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#58507 06-13-2006 03:10 PM
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larryfb Offline OP
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i was treated for head/neck cancer with radiation a few years ago. recently i've had a couple of accidents that have resulted in whiplash pain in my neck.

i'm look for information on how head/neck cancer folks treated with radiation recover from whiplash injuries.

does the cancer radiation treatment effect our ability to recover?

are there any specific examples of folks who have had such a history?

thanks for any info,
cu,
larryb


'01 diagnosis.. jaw hing and base of tongue. surgery not possible. JHU used radiation and chemo to seemingly rid me of the beast. peg for about 19 months. 100 cases of 24 cans of liquid food. 9 months eating therapy. 3x esophagus stretches. non-smoker. previously a social drinker.
#58508 06-13-2006 04:59 PM
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My understanding is that the neck muscles where the radiation passed through are toasted for life. About 2 years post Tx, I started having occasional muscle spasms, much like a severe charlie horse. They just gave ne a jar of valium for that.


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
#58509 06-14-2006 01:15 AM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 207
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Hi,

I spend a great deal of time trying to stengthen and loosen my neck muscles. I twist my head often side to side as far as it will go. I'm making slow progress with my neck. I think the body has amazing capacity to heal if you work at it.

I have no feeling on the right side of my neck though. Funny story: I was at a mens cologn (sp) kiosk and went to apply to the right side of neck. Couldn't feel anything hitting me from the sample mist, so I kept on spraying until I realized what was goin on. Needless to say, I got lots of looks from people for my stentch from too much cologn.


SCC, base of tongue, 2 lymph nodes, stage 3/4. 35 X's IMRT radiation, chemo: Cisplatin x 2, 5FU x2, & Taxol x2. Hooray, after 3 years I'm in still in remission.
#58510 06-14-2006 01:38 AM
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Larry --

You may wish to get a referral to a physical therapist -- in particular, one experienced with muscle rehab for folks who have gone through cancer treatment. I know some of my friends who have had surgery for breast cancer have done this. Your oncologist or cancer center may have names. If you are on Medicare, you need your physical therapy plan approved by them (and recommended by your cancer doctor) for them to pay (we checked on this last week).

I guess people are affected various ways by the radiation, Barry had absolutely no effect on his neck muscles from his radiation treatment (he did not have neck surgery) but did find he lost a lot of upper body strength, mostly due to inactivity during treatment and first few months of recovery. He now goes to a weekly exercise class and works out in between with light weights. This is helping quite a bit.

Gail


CG to husband Barry, dx. 7/21/05, age 66, SCC rgt. tonsil, BOT, 2 nodes (stg. IV), HPV+, tonsillectomy, 7x carboplatin, 35x tomoTherapy IMRT w/ Ethyol @ Johns Hopkins, thru treatment 9/28/05, HPV vaccine trial 12/06-present. Looking good!
#58511 06-14-2006 04:51 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,019
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I had a very stiff neck after radiation and have been going to a physical therapist for about 6 mos. now. She has helped loosen it up a lot. I believe radaited muscles can be made looser eventually--I have improved a LOT since I started--but they tend to tighten back up much more quickly than muscles that are stiff but not because of radiation. Good luck.

Nelie


SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
#58512 06-14-2006 05:14 AM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 136
larryfb Offline OP
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hi,

a bit more info.

i am currently in PT for neck injuries from an accident on 11 March. heat/massage/deep heat/exercises.

on June 2, i was rear-ended by a truck going about 40 mph. this has increased my muscle pain and i've seen a doc who recommended a pain managent group. i suspect they will want to give me a cortisone shot...

i can't take most over the counter drugs because i'm on blood thinners. i can take many narcotics but prefer not to because i want/need to drive.

thus my med options are somewhat limited.

i'm most interested in how cortizone works for us and how radiated muscles heal from after trauma.

what a pain in the neck!
cu,
larryb


'01 diagnosis.. jaw hing and base of tongue. surgery not possible. JHU used radiation and chemo to seemingly rid me of the beast. peg for about 19 months. 100 cases of 24 cans of liquid food. 9 months eating therapy. 3x esophagus stretches. non-smoker. previously a social drinker.
#58513 06-14-2006 03:00 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,676
JAM Offline
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Dear larryb, it sounds like you need to stay out of moving vehicles :rolleyes: While you are checking on cortizone, ask about Prednisone- it is helping John with lots of pain and stiffness problems, mostly joint related-. 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

:

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