Will I be able to eat again after radiation to my neck and head?

@pamelaaci I have one Boost VHC each day and "spike" it with 4 ounces of heavy cream and 2 ounces of Chobani coffee creamer for a grand total of 800 calories. I'm over six years out from surgery and radiation treatments for base of tongue cancer. Swallowing not great but I'm moving along. I now order my Boost directly from Nestle as it's cheaper than Amazon.
Be well.
Mike

That sounds great . My problem is that everything tastes so awful I struggle to even drink a Boost .
One year out from radiation is kicking my butt .
I I was told years ago that gi lack intestinal fortitude . They were right .
Keep up the good work !

@mikes45 wonderful and thanks for the tip!

I am seven months out from radiation and chemotherapy for tongue cancer. I thought by now I would be able to eat regular food but I can’t. My tongue is still numb and I taste very little. Anyone else experiencing this?

I feel so awful for you, That really sucks and makes me think I’ll never be able to eat again.

I know exactly how the feel mentally and physically .
I am one year out from radiation for squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer. Basically the same cancer that Jim Kelly had but his was a lot worse .
Dry mouth , continuous phlegm, no taste/ bad taste.
No appetite / nausea. Not saying you will experience the same side effects for that long .
My question is are you getting any feedback about your side effects from the radiation doctor or the surgeon. Assuming you had surgery .

@victru I think it took a few years to get to a relatively normal eating pattern after radiation. Mouth and tongue sores persisted for at least two years. Seven months is not a long time after radiation, and you had tongue cancer so the damage to the nerves is far greater than I had for a tonsil cancer.
It’s a long road to recovery and bridge out sign is before you get to complete recovery. We get to a new normal and we get used to that and we learn to cope. The alternative of course would have been a slow and difficult death.
Courage.

I am 16 months since last chemo/rad. for SCC base of tongue to neck lymph nodes. I've had everything all have previously said. The nausea was the worse the first 6 months. Dry mouth, throat, smells, constipation, lost 50 pounds. I had to guzzle Boost high calorie because it taste so nasty. Gradually, started eating oatmeal, liptons chicken soup did OK. It's been a challenge to eat anything but I make myself eat even a little bit and try again later. Still nothing taste like it should. But I eat it anyway. It is a waste to go to a nice place to eat. I've tried over and over ( wanting something good to eat) only to be disappointed by the bland to no taste. Even a 38.00 bone in rib eye just taste like salt. Ice cream good. Peak Oatmeal good. Eggs and toast good. Drink a lot of Green tea. Xylol mouth drops at night. Hang in there. Enjoy the ice cream. 🙂

It has been 8 months (Dec 2025) since tongue only operation for Adenocarcinoma where 1.4 cm was removed. Hearing here what some others are experiencing indicates I show be pleased. 59 neck lymph nodes removed, all negative, plus 30 radiation sessions (no chemo) left me with severe lymphedema of head, neck, upper chest, left shoulder. I can now eat about 70% of what I wants but slowly. Twice as long. Food uncontrollably wants to collect in corners of mouth which I manually remove. Gained 80% ability to swallow— but some problems. Cannot feel things like pills in mouth. Taste is about 30% of what it was. Compression shirt garments about 70% of time. Occasionally wear neck compression brace. Twice a day Flexitouch which helps a lot—is great. LDT —-25 sessions and that was great because she is highly trained in Head and Neck Lymphedema and 20 years experience in H&N. Good luck to you. My understanding for me is it does not get better at this point and the objective is to remain constant and not get worse.

@ernierogersquamus123 I had the same issue. I don’t like milk and never have. I don’t like the taste of ensure or boost. I ended up trying the strawberry high calorie (530 calories in 8oz) mixed with about 6 ounces of vitD milk. I usually don’t sip it but drink it down almost one or two chugs. The milk thins it out enough for me to actually swallow the majority down. I then rinse the cup with warm water and swish it around in my mouth and spit it out then warm water gargle and spit then warm water swallow to help clear it. It might sound ridiculous but I do this at the kitchen sink then wash out the sink. I get the calories and end up with a better feeling mouth/throat and a clean skin lol. It’s more than annoying I know but.. I am happy to be on this side of the grass and grateful. Good luck and don’t give up