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

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. 🙂

@csshman Good job !
Based on your comments , there is something wrong with me . Mentally weak !

@ernierogersquamus123 Don't berate yourself Ernie. We're going through a lot but every day brings sunrise. 🙂

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.

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. 🙂

@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.

@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

@csshman I understand. I get so frustrated because I want to eat again. Like you, I keep trying but nothing is good, I can’t really describe it, I can’t stand the texture of food, no taste and still have numbness to my tongue.

@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