I finished my radiation and chemo on Jan 30. My tongue still has blisters from radiation treatments. What can I do to help the healing process. I have been using a saltwater rinse ever since I started treatments. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I had 35 radiation treatments and my cancer was on my tongue.

Amy, did your doctor prescribe any viscous lidocaine? I'm not sure that it will help with healing but it could give you some temporary pain relief which is especially valuable when eating or drinking. I found it was the only thing that really helped me.

You should also get some stronger pharmaceutical help with the pain if you haven't already.

There are a couple of prescription rinses that I used, one was Caphosol. I believe that's more for treating mucositis but it certainly can't hurt to ask about it.

I hope you get some relief and healing soon. The period just after radiation can be tough. But it will definitely get better!

Hang in there - and welcome to our family. We're all here to help you.

Thanks David2 I have the viscous lidocaine and have been off prescription paid med for little over a month dr thought it was time. I've not used the Caphosol but I will ask when I go back. It just seems to be taking forever to heal and I want to eat so bad.

Adding baking soda to the salt rinse may help, even with Glutamine powder, to help with healing. If the rinse burns, cut out the salt. It can also be a viral infection, like HSV, causing blisters, which may need antiviral medications, or appropriate meds for any other type of infection(s), which can be caused by treatment, a compromised immune system, or brought out of latency by such, so see your doctor for evaluation and proper diagnosis.

Good luck.

Welcome to OCF! Recovery from rads can be a long process. Mouth sores seem to take forever to heel. I agree with David about using the baking soda/salt and warm water rinse. Try using it at least 4 times per day. When doing the rinses swish it around and hold it in your mouth for a good 30 seconds.

You can also try adding some high protein whey powder to your diet. Protein helps to speed heeling. Check this with your doc or nutritionist for the ok as too much protein can affect the kidneys.

Drinking extra water will also help. Every day you need to take in at least 48 oz, 60 oz is even better when recovering from what you have been thru. As far as intake goes, push to get in at least 2500 calories every single day until at least you hit the 1st year mark. It takes alot of nutrients and calories to rebuild your body after cancer treatments.

Best wishes with your continued recovery.

I used glutasolve, which like paul suggested, is a glutamine powder, the baking soda/salt rinse and manuka honey which should be over 16+. I think all helped. My sores were very minimal, and healed quickly. Hope you find something that works for you.

Also, burns from hot liquids, foods can cause blisters. During treatment, while recovering, avoiding foods that are hot, spicy, acidic, sharp texured will help reduce injury to the mouth, tongue and throat. I still eat foods warm, has more taste anyway, being hot foods still burn my mouth, and dulls my taste buds.

Amy,

Sorry to hear about the mouth sores. I have a pesky blister that pops up under my tongue everytime I eat something it doesn't agree with. I chalk it up to "still healing" and will have to ask the question when I meet up with my RO this Tuesday. I agree with Paul that hot foods tend to aggravate my mouth more than anything else. Hope this helps.

Fish

I found that drinking iced tea caused my blisters to be get worse. While the cold icy liquid helped with discomfort in the short term, the long term exposure to tannic acid (in the tea) was worse than the short term benefit.

It seems cold milk had the same effect.

Sadly cold water may be your best bet.

[quote]Sadly cold water may be your best bet.[/quote]Give high PH water a try. It really offers a soothing "smooth" texture, no burning. Not sure why more folks don't pick up on it. look for 9+ pH

Thanks for all the advice ill try anything once