Starting Radiation May 2025? Gather here for support!
Share experiences, ask questions, get encouragement, and support others who are going through radiation therapy along with you.
Please share your diagnosis, any previous treatment you've had, and your scheduled start date along with your radiation schedule. We're all here for you!
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I have had 18 of 33 radiation treatments for stage two breast cancer and only 2 nodes. I Did not need chemotherapy. Yesterday after my radiation session I had extreme vertigo and was sent to the er. They did a ct scan, blood work, and urinalysis. Nothing showed up. The radiation stops at my collarbone and I have my head turned to the side. I can’t walk without a walker and need help to do anything. I’m dizzy if I turn or change positions even when I’m lying down! Has anyone ever experienced this?
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happycat, I’m sorry to hear this and hope you are better soon.
I meet with the radiation oncologist Wednesday for my occult bc. I had one positive node that was taken care of by 6 months of Verzenio & letrozole. It’ll be interesting to hear his opinion of whether any microscopic cancer can/will be treated with radiation.
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Hi @happy_cat, I’m sorry that you are dealing with dizziness. It’s possible that it may caused by cervical vertigo from a pinched or swollen nerve in the neck. Turning your head can cause compression and radiation scatter can cause swelling. I didn’t have this issue from radiation (had different ones) but this was one thing doctors checked to find the cause of my husband’s vertigo. I hope things have improved.
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Happy_cat, I hope you recover quickly.
I had my consult and sim last week, may be starting later this week - depends on if the team is ready. I'm delayed for various reasons not worth going into. I'm disappointed that based on the prior auth I saw this weekend, my radonc has requested 35 sessions (7 weeks). I was hoping for 5 weeks. Plan is to hit chest and all nodes - intramammary, axilla, supraclavicular. I have sent questions already re: why so many sessions. I'm worried that my skin won't hold up, I'm doing proton. I have sensitive, fair skin and I"m older.
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My schedule was 33 days. I had nodes involved, too. I think that number is pretty common, but don’t hesitate asking your doctor. You have the right to have your concerns taken seriously.
For me, Most days were fine, with some blue days when I laid around and felt sorry for myself- and THAT’S OK!!!! I did get obsessed with online info for awhile, that only fueled my worries. The help and support I received from facilitators and others on this website, breast cancer.org, really helped. The vertigo I had listed in a previous post was related to dehydration, a common problem I have, so it wasn’t really related to my treatment. (We do need to drink plenty of water, though.) I have been fatigued and, yes, my skin is sunburned, but I had my last treatment today! I’m 72. You will get to the other side of this! Be kind to yourself and feel whatever you need to feel and ask for help when you need it and rest when you need to rest. Good luck!
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