16 months post treatment Folate Deficiency

Hi Nix. I’m sure all these things are treatment related. 
I have reflux for which I’m permanently on Lansoprazole. With reduced saliva which is alkaline our stomach pH is deranged and digestive upsets are common. 
PPIs reduce stomach acid as their mode of action and this can lead to folate deficiency because the vitamin is best absorbed in the low pH of a normal stomach. 
Don’t forget that reflux can cause LPR leading to chest pain, coughing and painful mouth and throat. 
You could consider thrush as well. Might be worth mentioning that to your GP

To avoid all this I take PPI folate and vitamin D 

I also have my thyroid levels tested every year because RT can cause hypothyroidism and take precautions to keep my BP and cholesterol low to avoid atheroma which can affect the carotid arteries after RT

The treatment that keeps on giving, eh? 
You couldn’t make it up ! 
Nevertheless I am well and thriving. 
Hope some of this helps. 

Thankyou Dani, this is really helpful.  I hate all the late effects which we’re having to endure. As you say, we’ve survived it so far, I’m glad you’re thriving, I’m not quite there yet, day by day. 

NixtheNoo said:

I’m glad you’re thriving, I’m not quite there yet, day by day. 

You WILL get there.

I used to fill my late Mum's pill organiser and we used to joke about the multicoloured array. I now look at the pills I down every day when before I got ill I ran for pleasure and never even looked at a paracetamol 

But hey, it's a small price to pay. We just have to look after ourselves a little better.

Hi Nix happy new year. 
A timely reminder for all of us our  thyroid s bloods need checking annually I had mine  done in December with results given  to me on Monday.We have to be proactive in having bloods re done inspite of me saying I need TSH and T4 bloods checking they only did the TSH which is rising slight every year. This is a case of them not reading or listening my oncologist wrote to gp reiterated that I need them. 
So reminder to all who have had radiotherapy. 
I too like Dani pre treatment rarely took meds apart from one blood pressure tablet . I m now also on ppi for reflux and statins for cholesterol again oncologist advise due to treatment that could affect our carotid artery. 
I’m still cycling but not as far. 
I’ve a small amount of radiation fibrosis at back of neck it’s manageable. I do my swallow and jaw exercises several times a day.

As we say. The cancer that keeps on giving but we’re here and I’m living a good life. 

Best wishes for appointment fingers x all ok 

hugs 

Hazel