R Chop and intrathecal symptoms

Hi StevieP and welcome to this corner of the Community although always sorry to see folks joining us. I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups. I don’t have DLBCL but was diagnosed in 1999 with a rare, incurable but treatable type of NHL (CTCL) Stage 4a so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I know this journey well.

I have had a lot of different treatments over my years but not intrathecal injections...... but a yes to "not normal headaches".

These treatment Side Effects touch our 'whole' body and the body can take a significant hit so no surprises that these things happen. My clinical team advised me to stop driving as my reaction times had slowed along with bad Peripheral Neuropathy in both my hands and feet so it was basically not safe for me to drive......... and I am not sure if my car insurance company would have been very helpful if I had had a incident.

The good thing is that these problems all temporary and will pass and life can move on

Always around to help more or just to chat

Hi Stevie, I assume you have had methotrexate and its know to cause headaches and there can be a number of reasons behind it and hopefully they explained these to you. Some years back they would advised to stay lying down after treatment for a couple of hours but I know others in recent years who were given different advice. 

have you read this guidance

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/intrathecal-chemotherapy

Hello Mike. Thanks for your message. I’m probably worrying about nothing. Each new symptom seems to worry me but I’m more reassured after reading your message. Cheers again

Hi John. Thanks for link. I’ll have a look now

Hello StevieP

My 2nd intrathecal injection caused me to have a have a week long headache with the symptoms you discribed. After I had the infection I was told to lay down in a dark room for at least 30 minutes. I was also told to drink plenty of fluids and a coffee now and again. The coffee helps ease the headache according to the top ward nurse. For my 3rd injection I followed her instructions and I didn't get a headache.

Hope this helps.

Hi MrV

yes my doctor did mention coffee or coke would help. I will give it a go

thanks for the help