Inflammation under the chin

Roar
Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Ok - I am going to the ENT on Wednesday because I have total hearing loss in my left ear. We drained the fluid once and I had an infection so he gave me antibiotics and ear drops. I will be done with the antibiotics tomorrow. I have noticed a swelling under my chin. Reading the posts it would appear a lot of people with our condition get this. Is it lympadema? Excuse the spelling. Can it be part of the hearing problem. I have been trying warm compress and massaging but it does not seem to be draining. I did have one lymph node removed on the left side and think it is all connected. Has anyone had similar problem and if so what did you do?

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    Yes it is a common thing....

    I weighed 81 lbs, but had a double chin befitting someone 50 lbs heavier....my Rad Onc set me up with a Lymphodema specialist for massage.  I don't know, tho....if that would have anything to do with your hearing loss.  I'd think you might need another draining of fluids (did that bring your hearing back the first time?).

    p

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    Hard To Say...

    Hard to say if the swelling is related when you say inflammation...

    To me inflammation would possibly mean warm to the touch, red or discolored, sensitive or sore...

    The lymphatic fluid build up we associate with Turkey Neck, is more just swollen and puffy... So if the swelling has any of the inflammation chracteristics, I might be more inclined to think it's connected with your ear infection.

    Either way your ENT will be able to tell you...

    You might wanna see if they can move your schedule up just to get ahead of the game if it's infection or something else going on.

    JG

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #4
    phrannie51 said:

    Yes it is a common thing....

    I weighed 81 lbs, but had a double chin befitting someone 50 lbs heavier....my Rad Onc set me up with a Lymphodema specialist for massage.  I don't know, tho....if that would have anything to do with your hearing loss.  I'd think you might need another draining of fluids (did that bring your hearing back the first time?).

    p

    Yes

    When it was drained two weeks ago the hearing came back

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #5
    Skiffin16 said:

    Hard To Say...

    Hard to say if the swelling is related when you say inflammation...

    To me inflammation would possibly mean warm to the touch, red or discolored, sensitive or sore...

    The lymphatic fluid build up we associate with Turkey Neck, is more just swollen and puffy... So if the swelling has any of the inflammation chracteristics, I might be more inclined to think it's connected with your ear infection.

    Either way your ENT will be able to tell you...

    You might wanna see if they can move your schedule up just to get ahead of the game if it's infection or something else going on.

    JG

    I need a dictionary when I

    I need a dictionary when I post on this forum. Seems like  am learning a whole new vocabulary the last few days. I am learning more in the last few days than I learned in the last 6 months. I am not a doctor, and I noticed the " turkey neck" a few weeks ago. I felt that if this is a side effect of radiation so be it. It's not that bad. Who am I looking to impress? However now that conditions are worsening I am trying to connect the dots. Lymphodema, neuropathy doses of radiation. Seems like a majority of the people in here are really in tune with their treatment. I on the other hand really didn't want to know much, except I wanted to get it done fast and put it behind me. Seems like that plan is out the window. My wife thinks I may need steroids for the inflammation . She is a nurse but not an oncology nurse so this is pretty new to her as well. She also thinks I am reading into this too much. The forum is really a little addictive at first. It's like a who.e new world of people you can relate to and get real answers to tough questions. 

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #6
    Roar said:

    I need a dictionary when I

    I need a dictionary when I post on this forum. Seems like  am learning a whole new vocabulary the last few days. I am learning more in the last few days than I learned in the last 6 months. I am not a doctor, and I noticed the " turkey neck" a few weeks ago. I felt that if this is a side effect of radiation so be it. It's not that bad. Who am I looking to impress? However now that conditions are worsening I am trying to connect the dots. Lymphodema, neuropathy doses of radiation. Seems like a majority of the people in here are really in tune with their treatment. I on the other hand really didn't want to know much, except I wanted to get it done fast and put it behind me. Seems like that plan is out the window. My wife thinks I may need steroids for the inflammation . She is a nurse but not an oncology nurse so this is pretty new to her as well. She also thinks I am reading into this too much. The forum is really a little addictive at first. It's like a who.e new world of people you can relate to and get real answers to tough questions. 

    If what you have is

    turkey neck (no hottness to the touch, no reddness, no sign of an infection).....then it's caused by both the dissection and the rads....the lymph nodes can't drain the same way they once did.  Massage is generally what is prescribed.  I don't know if I've heard of anyone taking steroids for it, tho. 

    There are SO many side effects that come with treatment....it'd be impossible to connect the dots to each one....basically all you can do is blame either chemo or radiation.....and you'll find that the respective docs who dole out the treatment seem to blame the other for whatever you're going thru. Laughing 

    p

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    Lingo...

    I've had four years to learn the lingo...

    You'll get a quick education on cancer, treatment, and recovery whether you want it or not, LOL...

    Phrannie, they gave me steroids once during treatment... I didn't like the fact that it raised my glucose levels, and it was just for fatigue. I wasn't that fatigued that I wanted it to effect something else.

    Not saying that someone shouldn't do as prescribed, but in my case I knew why they were prescribed...

    JG

     

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