I also had Inversion 16 and was treated with chemo only-3/7 for Induction and four rounds of consolidation. I experienced very few side effects other than losing my hair and mouth sores during Induction. Once my ANC went up, my mouth sores resolved. I highly recommend hourly rinsing with saline to speed healing. I believe oral complications are the norm. Hope you can get relief. My dentist prescribed an oral rinse to control bacterial infections.

Julie

Amesh,

Any treatment that kills rapidly dividing cells (blood cells, skin cells, hair follicle cells, the lining of the gastrointestinal tract) will cause transient problems with these tissues. Mouth rinsing with saline is a good idea. Alternatively, you can use a solution of sodium bicarbonate (a teaspoon in a glass of water) to rinse. Biotene is often provided in hospitals and can be purchased at any pharmacy. That is supposed to be good as well. I didn't like its taste, but many do. Once your counts are back, you must have a dentist do a good cleaning. Until then, brush gently and do a lot of rinsing.

Cliff

I doubt the dentist will be willing to do much, and that is probably good between the possibility of infection and also bleeding. I brushed very easily for my duration, which was about 8 months. Anything you eat too hot or rough (e.g., toast) can really be bad -- slow to recover. And chew very slowly so as not to bite your tongue. I was extremely careful because generally I tend to do that way too often. The solution I used was both salt and baking soda -- about a teaspoon of each in a quart of water. Wash our every hour or so -- with that solution you cannot overdo it because it is close to what your body provides naturally. It is just a necessary evil that you are going to have to be patient with and try not to make it any worse by what all you do. When your numbers come back up it will go away, but until then you are just going to have to get on through it. Take care -- dave

Mine would swell when my counts were low twice - 4th consolidation and 1st consolidation after salvage and before transplant. I had a salivary gland that would stop functioning - leading to the start of a minor infection. Even using the saline/bicar rinse and magic mouthwash failed to help the pain.

If you mouth is overly dry - they gave me a biotene gel to help with it.

Only dentist I saw while in treatment was the on the hem/onc floor before treatment started. I was allowed to see my regular one once my counts recovered after chemo was finished. Then about 11 months post transplant. I'd seen my regular dentist for cleaning and a repair just prior to being dx.