Hi 
it’s almost 1 year since my op and reconstruction and 7 months since I finished radiotherapy. Im back at work on a phased return currently doing 50% of my hrs, im full time. Thing is, the more I speak the more mouth, jaw and neck pain i get. It seems to accumulate as the week progresses. It’s debilitating to be honest. I know it can take a couple of years to get better after radiotherapy but do others struggle with speech? Thing is i look and sound fine but im in agony at times. Paracetamol and brufen don’t work for this and i didnt tolerate nerve type drugs. Hot wheat bag helps the neck but not the speech and i cant use it constantly?? Im having physio. Pain persists but it does improve movement of my neck. My mouth seems so inflammed, so much scarring and so sore, no sign of thrush. Swallowing is progressively getting worse and i have a constant tickle in my throat-
sorry to moan, my surgeon is lovely and very positive but i just need some help or us this the misery i have to deal with for the next 2 years? Im not a negative person and im fit from the shoulders down, i run 6K every other day despite my pain but it’s driving me nuts.
any advice is welcome
thank you 
Elaine
Hi Elaine I still get burning mouth and tongue sadly 4 years in to recovery. Some side effects stay with us some go. Not everyone gets them all. If I am in company and talk a lot I go dry I still carry water with me. Certain foods trigger my burning mouth usually cheese fermented foods citrus I don’t touch spicy ir alcohol. I do use propolis which is available from Amazon I do find it helps. The neck pain could be radiation induced fibrosis. Ask at your next consultantation. I have it in a mild form at back of neck it doesn’t impede me too much. We’re over in Spain biking and walking.
Are you still drinking water ? For first 3 years I was drinking 2-3 litres every day. I find using the propolis morning and night help with my burning mouth issues
Hazel 
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
2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers
Thanks Hazel
yeah drink lots of water. I dont drink alcohol and my diet is soft and boring as can’t swallow properly, most things get stuck. Takes a lot of effort to get a mouthful down. Ill try the propolis, im
ot so bad if i don’t speak ha ha but i work invthe NHS and speaking is something i must do! I could do with working in a library xx
