Sore on tongue from treatments: What helps?

Posted by vickie1320 @vickie1320, Aug 9, 2023

Hi everybody,

My husband has 9 more radiation treatments & 1 more chemo to go. He is having bad pain due to a huge, quarter sized open soar on the right side of his tongue. Everything we try is painful. I put a numbing drops on it & it burns like hell. If not for this, he would be doing so much better. He does not have a feeding tube & doesn’t want that. Does anyone have a suggestion on what to try?
Thank you all for your support. I don’t know how I would get through this without you❤️🙏❤️

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I wish I had a magic fix for you but there just isn’t anything I am aware of other than the old school salt water rinse. Salt in warm water and swish it around helps and usually stops the growth of the mouth or tongue sores. If you have to do this every hour for a while then that’s what you do. It’s really lousy to deal with. Sorry it’s happening but it’s not unusual.
Anyone else?

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Ask your Oncologist(s) for a prescription for "Magic Mouthwash". It has lidocaine in it and numbs the mouth and is safe to swallow for a sore throat. It's very effective for me even 1 month after treatments are done. Still get the sore mouth, cankor sores etc. I've also used Anbesol.
I wish you good luck.
Lori

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@lori57216

Ask your Oncologist(s) for a prescription for "Magic Mouthwash". It has lidocaine in it and numbs the mouth and is safe to swallow for a sore throat. It's very effective for me even 1 month after treatments are done. Still get the sore mouth, cankor sores etc. I've also used Anbesol.
I wish you good luck.
Lori

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Thanks Lori, he uses manic mouthwash regularly. I’ll try abnesol today.

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There is a prescription oral Lidocaine gel that doesn't seem to burn as much as other medication. There was a brief minimal burn with application but then relief to enable eating without pain. Ask your MD or dentist about getting a script. It was a lifesaver for me as the tongue ulceration lasted for a long time. Magic mouthwash frequently also gave some relief. Good luck to you both.

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@sepdvm

There is a prescription oral Lidocaine gel that doesn't seem to burn as much as other medication. There was a brief minimal burn with application but then relief to enable eating without pain. Ask your MD or dentist about getting a script. It was a lifesaver for me as the tongue ulceration lasted for a long time. Magic mouthwash frequently also gave some relief. Good luck to you both.

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Thank you & we now have the rx lidocaine and it is very helpful. He’s using it several times per day.

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@vickie1320

Thank you & we now have the rx lidocaine and it is very helpful. He’s using it several times per day.

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I hope things are getting better with the lidocaine treatments. The sores don't last forever but they sure are annoying. I think any of us who have gone through this remember the mouth sores and get the shivers just thinking about it. I just used saltwater rinse which worked well but was sometimes as painful initially as the sores themselves. Tough times never last but tough people do. Time and courage.

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@hrhwilliam

I hope things are getting better with the lidocaine treatments. The sores don't last forever but they sure are annoying. I think any of us who have gone through this remember the mouth sores and get the shivers just thinking about it. I just used saltwater rinse which worked well but was sometimes as painful initially as the sores themselves. Tough times never last but tough people do. Time and courage.

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Thank you William. Tmr is his last radiation treatment, thank God🙏🙏🙏 , although I know that’s not the end of it. I’m so thankful for this platform and all the wonderful patients sharing their stores and advice 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

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@vickie1320

Thank you William. Tmr is his last radiation treatment, thank God🙏🙏🙏 , although I know that’s not the end of it. I’m so thankful for this platform and all the wonderful patients sharing their stores and advice 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

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It’s experienced by myself and many others that the effects of radiation will continue to bring him downhill for a few days to possibly two weeks before a turnaround is noticed. Tell him to not be discouraged.
When you take a roast out of the oven it continues to cook for a bit. I wish there was a better way but this is what we have. I and others are here for you.

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I hope he gets through that. I am finished treatment but tongue is still raw it makes it hard to try to get food down. I use lanacane before forcing the food down. And t3s...list too much weight so pushing down some protein shakes. I take the burn with the food and follow each mouthful with water and baking soda.it neutralizes the burn somewhat and let's me eat the manageable foods.

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Sorry to hear. Suggestions here are all good. Magic mouthwash, salt water gargle...I use baking soda in 0 smart water. Month finished 35 rads and still the tongue rawness. I see daily improvements.. get the shapes down with a straw if necessary...good luck my friend. Prayers with you all. Shout out to all the amazing spiuses who are a fantastic support. Love you all.

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