Okay it sounded more dire at first. I was the same - my tongue hurt like a BITCH just before I went in. It was an open wound b that point and burned like hell. I too was working and as you said by the end of the day it was just painful. I'm not a taker of meds so I suffered through it. Try feeding him creamy non acidic foods that require minimal chewing, soups, chowders, scrambled eggs, cheesy cauliflower etc... Low salt - nothing spicy. Hugs.