CancerCompass message board discussion started by Cdpb80 on 12/20/2005 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,3787,0.htm Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My husband is undergoing the second 4 week round of treatment for esophageal cancer w/mets to the liver. He normally has a shingles outbreak when stressed- it's really phenomenal now. Has anyone experienced this added attraction with chemo? he's getting Cisplatin and Irinotecan. I'm wondering what they'll be able to give him, anti-viral wise, that won't make him sick...any thoughts welcome! Cdpb80 Tue, 20 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT  On 12/20/2005 Cdpb80 wrote:My husband is undergoing the second 4 week round of treatment for esophageal cancer w/mets to the liver. He normally has a shingles outbreak when stressed- it's really phenomenal now. Has anyone experienced this added attraction with chemo? he's getting Cisplatin and Irinotecan. I'm wondering what they'll be able to give him, anti-viral wise, that won't make him sick...any thoughts welcome!By the date on your email I can guess you have had an answer by now. But, I thought I would give it a shot anyway.Yes I did contract shingles during my chemo treatment, not once, not twice, not three times but FOUR outbreaks of shingles.  It would no more than clear up and bam! I would get it again.  More importantly though is the permanent pain I have been left with because of the shingles.  It has taken visits to my oncologist, my neurologist, my internist and an orthopedic surgeon... and my own in-depth research to determine that the chronic pain I live with is a result of the shingles contracted during chemo.  The pain is constant; I am on a very strong pain medication and nerve medication and will probably remain on both the rest of my life.At first, they thought it was just temporary pain and would diminish over time.  After 2 years it showed no signs of decreasing and they had to tackle the problem.  They even tried to pin it on a mental well being sort of thing.  I knew I was not imagining the pain.  They tried to tell me I had arthritis, but the pain is not just in my joints.  It is from my waist down to my toes; in my hips and legs. And, it is a burning/wet/cold, highly sensitized pain.. My oncologist FINALLY figured it out when she went back to other patients' records (I badgered all of my doctors for over 2 years...until someone came up with an answer!)Knowing what has caused this has helped so much.  Evidently, this is not common but it does occur.  and thankfully I can live my life and manage the pain.  I hope your husband is well and living a wonderfully healthy life.  I am in remission and say Thank You, God every day for having another chance at life.  Even if it is with chronic pain..You know, that's not so bad....Take care    Melrowsplace Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT