Lymphedema

Good evening WelshFlower, im sorry I cannot help in this matter as I thankfully I did not suffer from this , there are other lovely people here who have been through this so maybe in the morning they will offer some advice . Some of them massage themselves to help , sorry I could not help in this matter but good luck . Take care .

                                                                                     Chris x 

The neck dissection would account for the "I still don’t have feeling in parts of my neck, my ear and shoulder" as to a point I still have a numb shoulder and neck on one side of my neck after four years or so, it is not a big problem though if I do heavy lifting or cut an hedge it can ache a bit (gets uncomfortable).

The "lymphedema" I am led to believe is to do with the retention of fluid because the scar stops it from draining and I was told to massage it gently down which I did and sometimes still do, it might be for other reasons though as if I get tense my neck gets very tight and under my chin appears to swell so I automatically massage it down. The massaging bit was told to me by I think my speech therapist so I would think it is normal.

I hope this helps to a point but my cancer was not tongue but top of mouth so might be slightly different.

Hi WelshFlower, I think we are on the same timeline, I also completed RT and chemo in August 2018 after a neck disection in June. 

I still get lymphedema swelling like you which is a nuisance. I seem to get on top of it for a few weeks then it comes back for no apparent reason. 

Have you been given any massage techniques to use or only k-tape? 

My 1st lymphedema nurse gave me k-tape which I felt worked but more recently a nurse said massage is better. She showed me techniques starting in my armpit and then work upwards round my neck and cheek area always stroking downwards. She also showed me a simple massage roller which I bought on eBay for £3. Anyway, I do feel mine is improving slowly if I keep doing the massage regularly. 

Ron mentions the lymph fluid needs to find a new way out, which needs help. So the massage techniques are designed to encourage the lymph fluid away from the swollen areas to the next available lymph nodes lower down. I don’t think k-tape alone will do this although I found it very effective initially. 

I think the numbness is completely normal after a neck disection. I notice mine some days more than others. 

I hope you have someone who can give you the massage techniques from your team? I’d de recommend using them daily. It works best for me in the shower. 

Good luck and do let us know how you get on 

best wishes