Hi all,

Just of late I'm getting awful spasms in my neck and shoulder (radical neck dissection 12/2003). It's driving me bonkers, ...not good in front of clients Plus some times at night it hurts, keeping me awake (besides my back problems!). Any advice is welcome.

Tizz

I didn't have a neck disection but the radiation did a number on my neck muscles. I take valium and codeine when the spasms hit (codeine because of my hep C - no acetomeniphen). Sometimes it feels like my head is going to twist off.

Find a good physical therapist is my recommendation. I only had a selective neck dissection so my issues may not be as severe but, like Gary, the radiation seems to be the real issue for me. I went to a physical therapist twice a week for about 6 months (some of which my insurance paid for) and it was really worth it. If I find myself getting close to bad spasms again, I will go back to her.

Nelie

HI Tizz,

I agree that PT will help. Also, some exercise to restrenghten the area is very important.

I had PT, insurance paid. The PT helped but my own exercise helped more. Some light weight training to rebuild what has been fried and damaged will go a long way.

Steve

You might also try one of those neck warmer wraps that are filled with flaxseed or rice or something and you put them in the micorwave to heat them up then put them on your neck. The cold weather had me very stiff last year (and I expect I'll get worse again when it gets cold again this year) and using that in the evening and first thing in the morning was a real help....

Nelie

Tizz,

I developed neck problems years after radiation (but my oncologist still thinks there is probably some connection to the radiation treatment). As Steve and Nelie have said, PT can really help. I went for 8 weeks of therapy, which made quite a difference and also helped to teach me some exercises I can continue to do on my own.

Cathy

Thanks everyone. I did some self massage" and it seemed to help. I will go to my PT soon, especially for my back. I'm sure it's all related - neck spasms upset back alignment, makes sciatica worse, and the grunts and groans And I don't think all that radio is innocent! I do have good movement now though.

I've recently started wearing a neck brace when travelling, as with bumps, braking etc, I have to hold my head all the time or hang onto something. I couldn't wear anything near my neck for 2 years because of the sensitivity, not even a collared shirt or scarf. I found the brace rather handy when I recently flew to Vanuatu - the roads over there are like bombed Beirut! Vehicles rarely go over 10km's on some roads.

Cheers!

Tizz

I'm married to a certified massage therapist and she has been working on getting enough hours to be certified for lymphatic drainage. Massage does help. I do stretching exercises as well.

My RO warned me up front that there would be collateral damage to the muscles.

I still need the drugs occasionally.

My husband has been complaining of neck soreness for the last week and I have been nervous that the cancer has spread. Its comforting to hear that others have experianced the same neck spasms and that it could be from the radiation. I am new to this message posting and am glad I found this site. I have read some of the postings to my husband and I can see that he feels now that he's not alone in his battle, hopefully he will add his own comments when he feels more comfortable.