Neck pain UPDATE

jamiegww
jamiegww Member Posts: 384
edited May 2013 in Breast Cancer #1

I have pain in the left side of my neck.  It feels kind of like a really bad cramp that won't let go.  It seems to be making my ear ache and it hurts when I swallow but doesn't obstruct my swallowing.  I think it is centered around the tube in my neck for the port.  I first noticed the pain on April 16th when I got my first thoracentesis.  When the nurse flushed my port before removing the needle, I got a bad pain in my neck and she said it was probably an air bubble.  That pain has never really gone away and seems to be getting worse.  I mentioned it to the chemo nurse last Thursday and she checked the chest x-ray from my May 1st thoracentesis and reviewed my April 24th PET scan but was satisfied that the port was properly placed so she proceded with my chemo.  The port has been in place since July of last year.  I really think something is going on with my neck and it's starting to worry me.  I'm trying to hold on until my next appointment this Thursday but I'm due to see the NP and not the Onc so I don't know if she can help me or not.  I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem and would appreciate advice about what to do.

HUGS!!!

Jamie

May 9, 2013      I had a port flow study done today and it shows the tube from my port has a leak in it.  I guess the fluids leaking out into my neck was causing the pain.  Now I guess I have to get it fixed.  I sure hope my chemo has been going where it needs to go???

Comments

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #2
    No Experience but why wait until Thursday?

    Can you make an appointment with one of those doctor's or call your oncologist nurse to see them earlier than Thursday.  Why suffer for no reason at all.

    I never had that problem with my port.  Mine is a little lower than my neck.

    Wishing you tons of luck,

    Doris

  • jamiegww
    jamiegww Member Posts: 384
    #3
    SIROD said:

    No Experience but why wait until Thursday?

    Can you make an appointment with one of those doctor's or call your oncologist nurse to see them earlier than Thursday.  Why suffer for no reason at all.

    I never had that problem with my port.  Mine is a little lower than my neck.

    Wishing you tons of luck,

    Doris

    Would rather suffer at home.

    I'm sorry Doris but I would rather wait a few days for my scheduled appointment.  Otherwise I would be forced into an already overbooked schedule and wait 90 minutes in the waiting room followed by 60 minutes in the exam room and then at best would probably get a new prescription for pain meds until my regularly scheduled appointment.  For that I would spend almost two hours in uncomfortable chairs and pay yet another co-pay.  I'm just hoping I don't have a stroke or something before this Thursday.  Now, you can't say anything because I know you suffered longer than you should have before you got help.  I promise, dear friend, I will be okay if I have anything to say about it.

    HUGS!!!

    Jamie

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #4
    jamiegww said:

    Would rather suffer at home.

    I'm sorry Doris but I would rather wait a few days for my scheduled appointment.  Otherwise I would be forced into an already overbooked schedule and wait 90 minutes in the waiting room followed by 60 minutes in the exam room and then at best would probably get a new prescription for pain meds until my regularly scheduled appointment.  For that I would spend almost two hours in uncomfortable chairs and pay yet another co-pay.  I'm just hoping I don't have a stroke or something before this Thursday.  Now, you can't say anything because I know you suffered longer than you should have before you got help.  I promise, dear friend, I will be okay if I have anything to say about it.

    HUGS!!!

    Jamie

    Touche!

    Touche Jamie,  I am a procrastinator too.   I also hate to pay double co-pays and the long wait.  I hope you have some extra pain meds on hand.

    Hugs to you too,

    Doris

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #5
    Thank you for letting us know!

    Thanks for replying about your port.  I hope you chemo has gotten to where it is suppose to go.

    Sounds like the makers owes you a new port plus reimbursement for pain.

     

    Wishing you the best, Jamie,

     

    Doris

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