| Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 20 Member | OP Member Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 20 | I am 4 weeks out from my latest biopsy/dissection and the tip of my tongue feels like it is scalded. This gets worse as the day progresses. This was my 13th surgery and the first time I have experienced these sensations. I have not had any chemo or radiation so these are not the cause. There seems to be no reason for it, this surgery was not any different from any of the others so the symptoms are confusing.
Has anyone else experienced this? What helped? Did it pass?
I would appreciate any input you may have.
Squamous cell, tongue First biopsy 2006, Stage 1 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 To date: 13 surgeries & 3 nonsurgical biopsies
| | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 319 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 319 | Given the circumstances you describe, it looks to me like you have some nerve damage in your tongue, likely from one or more of the 10 surgeries (!) you've had. I have some non-cancer related experience with that in my right leg due to a couple of gun-shot wounds, one of which went squarely through the sciatic nerve.
This is a different problem than regular neuropathy, you need to talk with a neurologist about it, IMHO.
My intro: http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbt...3644#Post16364409/09 - Dx OC Stg IV 10/09 - Chemo/3 Cisplatin, 40 rad 11/09 - PET CLEAN 07/11 - Dx Stage IV C. (Liver) 06/12 - PET CLEAN 09/12 - PET Dist Met (Liver) 04/13 - PET CLEAN 06/13 - PET Dist Met (Liver + 1 lymph node) 10/13 - PET - Xeloda ineffective 11/13 - Liver packed w/ SIRI-Spheres 02/14 - PET - Siri-Spheres effective, 4cm tumor in lymph-node 03/15 - Begin 15 Rads 03/24 - Final Rad! Woot! 7/27/14 Bart passed away. RIP!
| | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | Sorry to hear of your troubles. I don't know the extent or location of your surgery, but would think it may have a role in your current tongue sensitivity, escpecially after 13, in addition too, any anethesia given, pain meds. Some medications can cause tongue swelling, taste changes, and sensitivity, as well as medical conditions like dehydration, kidney impairment, thrush, which I mention since they happen to me. You may want to stay way from acidic, hot, spicy and sharp textured foods as not to irritate the mouth, use soft or baby tooth brushes, and check for any sharp teeth that may be cutting into the tongue or biting at night. Any symptom not resolving over time should be brought to the attention of your doctors.
Good luck.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Sorry to hear you are having a problem. Its possible nerves were damaged with the surgery. Neuronton is a prescription pain medicine that works for nerve damage. I suggest checking in with your doc about the problem and ask about the medicine while you are there. Maybe it will help. Hopefully in time you will move past this painful point.
Best wishes! ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | I'm going to agree with everyone here and take it a step further. Since you have a history of tongue cancer and treatment (surgical) I would push the dr. to take a look at the area and keep a close eye on it yourself. as you know this cancer can skip around - and lack of a sore or white area doesn't always mean there's no cancer. Hugs and here's hoping it stops hurting.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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