Ed Wiget's video: cancer treatment update week 1 week 2 start of week 3

i originally intended to do a weekly update during treatment but the first two weeks just wasn't possible. I thought id do this so you know what to expect if you were to get hpv neck and throat cancer. Now that i am beginning week 3, im not so certain I can do these weekly. its hard to talk and very sore. But i got this one done so we will just have to see when i can do the next one. There is a plethora of drugs you will be prescribed to help with various issues when you begin treatment. As an example: prochlorperazine for nausea. dexamethasone for nausea senna for constipation oxycodone for pain management amox-clav for antibiotics Perrigo for constipation magic mouth wash - to help you eat ... this stuff is amazing carafate tasted horrible (replaced by magic mouth wash) chlorhexidine gluconate another mouth wash im sure there are others ive forgotten. The biggest issues every day are dryness in your mouth and throat. Make sure you take a bottle of water to every treatment. Some days I forget and luckily they have bottled water available for free. You will def want water right after radiation. Stay on top of taking the constipation medicine, especially if you are on oxycodone. I try not to take oxycodone unless I really need it, but it is very helpful for not being able to sleep to so I almost always take it in the evenings right before bed, which beats having to get up every 2 hours to go pee. IDK if that is because of the chemo, radiation, or what but I pee a lot more than I used to ... about every two hours like clockwork. If you don't get "magic mouthwash" ... ask for it by name. Its basically a compounded thing made by the pharmacy. It is used to treat mouth sores (oral mucositis). Your insurance probably won't cover it but its relatively cheap and well worth the money. Its basically has these features and is palatable: An antihistamine or anticholinergic agent, which may help relieve pain A local anesthetic to reduce pain and discomfort An antacid that helps ensure the other ingredients adequately coat the inside of your mouth An antifungal to reduce fungal growth A corticosteroid to treat inflammation An antibiotic to kill bacteria around the sore