 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | My neck is also stiff and my treatment ended in July of 2003. I am quite sure this is something that will be a life long side effect. Like Erik said, PT can help but between the surgery and the radiation our necks will never be or feel the same. I was very upset about it after surgery and for a few months after radiation ended but now I have adjusted to it and just deal with it. I get neck spasms if my neck gets to cold and by the end of a physically busy day, my neck hurts. I cannot turn my head as far to the right as I can to the left and to look straight up I have to pull my shoulders back. Part of life now!
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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