Research new strategies and resources for dealing with cancer treatment side effects at our supportive online forum. Share information and experiences with other patients at CancerCompass.com. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/after-treatment/side-effects/1,0,120,117.htm Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ i had a reversal eight months ago and all was well until recently i began having a dullm aching pain in my colon that goes all the way down my left leg...any ideas http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71817,0.htm mechelletaylor Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi all It seems that most of us have the same problems and questions, but I wonder if there is someone out there can assist me. I had 35 radiation sessions with 6 chemo sessions. Due to my sore throat I could not eat and lost 33 Kg. It is now 9 weeks after my treatments and my throat is still so sore I cannot swallow. The only way I can eat small amounts of food is by rinsing with "formula C" and then force some food down my throat. I am very fortunate as I can taste most foods and do not find anything horrible. What can I use to relieve my throat pain, and how long will the pain remain? It feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel! God Bless Martin http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71800,0.htm Martind Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I had 12 treatments of chemo for colon cancer including 5FU, oxalyplatin, and leucovorin.  My treatments ended in May 2007, and about 4 months after the treatments ended, I began to develop severe joint pain in my hips,hands, knees and feet.  The PN caused from the oxalyplatin has gradually gotten better, but the joint pain continues to worsen.  I was just curious if anyone else had developed joint pain similar to mine after the same chemo regimen. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,31832,0.htm dwindallas Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT I am searching for anyone who has experienced small bowel damage from radiation therapy. I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 9/05. Had radical hysterectomy followed by 6 weeks of radiation to the pelvis and abdomen. then had chemo. Just a few weeks after chemo, side effects from radiation began. Over the past 2 and a half years I have suffered from severe bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, weight loss, partial blockage of my small bowel resulting in hospital stays for bowel rest and TPN (intraveinous nutrition via PICC line or port). I have difficulty eating due to bloating and can't maintain enough calories to keep weight up.Am now considering surgery - small bowel resection. Am concerned that the damage is extensive and the surgery may make my quality of life worse than it is now. I am grateful to be alive, but just can't comprehend that there's no one out there who is trying to help us survivors survive the treatments prescribed. I am at my wit's end. Please respond with any stories and suggestions. Thank you, http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,27662,0.htm dalimama Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT We are about 5 weeks into the radiation and it's hell for him. I'm discouraged to see how long this process will take according to what I have read here.  He can eat only very little. He's lost tons of weight.  --- seems the only comfort he has is, yes, smoking. He still smokes.   Terrified.  Is there any hope at all? Can this throat cancer kill him?  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71738,0.htm susan127 Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT We are about 5 weeks into the radiation and it's hell for him. I'm discouraged to see how long this process will take according to what I have read here.  He can eat only very little. He's lost tons of weight.  --- seems the only comfort he has is, yes, smoking. He still smokes.   Terrified.  Is there any hope at all? Can this throat cancer kill him?  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71737,0.htm susan127 Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I have been fighting metastatic breast cancer for two years. My current chemo is XELODAI. I take 4 tablets of 500 mg each morning and night with plenty of water and some food. I have Been suffering from the side effects from XELODAI. the hand and feet syndrome is Abigail issue for me. what's your experience.???? Do you have any solutions for the hand & feet Sores? I have only been on this chemo for 5 weeks, with the program being 2 weeks on and one week off. I sure would appreciate YOUR help. THANKS, Bonnie http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,66357,0.htm bonnielb Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Would like to hear from anyone that is dealing with this issue as a result of complications from cancer treaments or surgeries. I had a total pelvic exenertation in 1988 and now have had several bouts with bowel obstructions. Have had several surgeries and cannot have anymore, due to my history and the adhesions that have developed over the years. So trying to decide what I can eat at this point. Doing lots of liquid, smoothies with protein etc. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71624,0.htm redbear1942 Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I'm not sure but I think I'm experiencing a decreased mental function after treatments . I'm 10 months out of chemo and radiation treatments for throat cancer . I'm noticing subtle mental changes . I've convincing myself it was nerves but I can't continue to lie to myself . Going to see the doc next week . Anyway has anyone else experienced something like this . All the sudden it's like I'm dyslectic ( thank goodness for spellcheck ) I'm getting 2's and 5's mixed up . Dialing numbers on the phone requires a concouis effort . Simple words like effort come from me like effert , insight came out insite the other day . Simple spellings are coming out different . It's frustating . The other day at the dentist I got so mad and frustated that when I got in my car to drive the 40 miles south home I lost concentration and ended up in a different town north of home . My mind went somewhere . I calmed down and ate a bite and then drove home . When I got home I was wore out . Took a nap for about 3 hours and when I woke ( typed woak ) up I felt like I had a bad hang over effect and kept that for the rest of the evening . Anyway has anyone else had this happen to them ? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,57016,0.htm constantsorrowm Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT My huband completed chemo and prophylactic brain radiation 3 months ago.  Suddenly again he is having severe neuropathy, lack of appetite and change in mental status. Oncologist did repeat PET and brain MRI   All clear.  Primary care doctor agrees this is jut effects from chemo.  Does any one else experience this and how long do episodes last or is the normal and never changes.  I am a little confused at this time.  For now he has beat small cell lung cancer, I would hate to think that the  side effects is what the battle will be. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,69584,0.htm nurselost Sat, 15 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT My father in law has stage 3 lung cancer. He went through radiation and Chemo. His last Chemo treatment went very wrong. Treatment on Thursday and by Friday he was showing signs of  confusion, depressed mood,  hyperactivity, agitation, hostility,  hallucinations, sleep problems insomnia. By Monday he was taken to the doctor who immediately put him in the hospital. He was in for 9 days. Came home a bit better but still having confusion. Now he is in real bad shape with all the above worse. He has been prescribed Ativan and from what I read the symptoms he is having are caused by this drug. Anyone had any experience. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70881,0.htm uniquechoices Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT My husband finished chemo treatment for follicular lyphoma in Feb. 2013.  In December he started to have back pain, saw our chiropractor and internist for steroids, which helped some. As the weeks progressed, the pain has spread and become debilitating. Doctors just give pain meds and anti-inflamtories, but will not believe this might be from the chemo. They say it is arthritis that shows up in X-rays, but we do not think this terrible pain could have developed from arthritis because my husband has been able to be very active, even during the beginning treatments of chemo. We are so frustrated. Anyone else have this pain, etc after chemo?   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70865,0.htm marmot3 Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT To my fellow sufferers...it boggles my mind how we were not warned of any of these potential problems at the time of the radiation.  Was anyone here told?  Treated for cervical cancer in 2009 and after ready some of the posts, I fear my problems are just beginning.  Have had several flexible sigmoidoscopies to cotterize the areas of open bleeding in colon.  I think even the doc was surprised at the scope of damage.  As with most of you, NO HEAT.  My daughter made a wonderful fruit chutney for fish, but added red pepper, thinking it was mild enough.  Didn't even add much and still kept me up most of the night.  I eat a lot of turkey, NOT smoked, dark chicken meat, fish, seafood, and only roasted or cooked vegetables.  Smoothies good, but can be gassy.  Now taking aloe vera capsules (easier than trying to drink the juice) and I think it is helping some.  Also started drinking 'Aquahydrate' water.  It is a creation developed by actor Mark Wallberg and P.Ditty ..for real.  It has a 9+ (higher) pH, which should provide an overall less acidic environment.  Cancer thrives in an acidic environment. Just trying it all..  I suppliment vitamins B12 and D.  Also getting chiropractic treatment to get my nervous system to be  doing what it's supposed to be doing.  I am now facing possible lay-off from my job and finding the stress is very hard on everything.  Guts back to bleeding.  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71555,0.htm conniep Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi my oncologist wants me to stay on arimadex for 10 years. I have severe neck and cerival pain constantly. I am seeing a chiropracter. I am not sure if it is related. I am a two time cancer survivor..almost 20 years out and almost 8 since last time. Last course was Her 2 Nu diagnosis. I am reall struggling with my neck and degenerative discs. MRI 's show no metastisis.. any one else taking arimadex this long..plus I take the genearic one..not sure if that matters.   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71552,0.htm donter Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT My husband was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the throat after going to his ENT complaining of a sore throat and and ear ache.  He has started radiation and is half way through but he still has the ear pain. His doctor tells him that she wishes the pain would stop but does not elaborate as to why. Of course our thoughts lean towards the idea that if the pain is still there then so is the cancer and the radiation is not doing anything. Is there anyone out there who had an ear ache as one of the syptoms and can you tell me what happened during your course of treatment? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25842,0.htm geek0911 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I had radiation in 1997 for endometrial cancer.  Intially had weight loss/diarrhea which resolved.  In the last 6 years, Ive noticed pretty severe deterioration and increase in diarrhea.  Swallowed a camera 5 years ago whicy showed rapid transit and flattened villi.  Recently I've been tested for gluten intolerance which seems to be negative and took a course of xifaxin to treat possible bacterial overgrowth which didn't help.  I do notice that the typial diet choices to avoid for colitis help and absolutely no heat spices at all are tolerated. Interestingly, I was taking a small dose of lortab for intermittent spinal pain and noticed that the diarrhea lessens greatly on those days with just 1 tablet at night.  I'm attributing this relief to the derease in intestinal motility associated with narcotics.   Regardless, I've pretty much been told and have come to a self conclusion that there is no cure , although meticulous attention to dietary intake helps, stress makes it much worse.  You need to know where all the bathrooms are in town.  Other than typical colitis diet suggestions.  Anyone have anthing new ?  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70291,0.htm BonesJones Sat, 02 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi All: After 3 1/2 years of being on 1200 mgs. of Gabepentin, narcotics and anti-depressant medication to address my chronic neuropathy, I am now at a Pain Clinic.  Drs. are trying to get my awful (UPMC Healthcare) insurance company to approve Lyrica.  Drs. tried to increase the Gabepentin; however, I swelled up like a balloon.  Drs. couldn't increase Lasix as my Potassium levels continue to an issue.  So at this point, I am back to the 1200 mgs. Has anyone had any success with Lyrica.  Dare I get my hope up? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,65861,0.htm Mamalt Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT My mom was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma on the calf of her leg last February, had surgery & radiation and the cancer is now gone thankfully. The problem is when she had radiation the wound reopened, has not healed and gotten bigger. She has been having hyperbaric oxygen treatments since the 1st of the year 2 hours/day 5 days /week. They recently did a vein ablation which they were hoping was the cause of it not healing but that is not the case. They also did a debridement which has left a whole the size of an orange all the way down to the muscle. Now her wound doctor says there is nothing else that they can do for her and she will have to go back to her radiologist or mayo clinic, basically telling her that they were done with her, no suggestions or referrals to another doctor. Has anyone had similar problems or has anyone had any other treatments for open wounds. The different treatments that were discussed were maggot therapy, wound vac, skin graphs? Any help, suggestions would be greatly appreciated, she is at the point of giving up. Thank you. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71274,0.htm krblackman Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi, My Mother (Age 53)was diagnosed with brain tumour stage 3 ,three years back.She  underwent  surgery followed by chemo and radiations.Was absolutely normal until she had brain RT necrosis 2 years back.Doctor s prescribed steroids 60mg / day.We we devastated by her failing health and memory.Then i read about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and managed to give her the same,thankfully she resumed eating which she suddenly had quit.Curren tly we have managed to lower the dosage by 30mg/day as per docs recommendation.Curren tly she is on HBOT with 1.5 atm prssure for 30 mins but the benefit is almost nil.She cannot walk and has lost all the memory.Is there anyone who can help ? anyone who has faced the similar issues and won? Love Angel http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71273,0.htm Angel1234 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I just heard of someone flushing there body of the toxins of the Chemo medication.  My question is whether this defeats the purpose of the chemo treatment?  There is the flushing of the body through drink supplements and then there was a form of a massage that flushes the lymphnodes.  as anyone had any experience with these theropiies and are they recommended? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71246,0.htm jlfrank56 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I need your input. I has Cyberknife surgery on my brain five years ago. I had all the side effects including brain swelling for 6 weeks & hair loss. I have noticed since the procedure, I do not think clearly or make appropriate decions- big time in the last year. In the last year I have given up my career, suffer from anxiety, make irrational decisions; it's just not me anymore. The surgeon performs the MRI's and the tumor is still there, he says but there is no change. He would like to do more treatments, but I am afraid of it. I feel like I am loosing me and think the long term effects are hitting me hard. Un ortunately most people die because the cancer comes back, but I am 40 and trying to hang in there but feel like I am loosing my mind. Please tell me your experieince if you had Cyberknife more then a year ago. Thank you Jennasy http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71148,0.htm jennasy Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I am 52 years old and just lost my beautiful young wife(38) to cervex cancer 28 Sep 2010, we only found out she had cancer 28 May 2010. I did the Hospice deal and spent 2 months by her side. Thankful i did. Now I have just been told I have Squamous cell cancer of the epiglottis. Luckly I just received my PET scan results today and it appears it is just the epiglottis. Like that isn't enough. I am scared about my treatment because I live alone, how much help will I need during treatment? I will be getting Chemo and Radiation Five times a week for 8 weeks no surgery. How long can i expect to continue work and drive myself to appointments? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,54500,0.htm ScaredAgain Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT hello, my mother got cyberknife treatment done for an acoustic neuroma on 7/3/13, she was given 3 sittings of radiation.  she has low grade fever since then, her body temperature is not coming to normal. the doctor suggested to get a blood culture done, but because of anti-biotics the reports were normal and showed no growth. i'm really worried as the doctors are not being able to find out about the cause for her fever. kindly suggest what should be done... thanks rd http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71103,0.htm rd1987 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT A job killer for sure. What can I do now? I'm not sure I can ever try for employment as the employer I had for 4 years,Oats,Incorporated, where I drove a bus, forced me to resign rather than transport a self destructive cllient and even cheated me out of my unemployment benefits with lies from my supervisor and hers. I tried driving part time for another organization, but learned it involved a lot more than driving. I had spasms so bad the first 30 minutes that I had to leave,as I took the meds needed to break the spasms which meant no driving for a while. I am beyond scared as we had our home taken from us a year after we filed chapter 7, all because there is no insurance that replaces an income where I live.  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70852,0.htm commonman1900 Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT My husband finished 7 weeks of radiation at the end of June for throat cancer.  He has a stomach tube for nutrition currently.  He does try to eat every day.  Food will taste OK for the first 4-6 bites, then it tastes bad.  It doesn't matter what food it is, the good taste only lasts for a few bites.  The doctors have said it can take 6 months or longer to recover from the side effects.  Has anyone had the same experience?  Will the bad taste eventually go away.  Suggesting different foods doesn't help; it doesn't matter what he eats, it turns bad tasting.  Thanks. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,68461,0.htm craviola Sat, 29 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT