So about how long does this throat pain last after radiation. I can swallow just fine, but if I put anything other than water down my throat it burns really bad. The pain has also sihifted from just the right isde to both sides of my throat now. I am still on the 75 patch for the ear pain. The ear pain also also gone from jus the ride ear to both ears. Is that something I should be worried about? I have my Pet scan in two weeks and am waiting on pens an needles because the right side of my tongue iss till swollen and hurts to move hardly at all.

Inflamation will cause a PET scan to light up. Go to your doc and make sure that you are healthy enough for a PET scan before you get one. It would be awful to get one nad it lights up all over cuz of the problems yo are having. You would be worried sick thinking you had cancer again.

Normally a PET scan is given a minimum of 3 months after you finish rads. Most docs will wait til 4 - 6 months before they do one. PET scans are very costly so it doesnt make sense to do one so close to you finishing tx and having another biopsy healing. What were the biopsy results?

Those results were negative, and we were thankful for that. I see my ENT again on Monday. I will talk to him about it. I do know that my RO checked me a few weeks ago and said my tongue looked better than it had two weeks after treatment was pretty much healed. I am still having a lot of pain. I can handle the pain if I know I am cancer free.

Congrats on being cancer free!!!!! With everything going on with your mouth and throat, you may want to make a list so you dont forget something. I always make a list of things I need to talk to the doc about or I would forget 1/2 of what I wanted to say. Best of luck Monday.

I wil definitely have a list. The throat pain really worries me as it hurts just to have water touch it and then shoots to my left ear. This is new in just the last few days. I am just trying to be patient and wait for the scan. So hard to do. I am just trying to live my life, but every little pain worries me.

Hi Angelia,
I am 6 months post and just recently have hit the state where my throat pain is low enough I do not take anything for it. I was talking 1/2 percoset for it in Feg, It is still bothersom but now it is down to "just one of those little things"

Steve

Got a good report from my ENT. He said he did not see anything and it may still be from the radiation. I am just having a difficult time believing that nothing is wrong.

Just remember it will take months for your body to heal and rid itself of the radiation that has been beamed in. Good news is that you are recovering. I am surprised you are having a PET scan so soon after all this radiation. My first one came one year after tx ended. Good luck!

I have the same feelings Angelia. But both my ENT and Oncologist told me the same about severe rad burns and both agree that it will just keep getting worse. I will say the Methadone takes care of most of the pain and makes you feel like you had something illegal. LOL.

I agree with Steve, being 6 months out as well, my throat still burns as well as my tongue but it has gotten better over time, hopefully soon, I won't have the burning sensation anymore. Good luck with your scan, I'll be waiting to hear the good news!