Ended my chemo and radiation 6 weeks ago Removed the PEG 2 weeks ago. Struggling with the pain from a radiation burn on the side of my tongue. Am using a 50 fentanyl patch and hydrocodone every 4 hrs or so. The only relief comes from topical ointments but they last for 30 minutes or so I hate taking the narcotics if they aren't helping but haven't found anything long term topically. How long do these burns usually last?

Welcome to OCF! Im so sorry you are struggling with pain during your recovery. It can take the body a long time to rebuild itself after rads. The best thing you can do is focus on pushing your intake to hit daily minimums of 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water. If you can do more that will help make your recovery even easier. AT this point taking in even 4000 calories isnt too much. Try adding some high protein whey powder to your drinks to help boost your healing capabilities.

If you arent already rinsing your mouth several times per day with a mixture of 16 oz warm water, 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp salt then start right away. This will help the mouth sore to heal. If it burns too much cut back on the salt but try your best to keep some in there. Swish it gently around for 30 seconds, 5 or more times daily. Also pick up a water pik. Ask your doc for prescription peridex mouth rinse. Add one or 2 cap fulls to warm water and use the water pik on its lowest setting.

Your patch is low at 50mgs. If you are still taking pain meds every 4 hours on top of the patch then the patch isnt doing its job. Have a talk with your doc and maybe by bumping up the patch to 75 or even 100 mgs it would help you avoid having to take the other pain meds every 4 hours and only use it if you are having breakthru pain.

Hang in there, it really will get easier as time goes on. Your body has been thru heck and it takes time to recover. For most of us that cant happen quickly enough and the recovery phase can be frustrating especially with having setbacks. We will help you so please feel free to ask questions.

Best wishes!

You probably told your doctor(s) already, which is a good idea. Sometimes these can be mucocitis ulcers, neutropenic ulcers, biting tongue, etc. and difficult to tell the difference between them, and infection(s) also, which could be bacterial, viral or fungal, like thrush (white coating), or a combination. which are common during and after treatment. As suggested, the baking soda, salt water rinse, and Peridex will help, but sometimes other medications are needed like antibiotics, antiviral or anitifungal medication for the appropriate infection, if it is, if they don't go away.

Good luck