I finished 35 radiotherapy sessions on the 29th July 2008. Since then I have had many common problems to deal with but I am making great progress.

Over the past week or so I have noticed that I have developed a swollen neck at the front under chin and below adam's apple.

Is this a gland problem maybe Hypothyroidism?

Do I see GP or consultant?

regards

Ken

Hi Kenny,

I am sure Dr Vinod will confirm this but it is nothing to worry about. My husband Neil had this and his consultant called it a 'dewlap'. It lasted quite some time but eventually got better but even 2 years on he sometimes wakes up looking like a hamster!
I do think it would help however if you were warned that these things can occur - it's a frightening enough time without have to face the unexpected.
Take care of yourself
Love
Margaret

Hi Margaret,

I was joking with my partner Ann for a few days that I looked like a turkey which made us laugh and then think Xmas is approaching fast! It has developed further though and below the Adams's apple is quite swollen now.

Seeing GP this afternoon just in case and will take it from there with follow up with consultant if necessary.

I also take your advice as it could be a "Dewlap" and nothing more serious. I agree it would be better if we were warned about these things before they occur. I attended first head and neck support group meeting last week in St Luke's Dublin and we discussed this issue. My thinking though is that with so many other things going on I would not take everything on board. Guess we just have to face some issues as they come?

Many thanks

Ken

Hi Ken,

You are probably right - there is such a lot to take in - especially after the bombshell that is the diagnosis in the first place.

I hope it is some comfort to you to know that my husband was diagnosed with cancer of the tonsil in August 2006 - radical neck dissection in September, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in October and November and yesterday he had another 'all clear' from the consultant. Almost 2 years now and we are very happily off to Cornwall for a week in the morning!!
You will get there too - love to both you and Ann and please let us know how your appointment goes.
Keep smiling
Love
Margaret

Hi Margaret,

It does comfort me. Without the support and experiences of fellow members and Ann I would have disappeared ages ago.

I am flying to England tomorrow to visit my sick father, he is 85 and also visit my mother's grave. Sadly she passed away during treatment and I was not able to go to the funeral. Will be an emotional weekend but have wanted to go for weeks now. Will also be good to see rest of my family.

Enjoy your break, Cornwall is very beautiful. I was born in Wiltshire but have lived in Ireland for years now.

many thanks

Ken

quote:

'dewlap':

A dewlap is a flap of skin that hangs beneath the lower jaw of tetrapods, that is, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and their relatives.

Hi Dr Vinod,

Thanks for the clarification. So now I am a relative to a turkey?

Just back from GP and she thinks it may be infection? So I will take antibiotics and see how things go. Have been weening myself off all the meds over past weeks as well so maybe I have picked something up.

However the Dewlap has developed over past few days and it feels really weird, it vibrates when I am talking or shaking my head. When I was checked on the 1st September it did not exist. During the RT my face around the neck and chin area actually appeared to shrink.

I will Keep plugging away and see how things go.

Many thanks and have a good weekend

regards

Ken

Yep Dr J, Bill looked exactly the same but a long skinnier, however, don't think he would have run for a stick. As I understand from the oncy, it was fluid over the radiated area, which if you think about it is natures way of protecting and healing.

Difficult to judge. Been on antibiotics as prescribed by GP, no change. Seeing Consultant next week so hopefully he can confirm what the problem is.

Thanks

Ken

Hi kenny been catching up with posts and was reading through .Paul had terrible problems with face and neck swellings .Sometimes he could blow up like Despreate Dan from the comic strips .When there were definate red patches or a pattern interspersed he had an infection and was put on anti biotics .Later on post treatment he was left with a very swollen neck and chin .Also had face pain but got tablets for this and has now settled .

Paul was given an appointment with lymphodema physiotherapist for a course in massgae on the area and I was taught how to do this .We did this every morning and evening and it did make a huge difference .He still has thickening and a small amount of swelling round neck now but nothing like what it was like in first few months post treatment .The swelling episodes did not arise till about 3 months post treatment and can flare up and down .

He has had a second round with RT and the exit area around ear this time is now having bouts of swelling but with the massage it definately helps .Worth asking about and does not take long to learn .

Unfortunately the RT on the soft tissue and drainage system around neck and chin area does take a beating and becomes thicker but we have found that persevering with the lymph drainage technique does improve the swelling .

Hope this is of help kenny .

Bell and Paul.

PS ,Does take a few weeks to see a difference though and you do need to be vigilant about doing it .

Thanks Dr Joshi - so I look like a St Bernard dog?????? I used to call myself Desperate Dan as well Bell.

It's a small price to pay to be alive - I do consider it my disfigurement though.

Love Chloex

My mum sometimes wraps a bandage around her neck or wears a tightish polo neck, which she was advised to do, somewhere along the line.

Obviously, with the lymph nodes removed, the fluid can't drain away as readily as it should and she sometimes has what she calls a whattle (turkey neck )

I am seeing my consultant on Thursday so while in the hospital will ask about getting some help with massage technique. Just need to get it checked out.

Chloe you are quite right and most days I am in the glad to be alive mode. I was speaking with my brother and was talking about the swollen neck and just said to him "It could be a lot worse".

Many thanks

Ken