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#57321 11-16-2005 01:35 PM
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Marica Offline OP
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Hi All,
Pete is having a hard time with cramps in the back of his neck so severe they are nearly putting him to the floor.
This is not good for someone who drives hundreds of miles a week over 7 states, I realise this might be part of the problem.

Has anyone else has this severity of cramping?

What would be your reccomendations?

I would appreciate you thoughts.
Thanks
Marica


Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
#57322 11-16-2005 03:13 PM
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Marica, last year for Christmas a friend gave John a seat cover for his car that heats and massages. I think they got it at Walmart. If Pete is driving long hrs. and getting tense or stiff, something like this might give him some relief. Amy


CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease

:
#57323 11-17-2005 05:05 AM
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Marica
I get cramps in the dissection area of my neck. Things tend to tightnen up every once in a while. They have offered muscle relaxants but I am trying to stay away from meds for awhile. I notice when I yawn the most. He could ask about the relaxants...though he should not be driving then. What about message therapy???

#57324 11-17-2005 07:05 AM
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I can totally relate to the cramping of the neck muscles while yawning. It's gotten so I almost dread yawning now, it can be painful! My neck has gotten stiffer in the area of my neck disection, someone told me it's called scarring down. Anyone know of any treatments to loosen it back up?


SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
#57325 11-17-2005 08:19 AM
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I go to PT every 6 months for a tune up to loosen up my neck muscles. They also sent me home 1 year ago with a half round tube of stiff foam about 3 feet long that I lay on and do exersizes to straighten out my back, neck and shoulders. This keeps me from slowing hunching forward. Although the excercise at first was very painfall I have noticed I'm getting quite good at them and they help immensely. When I drive I find relief by putting one of those soft neck pillows around my neck to support it. Without it I can only drive for an hour without pain. With it I'm good for a half day trip or long plane flight. You can also microwave them for a little heat.- Kris


SCC Stage IV left tonsil neck disection 3/02 radiation finished 6/02 chemo finished 9/02
Stage 2A left breast cancer 3/09, chemo and radiation, finished treatment 2/7/10 -Stage 2 right beast cancer 10/14 chemo and radiation
Every day is still a gift :-)
#57326 11-17-2005 11:29 AM
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I also find that I need those neck pillows when I'm traveling, or sometimes just when I'm sitting for awhile at home. For sleeping I definitely need sturdy neck support as well -- I've worked out something with a memory foam pillow (that fits under my neck) on top of a regular pillow.

My MO has done scans of my neck a couple of times in the past few years and said there is some arthritis there that he believes is due at least in part to the after-effects of radiation.

Cathy


Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
#57327 11-17-2005 02:06 PM
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Marica,
I can totally relate to the neck cramps. I'm now 21 months post treatment, and I am still getting fairly frequent severe muscle spasms at the base of my skull. They seem to be triggered by certain positions. If I look down or over my shoulder in either direction, it will trigger a spasm, and Pete is right, they'll knock you to your knees.
The last time I saw my ENT, she offered a prescription which would increase circulation, but I opted to try to work it out with PT instead. Unfortunately I didn't write down the name of the drug she was talking about. I see her again in a couple of weeks, and I'll ask again. She said it's likely yet another manifestation of the poor circulation in the irradiated areas.
I have seen some limited improvement with stretching and strengthening exercises, but it's still pretty frustrating.
I'm sorry I can't offer much more than I have. I hope the info helps.

Good Health

Chuck


SCC Stage IV right tonsil T3N3M0. Dx 08/03. Clinical Trial:8 weeks Taxol, Carboplatin then Hydrea, 5FU, IMRT x's 48, SND, Iressa x 2yrs. Now 20 years out and thriving. Dealing with a Prostate cancer diagnosis now. Add a Bladder cancer diagnosis to all the fun.
It's always something
"Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it."
#57328 11-17-2005 02:29 PM
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HI all, I too use a neck pillow. I had that problem in the begining usually at work when I
was shelving since I worked in a Library. I use
a neck pillow everynight now and love. I've gone
threw my third pillow. They are wonderful.
Cathy


Cathy

SCCA Stage IV diagnosed 01/90
base of tongue with 1/2 removed.
With neck resection, radiation and chemo
#57329 11-17-2005 03:40 PM
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Marica Offline OP
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Thanks guys
I appreciate the input and I will put forth each and every suggestion.
I think I see a massaging driving seat in his Christmas stocking!
Do any of you still have vertigo?

Take Care
Marica


Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
#57330 11-17-2005 06:26 PM
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Stretching & massage & excersize. Just do it! Erik


dx 2/11/04 scca bot T3 IU 2B MO poorly differentiated, margins ok, 3/16 modest, jaw split, over half of tongue removed, free flap from left forearm - finished chemo & rad treatment 5/20/04
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