Hi

I had a hemiglossectomy and free flap resection 46 months ago for stage 2 SCC N0M0 (no rad or chemo--yay). The only problem I have is what I can only describe as tongue cramps if I've talked too quickly or loudly or if I'm really tired. It starts with a stiffening of my flap that distorts my speech and telescopes down to my throat until I feel like I'm about to throw up. Usually a good hard cough relieves the situation but leaves me tingling from my shoulders to the tips of my fingers. My doctor seems to think I'm making this up (it's never happened during a clinic visit) but seems to think it's because I don't have the same support on the left side of my tongue. Does anyone else have this? How did you deal with it? It's embarrassing (it's happened on the phone while talking to callers at work) and annoying.

Hi - love your handle!

I only recently had my surgery and haven't experienced what you're describing, but do you stretch your tongue regularly? My speech/swallow therapist suggested that I should be doing my oral exercises daily for the rest of my life, stretching my jaw and tongue. It might be worth trying to see if it helps.