mouth sores during chemo

[iwanna]

I have a question regarding mouth sores from chemo. My elderly mother has a severe case and is finding minimal relief from the magic mouthwash. She has had 8 doses of mouthwash already. It seems like just a temporary fix for her. I am contemplating holding the chemo until she heals a bit. Of course, I will contact the doctor.

My question is do they put chemo on hold, if a patient has a severe case of mouth sores? I am just thinking that this will lead to infection. We are doing the best we can at oral care. Rinsing with salt water in between the magic mouthwash.

I have just read where glutamine was more helpful than the mouthwash. I will be buying some for her, tomorrow.

She will be 87 next month. I wonder if it is worth it for her to suffer through this. I would rather her have palliative care, if she will suffer. She has DLCBL. It was in her spinal fluid, and she had methotrexate through omaya port. Her last sample of fluid was clear. We were optimistic, but now question if it is worth her suffering. She was crying today because she was in so much oral pain.

She is scheduled to get systemic chemo every three weeks.(r-chop) She only had one round of the systemic chemo. She has had two doses of the methotrexate through her omaya reservoir port in head.

I am not asking for medical advice. I just want to hear to hear what they usually do when someone has severe oral sores. I am guessing maybe a hold on the chemo until it clears a bit. However, I am clueless when it comes to oncology.

[leslie :-D]

the issue with stopping chemo temporarily, is once chemo is resumed, the sores return.

here's a link that hopefully will prove helpful.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2312969_manage-mouth-sores-from-chemotherapy.html

definitely consult with her oncologist.

prayers for strength, and healing.

leslie

[iwanna]

Thank you for the information. I discussed it with my mother and asked what she wanted to do. She is willing to suffer the discomfort and carry on with the fight. God bless her.

I really appreciate the link.:thankya::thankya:

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

These are questions that are best answered by your Mom's oncologist.

We wish you and her peace.