Tongue Question

Joel4
Joel4 Member Posts: 263 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

noticed something new about my tongue in the last couple of days and thought I’d run it by you folks and see if anyone has experienced something similar.

i am ten months out of treatment for base of tongue SCC, 35 rads and 6 Cisplatin treatments.  Lately my tongue has what looks like tiny little cuts or bloodied scrapes on it.  My mouth has been very dry lately due to less saliva combined with very dry weather and extreme cold.  Doesn’t really hurt, but feels uncomfortable.   If it doesn’t improve I’ll call my doc but thought id mention it here first.

Comments

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    edited January 2018 #2
    Experienced similar

    Joel, 

    In the past I have experienced the same as you discribed. We have hot forced air plus we use a wood burning stove. I have no saliva because of Radiation. I was drinking a lot of water, but it didn't seem to do the trick. I was also using Bioteen Dry mouth spray, it helped a bit but I wasn't truly happy. I have been drinking/ sipping Decafe coffee more with a creamer in it. It seems to help coat my mouth longer than the spray and water.

    I haven't had anymore cracking type issues with my tongue since I have been doing this over the last few years. It works for me, but as I often mention, one size does not fit all here, so it is trial and error at best. I thought I would just throw this out there for you in the event you want to try it.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

  • Joel4
    Joel4 Member Posts: 263 Member
    #3
    MarineE5 said:

    Experienced similar

    Joel, 

    In the past I have experienced the same as you discribed. We have hot forced air plus we use a wood burning stove. I have no saliva because of Radiation. I was drinking a lot of water, but it didn't seem to do the trick. I was also using Bioteen Dry mouth spray, it helped a bit but I wasn't truly happy. I have been drinking/ sipping Decafe coffee more with a creamer in it. It seems to help coat my mouth longer than the spray and water.

    I haven't had anymore cracking type issues with my tongue since I have been doing this over the last few years. It works for me, but as I often mention, one size does not fit all here, so it is trial and error at best. I thought I would just throw this out there for you in the event you want to try it.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

    Thanks

    thanks for the tip.  I drink regular coffee, but would be willing to give decaf a whir!

    my tongue continues to be very sensitive, more than it ever was during treatmen..

  • SignificantOther
    SignificantOther Member Posts: 11
    #4
    Not sure it it will help but

    Not sure it it will help but if there are any saliva glands functioning XyliMelts may help keep your mouth moister. They adhere to the inside of your cheek or to the gums safely, even while you sleep. If the fat from milk helps coat your tongue I'll bet some real chocolate, high in cocoa butter would help too, throughout the day. It's also good for your immune system and heart, if I recall correctly, especially with high cocoa content. Of course, salt rinses help heal the mouth too.

  • Frances_S
    Frances_S Member Posts: 54
    #5
    Coating on tongue

    Hi Joel,

    My husband is 9 weeks post treatment and he often has a white coating on his tongue and some splits, which come and go. He uses the Xylimelts and Biotene mouth wash during the day and in the middle of the night, he also gently brushes his tongue with a soft tooth brush to remove the white coating. We use a humidifier at night so the air isn't so dry. He starts his morning with a bowl of cereal with a banana and milk in the morning it helps with that dry feeling. His swallowing therapist mentioned using a small amount of coconut oil to lubricate his mouth when extremely dry. He hasn't tried it, but I will let you know if it works. Biotene also makes a spray for if you are on the go. I hope this helps.

  • OKCnative
    OKCnative Member Posts: 326 Member
    #6
    I experienced that

    I experienced that temporarily when my saliva suddenly and completely stopped (came back mostly about a month later). I used (and continue to use for occasional dry mouth) a lozenge by the brand name of ACT that I get at WalMart that is specifically for dry mouth. Works great when I know I'm going to have to talk for a long time.

    Also, I have a cold mist humidifier sitting on my nightstand that I run at night. I'm an open mouth sleeper/breather and the humidifier works great at keeping the air and thus my mouth moist.

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