Tongue swollen 4 weeks, 4 days post radiation

motorcycleguy said:

Larry,

I seem to recall tongue pain and swelling for a while, during and after treatment. My GF made a mouthwash out of water, baking soda and salt - and I used that 6 times a day. It seemed to help quite a bit. I've also bought high pH water - which really seems to do good things for the mouth/teeth (at least in my case). If you happen to drink bottled water, just try some 9 pH for a while.

Other than that - all I can tell you, is that it takes time. The body doesn't really seem to care for radiation, very much - and rebels and complains for a couple months after finishing!

How is your relationship with solid food? Water? Beer, or other preferred beverages? Do you get stinging sensation in your mouth?

I hope things cure up quick for you - and you're back to normal as soon as possible. Have a great weekend!

MG

I've been using the salt/baking soda rinse from the start. I seems to help a little, I guess, for short term. Not as often as you, tho'.  I didn't know high ph water was a thing, need to look for it...or get my wife to, I haven't felt like going to the store since rad started.

 I know it hasn't been very long (32 days) since the end of radiation but, first it was the mucus, which started silently fading away. Then the sores on my tongue which seemed to fade but then.. flare up again right after doctors telling me how well I'm doing. I've been using Lidocane solution directly on the side of my tongue for the pain, as it comes and goes, without really looking in my mouth. Today, expecting to see the sores on my tongue (and little blisters on palate?) back again, I didn't see the lesions but general rawnes and the swelling which I hadn't noticed before..So, I called my doctor (waiting for her call) and posted here.

So, food: I know I need to start eating. I don't like the tube! My prostate doc told me to start eating, get the tube out. The only thing I've actually eaten is a small bowl of cream of mushroom soup yesterday. It actually tasted ok (if you like salty milk) and went down ok. I just couldn't finish what I thought I could. I can drink water ok and it no longer feels like oil going down. I've stopped crushing my pills as I can swallow them now without gaggin. Yes, the stinging sensation, tongue and some times radiates down my throat.

Before this started I'd taken a liking to Perrier as an alternative to sugery soda. As soon as radiation started that stopped! On little sip and my mouth exploded like vinegar and baking soda! 
Beer: haven't tried that yet, don't drink much anyway, but I saw a comment here where someone said he could now enjoy Stout again... I do like Guiness!! That'd be nice but I don't think I'm there yet.

Larry