I know it's a very individual thing, so I'm not even sure I'll be able to put my mind at ease at all, but...

I am 10 weeks post-tx. My mouth healed for the most part, except for a few spots here and there. My flap hurts every now and then, and my flap, mouth floor under the flap and gums near the flap get this very strong burning sensation when I eat. Drinking water is OK most of the time, except for when I wake up in the middle of the night with super-dry mouth. Then it hurts to the point that I need percoset. I take no more than 1-2 a day though. My radiation oncologist was happy with the way my mouth looked 4 weeks ago. My H&N surgeon was happy with the way it looked last week. But it hurts a lot. My gums on the right side (where the tumor was) are puffy, and I don't know whether it's becasue there's no saliva there and between that and radiation it hadn't had a chance to heal completely and it's all normal, or it's something I need to be more concerned about.

My H&N surgeon said that burning sensation is normal and that if it burns when I eat, I should use magic mouthwash. Pain, however, he would be more concerned about. Isn't there a fine line between burning and pain? How about burning pain?

I have a scan in a week, so I'm pretty sure that there will be clarification then, but I'm worried sick and paranoid and don't know whether I should call the doctor and have them see me, or just wait another week for a pet scan and then another for oncologist appointment and the report...

I searched and searched this forum, and it seems some people have lingering pain and healing that lasts many many months. It's really hard not to be driving oneself mad with worry and wonder whether I should call the doctor or wait...

What was your healing process like? How long did it take?