Radiation side effects and recovery

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Hi! I am one month out from the last of 33 radiation sessions. While I have done well in some areas…skin, taste return…I have other areas where I have struggled. I still have some mouth patches, I have some fibrosis on my right inner cheek where it is thickened where the sores are, saliva and if you draw a line from mid ear to mid ear on the back of my head, most of my hair fell out below the line except for the very far left side. Most concerning is the fibrosis. I have the vit E/Pent that my onc said would help with fibrosis but I need to give it 3 months. I thought she was talking about muscle tightness in the neck area which I don’t really have a problem with. I googled the inner cheek problem and discovered it is fibrosis that I guess that’s is what she was speaking of!  
Anyone have any of these issues and did they resolve?

  • I have similar in the area of my right jaw "hinge".  It's where the majority of the RT came in.  15 months in it is no better and I have learnt to live with it.  I know it's there but it does not really concern me.  It may be that I have a lesser issue than you. 

    Peter
    See my profile for more details of my convoluted journey
  • 2 years since treatment finished, still have some inner cheek issues, occasional lymphoedema which causes a slight lisp, have less facial hair to shave, dry mouth is still with me, a little soreness in the mouth and throat from time to time but no concerning issues. The new normal for many.

    M

  • Thank you for your reply! I have read that acupuncture can help saliva even after years.