Hi, and welcome to OCF.

I'm glad to hear that you've progressed well thus far, but sorry to hear of your pain/dysfunction lately.

I am a physical therapist and it sounds to me like the pain you are experiencing is coming from your neck. Neck issues very commonly refer pain to the upper trapezius (muscle that goes from your neck to your shoulder) and to the middle of the shoulder blades. It can also refer down your arm, in worst cases all the way to your fingers; and also the back or your head up and over to the temples/forehead. Are you having an MRI of the neck? It's HIGHLY unlikely that it is actually your shoulder.

The good news is skilled physical therapist can help you. I would advise you to find one who is certified in The McKenzie Method. It is an evidenced-based treatment technique that is designed for patients to eventually do themselves at home. You can locate a certified practitioner through this link http://www.mckenziemdt.org/index_us.cfm.

The bad news is that you've had radiation and perhaps a neck dissection and your anatomy will never be the same. You will have permanent soft tissue changes and these will affect your joint mobility, among other things. But, there is more good news...you will most likely be able to manage your pain/symptoms with a comprehensive approach (PT, meds, massage therapy, etc). A word of caution, and I may receive some flack for this...steer clear of chiropractic spinal manipulation of the neck. It can be dangerous for people with "normal" anatomy. You have very delicate arteries that run through the bones of the cervical spine and feed the base of your brain with blood. These vessels can and have been injured/severed as a result of manipulation in some cases which can lead to death, stroke, or permanent brain damage. Since you've had radiation, your blood vessels are already at a higher risk for damage/rupture...you get my drift, I'm sure.

I hope that you get treatment ASAP and you begin to feel better soon. Best of luck and please don't hesitate to contact me if you need help.

Take care,
Kerri


37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!