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Ten years after throat radiation and ongoing damage
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Apr 27, 2025 | Replies (23)Comment receiving replies
Have seen a neurologist yet? I have extensive radiation damage to my neck which causes pain throughout my shoulders.
I am on Botox injections for my chronic migraine but my last visit she put my entire amount of Botox in my neck in hopes of calming the muscles. I still have the migraine but my neck is WAY better!
MOJO
Replies to "Have seen a neurologist yet? I have extensive radiation damage to my neck which causes pain..."
MOJO, thank you. I will be seeing my local GP on Tuesday. Spent my last 2 days in Kamloops hospital because I became afraid to let go for sleep. My breathing had become so restricted. I have been prescribed dexamethasone. No help by neurologist yet, but I will get the referral from my GP on Tuesday .. after this long weekend. The ENT people tell me my next visit will be for palitive care. My questions about botox received no response .. not a word and anything outside their opinion gets a blank stare. This is Canada., At least where I live.
Hi, I just found your reply and have been searching for a physician willing to do the same type of Botox injections for me and I have been struggling as well. I had Botox for migraines and my doctor was willing to do a few in my neck but I am trying to find one that will do as you had done. If you are in NE Florida would you please recommend your physician.
Thank you kindly.
I didn't have help for upper back/cervical spine muscle spasms until I saw a neurologist. I love that you brought this up!
I had extensive radiation treatments to my right head and neck, actually burned my throat and lost hair that never grew back. This was 30 years ago. My current ENT told me that treatments now would not be as extensive. But, I have never had a recurrence. I had a parotid gland carcinoma.
Because I saw a neurologist who understood radiation side effects, he prescribed Baclofen, a muscle relaxer that especially helps spasms along the spine. He told me it is usually helpful for people with MS.
He also prescribed a migraine med but with the muscle spasms relieved I hardly have migraines.
The key here is finding a practitioner who understands these kind of side effects from radiation.
I'm glad your neck is better! You might find in time the migraines are fewer.
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Thank you. I have managed without professional massage, but do have hardened neck muscle that causes me to be unable to hold my head upright like normal or to turn my head to the left or right full range. Pain is a constant but it is controllable so far. Thanks for sharing