I received some great advice about sucking on ice chips from two sources and I'm here to report - AWESOME! After my first chemotherapy treatment just over 3 weeks ago, I suffered pretty badly from a terrible metallic taste and painful ulcers in my mouth... In addition to the nausea. Not a fun combo. My friend, who happens to be an MD, Sorcha, and a different friend who happens to also be going through chemo shared the ice secret with me and I've got to ask, why didn't the chemo nurses tell me? It's made such a huge difference! I've also been gargling with salt water as my friend, E. A.,told me to do. Tfu, tfu, tfu. So far so good.
Coming off of chemotherapy is obviously not pleasant. The first day or two carries me over with the supportive "cocktail" drugs including steroids and anti-nausea meds. It seems like days 3 and 4 are the least friendly. It's like being in a flu-ish fog with waves of nausea, headache, and faintness.
I'm just so happy that my mouth feels normal! That's what I call being grateful for life's small pleasures and we'll leave it at that.
Gargling with a cup of water with a teaspoon of baking soda is good for preventing the sores. It keeps the ph in your mouth the same. Salt water is only when there are sores.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Erika! Lots of love, Deborah
ReplyDeleteGlad you found some relief for those sores! I hope the other symptoms wear off quickly. Take it slow...
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