Tightness of upper chest area after lymph gland removal

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vermont54
vermont54 Member Posts: 11
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Has anyone ever experienced persistent tightness inneck area after lymph gland removal? If so, what makes it go away?  

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  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #2
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    Physio

    I had a course of physio which really helped. Just stretches really. I think you call it PT in the states?

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #3
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    yoga stretches, massage, exercise,

    and keeping the area moist with calendula cream worked for me.  I also used small hand weights to strengthen the muscles and it took about 6 months to heal, but is still a bit tight.  You wil get results but it will be a slow process.  Hang in there,

    PJ

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #4
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    hello vermont54 !

    Depending on the type of surgery and how deep they had to go might make a difference.  I didn't read your bio, so I'm unsure of what you had done.  I have had PT scribed by my onc's, right  around 6 mo's out of tx's.  Mine was tightness, and the lymphedema (fluid build up...or as we nicknamed it turkey neck).  Excersises help with this somewhat.  You could certainly ask your onc to refer you to a PT specializing in this.   I also used a pressure face and neck mask for quite sometime. 

    I also use a med. gabapentin, and flexeril that helps with muscle spasms and nerve pain 2.5 yrs. out.  Ask about this at your next appointment.  They should give you things that may help you through this.  Many of us have and are experiencing the same.  Good luck, and let us know what works for you !  Katie 

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #5
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    PJ47 said:

    yoga stretches, massage, exercise,

    and keeping the area moist with calendula cream worked for me.  I also used small hand weights to strengthen the muscles and it took about 6 months to heal, but is still a bit tight.  You wil get results but it will be a slow process.  Hang in there,

    PJ

    The exercises the PT charged $350 for were so simple:

    Move head side to side several times then neck up and down several times a day.  Raise shoulders up and down several times a day.  Raise arms up as high as you can in front of you several times a day and then up to your sides as high as you can several times a day.  

    I added small hand weights as I got stronger and also added arms straight in front and then pull back like you are rowing.

    When I was still stiff and almost got a frozen shoulder, I laid on my back with one knee to the side and my head turned the opposite way and took my arms around over my head like a windmill trying to keep in contact with the floor.  This one exercise kept me from having to get a Prednisone shot to the shoulder and really released some of the muscle tightness in the check, neck and shoulder area.  

    If you have good ins. ask for a PT referral and keep you neck moist and massaged.

     

    PJ

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #6
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    katenorwood said:

    hello vermont54 !

    Depending on the type of surgery and how deep they had to go might make a difference.  I didn't read your bio, so I'm unsure of what you had done.  I have had PT scribed by my onc's, right  around 6 mo's out of tx's.  Mine was tightness, and the lymphedema (fluid build up...or as we nicknamed it turkey neck).  Excersises help with this somewhat.  You could certainly ask your onc to refer you to a PT specializing in this.   I also used a pressure face and neck mask for quite sometime. 

    I also use a med. gabapentin, and flexeril that helps with muscle spasms and nerve pain 2.5 yrs. out.  Ask about this at your next appointment.  They should give you things that may help you through this.  Many of us have and are experiencing the same.  Good luck, and let us know what works for you !  Katie 

    PT

    Stretches taught by physical therapist helped me. Originally, I had difficulty raising left arm enough to wash my hair. Shortly after therapy began, I could reach over my head and touch opposite ear. It is still tight at times but I can do everything I used to. 

  • vermont54
    vermont54 Member Posts: 11
    #7
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    katenorwood said:

    hello vermont54 !

    Depending on the type of surgery and how deep they had to go might make a difference.  I didn't read your bio, so I'm unsure of what you had done.  I have had PT scribed by my onc's, right  around 6 mo's out of tx's.  Mine was tightness, and the lymphedema (fluid build up...or as we nicknamed it turkey neck).  Excersises help with this somewhat.  You could certainly ask your onc to refer you to a PT specializing in this.   I also used a pressure face and neck mask for quite sometime. 

    I also use a med. gabapentin, and flexeril that helps with muscle spasms and nerve pain 2.5 yrs. out.  Ask about this at your next appointment.  They should give you things that may help you through this.  Many of us have and are experiencing the same.  Good luck, and let us know what works for you !  Katie 

    chest tightness and lymphedema

    Thanks for the tip.Am,particularly interested in geting rid of my lymphedema and how long it might take. I had a radical surgery and lymph nodes were removed from my left side and 75 nodules on May 5th. What type of neck exercises did you do? The pressure and face mask is available from the therapist I presume. How soon can you start? I wantto work on getting normal ASAP.Thanls again for your input. Vermont54

  • vermont54
    vermont54 Member Posts: 11
    #8
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    PJ47 said:

    The exercises the PT charged $350 for were so simple:

    Move head side to side several times then neck up and down several times a day.  Raise shoulders up and down several times a day.  Raise arms up as high as you can in front of you several times a day and then up to your sides as high as you can several times a day.  

    I added small hand weights as I got stronger and also added arms straight in front and then pull back like you are rowing.

    When I was still stiff and almost got a frozen shoulder, I laid on my back with one knee to the side and my head turned the opposite way and took my arms around over my head like a windmill trying to keep in contact with the floor.  This one exercise kept me from having to get a Prednisone shot to the shoulder and really released some of the muscle tightness in the check, neck and shoulder area.  

    If you have good ins. ask for a PT referral and keep you neck moist and massaged.

     

    PJ

    chest tightness

    Thanks for the tip. I'm scheduled for PT down the road but I want to get started right away so this doesn't get hold of me.How long before you got results?

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #9
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    vermont54 said:

    chest tightness and lymphedema

    Thanks for the tip.Am,particularly interested in geting rid of my lymphedema and how long it might take. I had a radical surgery and lymph nodes were removed from my left side and 75 nodules on May 5th. What type of neck exercises did you do? The pressure and face mask is available from the therapist I presume. How soon can you start? I wantto work on getting normal ASAP.Thanls again for your input. Vermont54

    Exercises

    Mostly just tilt to left (ear toward shoulder), then to right, chin up toward ceiling, chin tucked toward chest...each atleast 10 times. Therapist gave me some stretch bands that helped. There was one exercise inparticular that seemed to help. You can do without bands if you use your imagination. Put both fists in front of your chest. Imagine you are stretching that band outstretching and fully extending arm up and out. You can leave other hand in front of you or move it in a downward motion. 

    I had massage therapy for the lymphedema. They taught me how to do it on my own. I got a quilted compression garment from a place called "Hanger Inc" and I think it helped allot. I still use it once in awhile when I tense up. They have one that just wraps around the neck, that should be sufficient. Mine goes around neck w/ strap over top of head. I don't think the whole head thing is necessary to acheive results.  

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #10
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    vermont54 said:

    chest tightness

    Thanks for the tip. I'm scheduled for PT down the road but I want to get started right away so this doesn't get hold of me.How long before you got results?

    Oh gosh,

    I just saw you had a radical dissection so no wonder you are tight.  They only had to take 22 nodes from my left neck and the one "involved" node was right on top of my carotid, but all went well.  It seemed to take about 4-5 months before I felt like I was doing well.  I did go kayaking 6 weeks after surgery, but my arm and shoulder hurt a lot on the way back (4 hour trip).  The radiation only made the area more tender, inflamed on the inside and tighter.  Some days were better then others, but when I did the neck stretches and used the calendula cream it felt better.  Take care,

    PJ

  • FRONT AND CENTER
    FRONT AND CENTER Member Posts: 29
    #11
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    vermont54 said:

    chest tightness and lymphedema

    Thanks for the tip.Am,particularly interested in geting rid of my lymphedema and how long it might take. I had a radical surgery and lymph nodes were removed from my left side and 75 nodules on May 5th. What type of neck exercises did you do? The pressure and face mask is available from the therapist I presume. How soon can you start? I wantto work on getting normal ASAP.Thanls again for your input. Vermont54

    Tightness and Lymphedema

    Hi Vermont54!

    You're in the right place to ask these questions.  This is a great group and I wish you the best in your recovery.

    I, too, had bilateral neck dissection and was so stiff afterward that I felt like I had the flexiblity of an 80 year-old woman!  Raising arms overhead and laterally were painful if not impossible. Getting into my sports bra was excruitating.  

    Determined, I did chest and neck stretches.  I turned my neck to the far right and far left.  I did front raises and lateral raises with no weights (gravity is more than enough at first).  I did these exercises everyday during radiation.  

    Three months after treatment (currently), the range of motion in my neck is almost 100%, I can put on my sports bra without crying, I can blow dry my hair (even the back!), and I have added weight to my front and lateral raises.  YAY!!!

    As for the swelling, they took 130 lymph nodes out on each side of my neck so I blew up like a balloon.  I have the full-on turkey neck and I am struggling with that however I just found a fabulous certified lymphatic drainage massage therapist and I very encouraged about results after one treatment.  I intend on seeing her regularly.

    I also bought a compression garment to wear at night.  I found one that covers my scar and adds steady pressure to the swelling.  

    The tools are out there.  You're in the right place to get the answers but you sound like me...you want it fixed NOW!  Smile  Give your body time.  And good luck!  

    Kelly

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