Topic: Radiation side effects?

Nov 10, 2019 03:25PM Mymomsgirl wrote:

Kfmama2 I did the deep breath holds and had no issues except once or twice I felt like I couldn't hold my breath the whole time , but I did it, I'm sure it was anxiety. Have you started any medication yet, like Tamoxifen, that can have those side effects.

Good luck with your remaining treatments.

Nov 10, 2019 04:03PM JO-5 wrote:

I had my radiation back in 04. They assured me that no way would it cause nausea.....but everyone is different.

I drove myself everyday and after the first day when I got so sick driving home, I learned to take crackers and ginger ale.

I would eat the crackers and drink the ginger ale in the car before heading home, then take about an hour nap as soon as I got home.

Yes indeed it made me nauseous and sick.

On the weekends I was ok, so I know it was the rads.....but they never would admit it was possible.

JO-5

Nov 10, 2019 04:24PM Kfmama2 wrote:

Thanks for the validation JO-5!

Mymomsgirl, I haven’t started taking any meds yet.

Nov 10, 2019 07:14PM JO-5 wrote:

Pain or difficulty swallowing and heartburn. If your esophagus is in the area being treated, it may become inflamed. ... Some people also get heartburn from radiation to this area. These side effects usually begin the second or third week of treatment.

I just posted this portion but it is a very long article. I just googled "does radiation cause acid reflux."

JO-5

Nov 12, 2019 12:07PM Bess57 wrote:

I had a very upset stomach and vague nausea and the Radiation Oncologist was vehement that it was not caused by partial breast radiation. When I told her I also had fatigue, she said that was not possible. That type of response from a health care provider is irresponsible.

I agree with gb2115, ignore them. You know what you are experiencing.

Nov 12, 2019 12:16PM SparkleGirl2018 wrote:

I did have nausea and an achy body. Radiologist had me take prilosec daily which did help. And drink A LOT of water. I could tell a big difference in how I felt when I really hydrated. I just kept water with me all day and felt better overall. Good luck with your remaining treatments. I am a little over a month out from having 30 treatments and feel so much better now!!

Nov 13, 2019 05:27AM Wiggy84 wrote:

hiya. I finished my Radiotherapy 8 weeks ago . In the first week i felt a bit nauseated but they told me it was the Tamoxifen that i had started taking.Since finishing the 19 treatments i have been cold . Not just cold but very cold ! Ive gone from someone who was always warm to someone condidering wearing gloves indoors 🙄 im wondering if its somehow linked to the radiotherapy /Tamoxifen ? Has anyone else found this has happened to them ?

Nov 14, 2019 05:56PM Bess57 wrote:

Thank you very much for your reply posts. I really appreciate them. I am so glad to be part of this community. Good luck to all.

Nov 14, 2019 07:07PM Kfmama2 wrote:

I finally talked to my RO. He asked me more about the nausea and I said it happened almost immediately after radiation. He said, “well then I think we have to assume the radiation is causing the nausea.” I’m glad he didn’t dismiss me. He took the time to show me images on the computer to show that my stomach is outside the field of radiation but agreed it could be a possible side effect. I also told him of the “brain fog” I have been having. He says he has heard that before but can’t explain it. Luckily, both of these side effects have been better over the past couple of days.

Nov 15, 2019 01:17AM AliceBastable wrote:

My radiation was late last year. I didn't have nausea, but the RO said the left side whole breast radiation would not harm my heart or lungs, and that it was precisely platted on the computer to miss those organs. I had to see a cardiothoracic surgeon in June for an unrelated matter. I mentioned the radiation (thinking more about the skin, should surgery be necessary), and he said it was good that I'd brought it up because of the heart damage it could cause. When I told him what the RO had said, he just gave me a pitying look and shook his head, gently explaining that there's always SOME damage. Then I had a chest and abdomen CT for another issue (yep, I'm falling apart!), and that showed a little scarring smudge on my left lung, new since the CT I had last year. My oncologist said it was from radiation. So I guess the RO lied through his teeth.

Nov 15, 2019 04:41PM - edited Nov 15, 2019 04:43PM by JO-5

gb2115,

Interesting you mention scatter. The tech doing my rads told me that as hard as they try radiation does not stay in just one spot it kind of reaches its lowest point like water.

I have had esophageal problems ever since my rads were over in 04. When I eat I have phlegm. Not a lot and not every time. My dr and PO said it was from radiation. It is much much better now, but back then very scary.

I have a friend that went through rads about the same time I did. She has been dx w/chronic fatigue and her PCP thinks it is from rads.

Then there is radiation recall. It often presents as a rash, or the sick/nausea thing.

JO-5

Nov 19, 2019 05:35PM - edited Nov 19, 2019 05:36PM by JO-5

Levron

Absolutely the exact same answer I got when I asked my BS why patients were not told that Secondary Angiosarcoma was a possibility. Quote: "Because no one would have radiation and lives would be lost."

I am not sorry I had the radiation because without it I might not be here today.

I was just one of the very few that got sec. angio.

Only 1/2 of 1% ever get angio from rads but I still think we should be told all the possibilities. Ignorance is not bliss!

JO-5

Nov 29, 2019 07:33AM Kfmama2 wrote:

Giggs, it’s been difficult for me, too. I feel guilty complaining because it’s such an easy treatment compared to others. There is something about lying on a table, exposed, unable to move or speak (due to the snorkel tube in my mouth for breath holds), and being poked and prodded, that is emotionally difficult. Luckily the initial nausea went away after a few treatments and never came back. Instead, the itching and fatigue have set in. The fatigue is making me feel easily winded. I’m in good shape, but now even walking the dog feels like a trek. Only 3 treatments left

Dec 5, 2019 10:31AM Nargaret wrote:

I had my radiation in May. You know how you know you were having side effects from the radiation even though they tell you " you should not be having any"? When they start going away. It's been 6 months for me and I am feeling like I am just now getting some of my energy and stamina back. I look back and think about how tired I was! If I went to the store after work I would have to hang on to the cart for support and drag myself home to the couch. I was not on Letrozol during radiation and I was have killer hot flashes, sun and heat sensitivity, depression, fatigue and but most especially tiredness. I really feel that all of those things have subsided. So why do "they" not want to acknowledge us when we do ?
It makes you feel like you are going crazy and so unsupported, adding one more unpleasant thing about the process of trying to survive.

My opinion is YES you will most likely have side effects from having live radio active material put in your body, I don't see how you could not. We are all different and it will effect each of us differently. I am grateful after 6 months that some of my issues are subsiding and hope they continue to do so.

To 'they" I hope they start listening and acknowledging their patients and what they are feeling is real and start supporting them though it instead of denying they exist.