Post radiotherapy

Hello Elaine , since having radiotheraphy  for lung cancer in July last year I have had alsorts of varied symptoms, I was advised that some post radiotheraphy side effects would subside but I still have issues,of course mine could be the worsening of the cancer  as I was told after the radiotheraphy that the rightsided cancer was not affected by the treatment, with a poor prognosis. What I would say to you is give it time  rest as much as possible all healing takes time. But it is very frustrating when its happening to you. Good luck with your treatment 

Hi Katie so sorry to hear that, thank you for your advice, take care, good luck for the future x

Hi Elaine

I finished my radiotherapy treatment to a left upper lung lesion in December 2023. I had a few of the early onset side-effects, i.e. tiredness, loss of appetite and a burn in my throat when eating solid food etc., but they passed after a month or so.  I have since developed a late onset side effect of shoulder and arm problems, i.e. feeling similar to a stiff neck, pins and needles in my shoulder radiating down my arm to my hand, but no numbness.  Apparently the radiotherapy has caused brachial plexopathy, which essentially is damage to the brachial nerve branch in the shoulder.  I had similar many year's ago after radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer, so I know the signs.  I am just going to do shoulder and arm exercises I was taught in physiotherapy.  Other than that I am fine and was back to normal within months.

With regard to your symptoms of "shivers, shakes and a cough".  There is a possibility you may have pneumonitis, which is basically inflammation in the lung caused by your radiotherapy treatment.  It's not too worrying, but it does need medication (usually steroids) to reduce the inflammation, so it is important that you tell your cancer management team, or the lung nurse specialist as soon as possible who can then arrange an appointment for you to be examined and treated if necessary.  

Please let us know how you get on.

Best wishes.

Ann 

Hi Ela61

Well done on getting through the radiotherapy.

The radiotherapy is still working on the lung cancer, so some side effects such as tiredness will continue for some time yet.   The cough could be due to  scar tissue/irritation  in the esophagus where the radiotherapy has caught it (in layman's terms  this is sometimes referred to as internal sunburn), or it could be your body getting rid of the scar tissue from the lung.

Not heard of shivers and shakes post radiotherapy though.  It could that you have caught a chill not related to the treatment.  Unfortunately cancer treatment does not provide immunity from the normal day to day ailments e.g a headache is just a normal headache etc.

If you are concerned, then you need to contact your cancer team or your GP.

I hope you start to feel better soon.

Kegsy x