THRUSH & other post RAI tongue delights (updated repost)

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

There seems to be a variety of symptoms involving the tongue that follow RAI

treatments. Some of these may be due to swelling caused by being hypo, while

others are caused by the RAI itself.

Thrush is a fungal infection caused by, among other things, dry mouth and/or

radiation or RAI.

Fortunately, it is is a relatively uncommon side effect from RAI, but it has

happened enough that members have contributed some suggested relief. It's a

good idea to avoid eating a lot of sugar until your

flora ecosystem has restored itself.

All of the following information comes from list members; unfortunately,

the doctors haven't written in on the subject, except Dr. , who wrote,

" The mouth changes of soreness, sores and loss of taste are an effect of the

radioiodine. I don't know the exact mechanism of this effect " .

NYC

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" The human mouth is a genuine little eco system with lots of organisms

swimming around - there are staph and strep bacteria - fungus - and a bunch

of other species which live on food particles that coats the mouth - they

hold each other in check - and maintain an eco balance - as I understand it

- the RAI in some cases wipes out a lot of normal mouth flora - and the

Thrush - Candida Albicans - is fungus that grows back quickly - it also

happens some time when patients get massive doses of antibiotics and

a lot of the normal mouth flora get wiped out "

- " a cold spoon applied to the tongue brings relief "

- " for future reference: Sublingual B12; Zinc lozenges; Nystatin;

lactobacillus acidophilus; one Benadryl each day "

(Munira's checklist for her own tongue miseries)

THRUSH:

The following web site has some good information about thrush, including

some home remedies and complementary/alternative treatments.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/diseasesandconditions/invoke.cfm?id=DS\

00408

- " I get [thrush] every time ... even with the tracer dose ... and yes it is

yucky!!! It is also hard to get rid of, but I have found a trick... The doc

should prescribe Nystatin for you ...

usually 2 Tblsp per dose (not sure how many times/day I took it) ... that in

and of itself does do the complete job...

Here's the trick: use Listerine (the mint kind tastes better) BEFORE the

Nystatin each time ... helps to rid the bacteria and washes the mouth before

the medication ... When I haven't done it this way, it has taken forever to get

rid of. Hope it works for you as well. "

- " There is a product called Vince, its a rinse for thrush, but I don't know if

its over the counter or not... "

- " Listerine will help, until you get a prescription for something stronger. "

- " I too had a very sore tongue after RAI: white down the middle,

very red raw looking spots on both sides. I used a nonalcoholic

mouthwash recommended by pharmacist, and it seemed to heal my tongue.

You might give this a try. Taste took weeks to get back to more than

mud vs dust. "

- " I had a friend who successfully treated her thrush with taking acidopholus

orally. She got thrush after a course of chemotherapy for colon cancer.

Acidopholus can be purchased in health food stores in the refrigerator section.

It comes in a liquid or in capsules, the capsules being the easiest to use.

Many well respected medical doctors and licensed acupuncturists where I live

recommend taking acidopholus during and after any course of antibiotics. "

- " Thrush help in an emergency if you can't get to the Nystatin etc. .... salt

& warm water, just gargle it and rinse .... or tea tree oil, just a couple of

drops in water and gargle (DON'T swallow it though)....

Heaps of vitamin C of course. I've even noticed eucalyptus oil helpful

or teifu oil (oil of wintergreen). Of course don't swallow these just gargle

and rinse.

When you can get ... the acidophilus & bifidus go for it. Of course the sugar

lollies [candies] are feeding it so if you can ease off on the sugar and try

the lemon water without the sweet it helps.

.... my naturopath always swears on the old slippery elm to do the big clean

out when you need to rebalance your gut flora after the candida got out of

control.... You can do the capsules if you can't cope with the powder,

but the powder is going to give the best results.

Just start with a half a teaspoon on some cereal or in a bit of warm water

(you absorb warm water faster than cold) and a bit (tiny bit) of honey if

you are feeling wimpy and can't manage the taste.

Gradually increase it 2 or 3 times a day when it is most needed. When you add

the water or juice etc it will change rapidly in consistency so you need to

swallow

it fast or it swells up and goes a bit slippery. It is a brilliant intestinal

clean out.

Very gentle and yet very effective. I don't think you get dependency problems

with it either like with Senna. ....

Just test it out and see how you feel with it slowly. Take it easy and

observe the natural flow of your body. And then boost up the good flora

by adding the acidophilus and the bifidus. "

- " I've had oral thrush (or something of that nature) ever since my RAI in 1995.

I've used the Oral Mycelex, but find it hard to remember to suck on them 5

times a day. If it gets really bad, I can usually talk the doc into giving me

Diflucan, which is really powerful and frightfully expensive.

- " I used Biotene oral balance gel which is artificial saliva to spread on my

tongue. 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. "

More from the archives. Be sure to read the responses linked from the letters

below.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/1440 ... Bekki is grossed out by the

colors her tongue is turning

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/24179 ... Munira's tongue blisters

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/23606 ... Deb's yucky, painful

tongue

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/22917 ... Antonella's charming

tongue growths