Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsD
Hello Dave... sounds like you have had a huge challenge!
Is your incision healed? If so you might want to try Lidoderm patches. Have you tried them yet?
They can relieve nerve pain locally and spare you the side effects from drugs. But I wouldn't put them over a open sore or
unhealed surgical incision.
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Mrs. D,
Thanks for your quick and helpful response Mrs. D. The Lidoderm patches do help. I usually wear them 12 hours a day on my shoulder and part of my neck not visible at work. I was operated on in Feb. 2008 and I have a well-healed incision on the left side ranging from my collar bone up to my left ear (barely visible now)
Unfortunately, for us head and neck cancer patients, between the surgery followed by 35 radiations and chemo, allot of nerves are cut and their also is allot of fibrosis and scarring from the neck dissection.
The literature doesn't help much so I am looking for all the anecdotal and personal experience since much of continued chronic pain management is kind of a trial and error, art vs. science approach.
I appreciate greatly any thoughts, comments or assistance Board members can provide. Thank you again for your reply.
Dave
Oudave83