I'm sorry for you troubles, Bikedoc. I see you had bilateral radical neck dissections, and can relate to the neck/shoulder issues with my own issues from my 5 neck dissections, several were radical, and 5 radiation treatments to the same side of neck. I don't know if your trapezoid muscle atrophied yet, mine did, and basically disappeared overnight, but was fine for several years since 2011. I believe that may be due to the neck muscle, sternocleidomadtoid, and spinal assessory nerve being removed. I also have trouble keeping my head up after standing several minutes, aka drop head from my diagnosis, and feel the pulling on my shoulder, neck, back the longer I stand, and need to sit down with back/neck support. I don't have the constant pain you describe, more soreness, weakness, although the brachial plexopathy with arm paralysis, from radiation nerve damage, started about 10 months ago, which caused severe pain, and had to take Oxycodone, gabapentin, and use Voltaren Gel to the shoulder. On my own, I used a heating pad, and tiger balm. They worked for the pain, but still have numbness, and just take the gabapentin for maintenance, but much less than they want me too though, which also helps with the neuropathy.

I started PT, but had to stop due to other ongoing medical issues. The neurologist doesn't think the arm will regain movement like before, but may help with other muscles for support. Also, I had the nerve tests, EMG, EEG, performed by the neurologists to identity the problems, and had an MRI to rule out a recurrence. I have to start PT again when I have a chance, and want to rejoin the Y, as I too can't do the things I did before, and was an avid gym rat most my life.