I have some weird stuff going on with my tongue occasionally, that somebody described as "football tongue". It kind of swells and cramps, like you said, just for a minute or two, but I can't talk when it does happen, and I can't seem to pinpoint a reason. None of my doctors really know, other than saying it was probably a residual effect of radiation. My ENT thought it sounded almost like a drug allergy, but I'm not on any drug that might cause it.

Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.