Can doctors do anything for neck and shoulder problems after post cancer treatments?

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timreichhart
timreichhart Member Posts: 194
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi Guys
I am just wondering if the doctors can do anything for my neck and shoulder problems after post cancer treatments? Because I been post since last august and I am dealing with major pain in the neck and shoulder everyday and it gets to a point that I cant take it anymore. I never had this problem intill I had radiation and biospy done on my neck to take out one lymph node.

should I say something to radiation doctor next month for a follow up?

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  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #2
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    Yes
    Tim,

    Yes, mention to your Radiation Oncologist that you are having difficulty with your neck and shoulder. I did that about 3 months out of treatment and the RO sent me to a Cancer Physical Therapist. The Therapist worked with me for several weeks teaching me stretching exercises along with the gentle Lymphnode massage to move the fluids from around my neck and shoulder area.

    It has been a big help for me to do these exercises.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #3
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    MarineE5 said:

    Yes
    Tim,

    Yes, mention to your Radiation Oncologist that you are having difficulty with your neck and shoulder. I did that about 3 months out of treatment and the RO sent me to a Cancer Physical Therapist. The Therapist worked with me for several weeks teaching me stretching exercises along with the gentle Lymphnode massage to move the fluids from around my neck and shoulder area.

    It has been a big help for me to do these exercises.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

    Neck & shoulder
    Tim,

    About 5 months post tx (last August), I had major pain in the middle of my upper back. My main doc is my ENT. I talked about it with him and he got me an rx for physical therapy. My PT was not a cancer specialist, but gave me exercises that helped tremondously. Within 4 weeks, I had no pain. My pain might have been in a different spot than yours, but I'm with Marine, I'd definitely talk to one of your docs to at least try the physical therapy. Did wonders for me.

    Positive thoughts!

    Greg
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #4
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    Pain in the neck
    Hi Tim, sorry to hear you're having the upper back/neck aches. I'm eight months from partial neck dissect, and a bit over a year from rads and chemo. I've had ongoing issues from the neck dissection. And even if you had only one lymph node for biopsy removed, that and rads can cause problems. Marine has posted his exercises given to him by a ACS member, and you can look back a couple of weeks and search and should be able to find them.

    I'm seeing a lymph massage therapist out of my onc med's office right now, to get my tight neck moving. After that she's going to send me to a therapist for my upper back, shoulder issues. My muscles have pulled things in the wrong directions, and my scalpula (shoulder blade) on my left has moved up to the top of my trapezoid muscle on the left. She says the therapist should be able to do a lot of good. Tell your doc, and he should be able to refer you. From what I read, it's a situation that can be relieved a lot with PT.

    best, Hal
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #5
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    Hal61 said:

    Pain in the neck
    Hi Tim, sorry to hear you're having the upper back/neck aches. I'm eight months from partial neck dissect, and a bit over a year from rads and chemo. I've had ongoing issues from the neck dissection. And even if you had only one lymph node for biopsy removed, that and rads can cause problems. Marine has posted his exercises given to him by a ACS member, and you can look back a couple of weeks and search and should be able to find them.

    I'm seeing a lymph massage therapist out of my onc med's office right now, to get my tight neck moving. After that she's going to send me to a therapist for my upper back, shoulder issues. My muscles have pulled things in the wrong directions, and my scalpula (shoulder blade) on my left has moved up to the top of my trapezoid muscle on the left. She says the therapist should be able to do a lot of good. Tell your doc, and he should be able to refer you. From what I read, it's a situation that can be relieved a lot with PT.

    best, Hal

    Tim
    Marine's exercises are also on the superthread if anyone should have need of them again.

    I think this should be the link:

    MARINES EXERCISES
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
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    Hi Tim
    Yes tell your doctor and let him check you out, also ask him about physical therapy it can help with the pain.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #7
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    Find the problem
    Hi Tim,

    It would be good to figure out what is causing the pain. I have had back issue for many years and would need regular visits to a Chiro or Physio to 'crack my back', otherwise I would end up with prolonged pain. After rads etc I did have a residual pain in the neck and shoulders, more of a muscle soreness. I was put on a light does of Lyrica and in fact only stopped last week, after reducing the dosage over the last 17 months.

    I hope you can figure out what it is. Stress can definitely cause the muscles to spasm and knot up in the back or neck, and we all went through pretty heavy stress. The boys good advice re the Cancer Physio guy would be a great option, and I also believe good massage therapy does wonders and i have had plenty over the last 17 months.

    Regds
    Scam
  • timreichhart
    timreichhart Member Posts: 194
    #8
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    Scambuster said:

    Find the problem
    Hi Tim,

    It would be good to figure out what is causing the pain. I have had back issue for many years and would need regular visits to a Chiro or Physio to 'crack my back', otherwise I would end up with prolonged pain. After rads etc I did have a residual pain in the neck and shoulders, more of a muscle soreness. I was put on a light does of Lyrica and in fact only stopped last week, after reducing the dosage over the last 17 months.

    I hope you can figure out what it is. Stress can definitely cause the muscles to spasm and knot up in the back or neck, and we all went through pretty heavy stress. The boys good advice re the Cancer Physio guy would be a great option, and I also believe good massage therapy does wonders and i have had plenty over the last 17 months.

    Regds
    Scam

    about my neck and shoulder problems
    about my neck problem I mean I am in pain 24/7 even taking a hott shower help a bit then it goes right back in major pain. As for my shoulder problem its only on my right side where I had my lymph node taken out I don't know if the shoulder problem is connected to the lymph node removal/radiation treatment or not but when its hurting it feels like its burning all the time and I really cant pick up anything over 3lbs and if I do it feels like major burning feeling. But I will say something to my radiation doctor about this to see what we can come up with.
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #9
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    timreichhart said:

    about my neck and shoulder problems
    about my neck problem I mean I am in pain 24/7 even taking a hott shower help a bit then it goes right back in major pain. As for my shoulder problem its only on my right side where I had my lymph node taken out I don't know if the shoulder problem is connected to the lymph node removal/radiation treatment or not but when its hurting it feels like its burning all the time and I really cant pick up anything over 3lbs and if I do it feels like major burning feeling. But I will say something to my radiation doctor about this to see what we can come up with.

    Diagnosis ?
    Tim,

    While we are not Doctors, your case could one of a few things. If by chance you have some spinal misalignment issues, this can cause nerves to be pinched, and hence constant pain. A good Physio or better Osteopath (and also Chiros although I stopped using them) could fix this if that is the problem - by manipulation (Snap crack pop stuff). Usually they can feel and see the problem, some like to take X-Rays but X-Rays often don't show what the problem is.

    Another possibility, and this sems to be a big unknown, is the rads did some damage to the tissue or nerves which is causing the pain, or the result of damage during surgery. The Oncological Physio would be the person who knows about.

    One other possibility is Shingles. This usually occurs at one location and only on one side of the body which is what you describe. The sensation is usually more of a burning pain and often feels like the skin is burning. If that is the case, that can be fixed. PM me if you think that is a possibility.

    Overall, there is obviously inflammation. Do Anti-inflammatory drugs work - like Ibrufen ??

    You could consider taking a decent dose of Turmeric, both in the food form as a spice to add to your food, and also available in capsules form now (Sometime sold as Curcumin). It is a very powerful natural anti-inflammatory and overall a good thing to take anyway.

    One thing you can try and which will not harm you is this exercise. Lie flat on the floor face up, with your head elevated about 5- 6 inches (rested on a thick book or telephone directory) and your then put your legs rested up on a chair so that your lower legs (ankle to knee) section is parallel to the floor, and the top parts of you legs (hips to knees) are perpendicular to the floor (that part is important - find the right sized chair or bed or add a cushion or whatever so you have nice 90 Degree angles).

    Now, pretty much just lay there and relax. This creates a very mild 'traction' effect on your spine. and will release any pressure on your back and neck. Stay in this position for 15 -20 minutes. You will find it very relaxing and you may even fall asleep. You will need to do it a couple of times a day and you will soon feel the effects if this works at all. One further step you can do is roll up a small towel along the longer axis, then lay on the rolled up towel with the towel placed under your spine (along the middle line of your back - fm neck to tail bone). You may need to fiddle around to get the right size roll on the towel so it's comfortable. This will further release some pressure. Anyone with back problems may find this very helpful.

    Hope this helps in someway.

    Scam

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