shoulder pain?

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luv_freedom
luv_freedom Member Posts: 49
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I seem to be past the sore throat pain now and am eating food normal, although the appetite still is not there yet. Been about 8 weeks post radiation treatments now. But what about the constant burning and pain from the dissection? That was done on the 1st of July? Some days are worse than others. Last night I was up every hour all night long. The upper muscle on the back side of my shoulder just burns like crazy and nothing really relieves it. I take ibuprofen but only when I really need it. It helps some but doesn't relieve the burning sensation of the back of shoulder and my ear. I use Biofreeze which helps as much as anything but it wears off pretty quick. Like in an hour. What are you all doing to help with this? Is this something that I will live with from now on? I don't want to get back on the pain meds if I can help it. It took me 3 weeks to wean off of all that stuff. I was wondering if it could also be the lymph node fluids still trying to find a path and bleeding out into the muscle? I don't know but even the muscle on the other shoulder is sore now. I wish I could get a shot of something to numb it LOL. Is everyone else dealing with this same issue?

Gary

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  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
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    I don't know about everybody else....

    I just had my first neck dissection, and I don't know what all is in the future, pain wise.  I wonder if it's not the nerves healing.  My Oncologist told me when I finished treatment the last time how long it takes for nerves to heal.....and frankly, every faction of this treatment takes time to heal, but nerves take even longer.  He told me it was something like 10 millimeters a month when it comes to nerves.  Something incredibly small. 

    8 weeks is just a drop in the bucket for healing from all you've been through....I don't think this is forever....it will probably diminish (by degrees) over time....at first you won't notice it's going away, and then suddenly you'll think to yourself...."I think this is getting better".....and THEN finally, you'll KNOW it's getting better.

    Do mention this to your Docs....for me, I mention everything to the Oncologist, because he seems to be most in the know about every particle of treatment, where the ENT knows his E's N's, and T's.....the RO knows about rads.....but my Onc seems to know about all the side effects....the medicine Lyrica comes to mind as something that might help with your shoulder.  They use it for other types of nerve damage...pain from neuropathy, etc. 

    p

  • luv_freedom
    luv_freedom Member Posts: 49
    #3
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    phrannie51 said:

    I don't know about everybody else....

    I just had my first neck dissection, and I don't know what all is in the future, pain wise.  I wonder if it's not the nerves healing.  My Oncologist told me when I finished treatment the last time how long it takes for nerves to heal.....and frankly, every faction of this treatment takes time to heal, but nerves take even longer.  He told me it was something like 10 millimeters a month when it comes to nerves.  Something incredibly small. 

    8 weeks is just a drop in the bucket for healing from all you've been through....I don't think this is forever....it will probably diminish (by degrees) over time....at first you won't notice it's going away, and then suddenly you'll think to yourself...."I think this is getting better".....and THEN finally, you'll KNOW it's getting better.

    Do mention this to your Docs....for me, I mention everything to the Oncologist, because he seems to be most in the know about every particle of treatment, where the ENT knows his E's N's, and T's.....the RO knows about rads.....but my Onc seems to know about all the side effects....the medicine Lyrica comes to mind as something that might help with your shoulder.  They use it for other types of nerve damage...pain from neuropathy, etc. 

    p

    Thanks Phran, I'll be seeing him on the 3rd of Dec. and I've got a list of questions I'm building lol. Glad you doing ok! I love this site for sure! It's really helped in my recovery to be able to ask questions to people that have been through this. Thanks everyone!!!

    Gary

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #4
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    Shoulder pain, and other pain....

    If you are having any pain that takes more than an ibuprofen you should allways call your doctor and let his nurse know. There is no reason you need to wait weeks until you see him. Why should you have to be in pain that length of time when he can call or fax a Rx and your problem is solved. Trust me the doctor would not want you to wait, and if you can wait he might think you don't really ned anything and you can just continue to get over the counter meds. Call

    Bill

  • caffinated1
    caffinated1 Member Posts: 32
    #5
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    wmc said:

    Shoulder pain, and other pain....

    If you are having any pain that takes more than an ibuprofen you should allways call your doctor and let his nurse know. There is no reason you need to wait weeks until you see him. Why should you have to be in pain that length of time when he can call or fax a Rx and your problem is solved. Trust me the doctor would not want you to wait, and if you can wait he might think you don't really ned anything and you can just continue to get over the counter meds. Call

    Bill

    Shoulder from hell

    After they were done cooking me my right shoulder felt like it was frozen, hurt to move my arm in pretty much any fashion. Went to an orthopedist and had a cortisone shot. It was magic. Then I had to go to physical therapy to loosen everything up. It hurt but after about three weeks of treatments was nearly back to normal. Hasn't really bothered me since then. 

     

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #6
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    Pain

    I'm sorry you are in pain and second the motion that you should check with your doctor. Everyone here has awesome advice, but ultimately,  it's the doctor who has the magic prescription pad that can make all the pain go away. (They can write scripts for physical therapy, too.☺) In the meantime you could see if heat works better than Biofreeze. I hope you feel better and better every day. 

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #7
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    Yep

    Neck and shoulder pain is my nemesis. 2.5 years out and that's the thing that still drags me down. I did acupunture which was wonderful but I just can't afford it at $100 a pop. Ibuprofen, Ben Gay and tramadol are my only resbits.

    Positive thoughts and prayers

  • wild willy
    wild willy Member Posts: 63 Member
    #8
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    shoulder pain

    im just 2 months from5 yrs out and still have the shoulder and ear pain ( like a real bad burning feeling ) nothing helps it but time but it comes back, you can count on that. still have no taste either. good luck hope you find some kind of help.  Bill

  • luv_freedom
    luv_freedom Member Posts: 49
    #9
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    wild willy said:

    shoulder pain

    im just 2 months from5 yrs out and still have the shoulder and ear pain ( like a real bad burning feeling ) nothing helps it but time but it comes back, you can count on that. still have no taste either. good luck hope you find some kind of help.  Bill

    Wow! 5yrs out and still having those issues. That's too bad. And no taste? That is even worse! I regained most of my taste after only about 6 weeks after radiation treatments.

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