I have only bought a couple of Biotene products at chemists in Australia. I have not tried health food shops as they are generally fairly dear. I am a member of Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer facebook support group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/45891977828/), the majority of whom are American. I got the names of items from their comments and when a friend travelled to US recently he bought them for me, a fair bit cheaper than some Australian prices. ... View more

I did not have chemotherapy but have a similar problem from radiotherapy - referred to by some of us as "Rad Fog". Both have been discussed by many members of Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/45891977828/ It definitely exists! http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physicalsideeffects/chemotherapyeffects/chemo-brain http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chemo-brain/DS01109 http://news.cancerconnect.com/chemo-brain/ ... View more

Sending (((hugs))) of comfort and prayers of strength and heart-peace to you, Jobeth. And may you have more sweet, loving moments together. ... View more

My surgeon only gives length of life expectations when treatment is refused - it will be quite short in most cases. Beyond that, no-one knows. Good treatment response can put you in the 'non-cancer' life expectancy. But any of us could go under a bus tomorrow. I put my affairs in order prior to surgery/rads but am still pushing for 100 as I was prior. Best wishes for a long, healthy life for your husband, Amelia Jane - (((hugs))) Pamela :) ... View more

Hi Famula I only had a nasal tube for a few days and could eat soft food between having it out and radiotherapy. I used Xylocaine Viscous to numb painful areas of my mouth (mainly tongue and throat) to enable eating for some months after radiotherapy - a lot of which was Sustagen by straw to start with. I am also a member of the following group, many of whom will be able to help you with information regarding their relative experiences. Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer https://www.facebook.com/groups/45891977828/ Best wishes for a healthy future, Pamela :) ... View more

Hi David I used Xylocaine Viscous to numb my mouth/throat so I could eat. I squirted it on my sore/ulcerated areas with a dropper so as not to numb my whole mouth. It numbed immediately and wore off about 45 minutes later, allowing relatively comfortable food intake. I used aloe vera gel on my cheek and neck which took the heat out immediately and kept my skin smooth and non-blistered. I have thought since I should have tried aloe vera juice to rinse and swallow to see if it helped inside as much as it did outside. Prayers for good health/healing and well-being, (((hugs))) Pamela 🙂 ... View more

Hi Fee You are not alone with the fatigue problem. I and many others on https://www.facebook.com/groups/45891977828/ (Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer)have the same problem. Many cancer patients suffer from cancer-related fatigue (CRF) both during and after their treatment. CRF can arise at any point in the course of the disease and can be either self-limited or persistent, sometimes for years. It gives rise to a vicious circle of impaired physical performance, avoidance of exertion, inactivity, inadequate physical recovery, helplessness, and depressed mood. Its hallmarks are tiredness, exhaustion, and lack of energy; it can impair performance so severely that the patient is unable to work. It is associated with increased mortality. Cancer patients are hardly ever systematically asked about the symptoms and signs of CRF. The stress and impairments that it produces are often inadequately appreciated, and the opportunities for treatment often neglected. Conclusion Cancer-related fatigue is a serious problem that impairs patients physically, mentally, and socially. Physicians need to know how to recognize and treat it. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3314239/ If you can connect with like-minded people, I find the ignorant ones become less of a burden. Warm (((hugs))) Pamela 🙂 ... View more

I have never experienced a high of any sort while taking any of these, even though I had bad withdrawals in hospital after my first experience of taking them. They only take the edge off my pain levels, maybe the top 25% but any relief is good. One thing that does give me short-term total relief as long as I don't move while doing it is to use a small foot vibrator/massager I got from Aldi for $60. I rest my feet on it at high continual vibration for two sessions of 15 minutes (with heat in winter). For that half hour I focus on the vibration travelling up my feet/legs/torso/neck/head/arms and the pain just disappears. As soon as I stop and move it is all there again, maybe with a tiny edge off for a short while. Is very good ;-) Prayers for health, well-being and strength to you all, Pamela 🙂 ... View more

Hi kj Targin actually has an additive to reduce the constipation effect, which is why my GP changed my script from Oxycontin as I am already coping with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) which I control with lots of fibre and fluid. Panadol Forte (with codeine) also has a constipation effect as well as a number of other meds e.g. for blood pressure. Best wishes, Pamela :-) ... View more

Further to my previous: A check of the boxes showed that they are 10mg, not 5mg. I had a discussion with a friend who has had mind-boggling back pain for 25 years since botched surgery. He has taken/still takes Oxycontin, Endone and Targin to get through life with severe chronic pain. His thoughts are deal with the pain first and cope with the addiction afterwards, coming off very, very slowly over a long period. He now takes them carefully and wisely but as necessary and always will. He has no sign of addiction. And I will continue to take them occasionally when the pain gets all too much for me. Just a mention that Endone is immediate; Oxycontin and Targin are slow release. Hugs, Pamela 🙂 ... View more