Radiation Effects

I'm interested in hearing about expierences with radiation effects.  My husband is about 2.5 years in and has a stable MRI and clear PET scan as of today, but symptoms seem to be worse than ever.

Thanks for sharing any information any of you have on this topic!

~Sheri

so you're concerned about the long term effects of radiation? How long ago did he have radiation? What symptoms is he having? What are the doctors saying about the symptoms?

On Feb 06, 2013 7:51 PM sluss910 wrote:

I'm interested in hearing about expierences with radiation effects.  My husband is about 2.5 years in and has a stable MRI and clear PET scan as of today, but symptoms seem to be worse than ever.

Thanks for sharing any information any of you have on this topic!

~Sheri

Sheri

What type of cancer did your husband have? what symptoms is he having? Radiation does have lingering side effects. My pet scans are clear also but I amsure the effects will linger for years. I am six months out of treatment for tongue cancer.

 

gary

Hi Sheri,

I had radiation for tumor on breathing tube near the lung last nov.  Experienced devastating effects to my esophagous. Food did not go down very well, and everything burned, even water. It took 3 wks. to get back to normal. And my oncologist said this could reoccur in the future. Also lost 12 lbs.& have gained back 8. The radiation also took alot of my strengh & resistance away that I don't know if I will get back. Hope your husband does better.

Steve

Hi Sheri. You have`nt said which kind of cancer, but I had radiotherapy every week day for 9 months for prostate cancer. I had no side effects at all, nothing. In fact after each session I went straight back to work. I now have the all clear. Each patient is different. You can suffer loss of appetite, loss of libido, and tiredness, or all three. Good luck, cancer survival rates are improving all the time, and the science is changing almost daily. All the best. 

Sheri

I had my radiation and stereotactic radiosurgery in 1993 for gbmiv.   I'm slower than before but don't know if it's age, surgery(2) or radiation.  my first few years were really up and down.  fairly normal one day toddler like the next.  I think  fatigue, seizures and seizure meds along with brain healing were all factors.  I am fairly normal now some headaches and memory prpblems.  I am now 58 and whenever I mention what I think is a problem people answer "I do that and have all my brain and no radiation" so I don't know what to blame.

I hope things level out soon for your husband. Kathleen

diagnosed july 23 2012    breast cancer    lumpectomy     then chemo   got through first 2 months of interferon AC   worked full time       the next 2 months I had taxol          taxol was rough           done with chemo  and was to start radiation           hgb low got blood    also had pnuemonia with abscess to right mid lobe      in hospital 5 days       home with home health and to continue iv antibiotics at home      getting hercepton at cancer ctr       holding off on radiation for now      I need to get better before they beat me down again     pulmonary and infectious disease drs next week            really want/need to get back to work             radiation somewhat scares me     burns the skin  may get rib fracture  fatigue    varies from person to person     schell

Sheri, Previewing my response didn't work so here I go again. First off congratulations for being 2 plus years out. Yes radiation side effects are still presenting 2 years later. Dan's didn't really show up until 18 months out. He had left frontal lobe tumor. I especially notice right hand issues: writing nearly illegible, typing problems, can't carry cup of coffee w/o spilling, eats left handed at times. Lifting weight at gym right side weakness. He searches for words (zingers come out great thou he feels he's slowed down). Unable to multi task any longer. Even the commotion from preparing dinner is hard for him to endure so I don't cook much. Yea! I could go on but you get the point. Bottom line he's here enjoying life. We're very grateful for the gift of time. I have read radiation side effects can continue to present up to 3 years. Josh has had a few issues on his journey so isn't surprising the side effects are pronounced. Pam

as we, unfortunately, found out - medications can make symptoms look very similar to tumor progression.

too little steroids or too much seizure medication can cause symptoms that look horrific and like "the end is near."  :(

On Feb 06, 2013 8:21 PM gr0619064 wrote:

On Feb 06, 2013 7:51 PM sluss910 wrote:

I'm interested in hearing about expierences with radiation effects.  My husband is about 2.5 years in and has a stable MRI and clear PET scan as of today, but symptoms seem to be worse than ever.

Thanks for sharing any information any of you have on this topic!

~Sheri

Sheri

What type of cancer did your husband have? what symptoms is he having? Radiation does have lingering side effects. My pet scans are clear also but I amsure the effects will linger for years. I am six months out of treatment for tongue cancer.

 

gary

hi gary,,i also had tngue cancer,i had part of tongue removed followed by 6 weeks radiotherapy,i am now 4 yrs in remission,,good luck and stay positive,gerard