Hi,
I was diagnosed with Stage 1, HPV+, Base of Tongue cancer which spread to my Left neck Lymph nodes.
Surgery was not an option as too many nodules were affected.
Treatment was to be 7 weeks of Chemotherapy (1 chemo oerceeek) along with Radiation (35 sessions).

My MAIN REASON by joining this group is to share my personal experience with the mouth sores and that was recommendation from one of my Chemo nurses. Her son suffers from a non-cancer condition where he has constant mouth sores, serious ones he’ll have to endure his whole life. The nurse said the only thing that has has significant improvement for him (15 years now) is an 100% ALOE VERA distilled mouth drink.

I got this product and started gargling and soaking my mouth with it and I have to say, I’m in wee5, and this has had a PROFOUND EFFECT. My sores are actually healing as radiation continues. 4 ounces is the maximum to swallow, but I also just use like a gargle about 6 times daily and spit out the rinse. It is a real game changer for me.

Hi Dan. My case is similar to how you describe yours, although I also had chemotherapy and surgery. However my ten-years-after-treatment symptoms would read almost word for word like what you wrote.

My otolaryngologist assessed the lump as fibrosis caused by the radiation. Nothing to worry about. Hopefully your scan will show something similar. The only bad news is that's just the way it is for me - there's nothing to be done about it.

As for the coughing, I have started using one of those triangle pillows when sleeping which puts me in a more tilted position, helping drainage and marked reduction in coughing at night. The other thing that has helped is guaifenesen DM (Musinex). This makes my mucous drip drain better, and the 'DM' ingredient reduces the cough urge somewhat. I use it as needed, but take it most nights. Standard dose (400mg every 4 hours). My doc is not concerned about ongoing use.

Best of luck finding a way to deal with this. I'd be interested in anything else you learn that helps.
-Peter