Greetings everybody. Just wanted to share some ongoing issues as I approach my 2 year anniversary from diagnosis in about 3 weeks.

My shoulders have been a disaster in terms of stiffness, with pain radiating down into the center of the shoulder blades. I am removing wallpaper in our master bathroom, which has 12 foot vaulted ceiling, and am learning just how little I can do with my arms over my head. Also notice marked weakness and some pain in triceps. Tops of shoulders from neck to joint are very tender.

At the same time, my neck has been in a constant state of tightness, with tenderness along the entire course of the SCM and posterior. All of this is bilateral, with no untoward bumps, lumps or other issues.

Dry mouth is as bad as it has ever been. I have had a little upper respiratory thing that wife and I have passed back and forth for a couple of weeks, and I am almost over. I know it is winter and such, but wow.

I am on the computer a lot every day for work, and at home, so that probably doesn't help shoulders.

Anybody got any ideas here? For those who have used massage -- where did you find qualified person, and how often do you do it? Any ideas for the neck fibrosis?

Just had last follow up with ENT/Surgeon 3 weeks ago, and have next one with RO 2 weeks from tomorrow, so am not concerned on that end. Just trying to find out how others handle the gift that keeps on giving.

Jeff

Following my first surgery which included the bilateral neck dissection, I had what is called Frozen Shoulder (very technical). One of the things that they had me do when doing the exercises was to keep my thumbs pointed up to make sure that I was exercising the proper muscles. The muscles on the top of your shoulders and the ones going down around your shoulder blades were the ones that they wanted to isolate. Sorry that I did not take anatomy. I now use the colored rubber bands and light hand weights also to do stretching/strength building exercises almost every day. When I miss a day or two I can really feel a difference.

This time around I asked my ENT to refer me for therapy that will stretch the muscles and include massage. I start next week. I wonder if you could call the radiation treatment center and ask for some referrals of massage therapists that are familiar with radiation patients and the effects.

I hope that this helps.

Jeff, maybe you better save those shoulder muscles for golf. LOL J/K . I have some equipment that my muscle bound son gave me to use and it worked very good on loosing me up. He'll be at the Arnold Classic in Columbus for the weekend. I can give you his cell no. if you like and i'm sure he'll give you some advice. The Arnold Classic is where he set the State bench press record a few years ago. I don't know if he still has the record or not. I used what he gave me and the lawn mower and hand dug a garden. I'm to hardheaded to ever give up trying.

I didn't have surgery like you guys, but I had a very stiff and tender neck at RT sight where the skin was so burned, all the way up to the TMJ. I saw a pain management specialist who did accupuncture and referred me to PT for accupressure, ultrasound treatments, massage, and exercise with the bands and small weights. The moist heat after therapy helped ALOT. About 6 weeks worth and I can finally turn my head to the left and right. Two creams she used that do not stink and do not burn the skin : Arnica cream and Traumeel. They are very soothing. I got them at the Nutrition store. I was not a believer in the natural stuff at first, but I am now that I tried it. Kat