Hello everyone,
I had radiation to both sides of my neck and over the past 10 months I have noticed changes to both sides. I had the neck disection on the left side. Over the past few months I have noticed lots of gradual changes to the right side that had no surgery. Some stiffness, some aches and pains, etc. Is it normal for this to occur?
Also, while my energy level slowly gets better, especially now that my thyroid issues are under control, I notice that my strength is still low. Meaning that I notice I'm not as strong as before. I used to be able to carry all the groceries in at one time rather then make two trips. You know the deal, it's like a challenge to see how many bags you can hang off your arms and body AND manage to shut the van door, lol. I can't do that anymore I have to make two trips. Also, part of my job is teaching children how to tumble which requires spotting on my part when they progress to back handsprings, etc. I can't lift the same weight I could before all of this.
Does anyone else notice a lack of strength?
Take care,
Minnie

Minnie,

I'm three months out and had chemo and radiation. My strength is no where near where it used to be. I still have stiffness in my neck as well. I think everything you're experiencing is normal. I read someone on the site say, one month for every week of treatment for recovery. I guess I have three month to go.

Lynn

Hi Minnie

I am 12 months out now and have also been surprised that my left neck is stiff and sore because I had my surgery on the right. I have so little strength in my right shoulder and arm so I put it down to strain because I am also right-handed and have noticed changes in my posture etc. These days I do household chores in small spurts and find that easier than a large project.

My throat is sore on both sides now. It is OK so I guess that is from the mechanical process of swallowing. Strangely, I didn't have a sore throat at all when I had Stage 4 tonsil cancer.

Glad you are recovering from your thyroid deficiency. I found that it took a few weeks for the thyroxine to kick in but when it did it made a huge difference.
From Helen, with love

Minnie,

My surgery was on the left side (tongue and neck); radiation was on both sides. I still have stiffness on both sides of my neck after 15 years, although not terribly severe. (I frequently hear it making cracking sounds when I turn in either direction!) Also, my oncologist is still monitoring my thyroid -- it hasn't gotten to the point of needing medication, but it's trending that way and I do have periods of fatigue when I feel as though I should have more energy.

However, since I'm 15 years past radiation, I suppose I have to blame some of these weaknesses on age as well! In any event, they don't keep me from doing the things I really want to do.

Cathy

Minnie,

I am now about 7 months post treatment and I did not have the neck dissection. My neck was doing real good and then some lady decided to not stop at a red light and plowed into a car that hit a car that hit me and my neck and shoulder have been killing me since 1/22. My neck hurts especially on the left side and my left shoulder hurts. I had most of the radiation on my left side. My left shoulder joint and both of my hips have been real painful and I don't know why. I started lifting weights and it doesn't make it worse but it has helped immensely on getting the strength back. I lifted several 60 lb bags the other day and it is the first time I have been able to for months. I drank many cans of Boost High Protein March and April and it seemed to help with the strength. I never gained strength until I started back on the weights.

Ed

Hi Minnie, I had the neck dissection on left side two years ago in May....I still have the stiffness and soreness in my neck..in fact sometimes the right side is worse, I asked my oncologist and he said it is compensatory. Yesterday I sat on the bleachers at my daughter's track meet all day and boy did I feel it...oh well, just glad I was able to be there!!! Have a wonderful Mother's Day....Love, Carol

Hi Minnie. I did not have surgery and I'm about 5 1/2 months post-treatment. The muscles in my neck feel stiff all the time. This is them trying to fiber over and harden from the radiation. I stretch my neck several times a day, but I fear I've lost some mobility. My strength is not what it used to be. I'm not as physically strong as I was, I don't have the stamina I used to and I have zero tollerance for any sort of sleep deprivation. Mind you, I'm doing really well and my friends probably couldn't tell just by hanging out with me, but I know....I can feel it. I feel much older than I did pre-treatment. When my muscles get sore from work or working out, they stay sore for longer and it hurts worse than it did before. There doesn't seem to be a day that goes by that I'm not dealing with some little ache or pain -- whether it's the muscles in my neck or fleeting soreness in my throat or ear or sore mucles from exersion -- it's always something.

-Brett

hi Minnie,
>Does anyone else notice a lack of strength?

well yes, even 2 yrs later. so at thanksgiving i started a regular light exercise program based on the book 'The Lance Armstrong Performance Program' it has lots of ideas/recommendations and a 7 week program for beginners/intermediate/advanced folks. i've done the beginner program 3 times now and it has help greatly. a key to the program is using a heart rate monitor and light execise 6 days per week. i think part of my weakness/fatigue is due to reduced cardio stuff from just being a couch potato since the radiation. my energy level has come back greatly...

yet like Brett and others, i need to be sure to get plenty of sleep and not over extend myself.

light, easy, routine is best for me.

cu,
larryb

Hi Minnie, I had left neck dissection and full
blast radiation to both sides (and the front).
They hit me from below the eyes to below the
collar bone.
I have all my upper body strength back, and most
of the lower body (legs). I still get out of
breath easy, so lower body is harder to work
(squats get you breathing like a freight train).
I still get tired in the afternoon, so workouts
are best in the morning before work.
I have cramping problems in the neck/shoulder
area, probably caused by over zealous workouts.
I do "shrugs" and the Nautilus neck machine to
build up where they gutted me. I still get
lots of tingling in the left neck/shoulder area,
and cramps on both sides of the neck.
I didn't think I would ever be able to pump iron
much after cancer treatment, but I'm doing fine.
I have more determination now than ever before.
I also use a good quality protein, and
L-glutamine supplement every day.
O-O

Hi Minnie,

I had a right side pech muscle used for the reconstruction of my throat. I am very weak on the right side. It hurts to raise my arm and I know what you mean about picking things up. I find it easier and less painful to take light things with more trips. I started some re-hab exercise's but my right arm just hurt to much.

Dan