After effects from treatment for chemo and radio

Hi Trev I had the dizzy effects last year and was told by my cardiologist not to get up to quickly . I was txing my daughter and literally stood up and went out to the kitchen to put the kettle on in a hurry  . I just remember head butting the  kitchen door knob and splitting the finger plate in two. Fortunately no damage done.  Sounds like you are well on the mend. Thanks All the Best Regards Min 

Definitely get up slow! That sounds nasty, I had four or five.times.where.i nearly fell from dizziness

I am on the mend min but I remember how hard the early months were so do know how hard it is for you. 

My first post on here was musing about refusing treatment! and when a colleague on teams asked me how I was doing a few weeks after treatment I almost broke down I was so low

Holding down a job killed me even though I was only doing 20 to 30 hours

The point I am trying to make is that although progress is slow, it does happen.

At some point you will find your pain has pretty much gone (I had a period where I was pain free unless I yawned which hurt like hell)

At some point things will start tasting right again. Food will not just be fuel again at some point.

5 months ago I never imagined I would ever again be eating fish and chips, even the carrot in oxtail soup caused me problems

But it happened and it will for you too.

TrevW said:

My first post on here was musing about refusing treatment! and when a colleague on teams asked me how I was doing a few weeks after treatment I almost broke down I was so low

Hi Trev. I remember your first post and the second half of your sentence rings so true. For the blokes too it must be extra hard as they are societally expected to "be strong"

It's a very encouraging post though and gives so much hope to all the folk following in your footsteps.

I know for myself if it hadn't been for all the kind people here I would have been in a real mess for far longer than I was

Hi Trev ,Yes I was blessed no damage done. I have been very fortunate with the treatment so far and just putting down  all the hiccups as a learning curve. Pain wise I am pretty good but have to start eating soon like this week ideally . All The Best Regards Min 

Hi Min.

Thanks for starting this thread. It’s very interesting to read about people’s different experiences. At nearly 9 weeks post-treatment my main remaining side effects are the dry mouth at night, stiff neck, sore throat, lymphodema under the chin and very unpredictable bowels, which particularly worries me. (I’ve been off morphine now for three weeks so it can’t be that that’s affecting me.)

I haven’t taken any painkillers at all this week. As I said, my throat is sore but only mildly so and as long as I stay off abrasive food (eg the wife’s carrot cake!) it’s bearable. Dark chocolate near (what was) my right tonsil nearly sent me through the roof just a couple of weeks ago but now it’s fine. I still daren’t try pineapple juice though! 

So yes, progress can be microscopically slow, even backwards at times, but things improve. As it’s often said in here, we’re all different. 

Hi MarkEl I was on laxido 3 sachets a day  which worked fine , I had to pack up the co codamal as they were killing my throat and the dissolvable ones made me ill . So I stopped altogether and just took the morphine granules in the morning and the oramorph probably twice a day which had been ok. I have since found out the sachet that I split for a morning and evening dose , I should have been taking 2 sachets instead of one. I am now taking more oramorph for the pain and the doctor said I might need stronger morphine granules . Everything seems to get done after its to late All the Best Regards Min 

Hi Min

The dizziness etc after treatment is quite a common one.  I have become much more aware of how to deal with it now so standing up slowly and no sudden movements.  If a spell comes on I just sit or crouch down until it passes.  Keeping well hydrated is recommended too as well as gentle exercise. 

Do be aware of the importance of regular blood pressure checks as well as blood tests.  I had a spell about 4/5 months into recovery when I felt incredibly unwell, especially when out walking.  Blood tests revealed hypothyroidism for which I now take medication - another fairly common late effect of treatment. 

Linda x

Yes Min. I was on a lot of Laxido whilst on the morphine. I’m just hoping that is why my bowels are as they are! There’s not really much about this treatment that is nice is there, other than it’s meant to make us well again! 

Hi MarkEL I did have a drop of blood from the rear and obviously ones mind goes into over draft and I thought maybe its cancer lol. Yes its like taking us as low as we can go and then recover. Our  bodies have been through the mill big time so I suppose its not to much asking for time for it to recover . All the Best regards Min 

Hi Min 

I am going on for 12 years past initial treatments.  I still have low level tinnitus,( hissing noise).  My nose can bleed a bit as it is more fragile as my sinus area was where my surgery and radiotherapy was preformed. I developed dry eye 5years down the line and now need specks for distance as I got a bit of double vision.  I explained to someone that every sense on my face and function had been effected by my treatment. This kept it short for me so I would not have to go into too much detail to the outside world.

Rest for recovery - it took me a while as these treatments are tough as we all experience.  Little by little I got myself back.

Best wishes

Nicky