Hi all,

When does the tightness in the neck after ND start to feel better?

As you may recall my Dad had a bilateral ND March 13/07. I know it's still fresh only being 2 months post surgery. His neck feels like he has a rope around it being pulled on both ends. When his face swells (it goes up a bit from time to time) it gets even tighter. This tight feeling is driving him crazy.

When did your tightness loosen up?

Thanks,
LisaB

I am just over a month after bilateral modified radical ND. They maintained jugular, spinal accessory nerve and SMM, but most lymph nodes and other "contents" were removed.

I find that my neck is looser when I am sure to flex and rotate it every hour or so, and be sure to walk or otherwise move around. Sometimes, it will really "cinch up", like a belt tightening, but moving it around for a little bit helps.

My docs tell me to keep both my neck and jaw in motion and flexible, and my recovery will be faster and better, both from the ND and the Radiation. I also have the added problem of having had a two level cervical disk fusion in February, so have stiffness from that as well.

Good luck!

My surgery was 11/28/2006 and my neck is still tight and numb although, I have a good bit of flexibility. The left side of my tongue is also still totally numb. Very annoying but, certainly beats the alternative.

Yeah, numbness is a whole different deal, as is the nerve "recovery", when the upper part of the nerve starts firing -- you get some interesting sensations.

My numbness is pretty much all the way around at trachea level, with the skin right under the jaw line very sensitive now that the nerves are starting to come back. ROM is good, however. Fortunately, having had my fusion and some other surgery, these sensations are fairly familiar, so I do not freak out over nothing.

Lisa,
Is he getting physical therapy? If not, he should be to help loosen the tightness in the neck and achieve greater mobility. Ask the dr for a script and a referral to a good PT who is used to dealing with NDs.

Take care,
Eileen

Lisa,

I echo what Eileen has said. There is no substitute for physical therapy. The longer your dad waits to get that started, the longer it will take to get full movement back. I did exercises with the therapist, but what helped me the most was what I did at home.

Jerry

Yes he does his exercises daily. The PT came and showed him what to do then at the weekly visits she just came and chatted; so they don't bother having her come. He can move around pretty good and does his exercises. He's up and about daily too.

So how long into things was it before your tightness let up?

I guess it all just takes time.

Thanks
LisaB

Hi Lisa,

Yes, it takes time and everyone is different in healing times and everyone's surgery was different. It's important to keep up the exercises faithfully and things will surely improve.

Perhaps another PT can be found that will help more than the first one that is more interested in talking than doing.

Jerry

Thanks again.

My Dad says when it's tight he doesn't like to do his exercises he thinks it will make it tighter. He's having a hard time with the tightness again. I don't know what to suggest. He finished his 2 weeks of steriods and yesterday he took some more because he's nervouse the throat is tightening.

How the heck are you suppose to know the differance between 'regular' tigntess from ND vs abnormal tightness in the throat effecting breathing?

It's so scary and confusing.

Thanks
LisaB