Taste Buds

I had a tumor at the base of my tongue after the second week of radiation I began having problems with taste.  Now I'm nearly 2 months passed my last treatment.  My throat is still sore my tongue feels slightly sore to numb at times.  Does the taste sensation come back part or all?  Is it because I was radiated on the tongue it's gone for good.  Any one help me? 

 

Bob - My husband is 6 months from his radiation and chemo treatment and has about 60% of his taste back.  It is really a whole "new normal" sort of thing.  He used to eat ice cream every night and now it has no taste - he has been told by his radiology oncologist and others in our support group that it will get better in the next few months and also that it comes and goes.  Have also been told to drink grape juice before you eat - it does something to the taste buds.  Good luck.  Also, try the message board on www.oralcancerfoundation.org - lots of good people, information and advice.

On 2/20/2007 Bob d wrote:

I had a tumor at the base of my tongue after the second week of radiation I began having problems with taste.  Now I'm nearly 2 months passed my last treatment.  My throat is still sore my tongue feels slightly sore to numb at times.  Does the taste sensation come back part or all?  Is it because I was radiated on the tongue it's gone for good.  Any one help me? 

 

I am now a five year survivor of tongue cancer. I had surgery followed by 33 radiation treatments. The radiation does terrible things to your mouth, throat and neck but trust me it does get better. It actually took about two years for my taste to return and yes, it still is not totally the way it was before radiation but I'm happy with what I have. Also I have some numbness on one side of my tongue and I'm not sure if it's from the surgery or the radiation or both. Some foods still bother me like hot, spicy things but that's not a problem since I'm just thrilled to be able to eat and drink most anything else. The biggest inconvenience is the dry mouth. I am now 90% dry, meaning my saliva glands were severly damaged and will probably never recover. I keep water with me at all times and take Salagen three times a day. With this combination I'm able to talk and eat more easily. Keep a positive attitude and hopefully you have a strong support group of friends and family. Prayer from friends and family definitely made all the difference in my recovery and I pray you'll soon find peace and healing from this terrible disease. May God bless you richly, VC