Guest guest Posted May 27, 2001 Report Share Posted May 27, 2001 > I am so, so grossed out with all the things going on in my mouth > since the EBR.. and now my toungue is turning black.. it is just > starting, as I went to my family doctor Friday and my mouth was fine. > I put in a call to the radiation doctor and they say there is nothing > I can really do.. just a by product of saliva problems.. I hate all > of this!!!!!!!!! Does anyone else on here have experiences with > this flora or have any suggestions for treating it??? Hang in there Bekki - it has got to get better! I think I've had to spend too much time in the head/neck oncology department waiting room.... because I've met several people with black tongues. They point it out when you meet them, mostly because they think you'll notice & wonder what's happened to them. I'd assume they had just had one of those jaw-breaker candies or licorice...but that's me. Apparently black tongue can happen after radiation treatment or high doses of antibiotics. I'm a little fuzzy on the details.... but I think the dark colour may not just be caused by a 'flora' but from a build up of keratin (sp?). Not enough keratin is sloughed (or, perhaps, too much keratin is being produced at the surface of the tongue). Did your radiation doctor offer any suggestions to treat it or speed-up recovery ...like gently brushing your tongue a few times a day? We're all pulling for you Bekki ! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2001 Report Share Posted May 27, 2001 > > Did your radiation doctor offer any suggestions to treat it or > speed-up recovery ...like gently brushing your tongue a few times > a day? No, when I called, they said there wasn't much I can do.. but I did brush my tongue ( thanks for that suggestion) and it did come off some but it is already coming back on. I will try anything to get rid of it. I am sorry to complain of this as I know others have much worse problems.. I am just so tired of dealing with the after affects of the radiation. I just want to be past it all. Bekki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2001 Report Share Posted May 27, 2001 Bekki, Is your mouth very dry ? My tongue is dry most of the time after RAI but it's been a year ago now since the treatment. I use Biotene oral balance gel which is artificial saliva to spread on my tongue. Just wondered if this might help. Joan ( tall cell pap. ca.) TT 11/95 RAI x 3 = 489 mCi Floura- post EBR-help > I am so, so grossed out with all the things going on in my mouth > since the EBR.. and now my toungue is turning black.. it is just > starting, as I went to my family doctor Friday and my mouth was fine. > I put in a call to the radiation doctor and they say there is nothing > I can really do.. just a by product of saliva problems.. I hate all > of this!!!!!!!!! Does anyone else on here have experiences with > this flora or have any suggestions for treating it??? Thanks, Bekki > in TX , tt & rai'89; rai 7/00; mid-neck dissection > 2/01; EBR finished May 4th > > > For more information regarding thyroid cancer visit www.thyca.org. If you do not wish to belong to this group, you may UNSUBSCRIBE by sending a blank email to thyca-unsubscribe > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2001 Report Share Posted May 27, 2001 Bekki, Is your mouth very dry ? My tongue is dry most of the time after RAI but it's been a year ago now since the treatment. I use Biotene oral balance gel which is artificial saliva to spread on my tongue. Just wondered if this might help. Joan ( tall cell pap. ca.) TT 11/95 RAI x 3 = 489 mCi Floura- post EBR-help > I am so, so grossed out with all the things going on in my mouth > since the EBR.. and now my toungue is turning black.. it is just > starting, as I went to my family doctor Friday and my mouth was fine. > I put in a call to the radiation doctor and they say there is nothing > I can really do.. just a by product of saliva problems.. I hate all > of this!!!!!!!!! Does anyone else on here have experiences with > this flora or have any suggestions for treating it??? Thanks, Bekki > in TX , tt & rai'89; rai 7/00; mid-neck dissection > 2/01; EBR finished May 4th > > > For more information regarding thyroid cancer visit www.thyca.org. If you do not wish to belong to this group, you may UNSUBSCRIBE by sending a blank email to thyca-unsubscribe > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2001 Report Share Posted May 27, 2001 Joan, Do I need a prescription for this? I was going to call my dentist on Tuesday if I need one. The irony of it is that we discussed my getting an IV of something that would keep me from getting blocked salivary glands but the doctor that was in charge of the EBR was sure I wouldn't need it because he was blocking the glands.. ugh.. I appreciate your telling me about this product. !!! Bekki I use Biotene oral balance gel > which is artificial saliva to spread on my tongue. Just wondered if this > might help. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2001 Report Share Posted May 27, 2001 Bekki, No, this product can be bought over the counter. I got it at Wal-mart pharmacy. It cost about $5 a tube. I also looked in my medical book about black tongue. It says sometimes bacteria, which is present in everyone's mouth, accumulate in the fissures or on the papillae. This can make the tongue appear black or dark brown. Or it can be caused by a fungal infection such as oral thrush. It said to restore your tongue back to normal to brush it gently twice a day with a toothbrush if it doesn't hurt to do so. To dip the toothbrush in a diluted antiseptic such as a mouthwash. It is not a cause for concern, it says. Hope this helps. Joan Re: Floura- post EBR-help > > > Joan, > Do I need a prescription for this? I was going to call my dentist on > Tuesday if I need one. The irony of it is that we discussed my > getting an IV of something that would keep me from getting blocked > salivary glands but the doctor that was in charge of the EBR was sure > I wouldn't need it because he was blocking the glands.. ugh.. I > appreciate your telling me about this product. !!! Bekki > > > I use Biotene oral balance gel > > which is artificial saliva to spread on my tongue. Just wondered if > this > > might help. > > > > > > > > > For more information regarding thyroid cancer visit www.thyca.org. If you do not wish to belong to this group, you may UNSUBSCRIBE by sending a blank email to thyca-unsubscribe > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2001 Report Share Posted May 28, 2001 >>>Or it can be caused by a fungal infection > such as oral thrush.<<< Joan, Thank you. This makes much sense since I had to deal with thrush the whole time of EBR. I appreciate your looking it up for me. I found something on the internet too that said if you had treatment for thrush during radiation to neck or head to avoid bismuth products such as Pepto Bismal. I had used this a couple of days prior to my tongue changing color. I have been brushing it and it is looking better already. I think I will get some of the saliva replacement you told me about to help keep it at bay. I think I will use it when I eat too as I am having to stay away from dryer foods because they won't moisten enough in my mouth to swallow. Do you think it would help with that? Thank you for helping me through this! What would I do with out yall????????? Bekki in TX; tt & rai'89; rai 7/00; mid- neck dissection 2/01; 5/01- finished EBR > > I use Biotene oral balance gel > > > which is artificial saliva to spread on my tongue. Just wondered if > > this > > > might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2001 Report Share Posted May 28, 2001 Bekki, I would think using the Oral Jel before you eat would help although I don't use it. I have to take sips of water with anything I eat instead. I use it mostly when my mouth gets dry especially at bedtime and during the night if I wake up. I couldn't get along without it myself. I also was treated with medication for fungal infection before. Joan Re: Floura- post EBR-help > >>>Or it can be caused by a fungal infection > > such as oral thrush.<<< > > Joan, Thank you. This makes much sense since I had to deal with > thrush the whole time of EBR. I appreciate your looking it up for me. > I found something on the internet too that said if you had treatment > for thrush during radiation to neck or head to avoid bismuth products > such as Pepto Bismal. I had used this a couple of days prior to my > tongue changing color. I have been brushing it and it is looking > better already. I think I will get some of the saliva replacement > you told me about to help keep it at bay. I think I will use it when > I eat too as I am having to stay away from dryer foods because they > won't moisten enough in my mouth to swallow. Do you think it would > help with that? Thank you for helping me through this! What would I > do with out yall????????? Bekki in TX; tt & rai'89; rai 7/00; mid- > neck dissection 2/01; 5/01- finished EBR > > > > I use Biotene oral balance gel > > > > which is artificial saliva to spread on my tongue. Just > wondered if > > > this > > > > might help. > > > > For more information regarding thyroid cancer visit www.thyca.org. If you do not wish to belong to this group, you may UNSUBSCRIBE by sending a blank email to thyca-unsubscribe > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2001 Report Share Posted May 28, 2001 Bekki, I would think using the Oral Jel before you eat would help although I don't use it. I have to take sips of water with anything I eat instead. I use it mostly when my mouth gets dry especially at bedtime and during the night if I wake up. I couldn't get along without it myself. I also was treated with medication for fungal infection before. Joan Re: Floura- post EBR-help > >>>Or it can be caused by a fungal infection > > such as oral thrush.<<< > > Joan, Thank you. This makes much sense since I had to deal with > thrush the whole time of EBR. I appreciate your looking it up for me. > I found something on the internet too that said if you had treatment > for thrush during radiation to neck or head to avoid bismuth products > such as Pepto Bismal. I had used this a couple of days prior to my > tongue changing color. I have been brushing it and it is looking > better already. I think I will get some of the saliva replacement > you told me about to help keep it at bay. I think I will use it when > I eat too as I am having to stay away from dryer foods because they > won't moisten enough in my mouth to swallow. Do you think it would > help with that? Thank you for helping me through this! What would I > do with out yall????????? Bekki in TX; tt & rai'89; rai 7/00; mid- > neck dissection 2/01; 5/01- finished EBR > > > > I use Biotene oral balance gel > > > > which is artificial saliva to spread on my tongue. Just > wondered if > > > this > > > > might help. > > > > For more information regarding thyroid cancer visit www.thyca.org. If you do not wish to belong to this group, you may UNSUBSCRIBE by sending a blank email to thyca-unsubscribe > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2001 Report Share Posted May 28, 2001 Bekki, I would think using the Oral Jel before you eat would help although I don't use it. I have to take sips of water with anything I eat instead. I use it mostly when my mouth gets dry especially at bedtime and during the night if I wake up. I couldn't get along without it myself. I also was treated with medication for fungal infection before. Joan Re: Floura- post EBR-help > >>>Or it can be caused by a fungal infection > > such as oral thrush.<<< > > Joan, Thank you. This makes much sense since I had to deal with > thrush the whole time of EBR. I appreciate your looking it up for me. > I found something on the internet too that said if you had treatment > for thrush during radiation to neck or head to avoid bismuth products > such as Pepto Bismal. I had used this a couple of days prior to my > tongue changing color. I have been brushing it and it is looking > better already. I think I will get some of the saliva replacement > you told me about to help keep it at bay. I think I will use it when > I eat too as I am having to stay away from dryer foods because they > won't moisten enough in my mouth to swallow. Do you think it would > help with that? Thank you for helping me through this! What would I > do with out yall????????? Bekki in TX; tt & rai'89; rai 7/00; mid- > neck dissection 2/01; 5/01- finished EBR > > > > I use Biotene oral balance gel > > > > which is artificial saliva to spread on my tongue. Just > wondered if > > > this > > > > might help. > > > > For more information regarding thyroid cancer visit www.thyca.org. If you do not wish to belong to this group, you may UNSUBSCRIBE by sending a blank email to thyca-unsubscribe > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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