I saw my ENT last month for this same issue. Last month he said side-effects of radiation. Yesterday and today I have been in non-stop pain, and the pain has started to increase whenever I try to eat or swallow. I am not sure what it is, but it feels like a nerve of some sort. Yesterday it put me to my knees. It let up a but, but now it is a dull pain that just will not go away. I go back for another follow-up mid-November, right before Thanksgiving.

Angelia, Im sorry you are in pain. I hope its brought on by an infection causing swelling to press on a nerve. What has your doc said about this? I hope you have told them how bad the pain is and gotten some meds to help take the pain away. Hope you feel better very soon!

I have not called them yet, but have noticed that the muscles on the right side of my neck are a lot tighter and have gotten tighter in just the last few days. I do not know how they could get any tighter, but they sure have. I do have some pain meds, but with the antidepressants I am on I have to be careful what I take. If the pain is still there come Monday morning, I will be calling my ENT first thing in the morning. I am hoping it is some kind of infection, but the pain is only on the right side, which is the side of the radiation field and the primary cancer as well.

I hope you get some relief soon. I also hope you do not let your imagination get the best of you and that you are worried. I know its easier said than done. We all have a tendency to think the worst with every bump and bruise we get. It sure is hard being a cancer survivor! Worrying wont change anything is what I always tell myself when I start thinking the worst (recurrence). Hope you feel better soon.

Actually, I am doing well in that area. Like me psychologist says, is that I need to look at the facts. I am doing just that, Clear scan in July, and ENt saw me last month and was pleased. He said this nerve issue was a side-effect and may get worse with time. I am moving on and not letting cancer rune my life anymore. Moving on to the point that we are even considering adding to our family. Still not sure if I am ready for that, but we are talking about which is more than I would have done 6 months ago.

Angelia, I pray you get relief soon. I go thru the same 24/7 and it sure isn't fun. I just do me best to ignore it and think the best. Keeping busy is my way of dealing with it. You have been thru enough and need that break you so well deserve. One more week today and maybe I will get rid of some of mine with the jaw being removed.

Jim,
Thank you for that. I think about you often, and pray for you. I pray that your surgery goes well, and you get that relief you so deserve. Yes it was nice to not have to go to school today, Fall Break. I do not know what I would have done with this pain at school today. Good luck next week. What day is your surgery?

Angelia sorry your having a rough few days I don't get as severe pain as you by any standard but I Do have pain on and off - mostly its related to lymphedema - around my chin when my cheeks are a little swollen. My neck has its moment of tightness as well. I just wanted to say stretch and massage if you can to try and get the muscles to loosen and circulation to the area. Have you tried acupuncture at all - ? My dr. Started placing very small needles along my neck scar to try to break up the scar issue and allow me to bend my head completely back and angularity to the right - he's done it for the last two visits and it has helped a lot! Sometimes muscles & tissues have issues ( pain) when the circulation in those areas is compromised- increased circulation could help. Hugs - hope you feel better soon...also you have an anniversary coming up right?

Angelia

Just reading some of the posts on OCF is enough to make my jaw ache and my neck hurt. While it's constant, I've become inured to it but focus on it after reading about it here. Of course then I wonder: is the cancer back?
I don't have any answers or remedies but just wanted to say Hi and urge you to keep up your spirits. It's not a psychological problem to recognize the reality that this cancer can come back.
Especially when it has come back once for some of us. As the saying goes: "Once burned, twice shy."
But we can not let it ruin our lives although we both know just how hard that can be.
Keep the Faith
Charm

It is not ruining my life, as I try not to focus on it too much, but there are days when it hits and knocks me to the ground. Had a better day today. Went to see my boys plya their football games, and then took them bowling with the grandparents. Let me tell you the bowling did not help those muscles at all, but it was worth the joy of being with my kids and dad. My 7 year old even beat me at bowling. LOL