Turkey Neck Solution

NJShore
NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member
edited March 2013 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi all,

At Dan's visit to the ENT Surgeon this week, Dan made a snide comment about his turkey neck. The doctor cracked up at the name.. we picked it up here! :)

Anyway, he said he has been telling patients to buy this support hosery for the neck, and Dan's going to give it a try. It is suppose to help the water collected to move down faster and reduce the swelling that causes the gobbler effect.

Has anyone else tried this? Any results?

Kari

http://www.affordablesupporthose.com/facesupport.html

 

image

Comments

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    Yes

    I got one when I had lymphadema (?) mine has quilted channels at the neck. I had neck massage therapy at the same time so not too sure which helped the most. Once in awhile, if my jaw is tight, I put it on at night and it helps. I didn't get the turkey neck but maybe the compression garment is the reason I didn't. Good luck with it. 

    p.s. I got one shaped like above but don't often hook it over my head. They also make one that just wraps around the neck, wish I had gotten that one. I was told it would be helpful to have if I flew anywhere.

  • wrhbounds
    wrhbounds Member Posts: 39
    cool

    Back a few years things like this would have been awesome. I used a ace bandage at night & still got turkey neck. Along with woody neck. You just have to love radiation treatments. Exercise worked best for me

  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    Breathing?

    I'm concerned it would interfere with my breathing at night.  Seems like there are already several positions I can put my woody little neck into that partially restrict my breathing.  Anything that applies a 'squeeze,' however minor, makes my palms get all sweaty with worry. 

    Did those neck supports restrict your breathing?

    Deb

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    turkey neck

    Kari,

     

    I have one just like the picture, but I don’t use it.  It bothered my breathing a bit and I quit using it.  I think about trying it again, some days the neck in the mirror reminds me loudly.  I try to massage the passages like I was instructed, but I am not very good about that either.  The only thing I do correctly is drink lots of water.

     

    In need of neck massage

     

    Matt

  • hrowe
    hrowe Member Posts: 57
    Sold by Jovipak. My

    Sold by Jovipak. My Lymphedema therapist ordered me one without the strap. She custom made a neck strap that she sewed on. It fastens with velcro. She said most of her patients did not like the strap that is shown in the photo. It really helps with the swelling. My Anthem paid for it.

    I also do massages she taught me throughout the day.

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    D Lewis said:

    Breathing?

    I'm concerned it would interfere with my breathing at night.  Seems like there are already several positions I can put my woody little neck into that partially restrict my breathing.  Anything that applies a 'squeeze,' however minor, makes my palms get all sweaty with worry. 

    Did those neck supports restrict your breathing?

    Deb

    Deb

    My breathing didn't feel restricted at all. It feels kind of good to wear it. George Baltimore has on a full compression mask in his photo and can give you the name of a place to purchase on-line where they have the less constictive versions too. Hadn't thought of it but the ace bandage might work too. May want to try that before purchasing one. 

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    hrowe said:

    Sold by Jovipak. My

    Sold by Jovipak. My Lymphedema therapist ordered me one without the strap. She custom made a neck strap that she sewed on. It fastens with velcro. She said most of her patients did not like the strap that is shown in the photo. It really helps with the swelling. My Anthem paid for it.

    I also do massages she taught me throughout the day.

    Lymphedema

    Between the compression mask and the therapy, I certainly got relief from the Lymphedema. Mine came from Hanger Prosthetics. UHC had pre-approved it but when it came time to pay, they denied it as a supply. The hospital where I had my therapy paid for it. My therapist said they have donations just for things like that. 

  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    hwt said:

    Lymphedema

    Between the compression mask and the therapy, I certainly got relief from the Lymphedema. Mine came from Hanger Prosthetics. UHC had pre-approved it but when it came time to pay, they denied it as a supply. The hospital where I had my therapy paid for it. My therapist said they have donations just for things like that. 

    Does it come in camo????

    ....I could get one of these and wear it Turkey hunting season coming up April 15th here in Idaho...get it!!  Camo!! Turkey Hunting!!! hahahahaahahahahahaha,....okay, okay....so I'm no comedian.

    Keep us posted if you get one.

     

    Tim

  • traceyd1
    traceyd1 Member Posts: 79 Member
    My husband also had a turkey

    My husband also had a turkey neck from radiation and surgery.  He wore the compression garment and had OT twice weekly, which helped greatly.  However, a year post-op, he still had a jiggly neck that would not allow him to wear a tie.  A few weeks ago he had a very simple plastic surgery procedure in-office to tighten up the neck area.  The dr. was very conservative and said if he wanted more tissue taken out in a few months, that he could do that.  He looks and feels much better.  This also coincided with the one-year mark from his surgery, so he's looking at this as closure, or as much closure as he can get! 

  • traceyd1
    traceyd1 Member Posts: 79 Member
    My husband also had a turkey

    My husband also had a turkey neck from radiation and surgery.  He wore the compression garment and had OT twice weekly, which helped greatly.  However, a year post-op, he still had a jiggly neck that would not allow him to wear a tie.  A few weeks ago he had a very simple plastic surgery procedure in-office to tighten up the neck area.  The dr. was very conservative and said if he wanted more tissue taken out in a few months, that he could do that.  He looks and feels much better.  This also coincided with the one-year mark from his surgery, so he's looking at this as closure, or as much closure as he can get! 

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    hwt said:

    Lymphedema

    Between the compression mask and the therapy, I certainly got relief from the Lymphedema. Mine came from Hanger Prosthetics. UHC had pre-approved it but when it came time to pay, they denied it as a supply. The hospital where I had my therapy paid for it. My therapist said they have donations just for things like that. 

    Lymphedema pt 2

    At PT yesterday, we talked about lymphedema. She has exercises and massage techniques that will help treat this syndrome in addition to a neck bra ;)

    Gobble Gobble

    "T"

  • Army_Guy
    Army_Guy Member Posts: 53
    Turkey Neck...

    I had a HUGE "turkey Gobbler" after treatment; so bad I was ashamed to go out. I found a lymphodema specialist and the massages and stimulation of the lymphatic system made it shrink in about 6 weeks.

    Hope this is helpful...

    Army_Guy

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    The Gobbler Effect

    "The Gobbler Effect":  n.

    A change in the observed elasticity of the skin of the neck, occurring when the skin is exposed to radiation due to Head and Neck cancer treatments such as IMRT (see: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). The source of change and it's intensity is relative to the intensity of the radiation treatment, measured in grays causing a real and visable shift in skin elasticity and resiliency. Creams and neck bras have been known to offer short term relief and moral support. 

     

    In addition to the Turkey Neck, which graciously has appeared before the 1/2 way point in treatment for me, are the lovely wrinkles around my chin and mouth that remind me of my Mom Mom! With the prospect of losing my teeth and wearing dentures in the future, that would make the transformation complete!  ~lol~  
    I'm literally watching myself age day by day! Vanity aside, cancer and the treatment thereof, really takes it's toll on the human body :(

    "T"

     

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    fishmanpa said:

    The Gobbler Effect

    "The Gobbler Effect":  n.

    A change in the observed elasticity of the skin of the neck, occurring when the skin is exposed to radiation due to Head and Neck cancer treatments such as IMRT (see: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). The source of change and it's intensity is relative to the intensity of the radiation treatment, measured in grays causing a real and visable shift in skin elasticity and resiliency. Creams and neck bras have been known to offer short term relief and moral support. 

     

    In addition to the Turkey Neck, which graciously has appeared before the 1/2 way point in treatment for me, are the lovely wrinkles around my chin and mouth that remind me of my Mom Mom! With the prospect of losing my teeth and wearing dentures in the future, that would make the transformation complete!  ~lol~  
    I'm literally watching myself age day by day! Vanity aside, cancer and the treatment thereof, really takes it's toll on the human body :(

    "T"

     

    One other thing...

    The pic in my profile was taken in 2010 in my apartment, three years out of bypass surgery. I kept up with things and I was in good health until the 2nd heart attack in Oct. 2012. I had cancer at that time but it wasn't diagnosed until Nov.30th 2012. 

    Today, a local antique/custom car and truck club held an event at Skyline Caverns here in town. Part of the event was to help raise additional funds for my battle with cancer. I got to speak to many of the participants and thanked them as well as got to sit in a bunch of really gorgeous vehicles (try a mint condition '66 Olds 442 for one!). I only stayed about an hour or so because of fatigue and side effects from treatment. 

    Point being, Marcia took quite a few photos. Many of them had me in them. For the first time I saw it and it hit me. I've lost 40lbs since October, I'm thin, gaunt and pale. I "look" sick. Even through my smile you can see it. It's all good but it is a sobering reminder of what cancer can do. And it's not just visable.... the physical apsects that get challenged and compromised are equally as sobering.

    Just one of those 5am and can't sleep brain poofs that come along ;)

    "T"