Hi,

I would like some advice/experience from fellow survivors. I completed 35 R/T sessions end of July 2008 for left tonsil cancer.

I am still getting very severe pains which come in cycles. Good periods I just have aching pain in left side of neck.

Other times like last two days I get severe pain in left shoulder, neck and head plus earache. Also severe pressure on left eye.

Has anyone else experienced this type of pain 10 months after completing R/T?

regards

Ken

Hi Ken,

I haven't had tonsil cancer but had tongue cancer and finished r/t this time last year.

I still get severe pain in the left hand side of my mouth (gum area), which is the side the r/t was given. I find that the pain occurs when I am stressed. Sometimes it is a dull ache and at it's worst I really don't know what to do with myself.

I know its not the same but do you think it is something to do with the r/t as thats what I have always put mine down to.

I am sure there will be someone on here who has also had tonsil cancer and may be able to either give you advice or share their experiences with you.

Sue

quote:

Sue

Hi Sue,
I emailed Ken earlier as I had cancer right tonsil in 2000.I still have jaw pain from the r/t at that time. However I also had cancer of the left tongue base in 2005 resulting in a hemiglossectomy. Since then I have a lot of pain/discomfort on the 'good' side of my tongue.
I have discovered that much of this is caused by stress.....clenching my teeth.I was'nt even aware I was doing this until recently, so I asked the dentist to make me a 'dental guard'.
This helped quite a lot.....it has made me more aware of the tension in my jaw so I don't have to use it very much anymore unless I'm in a stressful situation .
If I was to do it again I think that I would just buy a cheap gumshield...very expensive the other way.
This has reduced the pain but I still have other pain problems to tackle....

Take Care,
John

Hi Sue,
On second thoughts a gumshield will not do as it will not keep the teeth separated.....the DENTAL GUARD is normally used to prevent people grinding their teeth while sleeping,so wearing it for an hour morning and evening should do the trick.......it worked for me anyway !!

John

Hello Kenny

A temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition that can present as limited jaw opening, clicking jaw, jaw/head ache (masticatory myofascial pain). It is often caused by parafunctional activities like clenching and bruxing and other.

Please see my advice.

Best wishes
Vinod