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Hypoglossal nerve damage. Any experience with regeneration/healing?

Weathering
Weathering CSN Member Posts: 7
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi,

I underwent a radical neck dissection on February 9, 2107. During the surgery it was discovered that my primary tumor was spreading an off-colored liquid onto the submandibular gland (which had taken on the color of the liquid) - so my submandibular gland was removed immediately.  I now have the symptoms of hypoglossal nerve damage (tongue bends to the left side when protruded, some atrophy, tongue cannot turn to the left but only points forward toward the left, slurring of some speech, difficulty saying words with "sh" sounds, etc). 

I'm wondering if anyone has had this type of nerve damage to the tongue and could they share their experiences with getting it diagnosed and hopefully eventually healed?

My surgeon said there weren't any diagnosing techniques, but then I spoke with an MRI technician and she said they can definitely see the continuity of the nerves from an MRI of the soft tissue of the neck. I also have researched that an EMG of the tongue muscles could tell me if a nerve signal is present.  Any comments on these techniques for diagnosing a tongue issue, or any additional diagnosing techniques that I should be asking for?

I also think that my styloglossus muscle of the tongue may be detached or otherwise impacted because I can't pull my tongue "back and to the left" in order to touch the inside of my left teeth. Additionally, when I lift my tongue only the tip and right side go up. The left side has a specific line when it goes up in front of the line but not at that line or behind it.

Thank you for any insight.

Danny 

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