Radiotherapy side effects

Hi Caroline. We are all different and yes, some of us feel discomfort pretty quickly. I didn't get much till the end of week two except after the first day my submandibular salivary glands swelled up so much I looked like a hamster.

It doesn't mean your pain is going to ramp up from now. You might just jog along as you are now for a while. You mention a sedative and a support nurse. It might be that the sickly feeling is because you are so stressed. Just mention it to your radiographers on Monday.

Hi Dani 

Thanks for replying 

I had the sedative and support nurse, coz of the mask I hate how tight and restricting it is, I have to try not to panic, I’m such a baby and no idea why I’m being like this ♀️

The ‘different’ feeling is quite normal Caroline. The scar tissue in the area where your tonsil was removed - the glossotonsillar sulcus - will be affected by the RT. Mine still feels sandpapery sometimes over two years on. Try not to worry too much about it. Wishing you all the best. M

Twelve months ago my husband was diagnosed with Laryngal cancer.  First option Laser surgery, 2 shots and all appeared well.  However on further biopsy it revealed still there and so Radiotherapy agreed.  30 over 6 weeks.  Last Fridayhis 13 treatment sent home with Paracetamol and Oramorph.  Saturday had to phone hotline because pain not being managed.  To cut a long story short Sunday night spent in local A&E in corridor for 20 hours to then be dispatched over to his treatment centre then back home.  Not eating minimal fluids and vomiting.  Friday admitted and NG tube fitted.  All seemed ok.  Last night he started vomiting and brought up tube.  I think connection between Oramorph and vomiting any thoughts.

Gillell said:

 I think connection between Oramorph and vomiting any thoughts

Yes. Morphine made me very nauseous I had the simple antiemetic metoclopramide which took the sting out of it. I did vomit my tube out once and had it replaced. There are numerous anti sickness medicines and hopefully there would be one to suit. Unfortunately opiates can make you sick. 
Is your husband taking laxatives as well because constipation will contribute to nausea. Morphine and drugs like it slow gut motility so there is the added danger if getting bunged up which he doesn’t need. 
The alternative if course is to have a PEG but different trusts have different policies 

Thank you so much for your reply.  Just over a week ago he was coping, from Saturday 18th its been steadily downhill.  Only because of dietician he's been admitted and will be eternally grateful to her.  But when he's mentioned to 2 nurses about the Oramorph they said they have never heard of it.  Thank you again.  I will let you know how he gets on.xx

A dietician caring for a cancer patient hasn’t heard of opiates causing nausea? I’m staggered. Talk to your husbands radiographers tomorrow. They will liaise with the rest if his team and get something organised. When I needed it I was on oramorph and paracetamol every two hours, alternating. This was topped up by long acting morphine twice daily ( some folk had Fentanyl patches) it was a game changer stopping background pain almost entirely. I took two sachets of Laxido which kept me regular. 
Best wishes 

No sorry for confusion its only the dietician who has got my husband admitted,  When my husband has mentioned to nurses attending him today connection with Oramorph and sickness they said they have never heard of it.

oops sorry...Hope he settles down

I had sedation for the first week.  I was terrified but I did find that it gotba lot easier when I understood what happened. The staff were fantastic and got me through.  You'll becsuprised how quickly you get use to it, dread it but you will get better.  Good luck.