Topic: Radiation side effects?

Nov 10, 2019 02:51PM - edited Nov 10, 2019 02:51PM by gb2115

Nov 10, 2019 03:20PM Sara536 wrote:

I so don’t get it when doctors deny or fail to mention possible and known side effects. Do they really think that side effects are “all in our heads” or that warning us will trigger a psychosomatic side effect? Once they have disassociated themselves and the treatments they have prescribed from our actual experience then aren’t they making it difficult to treat or provide relief? So much for trust...

Nov 10, 2019 05:58PM Kamboka wrote:

KFmama2: I had mild nausea about three weeks into radiation. I swore it was caused from rads but the RO said it wasn't. He said it was probably reflux. He prescribed something for the reflux and, sure enough, it stopped the nausea. I haven't had any nausea since and I'm finishing my six weeks tomorrow. Good luck.

Nov 11, 2019 08:52AM gb2115 wrote:

I had a lot of nausea too. Ignore them when they say it's impossible. I also had a scratchy throat the entire time, which went away not long after stopping radiation.

Nov 12, 2019 11:13AM Kfmama2 wrote:

I asked the nurse (as opposed to the radiation therapist) today and she said the same thing. It can’t possibly be from the radiation. At least the nurse said she would confirm with the doctor and get back to me, but I agree that it’s irresponsible. When I look it up on multiple places online, nausea is listed as a rare but possible side effect. I don’t understand why they are dismissing me. It’s so frustrating

Nov 12, 2019 11:23AM mitziandbubba wrote:

I felt all of those things during radiation and it happened after 3 days. The effect was not cumulative, I felt AWFUL. I think I was so glad to escape chemo that I assumed radiation would be easy.

Drinking TONS of water as SparkleGirl mentioned helped. Also eating a lot of protein. I gained some weight during radiation.

Nov 13, 2019 07:52AM Moderators wrote:

Dear Wiggy84,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry for your breast cancer and the treatment side effects but so glad that you reached out to our members for their support. You may also want to check out the Bottle of Tamoxifen Topic in the Hormonal Therapy Forum for more input around effects of Tamoxifen. Let us know if we can be of assistance in helping you to get connected and to stay active here.

The Mods

Nov 14, 2019 05:10PM DorothyB wrote:

I had nausea from radiation - not severe, but sort of "car sick" feeling. MD Anderson's website says that can be a side effect of radiation but my radiologist said it wasn't.

Nov 14, 2019 08:32PM Sara536 wrote:

There’s nothing like having your experience validated! A doctor who listens with an open mind builds trust.!

Nov 15, 2019 10:37AM gb2115 wrote:

I wonder if the nausea is just due to stress on the body. I mean, it doesn't matter that the radiation beams only hit your breast, your body is still going to mobilize what it needs to, in order to fix the damage. I feel like that could cause a systemic nausea. And if you think about it, nausea isn't necessarily caused by only one organ. It doesn't happen only because something is wrong with your stomach. I get it from headaches, inner ear things like car sickness, and stress--morning sickness during pregnancy, medications, etc. So it's not like it will only happen during radiation if a specific body part is radiated. Anyway, I always felt that was what caused it. I have no scientific proof of any of this, it's just something I've thought about a lot. I could be wrong though, who knows.

I had a scratchy throat for most of radiation as well, and it caused dry gums and dry eyes. The MO, the dentist, and the eye doctor all said that radiation "scatter" is real, and can cause side effects. For my nausea, the radiation oncologist and the nurse suggested that I had the flu. When I pointed out that one doesn't have the flu for 6 weeks with no other symptoms like a fever, with symptom improvement over the weekend only to start back over on Monday afternoon (several hours after treatment), they really couldn't say much. They stuck by their flu theory and I'm still disappointed by it. You would think an RN and MD would know better.

Nov 19, 2019 11:08AM Levron wrote:

I had 30 rads & throughout rad treatments I felt great! The last few rads I was burning a bit (like a bad sun-burn) but tolerable, not much pain, small amount of fatigue & overall at rad completion I felt wonderful. THEN a few weeks after rad was done BOTH my arms developed EXTREME pain! I could not sleep & was screaming in pain a lot! THE WORST PAIN EVER! Dr diagnosed it as "neuropathy". I had surgery to cut nerves in both wrists, instantly the pain stopped & I mended well with no further problems. My point is no one told me neuropathy could be a possible side effect of rad. When I asked rad Dr why this isn't disclosed he said if his patients knew all the POSSIBLE side effects they would never agree to be treated with rad.

Nov 29, 2019 05:33AM giggs wrote:

I'm so sorry we've all been through this. I had radiation this summer. I've had a hard time emotionally because people can't "see" the effects of radiation and think I'm fine. Emotionally radiation was so much harder than I thought it would be, and I'm still dealing with that. I had no immediate physical SE from radiation. A couple months ago I started having skin pain. No breakouts, nothing you could see, just nerve pain. All the time. RO nurse told me that it's common. Well, I wasn't told about it. I went to a skin care class at a cancer wellness house and purchased the products recommended, safe for BC, and they did help if I used them all the time, all day. It still comes and goes.

Dec 2, 2019 01:01AM Sara536 wrote:

The talk about radiation scatter has me wondering why my left chest and thyroid were not covered when my right chest was treated with radiation. Dentists cover us when taking dental x-rays. Are RO’s less careful for some reason? Has anyone here been covered with the kind of “lead blankets” used by dentists?

Dec 8, 2019 12:30PM a1b2c3 wrote:

Hello,

I am new to this site. I was diagnosed with DCIS with microinvasion and had a lumpectomy. Advised to have whole breast radiation on left side for three weeks. I am very wary of the assurances from the RO that there are minimal side effects and the risks to heart and lungs are too small to be meaningful given modern techniques. I am also told that the irradiated breast looks normal afterward except for possibly some denser tissue and might be "more pert' than the other side. I do not have any information from anyone who has gone through this as to their experience with side effects or the cosmetic effects. I did read a few testimonials I found online from women saying that the irradiated breast did not normally gain weight if they did like their other breast, and that there was significant shrinkage and some women said they became more "lopsided" as time passed. I do not feel I can trust what the RO says as there is such heavy pressure to do radiation. I would appreciate any information, especially from women a longer time out from the treatment. Thanks to everyone.

Dec 8, 2019 02:24PM Mymomsgirl wrote:

A1b2c3 I finished radiation last February. I had IORT during surgery because I was having some reconstruction done at the same time due to location. My radiated breast did shrink and has a little bit different texture that the other. In fact it shrunk more than my PS anticipated so I'm going in to have a fat necrosis removed where my tumor was and getting things evened out with both sides. Most states have in place where you can get things fixed after going through treatment. Not saying anyone wants another surgery, but it is good information to have

I know size and shape are a concern, but I also had my cancer on the left side and the heart and lung being in the field is a valid concern. Are you doing anything with taking a deep breath and holding it during your treatment. That is what I did, for most holding your breath pushes things out of the way. My advice is do some research and ask questions. If your RO dismisses your questions then they might not be the right one for you. Big hugs and best wishes coming your way.