2 years since end of radiotherapy - Still a bit shuffly on feet

Hi Penrod 

sorry can’t help with the problem but so good to hear how well you are after such heroic surgery. 
I hope somebody can pop in to put your mind at rest while you wait for your scan results. 
Leave Google alone tut tut 

Hi Penrod

Welcome to the 2 year club, mine was 31 August this year. Sorry can’t help but with the shuffle snd balance issues. But keep off Dr Google please. 
keep us updated when you get your results please.

Hazel

Hi Penrod

Good to hear from you that things are going reasonably well.

My balance isn't great either and I do know someone else who went through treatment and had/has similar problems.   I'll point her to your post and she may well respond.  Balance issues can be a side/late effect.

I would also suggest you have your thyroid checked as an underactive thyroid is not uncommon after rt to the neck and it can also upset your sense of balance and certainly gave me wobbly legs.  I'm now taking meds for mine which has helped tremendously.

Linda x

You may find a blog written by Dr I Brook helpful.  He has written extensively on side and late effects of rt and chemo, including balance issues.  I know my friend sought some sessions for vestibular rehabilitation for her balance issues after reading it.

Linda x

That’s jolly useful Linda 

the blog is here 

dribrook.blogspot.com/.../radiation-side-effects.html

Thanks both

the "Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy" section on this page  https://dribrook.blogspot.com/p/side-effects-of-chemotherapy.html descibes it quite well, and I see Cisplatin is included as one of the drugs.

I only get mild symptoms though and haven't really got any worse in the last 18 months

I'll just wait and see if the CT scan reveals anything 

Lovely to hear from you Penrod.

I hope you get the balance / shuffling issues resolved ( or at least find out the reason behind them). 

H&N cancer treatment is certainly the gift that keeps on giving. 
My hubby is 10 months post treatment and now suffers from restless legs whilst sleeping. He has medication for it that seems to work but it’s certainly an unusual side effect and at the complete opposite end of the body!!

Hi Penrod, I have been prompted by Linda to reply to your post to hopefully give you some reassurance regarding your balance issues. I’m just over 2 years out of treatment and I still find some balance issues when I’m walking. It has improved for me so I hope it does for you too. 
my legs get trembly sometimes and I wobble. This seems to happen mostly now when I try and exert myself quickly. I still need to go slowly, but I can recognise when it might happen these days. 
Congratulations on the rest of your recovery. You sound good. My last follow up I was reassured that there is still time for improvements. I’m sure your balance will be related to your treatment and nothing new 

Please keep us posted 

best wishes 

missFitz said:

This seems to happen mostly now when I try and exert myself quickly. I still need to go slowly, but I can recognise when it might happen these days. 

Mine tends to be the opposite.

If I'm feeling positive and go out with the plan of having a really brisk walk I tend to be fine.

If I half heartedly go for a walk or do other things that's when I tend to be worse.

I can also be fine if out on a walk, but as soon as I see other people coming towards me I start feeling wobbly again.

It's weird, hard to explain the feeling, like I'm on strings or in a bubble.

Hi Penrod, I’d almost forgotten the really bad period I had with my balance when I had 2 treatments with a neuro physio, she treated me with some exercises for Vestibular Rehabilitation. I’m almost certain the chemo had damaged my inner ears which really affected my balance.

I had, and still do have several other symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness. It make it difficult to isolate which is what and to manage them individually. Anyway, I thought I’d reply again to mention the inner ear issue. I think the paper by Dr Brook that Linda posted helped point me in the right direction.

I don’t know if this helps?

Please update us, I really hope you get some resolve soon 

Best wishes

Carrie