Thanks for all replies. Nothing has changed for the better, in fact the tightness/pain is getting worse. I wonder if the neck dissection, tongue reconstruction and then radiation all on the same area is why I have it so bad. Everything is tightening up, sleeping is a disaster (up 3 or 4 times easily), eating is getting tough and I have constant ear/headache. My 600mg ibuprofen and 10mg oxycodone just aint doing it anymore! Tried a 30mg morphine last night and it did nothing.

lol, the best medicine is distraction...even typing this helps a little NOT to be directly thinking about the discomfort. Talk about a rock and a hard place: stretching my neck and jaw hurts right now but without facing that pain I will probably get worse, much worse!

I am curious why some of you reckon to wait 3 months or so to begin lymph massage? I have been doing it at home and it seems to offer some relief... whether that is fluid draining or it is simply the overall feel-good effect of massage I don't know. Certainly there is no visible change to the puffiness but I shall take relief in any shape or form!

I found an older thread recommending Kinesio taping to reduce swelling. Yes, yes I too am suspicious of such a thing but with very little patience and no other remedy in sight the prospect of trying is getting closer. Anyone else tried this? Heck, I shall even try the glass of water trick mentioned above!

I stated in the original post there seems to be very little hands-on experience in NE Ohio to deal with this. My PT and OTs are at least honest in this regard. This makes me even more thankful for forums like this, thank you all.