Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I had my jaw bone sawed for access to my squamous cell tumor mass at base of tongue, to remove the tumor , 2 lymph nodes removed & half of my tongue (which is now sewn to gum line so that I cannot swallow b/c tongue cannot reach roof of my mouth. I had cysplatin chemo with radiation at same time before the surgery. My carotid artery vein was dangerously exposed & would not heal over. (I was strapped down while in medically induced coma so that I could not rip out trach or cause damage to carotid artery that u could see. Why they didn t do skin graft then , I don t know. But I keep having shooting pain up into the back of skull , literally in my skull like I been zapped like electrical shock. Could cysplatin have caused this nerve shooting pain? I also have TMJ & cannot open mouth but 1/2 way. Very difficult for all my anesthesiologist for the next 4 surgeries. Couldn t get things down my throat because anatomy compromised after 1st surgery . Awful time trying to do a 3rd feeding tube . I do not dare to have general anesthesia to skin graft now b/c every anesth had problems of me choking to death on the table. What can I do fir this shooting pain w/o surgery? I am on fentanyl 75mcg & 3 30mg morph a day & antidepressant & Xanax. What will stop this shooting nerve pain ?
[|AI|]  Hello, I can understand your concern and feel sorry for the agony you have been through. Cancer of tongue is treated with surgeries first and removal of part of tongue always brings complications in eating and talking etc. compromising the quality of life. The shooting pain you are experiencing on the back of the skull is due to the surgical procedure that may have cut the nerves invaded by cancer. Due to damage to the nerves, experiencing these shooting pain episodes is usual. You are taking opioid analgesic Morphine which should control the pain episodes. However, if that is not helping you, you should see a neurologist for invasive treatments regarding the nerve pain that will not require general anesthesia. I hope this answer helps you. Thank you for choosing Chat Doctor. I wish you feel better soon. Best,