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#54244 01-05-2004 10:24 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 49
brm1949 Offline OP
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I had radiation and finished up on 12/30. I am experiencing extreme pain in my shoulder that radiates to my chest on the side I had radiation.
I had full field radiation plus 8 boost. Can recovery have this kind of effect or is it that maybe I have over done it with excersise?


5-02 SCC T1N1M0 Stage 3 Right Tonsil
6-02 Right Radical Neck Disection
9-03 Recurrent SCC Dx Stage 4 unknown prim
12-03 7 Chemo
12-03 36 Rad
5-04 Left Upper Lung Wedge Resection neg
7-04 Right Parotidectomy
9-04 Began IMRT
10-04 Ended IMRT
#54245 01-05-2004 05:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,384
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Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
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If your radical neck included removing the nerve, then yes both the recovery and over doing excercise can cause pain in the shoulder. If you look at your shoulder and arm in the mirror you'll probably notice it hangs differently than the other side. The resulting load change on the shoulder joint is much like a dislocation. You need to strengthen the remaining muscles slowly and carefully. See if you can find a PT person with experience in post radical neck.


Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
#54246 01-06-2004 01:02 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 49
brm1949 Offline OP
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Posts: 49
Mark,

Thanks for the response. The radiation was applied to the opposite chest, shoulder and lower neck than the one I had the dissection. The more I think about it, I tink I just over did it exercising. Not realizing how out of shape I was and probably damaged a tendon in my pectoral muscle with caused more pain to radiate the entire area. Every step forward sometimes takes you back two.


5-02 SCC T1N1M0 Stage 3 Right Tonsil
6-02 Right Radical Neck Disection
9-03 Recurrent SCC Dx Stage 4 unknown prim
12-03 7 Chemo
12-03 36 Rad
5-04 Left Upper Lung Wedge Resection neg
7-04 Right Parotidectomy
9-04 Began IMRT
10-04 Ended IMRT
#54247 01-06-2004 12:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 528
"OCF Down Under"
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"OCF Down Under"
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 528
A few months before I was diagnosed I was experiencing severe shoulder pain at times, more often in the evenings when I was tired etc. I put it down to exercise, wear and tear etc. However when I was diagnosed it was found that one of my tumours had permanently damaged my accessory nerve. The tumours are now history but I still experience the shoulder pain most days. I also have a 'dropped' shoulder as a result.

If your pain continues mention it to your doc. Best wishes for your recovery from Helen


RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03

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