#58625 06-27-2006 10:56 PM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 26 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 26 | Maybe someone can help me with this. I had a neck dissection in Feb of this year and really had no problems with it up until this week. I am 11 days out of Radiation and my neck is so stiff. I have been doing exersises and rubbing cream into it 2x daily.
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#58626 06-28-2006 02:06 AM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 207 | Hi Molly,
It will take a while. You must continue to do the exercises. It took me almost a year before I felt I could move my head well. The Rad and disection really make the neck stiff. I still feel stretching when I turn my head and I try to stretch it daily.
Steve
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.
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#58627 06-28-2006 09:47 AM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Hi Molly,
I can tell you that even without radiation my neck was stiff after the disection. I'm sure that the radiation added to the stiffness.
Being diligent with the exercises is the best way to get things moving again. Hopefully you have been given exercises that will stretch the muscles in all directions. I found that the biggest recovery came about after I started using a pulley that I hung over a door.
Although this was primarily to regain my range of motion in my arm, it helped my neck, too. It is a simple, inexpensive device that was obtained through my physical therapist. I would check with your physical therapist first. The one I got is made by Rose Health Care, L.L.C. in Brunswick Georgia 31520. That is all the information on the box. I just Googled them and their number is (912) 466-0022
I hope you feel better soon.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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#58628 07-26-2006 03:43 AM | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 | Hi Molly,
I too have stiff neck. I do stretches like Steve said and do warm packs too. It seems to help.
take care
Diane
2004 SCC R.tip 1/4 tongue Oct. 2005 R. Neck SCC cancer/Chemo Cisplatin 2x/8wks. Rad. Removed Jugular vein, Lymph gland & some neck muscle. TX finished 1/20/06... B.Cancer 3/29/07 Finished 6/07 Bi-op 7/15/09 SCC in-situ, laser surgery removed from 1st. sight. Right jaw replacement 11/3/14. 9 yrs cancer free as of Jan. 2015
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#58629 07-26-2006 08:53 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Conversely to Jerry I can tell you that even without surgery, radiation on it's own can screw up your neck muscles. I get occasional neck spasms, 2-3 times a week. I just take Valium and an occasional codiene (no more Vicodin because of the acetomeniphen - causes liver damage).
Gary Allsebrook
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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)
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#58630 07-28-2006 04:27 AM | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 137 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2006 Posts: 137 | Get a doctor's referral or an appointment with a physical therapist. I also had a 'modified radical neck dissection' where the surgeon took out the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The physical therpapist gave me some soft tissue massage with stretches and some other exercises that helped improve mobility and strength.
dx 2/13/06. modified radical neck dissection 3/9/06 multiple biopsies of upper airway and direct laryngoscopy. 1 of 47 lymph nodes positive for metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma (lymphoepithelioma). Unknown primary. Finished radiation 5/24/06.
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