mouth sores

I'm into week 20 of 24 week interferon program and starting to get soreness and rash symptoms on rear gums and lower portion of my mouth. Can't figure it out. Gotta finish the program!!! So far so good!! Virus free at 7 weeks and still virus free. Yahoo!!!! Any answers?

[Bill1954]

Hey there, good luck as you go through the rest of treatment. Some of us develop ulcers and thrush-like fungal infections in the mouth like you describe. You should talk to your doctor about this; he needs to make sure your white cells/ANC are sufficient; this will be ordered as part of your routine labs but should be checked.

He might prescribe something like ‘magic mouthwash’ to help too. This can be compounded by the local pharmacy; it’s a swish ‘n swallow solution that has a numbing agent to help keep you comfortable. It’s usually prescribed to use 5 x daily as needed, and is used extensively by cancer chemo patients.

I developed a stubborn white plaque-like infection on the back of my tongue, and it was hard to get rid of. It should resolve shortly after the HCV meds are finished, by the way.

Good luck—

Bill

[bobo400]

Bill,
     Thanks for the advice. As I'm going in for my blood test on Friday, I will definitely see my doctor about this problem. Almost there to finish treatment! Never thought I'd make it.
Cheers and always keep smiling!!!
It makes the world brighter!!

[nygirl7]

I had the ulcers the entire course of tx and nothing helped me get rid of them really. Temporarily I would put some peroxide on a qtip and put it on them.....but they came back. They were horrible but I got to eat ice cream for 72 weeks (only thing that didn't really kill my mouth).

Some folks get them so badly they are forced to quit. They are caused by the interferon. The good news is this - two weeks after you are done with treatment and the inf is out ofyour body they will be gone too!

[bobo400]

Thanks nygirl and will keep in touch. Ice cream sounds pretty good! I'm starting to miss good-eating food like I use to do. I guess the interferon is starting to build up in my system. Lately, have not been as energetic, so to speak. Keep on truckin!!!

[Isobella]

I used Biotene mouth rinse a couple times a day when I felt sores coming on. I think it helps keep your mouth moist so bacteria doesn't build up.  When I got the sores in the corners of my lips, I used Vagisil. Sounds gross, I know-but it really helped.

Yay for you on getting through this far!!!!

[Diane12855]

That does sound gross! But it is for yeast infection, which is what thrush is. I never would have thought of that. Clever lady!

I'll keep that in mind if I develop that.,

Diane

PS To Bobo....Only 4 weeks to go!!! You have pretty much won the war... Good for you!