. From my own personal experience, many of the patients that I have worked with have just learned to live with it. (Laurie R. Sabol, SLP)
TAKE YOUR VITAMINS
Dr. Kagan, who is is world famous as a wound specialist, says that whenever there is a healing problem, the patient should be on Centrum Silver Vitamins. I bought the store brand with the same ingredients (1/2 of the price) and have been taking them.
Carole Rabin
HEAD AND SHOULDER STIFFNESS
The number one rule for pain. See if there is a medical reason for it. If there is not and your doctor clears you, then the recommended treatment is "use it or lose it". Physical therapy, massage therapy and/or an exercise guru can help you with this but you can do it on your own and feel much better. For the people who have devoted a little time every day, the benefits have been great. It is not that time consuming. Some of this can be done when you are in your car and stop at a traffic light or when you are watching TV. Try it. You may love it or love the way it makes you feel after! You can read these articles by going to the past issues of HeadLines. The Self-Massage articles start in June 2002; Stretching article is from August 2003
Download an Adobe.pdf file of Self Massage and Stretching.
Download a Word file with the series of articles on Self Massage and Stretching.
(Pat Sanders, Editor HeadLines)
For suggestions, contributions or questions about this section, please contact:
Ed Chapman, VP Web Site Information