Does it get harder??

[Jenniferskc]

My mom just completed her 6th treatment. Scan showed the tumors are shrinking, and up until this most recent round, she was handling it okay. She was able to control her nausea and barely had any mouth sores. Now she is struggling. Vomited all day the day after treatment, now has diarhea, she looks so beat down. Horrible mouth sores.
Is this pretty typical? I think they have her slated for 6 more treatments so she is feeling very discouraged.

[juliej]

The chemo does build up, Jenniferskc, so side-effects often get worse. Sometimes, though, it's a roller-coaster, bad one cycle and then not-too-bad for the very next cycle. So you never know. Make sure your mom is staying hydrated to flush the excess chemo from her body. Also, get her a prescription for "magic mouthwash" to help with the mouth sores. It may be called something different, but ask her oncologist for a script for mouthwash with lidocaine.

Things that have helped others with mouth sores:

Hydrogen peroxide. Swish and leave in mouth for 10+ minutes.
Kefir (a probiotic drink similar to a yogurt shake). Hold in mouth for a few minutes before swallowing.
Switching to Biotene toothpaste.
Episil: http://www.episilusa.com/
Orajel Mouth Sore Gel: http://www.orajel.com/en/Products/adult-oral-care/Orajel-Mouth-Sore-Gel
Gum Cancer-X Gel: http://www.gumbrand.com/gum-canker-x-gel-1772ra.html

If it gets really bad, reducing the chemo dosage might be a good idea, especially if it allows her to continue treatment when it otherwise would have to stop. I'm happy to hear her tumors are shrinking! Tell her to stay strong and hopefully she'll be ready for a liver resection soon!

[drebay]

Magic Mouthwash is what my pharmacy put on the label

[canadiandaughter]

My dad just finished 12 rounds. We get the scan results on Monday. He has been doing great, but getting frustrated with his lack of energy. He gets diarrhea pretty bad the week of chemo and lately has been a bit more nauseated. He has pills to help with that, if we can get him to take them. He had a few mouth sores but nothing too bad. At chemo class they suggested to start using a alcohol free mouthwash right away to help with that and that is what we did with him before he even started treatments, not sure if that helps or or he has just been very lucky. He actually gained 5lbs the past month, but is being a bad boy with his eating. Mom usually watches him like a hawk with his diabetes but has slacked up since he got cancer. Also less exercise I would think. I hope your mom's side effects don't get any worse.

[O Stoma Mia]

.... Horrible mouth sores...Is this pretty typical?

Jenniferskc -

There are several threads on this Forum on the topic of mouth sores:

Mouth Sores - 15 posts
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43736&start=15#p312111

What to do about mouth sores - 13 posts
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44505#p321066

Canker sores in mouth - 11 posts
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47402#p351756

Treatment for mouth sores caused by cancer treatment
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43736#p312243

[chrisca]

There are medications for nausea. Ask your doc to see what's recommended. Something to try is cannabis tincture or the pill form, Marinol or the generic version. These helped me a lot with nausea. I was lucky and had only mild mouth sores. The magic mouthwash helped. Avoid all spicy and crunchy foods with mouth sores.