Hi All,

Just curious if anyone has run into a condition I have after a partial glosectomy/modified neck disection. Every now and then, the lower jaw muscles and muscles under my chin will cramp and force my jaw open. It can be painful and I usually have to massage the muscles to get them to relax. It usually happens whan I am yawning a lot.

It is kind of embarassing when it happens while talking to someone as well. I have to pause and massage then continue the discussion.

An ideas on how to keep this from happening?

Thanks,
Jim

Jim - I am about 9 months out from the same surgery that you had, but did not have to have RT. I have the same problem - it happens when I yawn, but not every time.... I asked my Dr and he said it was related to the nerve damage from the ND and that it might get better or even go away.. or it might not... So I have just learned to live with it - but it really hurts when it happens, doesn't it??!!! Sorry I don't have a cure...

Yeah, sometimes it is more painful than others.

Jim

Jim,

It also happened to me from time to time after my surgery/radiation. You're right -- it tended to be mostly when I was yawning, and it could be quite painful. I just tried to keep working the muscles, and eventually the nerves seemed to heal to the point where the problem resolved itself.

Cathy

Jim, if I can remember I think I started getting the spasms at about 3 yrs post tx. I did not have ND. I have had the spasms ever since and you are right they are very painful and embarassing if your talking with someone.
Also for the past week I have been getting similar spasms at my skull base behind my ears. The pain has knocked me off my feet it was so intense. I was wondering if my blocked sinuses could have this effect. Has anyone else had these spasms from neck muscle leading up to behind the ear.
Mark D.

I'm having them also. Started about 10-11 months post-rad, so far only on side opposite my partial glossectomies and only (but not always) when I yawn.

I have jaw cramps that started this fall (about 17 months after the end of radiation). I find they are helped by heat (I have one of those neck wrpas you can put in the micorwave and when it's hot, instead of draping it around the base of my neck I hang it over the top of my head and the ends come down to right over the jaw. I hold them to my face for 2-3 minutes every morning and evening). Also I think they are related to my trismus, they often are bad in the morning after the first couple of stretches I do with my therabite (which stretch some of the same muslcesl that get styretched in a yawn)but if I don't let them deter me and keep stretching throughout the day, I don't have them ever at the end of the day.

Nelie

I have them too, very, very painful.....I know it doesn't last long, but it feels like forever. I don't know of anything that helps, only that I am so happy when it ends! I still use my therabite on occasion. My new P/T told me I have about 70 percent opening of my mouth now...that is good, but I really need to keep working with the therabite, why did I go into all of that? Not sure....have a great day everybody! Carol

Mark,

I only have the jaw problems and have not had any muscle related problems in the neck area where they did the ND. I can't stretch the neck as far on that side and it can be stiff some days, but other than that, no cramping in the neck.

Jim