Hi all,
So i'm almost 1 year since my mandiblectomy and still dealing with some pain. It is managed by pain meds (oxycodone). The way my mouth feels is that it's like a numbness or like needles prickling around my lip and chin area. Also the pain meds help me speak clearer because it manages the pain. I have some stiffness too but that doesn't really bother me.

I'm sure it's not just because of the surgery. I think it's from all the radiation i've had and well we know that doesn't heal that great after surgeries.

Am i alone in this? How do folks manage without the relief of pain meds? And I'm not even done with my reconstruction so more surgery for me. I think it's minor compared to my jaw removal/replacement.

I don't know, i guess when you hear mags/media about pain meds being a problem so it just make me feel worse that i even have to take them. frown.

is that what people really do? they are off pain meds just like that after major surguries on top of having radiation???


Age 44. Diagnosed at 34 (2006) with T1N0 SCC tongue on right side. Neck dissed & 6 weeks Radiation. 30% tongue removed. Never smoked;
2nd recurrence 1/2013 on left side. Surgery to remove 2/2013 forearm flap/neck dissec T1N0; brachytherapy 4/2013;
3rd recurrence 11/2015 mandibulectomy for jaw bone cancer Stage IV/no lymph node involvement