side effects

Sorry to hear of her distress.  I had 2 dissections and never had any swelling issues as you describe.  The numbness is common and may improve over time.  There could also be weakness in the arm on the side of the dissection.  That will also improve, especially if she gets some physio. 

I did find that once the wound was well healed having a hot shower and using a massage shower head spaying on the area of the dissection relived some of the tightness from the scars.  

Hi Fran

Sorry to hear that your partner has had some issues after her recent neck dissection. She is in the best place to get the help she needs at the moment.

I have had 2 neck dissections over time but did not have the issue with neck swelling. Has the doctor mentioned that it may be lymphoedema. If so there are exercises/massage that can be done to help so might be worth asking her doctor.

The numbness you mentioned is normal unfortunately. It does improve over time but I still have some altered sensation and feeling of tightness around the scars on both sides of my neck. As Peter mentioned the weakness and reduced range of movement in the arm on the side of the neck dissection is common. I had this too but it did resolve over a few weeks and is now back to normal.

Lyn

Thanks for your response, useful to know

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Hi Fran16

Welcome to the group , sorry to hear about your partner issues after neck dissection but so glad to hear it hasn’t spread.

I didnt have dissection but have Lymphoedema .as Lyn suggested please speak to her consultant re Lymphoedema. This is an issue for many people after dissections and Radiotherapy for some it eases off and reduces within months following Radio/surgery.For others it can be troublesome and a lifelong condition to manage.

Medical professionals including Speech and language therapist can advise on best exercises and lymph massage plus can refer her to closest lymphoedema clinic for a manual massage and shown how to do this herself plus provide medical garments /collars or tape to support lymph fluid drainage .

Wishing you both all the best for her recovery 

Debbie

I had a neck dissection and oropharangectomy in April this year and whilst I didn't have any swelling I still have pain, thightness and numbness all around my cheek and ear. I massage it regularly which does take the discomfort away. I've found someone locally who does scar massage so I'm booked in for November to see if that helps. I've had a horrible metallic taste in my mouth for a few months now which the consultant says is normal as the nerves are healing. I know they say 6 weeks to heal but that's just surface healing not taking into account all the nerve damage et. Hope things improve soon.