Sore Tongue

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Hi all, sore tongue developed in Week 2 of RT, down one side. Everything makes it sting and it rubs on my teeth which makes it worse. I've told the medical people several times but they just nod sympathetically. I finished RT 3 weeks ago and am still "eating" Fortisips and using liquid medications. 

I stopped using my usual meds about week 3. I'm not sure if I can go back to them yet (the liquid versions sting the tongue), cos I'm scared in case they get stuck. 

I didn't lose much weight during RT, but have probably lost some since due to other side effects. I don't want to lose any more so should I just put up with the soreness and eat like mad half an hour after taking pain relief? 

 Meg                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

  • sore tongue developed in Week 2 of RT, down one side. Everything makes it sting and it rubs on my teeth which makes it worse. I've told the medical people several times but they just nod sympathetically.

    Hi Meg

    Yes....that's going to be with you for a good few weeks yet. I wasn't ulcer free for around three months. Just do the best you can with your Difflam and swishing with solute aspirin (don't swallow). You can swirl oramorph round your mouth five minutes before trying to eat.

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

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  • Hi Dani, never thought of aspirin - already have them prescribed for another ailment.

    Meg

  • Hi eat while you can if you have a peg or ng tube medication can go in through that. Once ulcers start they don’t go away quickly it’s par for the course. Sorry. You can  ask for gelclair it helped but doesn’t atop them. 
    Hazel x

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 

    My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com  HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now  6 years  post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

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  • Good evening Meg, i would put everthing through your PEG until you feel more comfortable in swallowing, most meds come in liquid form or you can crush tablets and mix with water then put through the PEG, good advice with Gelclear and Difflam as they do help, Oraldene or Biotene products are a more gentle for the mouth and gums, i use a sponge mouth swab instead of a toothbrush if i have a sore mouth as it makes the ,moyuth feel refreshed. You could try a gum shield if your teeth are rubbing on your toungue it might ease the soreness. Wishing you all the best for your continued recovery,take care.

                                                                                                                    Chris x

    Its sometimes not easy but its worth it ! 

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  • What you have just said totally matches my experience too. I have a drawer full of sponge swabs on sticks as brushing my teeth with a toothbrush was impossible for a while. It hasn’t even been two years since completing treatment and yet I’d  forgotten so many details. . .