Posted by Contented on 16 Jul 2012, 10:01PM
Having suffered with neutropenia each time I had FEC I I also suffered with mucositis. I found the information I received from varying health professionals not that helpful. As a dental hygienist myself I was most dis appointed in that aspect of my care. As a result of my experiences I am hoping to put an information package together for fellow hygienist to help their patients,fellow breast cancer patients, oncology nurses(anyone who finds it of help really)
I would love to hear from any of you out there about your experiences in regards to mucositis and what you found helpful /or not.
This is my first attempt at blogging so please excuse any awkwardness in my writings..:-)
Jules
Comments
Hi Jules
I used glutamine powder which was recommended by my naturopath and I had no problems with mucositis really. The trick is to dissolve one teaspoon in water two or three times a day, swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds and then swallow. I started doing this 2 weeks before chemo and all through it. I found this really helped.
Janice
Thanks Janice I will give that a try and also note it for my study. Was your oncologist happy about you using it?
My naturopath wrote to my oncologist to let her know everything I was taking. Depending on where I was up to with treatment she would change my supplements and then let my oncologist know . My oncologist actually referred a few people to her when she saw how well I was going. I am still on a lot of supplements and my oncologist seems happy.
That's great to hear. My oncologist is very anti alternative treatment, so I felt a bit of a loss. Thinking about changing my oncologist.........I'm sure other patients will find this product helpful also. How did you find the naturopath?
That's unfortunate about your oncologist. My oncologist is lovely, but really she didn't offer me any advice on nutrition or anything apart from the importance of keeping my vitamin D levels up. Although I must admit I saw my naturopath about 2 weeks before my first appointment with my oncologist so I was already doing the glutamine powder and other things, which she didn't have a problem with. My GP works in the same practice as the naturopath and she recommended her as she specialises in cancer care. She has since moved back overseas but she has a replacement who also specialises in cancer care, I haven't seen her yet..
I don't suppose you are in the goldcoast region?
No I'm in Sydney, although Gold Coast is my second home, I'm there a lot visiting friends and family.