| Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 144 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 144 | I was wondering how much post op. pain is associated with Radical neck dissection. So anyone that could give me a ballpark 1-10 would be appreciated greatly.
Thanking you shawn U.
. Radio/Erbitex:(35/6.) .6/13 RSSC with met.to left neck.9/11/13 MND with left tonsil removal.9/18/13 margins failed, .Dx Terminal. 10/22/13 Dx.StageIII Lymphedema. Carboplatin/Taxol, cancer progression,WECF 3/14/2014 given 2 weeks, 3 maybe. All the veins in my head are slowly leakinging due to Ehlers Danlos syndrome. lucky thing is that my spinal fluid leaking out my nose is slowing the build up of pressure in my huge, huge head. you would not believe.
| | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 144 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 144 | I was wondering if anyone could give me perspective on post op. pain from Radical neck dissection. perhaps a 1-10 type deal. And I think we all know the drill on that 1-10 scale. So thank you in advance for any information on this matter. As I have surgery on the 11th of this month.
. Radio/Erbitex:(35/6.) .6/13 RSSC with met.to left neck.9/11/13 MND with left tonsil removal.9/18/13 margins failed, .Dx Terminal. 10/22/13 Dx.StageIII Lymphedema. Carboplatin/Taxol, cancer progression,WECF 3/14/2014 given 2 weeks, 3 maybe. All the veins in my head are slowly leakinging due to Ehlers Danlos syndrome. lucky thing is that my spinal fluid leaking out my nose is slowing the build up of pressure in my huge, huge head. you would not believe.
| | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Kris rates it a 1/10. He required no pain relief. Probably because the nerves are cut and you are numb. You will be fine. Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT. PET 6/11 clear. R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in. March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 346 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 346 Likes: 3 | Mine was a selective neck dissection, but I am a wimp on pain. After the first day or so, the actual incision did not hurt too bad. The throat was miserable, probably because of the tube during anesthesia, and now, two weeks out, all my right-side muscles ache from tension holding up my neck and sleeping propped up and all. The swelling is better but still miserable. Some nerve issues. Eating is okay, but only if I can get the bites tiny enough for my mouth which won't open wide now.
Hope that helps a bit.
Last edited by KristenS; 09-09-2013 02:59 PM.
Surgery 5/31/13 Tongue lesion, right side SCC, HPV+, poorly differentiated T1N0 based on biopsy and scan Selective neck dissection 8/27/13, clear nodes 12/2/13 follow-up with concerns 12/3/13 biopsy, surgery, cancer returned 1/8/14 Port installed PEG installed Chemo and rads 2/14/14 halfway through carboplatin/taxotere and rads March '14, Tx done, port out w/ complications, PEG out in June 2017: probable trigeminal neuralgia Fall 2017: HBOT Jan 18: oral surgery
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Thats a tough one! Everyone handles pain a little differently. If you hurt, ask for pain meds. If they give you pain meds and you still hurt, speak up and ask for something stronger to take away the pain. Do not suffer silently, it does not help the patient one bit to be in pain.
Since everyone is different, your question could also depend on exactly what was done. How many nodes were taken and if any nerves were affected all will play a part in how much you are hurting.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Good luck!!! ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 | I took oxycodone for a week, but had no major pain. I would say a 4 or less, but some days were better than others depending how I slept. It couldn't be that bad since I can't remember much pain. On the way home the day after surgery, I did pick up a BigMac meal, and did vomit, probably from the oxy. I sleep on an incline bed, which helps me. Good luck.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | I agree minimal pain... I slate it at a 1.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 144 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 144 | Thank you Kristin and Christine, It makes sense that we all have different pain levels and procedures that cause said pain.
Again thank you for your time, Shawn U.
. Radio/Erbitex:(35/6.) .6/13 RSSC with met.to left neck.9/11/13 MND with left tonsil removal.9/18/13 margins failed, .Dx Terminal. 10/22/13 Dx.StageIII Lymphedema. Carboplatin/Taxol, cancer progression,WECF 3/14/2014 given 2 weeks, 3 maybe. All the veins in my head are slowly leakinging due to Ehlers Danlos syndrome. lucky thing is that my spinal fluid leaking out my nose is slowing the build up of pressure in my huge, huge head. you would not believe.
| | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 144 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 144 | Well I had my surgery and stayed two nights in the hospital. I have Kaiser coverage.(severely lacking in communications from nurse to nurse and from nurse to doctor.) That being said They were very nice and had no problems getting enough pain meds from the Doctors. They took my left tonsil, and there in lays the main pain. But im all covered for pain meds. Right now the worst part I am dealing with is that when I swallow it feels like the water is going down the wrong pipe and I choke. But I guess its really just the feeling of chocking and have found that if I just jump in with both feet and chug a few big swallows. I only get the choking feeling on the last swallow. So CHUG , CHUG , CHUG... Eating is a bit harder and am on a full liquid diet with the exception of things like eggs and mac n cheese. Drainage is of concern as well. They color of the drainage has gone from watery red to a little thicker amber White color. But the smell is fine. No smell =s no infection I hope. Thank all of you for your input, It made me more comfortable going in. So any replies from this post concerning the drainage(or whatever) would be great.
Last edited by sunderwood1111; 09-14-2013 01:24 PM.
. Radio/Erbitex:(35/6.) .6/13 RSSC with met.to left neck.9/11/13 MND with left tonsil removal.9/18/13 margins failed, .Dx Terminal. 10/22/13 Dx.StageIII Lymphedema. Carboplatin/Taxol, cancer progression,WECF 3/14/2014 given 2 weeks, 3 maybe. All the veins in my head are slowly leakinging due to Ehlers Danlos syndrome. lucky thing is that my spinal fluid leaking out my nose is slowing the build up of pressure in my huge, huge head. you would not believe.
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | So glad you're doing okay. Thicker is okay it may be drying up...
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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