SORE TONGUE

BRIGHTSTAR2013
BRIGHTSTAR2013 Member Posts: 11
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

HI ALL

I HAVE NPC AT AGE 53. GOING THROUGH TREATMENT 3 CHEMOS AND 33 RTS.  1 CHEMO  AND 8 RTS LEFT TO GO. I STILL CAN SWALLOW BUT MY TONGUE IS VERY SORE.

IS THIS A TYPICAL SIDE EFFECT FROM RT AND CHEMO?  ANYONE EXPERIENCE THIS DURING THEIR TREATMENT. THANKS

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    tongue

    BRIGHTSTAR2013,

    Yes, I had sore tongue during and sometimes after treatment.  During treatments I used magic mouth wash for some relief.  Additionally, I was rinsing throughout the day with the saltwater and soda mixture.  I never had much pain from it just uncomfortable.

    Today at almost 2 years post my tongue feels funky, but rarely is sore.

    Matt

  • 6Cyn
    6Cyn Member Posts: 29
    #3
    Absolutely

    My husband's tongue was so sore it kept him from eating. He had a crown on a back tooth that the doctor said made the effects of raidation worse. His tongue healed and he was able to eat again about 30 days after his last radiation. Best to you - you are almost done.

     

  • BRIGHTSTAR2013
    BRIGHTSTAR2013 Member Posts: 11
    #4
    CivilMatt said:

    tongue

    BRIGHTSTAR2013,

    Yes, I had sore tongue during and sometimes after treatment.  During treatments I used magic mouth wash for some relief.  Additionally, I was rinsing throughout the day with the saltwater and soda mixture.  I never had much pain from it just uncomfortable.

    Today at almost 2 years post my tongue feels funky, but rarely is sore.

    Matt

    Hello Matt
    Thanks. Glad to

    Hello Matt

    Thanks. Glad to know your tongue is fine.

  • BRIGHTSTAR2013
    BRIGHTSTAR2013 Member Posts: 11
    #5
    6Cyn said:

    Absolutely

    My husband's tongue was so sore it kept him from eating. He had a crown on a back tooth that the doctor said made the effects of raidation worse. His tongue healed and he was able to eat again about 30 days after his last radiation. Best to you - you are almost done.

     

    Hi 6Cyn
    Oh! I have gold

    Hi 6Cyn

    Oh! I have gold crowns on my lower molars. That explains why my tongue is sore. Thanks for the insight.

      

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #6
    Hi Bright

    I can't attest to chemo but the rads and the operation did a number on my tongue. It all gets better in time. Congrats on only 1 and 8 to go.

          Jeff

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #7
    Duggie88 said:

    Hi Bright

    I can't attest to chemo but the rads and the operation did a number on my tongue. It all gets better in time. Congrats on only 1 and 8 to go.

          Jeff

    Sore tongue

    If it gets too bad it maybe thrush. I had that numerous times. No need to tolerate pain as the right meds help within a couple of days.

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #8
    Sore tongue

    Brightstar2013, when my tongue was the sorest, it was usually because of Thrush.  My tongue and throat were pretty sore but Thrush seemed to make it 10 times worse.   Not to scare you but mine got worse towards the end as the effect of radiation is cumlative so you'll probably feel a little worse before you start feeling better.  Of course, everyone is different and how their body responds to treatment. like Matt said, the magic mouthwash definitely helped as did gargling with baking soda and salt.   Tell your doctor how your feeling and they should be able to suggest something to help   

    It sounds like you are doing well overall and almost at the finish of treatments.   Good luck the next couple weeks as you wrap up the treatment.   

    Keith

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #9
    I'd say playing under par

    Where you are in treatment and still swallowing and tongue being sore, you are doing great. Many are not able to swallow much if at all and the discomfort is no longer sore it is how much PAIN there is. I know I was consuming plenty of narcs to manage the pain but did continue swallowing and did not go to a PEG. Expect the side effects to get worse until about 4 weeks post as an average. About 2 weeks before and after treatment ended was my low. It sort of got down there and did not get better or worse, then started getting better two weeks post. Every one is different but you have some general parameters from experiences shared here. Don

  • Time Bandit
    Time Bandit Member Posts: 23
    #10
    Very sore tongue also the

    Very sore tongue also the sides of my mouth. Magic swissle didn't help but I ended up dringking a lot of ice tea and sugar -no lemon. I'm still on it and for me if works wonders. The soreness did go away after a few months. I'm 8 months away from my last treatment and doing fine. Learning that there are a lot of foods I just won't eat because of discomfort and seasoning is just out of the question. 

Discussion Boards