Is this normal? Four months and 47 IMRTs later the burning in mom's tongue keep her from being able to eat orally. Water and broth is all she can tollerate. Docs haven't offered much help with the exception of suggesting swishing viscous lidocaine prior to introducing anything into her mouth. Any thoughts would be appreciated. She hasn't gained any weight since treatment ended and she is only taking three cans of nourishment/day.
D

D-
My husband is going through the same thing as your mom...13 weeks after receiving 7 weeks radiation combined with 6 chemo treatments.

I asked this question on the forum section about medications/treatments...if you check there some of the survivors have given me some good advise. They did mention that the "burning" is often a symptom of "thrush" and that it doesn't "look" like most doctors expect it to look, so it is often not diagnosed properly. We had the doctor prescribe Nystatin- antifungal mouthwash just as a precaution yesterday- it can't hurt. Maybe this can help your mom also. The doctors kept telling us it wasn't thrush but I guess that is what they told all the others as well, but the medication helped...one survivor received relief from the burning one day after using the Nystatin.

I hope this helps, I know from a caregiver's point of view that this is frustrating for everyone, not just the patient.

Keep your spirits up...I've found this site to give much needed encouragement.

Lorie

Wow D... your Mom & my Dad are a lot alike! As Lorie stated, I posted previously about this... Dad's tongue was VERY sore and still is. He uses the mouth rinse, as well as Diflucan for possible thrush (it does not look like he has it). His Dr.s are also pretty much at a loss as to how to help him.

I would recommend trying these things and seeing if your mother has any relief. Good luck & I hope she feels better.