Strange side affects question

Bigfuzzydoug
Bigfuzzydoug Member Posts: 154
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I'm 12 weeks post radiation treatment and have two minor weird things going on that I wanted to ask you all about. I'm not overly concerned as I'm guessing radiation therapy will cause all sorts of strange little body changes that one will feel for years to come. But anyway, has anyone ever experienced or heard of either of these?

An extrememly brief tingling/vibrating feeling in my abdomen. It doesn't happen often, maybe 10 times a day or so. But usually when I'm sitting and shift a little, I'll get this quick, minor sensation that my phone in my pocket is vibrating. It lasts for all of about half a second and goes away. Sometimes I feel it when I shift while standing up, but most often when sitting. It's very slight - about a quarter as strong as a vibrating phone. I just notice it and it does nothing else. I feel it in my mid-section. I'm thinking mayeb one of three things: I sit too much at my desk at work. Related to weight-gain (I've put back on 4 pounds). Or something nerve-related in my spine from the radiation?

The second thing is a general puffiness in my neck below my chin. It's like those 4 pounds I've gained back are going straight to my neck. Is that the "thickening" they hinted might happen? The skin feels smooth and healed, it's just loose and mushy. Not firm to the touch like muscle under skin. Could I be storing fat in my neck below my chin? It looks a little strange when I see myself in a recent picture taken of me.

Thanks all!

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Welcome to the Club...Again
    Sounds like your are starting to get the typical signs of L'Hermett's Syndrome...the tingling almost electric shock that you get when you tilt your head forward and chin on your chest...shoots all down your spine, legs and arms...good thing is it usually goes away...in almost a year.

    Turkey Neck...that's what we commonly refer to as that puffed up neck making you look like a buck in rut.... Good News it will also usually go away in a year or so.

    You can try gentle massage for the swollen area.

    It's from the lymphatic drainage system being damaged. Eventually the fluids will establish new pathways and the swelling will subside.

    Best,
    John
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #3
    Skiffin16 said:

    Welcome to the Club...Again
    Sounds like your are starting to get the typical signs of L'Hermett's Syndrome...the tingling almost electric shock that you get when you tilt your head forward and chin on your chest...shoots all down your spine, legs and arms...good thing is it usually goes away...in almost a year.

    Turkey Neck...that's what we commonly refer to as that puffed up neck making you look like a buck in rut.... Good News it will also usually go away in a year or so.

    You can try gentle massage for the swollen area.

    It's from the lymphatic drainage system being damaged. Eventually the fluids will establish new pathways and the swelling will subside.

    Best,
    John

    John hits on the head or neck ?
    Doug,

    I echo John's words. The nerves do take a hit from the radiation due to the location of the beams during the treatment. My Radiation Oncologist told me that they have to pay attention to the number of RAD's that hit the spinal cord around the neck area as the results could be bad if over radiated. John's time frame is pretty much what I was told by my RO.

    Secondly, as John mentioned already, the puffiness of your neck. It is the back up of the lymphnode system as the main route for the fluid has been damaged by either a neck disection and/or radiation. There is a massage that can be learned from a Cancer Physical Therapist. I have posted a stretching exercise and massage that I did to help with this issue. I will send you a private message a bit later in the day after I find it. It is a bit long, so I'll get it to you today. I have to run now, meeting a few Marine Vietnam friends soon.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • Bigfuzzydoug
    Bigfuzzydoug Member Posts: 154
    #4
    Skiffin16 said:

    Welcome to the Club...Again
    Sounds like your are starting to get the typical signs of L'Hermett's Syndrome...the tingling almost electric shock that you get when you tilt your head forward and chin on your chest...shoots all down your spine, legs and arms...good thing is it usually goes away...in almost a year.

    Turkey Neck...that's what we commonly refer to as that puffed up neck making you look like a buck in rut.... Good News it will also usually go away in a year or so.

    You can try gentle massage for the swollen area.

    It's from the lymphatic drainage system being damaged. Eventually the fluids will establish new pathways and the swelling will subside.

    Best,
    John

    WOO-HOO!!!!
    I knew this was the place to ask! I just tested it - tilting my chin to my chest and felt it! You're exactly right! And thanks for the insight into the lymphatic drainage.

    Thank God it's temporary and goes away!

    This place is the BEST! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #5
    GOBBLERS NECK
    Symptom 2 with the neck I have been told is edema. You still have Lymphatic Fluid that collects, but because allot of the nodes are now gone or affected by Radiation. I Massage my neck in the shower for about 10 min. every morning to help drain the fluids.

    MIKE
  • dennis318
    dennis318 Member Posts: 349 Member
    #6
    Have Both of These
    Same here, thought it was my cell ringing,the twitching, the swelling in your neck comes and goes like the stock market, rub, apply lotion lay in bed face up if you can, this rds the neck of fluids, and you probably lose most of it..Take Care Doug. Dennis
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    luv4lacrosse said:

    GOBBLERS NECK
    Symptom 2 with the neck I have been told is edema. You still have Lymphatic Fluid that collects, but because allot of the nodes are now gone or affected by Radiation. I Massage my neck in the shower for about 10 min. every morning to help drain the fluids.

    MIKE

    EDEMA YES/NO
    From my understanding, it is similar to edema, but not exactly edema..... I think the differentiation comes from one forming naturally due to health related issues where ours is more medically caused....not positive, not a professional.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    dennis318 said:

    Have Both of These
    Same here, thought it was my cell ringing,the twitching, the swelling in your neck comes and goes like the stock market, rub, apply lotion lay in bed face up if you can, this rds the neck of fluids, and you probably lose most of it..Take Care Doug. Dennis

    Been There Done That
    Hi Dennis, yes, me also....except I just have a slight hint of the tingling very occasionally now. The puffiness has gone probably 95% or so also....

    Eighteen months post treatment now...

    Best,
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    Hi Doug
    Must agree with John.

    Sometimes I believe it is just a lot of gas vibrating in my intestine so I move away from my Wife so I can have a good fart.

    Happy Holidays my Friend
  • Bigfuzzydoug
    Bigfuzzydoug Member Posts: 154
    #10
    Hondo said:

    Hi Doug
    Must agree with John.

    Sometimes I believe it is just a lot of gas vibrating in my intestine so I move away from my Wife so I can have a good fart.

    Happy Holidays my Friend

    "...I move away from my Wife..."
    You must not be married very long.

    After 19 years it spirals down into more of, "hey, you're the one that married me."

    ;-p
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #11
    Hondo said:

    Hi Doug
    Must agree with John.

    Sometimes I believe it is just a lot of gas vibrating in my intestine so I move away from my Wife so I can have a good fart.

    Happy Holidays my Friend

    Alright
    Alright, who farted......in our house, it's always the dogs.... "That's my story and I'm sticking to it..."

    JG
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #12
    Skiffin16 said:

    Alright
    Alright, who farted......in our house, it's always the dogs.... "That's my story and I'm sticking to it..."

    JG

    Poor Kali and Jazzy!
    Poor Kali and Jazzy! Giving them the blame. Someone needs to stick up for the girls. :)
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #13
    sweetblood22 said:

    Poor Kali and Jazzy!
    Poor Kali and Jazzy! Giving them the blame. Someone needs to stick up for the girls. :)

    LOL
    Aww come on Dawn, you know Nizzy toots....

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