Wierd Neck Feelings

Dmac52
Dmac52 Member Posts: 6 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Radical Neck Dissection in July of 16.  12 lymph nodes removed, one cancerous (2014 found one lymph node cancerous and it was removed with 2 lymph nodes but the cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) grew back).  Was supposed to do 6 weeks, five days a week of radiation but found that I could not tolerate the side effects (for those of you who have congratulations!).  Cancer free thus far but wondering how long the wierd feelings on the neck will last.  My ear, jawline and neck (for the most part) on the left side is still numb.  Do not have the tingling much at all, just stiffness (which partly may be attributed to my physical therapy for my shoulder) and wierd feelings sometimes.  Does anyone know about how long the wierdness might last?  Thanks.

Comments

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #2
    I had a SCC tumor removed

    I had a SCC tumor removed from my tongue along with 42 lymph nodes a little over a year ago.  Right after the surgery, I felt like I had a "Mr. Potato Head" ear.  Today, the ear is perfecly fine but I still have numbness that seems to come and go and the actual scar feels weird sometimes too, tight and tingly if I touch it.  My doctor did tell me it would take up to a year and some of the feelings might be permanent.  My tongue on the other hand, is horrible and I'm hoping to have it "fixed" soon.  It's a little deformed and it's just awful.

  • yensid683
    yensid683 Member Posts: 349
    edited April 2017 #3
    2 selective neck dissections

    first one was in October of 2012, and the second was in March of 2013 (dx in march of 12, stage IVa) and I still have odd sensations along my left ear.

    It was entirely numb in the first few months after my last surgery but it has slowly faded out, now it is mostly the ear lobe and corner of my left jaw.  It could also be that I've gotten used to it feeling so odd.  I use a wireless headset for my work phone and I have to physically check to see that I've taken it off before I leave for the day. 

    Surgery does damage to the nerves in the area, and a radical does much more neurological damage than a selective so while I think you'll get some improvement, it is likely that it will continue to feel oddly numb.

    I had an open lung biopsy in 2011 to diagnose a pneumonia problem using a video assisted technque so very small incisions, and there are areas of my rib cage that still feels numb/tingly....

    Check with your doctor, they may be able to give you more insight

  • Dmac52
    Dmac52 Member Posts: 6 Member
    #4
    Tonita said:

    I had a SCC tumor removed

    I had a SCC tumor removed from my tongue along with 42 lymph nodes a little over a year ago.  Right after the surgery, I felt like I had a "Mr. Potato Head" ear.  Today, the ear is perfecly fine but I still have numbness that seems to come and go and the actual scar feels weird sometimes too, tight and tingly if I touch it.  My doctor did tell me it would take up to a year and some of the feelings might be permanent.  My tongue on the other hand, is horrible and I'm hoping to have it "fixed" soon.  It's a little deformed and it's just awful.

    Thanks

    Thanks for the insight Tonita, I pray that they will take care of your tongue and that you will get better soon!

     

     

     

  • Dmac52
    Dmac52 Member Posts: 6 Member
    #5
    Thanks

    Yensid683, thanks for the feedback.  I figured that this might so on for quite some time and some of it may be permanent.  It is wierd that one day I feel pretty good and the next the neck feels so wierd.  Again, thanks for the feedback!

  • Grandmax4
    Grandmax4 Member Posts: 723
    #6
    radiacal neck dissection,epiglottis gone

    5 years, 6 months later, my right ear is still numb, I don't even feel my earrings going in, across the back of my head is a numb strip, caused, I believe by the clamp holding me still, while the Di Vinci robot and my awesome surgeon did their magic. It's a small price to pay for having my life saved. Exercises to loosen your neck will do wonders  

  • CrimsonRacing
    CrimsonRacing Member Posts: 27 Member
    #7
    RND

    I had mine done in 2011....to this day I have numbness no tngling on the right side of my neck and ear. Sometimes it's complete numb and sometimes it just tingles like a hand waking upfront falling asleep.

    If I turn my head far left I get a pinching feeling near the base of my neck but I guess that's part of the luggage you get from treatment.......

  • Dmac52
    Dmac52 Member Posts: 6 Member
    edited May 2017 #8
    Grandmax4 said:

    radiacal neck dissection,epiglottis gone

    5 years, 6 months later, my right ear is still numb, I don't even feel my earrings going in, across the back of my head is a numb strip, caused, I believe by the clamp holding me still, while the Di Vinci robot and my awesome surgeon did their magic. It's a small price to pay for having my life saved. Exercises to loosen your neck will do wonders  

    Good for you!

    So happy that you are doing well!  I don't mind the numbness, which I still have on my jaw, partial neck and throat area and ear.  I just sometimes feel wierd and hope that the cancer isn't growing back.

Discussion Boards