Treatment of neck dissection pain
 

Hi Everyone,
I am new to this forum. I am a 2008 head and neck cancer survivor/warrior and I had a left neck dissection surgery followed by 35 radiations and 7 weeks of chemo. The surgery was peformed at the james Hospital in Columbus Ohio, My nerves were left in tact and had about 50 nodes removed. I still have substantial pain on the left side but have received outstanding treatment and finished physical therapy to improve range of motion-pain still there. I have remained cancer free/last scan 3 months ago.

Was wondering if anyone else has pain from a neck dissection surgery and your thoughts about treatments, medications or therapy?
Thank you sooooo much for any help you can provide.

Dave
Oudave83

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.

:cool:
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.:cool:

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

You could try different placements. I found that putting the patch over the nerves as they enter the spine, works better than over the pain where it is felt. You could try moving yours. With that small area 1/2 may be enough. (ie move to around the back of the neck.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...ed=0CBkQ9QEwBQ

This shows the neck dermatomes... C3 and below. Placed high on the back of the neck may help.

Hi I am glad to hear you have been cancer free though am sorry you are still in pain. Are you on any oral meds or have they suggested that? Have you seen a pain doctor or have you? I know at the pain clinic I was at there were people who had pain from cancer. I hope you have healthier and pain free times ahead