Im almost a year out of my last treatment of radiation. Now Im experiencing severe mouth pain. Pain on my tongue where my surgery was and radiated. Pain in both my upper and lower jaw, pain in the neck which was dissected and radiated also a sharp pain in my left ear as well...My doc thinks it's nerve pain and effects from the radiation, although he did order me a pet scan next week just to make sure. My first pet ever.. Any suggestions as what it might be from? Im not really worried about the pet, Im thinking its nerve pain and radiation effects....
Thank You.

It could be scar tissue or nerve pain as your doc suggested. I think you are wise to get checked out with the scan to rule out anything serious. Hope you have some good pain meds so you are more comfortable.

Best wishes!

Thanks Christine...Im only taking Tylenol and Iboprophen....Dont want to take any narcs....So far they are working but Im kind of scared Im doing damage to my kidneys and everything....

As long as you arent overdoing it with those meds you should be ok. Ive heard good things about Motrin. Im not sure about all the side effects of all the over the counter meds.

Im pretty much taking 6oomg of ibroprophen then 3 hours later 2 extra strength tylenol, then about 6 hours later more ibroprophen...the cycle like that..lol...seems to work most of the time...I am a radio dj, so I talk on the air for 4 hours a day and I think that really does a number on my tongue at the end of the day...

Im four years out and I still have neck pain and tongue pain. I did not have a dissection. Saw my ENT recently about a new pain, and he said its all radiation related. The gift that keeps on giving.

I struggled with pain even 7 years out. Radiation gives and gives.....

Up until this February I had bad nerve damage. But at that time they removed my tongue and did a tongue flap. But now I have neck pain from my second neck dissection. I take lortab for that. Sadly, I believe I will be on pain meds for the rest of my life.

It could be a combination of everything...tongue surgery, RND, flap, RT, Dry mouth. Tylenol and Ibuprophen can damage the kidneys, but may not be damaged already, so ask the doctor. Physical therapy may help, and lyrica or Gabapentin for nerve pain. There are pain meds without Tylenol, Ibuprophen. Treating the dry mouth is another that can be done. Good luck.

Hi,

My doctor has suggested mt free flap, and i saw on your signature "(Didn't work)".
Would you please explain, i what sense / context the reconstruction (free flap), didn't work in your case. You help will be highly appreciated if you can reply in next 2-3 days. I have a surgery next week, and my ENT insisted me not to operate without an option of free flap in my case. I also like to hear your experience of having free flap, its overall outcome, and reasons you believe it didn't work for you. Any side effects, or major impacts caused by this reconstruction? I also like to know, how old are you.
Anything relating to free flap, if you can elaborate will e highly appreciated.
Thanks