It has been 45 days since completion of radiation/chemo, and about 4 1/2 months since bilateral modified radical neck dissection (muscle, jugular and spinal accessory nerve all preserved.) It has been just over 3 weeks since I was told I was clinically disease free.

I have been pleased with the amount of activity I can engage in, and am seeing acceptable progress with eating and taste. My issues now involve my neck, shoulders and upper back.

First, my neck feels "tighter" in front than it ever has, and is sometimes tender to the touch. There are no extra bumps or lumps, and it is pretty symmetrical on both sides. Some days it appears slightly more swollen than other days.

Also, the muscles at the back and sides of my neck are extremely tight, causing a pulling sensation into my trapezius muscles left and right, and sometimes extending around into my chest and upper arms. It is a burning type of pain, not unlike what I had before my cervical fusion. The muscles extending from the base of the neck along the top of the shoulder are very tight and sensitive to the touch.

From my reading, I gather both the surgery and radiation can cause these types of symptoms. Anybody else experience this? What was your treatment of choice?

Thanks!!