I must be more onery than most 'cause I had that peg out probably sooner than I should have at about 3 weeks after last radiation treatment! I wanted to go swimming! I was also eating only orally anyway & always hated & resented the peg tube! Black pepper is very irritating, but I can eat most other spicy foods. Maybe not as spicy as I used to. I had a soft beef taco tonight drowned in salsa. I had to scrape some of it off though. Last night had sushi; spicy tuna, wasabe in the soy sauce for dipping & spicy chicken teriyaki! Delicious!!! It was a bit intense on the tip of my tongue. That's what seems to be most sensitive is the tip. I'm about 2 1/2 months out. With food I've just pushed & pushed the limit all through treatment. My mouth is most uncomfortable in the moring after breathing through my mouth in my sleep. A little water & a little time & it rehydrates once the spit starts flowing a bit. That's what bothers me the most is waking up with my lips glued to my gums & my tongue feels like beef jerky!