How do you know which doctor to go to when you are having problems after completing treatments? John is 2 years out of treatments. He never complains about the little aches, pains and chronic dry mouth that he has. I know him so well and know when something is bothering him. He has seemed distracted the past few days. Last night I finally confronted him and asked him if there is something bothering him. He told me that for the past three weeks his gum and jaw have been bothering him. It is even painful when he eats soft foods. He told me that he called our dentist and went to see him last week. He did an x-ray of the area and an exam and couldn't see or feel anything. He told him if the pain was still there in two weeks to call him back. John said the pain radiates into his jaw and his gum is sore. He doesn't feel any better since he saw the dentist last week.

I know that this could be radiation damage so I'm not hitting the panic button yet. Should he see the radiation oncologist or ENT? He had an exam with the ENT September 6th. He scoped him and felt around his neck etc. and said everything looked good. I just hate having this uneasy feeling in my stomach. I guess I'm just confused which doctor to pursue this with since he has so many doctors.

Hi there - id say whoever can get you in the fastest. I'm sure it's nothing as well, but have it checked out to ease your mind. Technically I think your RO is in charge. But sometimes the ENT is a go to man. Good luck!

Hi, Wanda,

I agree with Cheryl-- the RO is my first choice. It is scary that the effects of radiation can persist long after treatment has ended. See what the RO says, then pursue the ENT if you still feel uneasy. Whatever way you choose, be vigilant and be the squeaky wheel.

My best to you and John-
Anita

My ENT is my go to guy, I never see either of my oncologists anymore, not that I would mind as they are both amazing. My MO was head of the show during tx although my ENTs office coordinated everything. My ENT would never prescribe, RO only if I couldn't get in with my MO and then after tx was urged to pick a GP yet continue to have follow-ups with my ENT.

Really though I think its whoever you feel most comfortable with or who you can get into first.

Eric

Ron has been going to his ENT for his checkups. Come to think of it he used to go to his Oncologist every 6 mo for his Non Hodgkins checkup but since this cancer came along he has faded from the picture since the ENT does the PET scans now and it just goes into Ron's chart in the computer system of the Clev Clinic. Ron really likes his ENT calls him by his first name too, he figured all he has done on him he can. He has a Medical doc but he don't like them, cuz they are cancer experts plus it's a female too. lol

Hi Wanda! Sorry to hear John is having a problem! There are all kinds of bothersome after effects with OC. Hope this John's problem is something very minor.

Im another one who goes to their ENT. For about a year after I had my mandibulectomy, I saw him weekly then every other week. Now, I have finally advanced to see him every other month. I see my MO every 6 months and my RO rarely, havent been there for over a year. For my situation, my ENT is my go to doc. He then refers me to all kinds of other places if my issue is something out of his field.

Hi. John has an appointment today at 1:15pm with his ENT. The pain in his jaw and neck are still there. HOpefully it is nothing more than after affects from the radiation.

Good luck with your appointment!

How did the appt. go. I was just getting ready to post about the same issue with the pain.

Unfortunately - no answers. He gave John a script for a CT Scan but doesn't seem to think that is necessary. John has a script for an ultrasound for the cartotid (sp) artery just to check and the CT Scan. He said he will get the ultrasound but doesn't know about the CT Scan. This is so frustrating!