Belinda, in Australia we have 'Cocaine Mouthwash 0.5%' which is has a numbing agent which lasts for 1/2hour roughly [you don't swallow this], which the cancer center pharmacy makes up, do you have this where you are? We also have 'Lignocaine', a pink gel, can be swallowed, apparently tastes ok, only lasts about 10mins, but it could help. We didn't find out about alternative meds until we demanded them...over here if you don't ask you don't get...good luck...