Just finished 6 weeks of IMRT at the end of February.60 Grays in total on the right side of my neck where I had my second neck dissection at the end of November.
Side effects are not really what I expected compared to the 6 weeks of conventional RT I had 18 months ago.
Back in 2011, I had chemotherapy for 6 weeks alongside my RT and it took a good 3 months before any degree of new normality appeared.
This time I have a bit of a scorched mouth and my taste has been somewhat affected - though not completely eradicated as before. I've managed to keep on eating fairly normally and avoided having to use my Peg feeding tube as my throat has not been frazzled at all and my swallowing is pretty good.I've also had no problems with excess mucous or severe ulcers in the mouth.
Fatigue is still a bit of an issue, but nothing like I was anticipating and mostly I manage and am able to fight any low points where a lazy lie down beckons.
My skin began to break down a little in the final week.However, this was really more like bad sunburn and not something that couldn't be alleviated by lashings of aqueous cream.
As the sessions and weeks went by I kept waiting for some horrendous side effects to appear like last time. . . but I'm still waiting.
I haven't got away with it completely as in the last 3 weeks I've developed a very stiff neck/shoulder. I can't quite work out whether this is posture related (as my physiotherapist maintains) or something more related to my radiotherapy.It really Is quite uncomfortable and I do vaguely remember my Consultant taking about massaging this area but I haven't got my review with him for another 10 days yet.
I know that this condition cold be related to lymph drainage, but any insight into possible causes or solutions would be appreciated.

I had three neck dissections, two radical, and the last with a pec flap. I have stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion in the neck, but manage without anything. I did do physical therapy a few times, basically for leg strength, neuropathy, walking, with a few exercises for the neck, and shoulder, being they took my neck muscle out. I notice my posture, and left shoulder is different from the RND. Some do lymphatic lymph drainage, acupuncture, physical therapy, but check with your doctor.

The radiation symptoms will differ based on the sites radiated, and the dosage amount. Usually the first time is up to 70Gy or slightly above, and reirridation is usually less, and usully to more targeted areas, which may not involve the oral or oropharyngeal area like the first time, which effects speech, chewing, swallowing, so it's different, but may have mote added side effects in the neck this time around due to the total radiation received.

Good luck with your recovery.

Many thanks for that last post. My sister is a Physiotherapist so she has some tips for me specifically related to this issue.

Definitely work on the physio, the neck dissections do a total number on your shoulder and neck not surprised at all with the trouble you're having... Hugs!