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| | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 49 "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 49 | It seems I do have some nerve damage following the neck dissection- my lip won't do as its told! My children think its very funny but I'm finding it frustrating and being the vain creature that I am, I'm worried about how I look  . My ENT surgeon said it could take up to 6 months to heal  I've heard that accupuncture and traditional chinese medicine (TCM) can help speed up the process. Has anyone tried this for nerve damage? 
Last edited by monicacc; 12-04-2010 05:06 AM.
Monica,33 Mum of 3. Former smoker
SCC right lateral tongue. Intially thought to be cell dysplasia and dx as SCC after surgical excision.
Nov 2010- partial glossectomy (1cm in width), partial neck dissection. Margins clear, nothing found in nodes- YAY! Benign tumor on saliva gland.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 68 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 68 | Several people here have tried this for various things from dry mouth to issues like you describe. I've never seen a post that claimed a major victory for acupuncture.
Nerve regeneration is an iffy thing. If it is cut maybe never, if it is bruised/damaged during the surgery but intact, a few months and it will start to tingle and slowly return. But none of us know what category we are in. I still (12 years out), cannot move the right corner of my mouth. Most people do not notice when I talk that is is still, but I do, and I am self conscious about it.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 49 "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 49 | thanks Brian. The surgeons said they had not damaged it permanently but that it was stretched. So hopefully it will come back in a few months. No harm trying the accupunture though I guess.
Last edited by monicacc; 12-05-2010 02:07 PM.
Monica,33 Mum of 3. Former smoker
SCC right lateral tongue. Intially thought to be cell dysplasia and dx as SCC after surgical excision.
Nov 2010- partial glossectomy (1cm in width), partial neck dissection. Margins clear, nothing found in nodes- YAY! Benign tumor on saliva gland.
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