Vaginal bleeding after radiotherapy

Hi MrsWoodentop, It might be something to do with the inflammation caused by the radiotherapy. I had paclitaxel/carboplatin but don’t recall any spotting from either. I know sometimes when you start to use the dreaded dilators it can cause some spotting but I suspect you’re not yet at that stage.. Having said all that, I’m not a medic,  so I’d say give your CNS a call - she’ll be in the best position to say what the likely cause is us she will have access to your notes. Hopefully she’ll be able to put your mind at ease. Gentle hugs coming your way. Please let us know how you get on. x

Hi Fairycake,

Thanks for answering.  My oncologist  who I emailed, and the radiologist , who called me today for a follow up chat , both think a bit of spotting is quite a common after effect of  radiotherapy , so I am hoping it's that.

The oncologist said just let him know if it becomes persistent or gets heavy, in which case he would do an examination. I hope that's useful for anyone else that gets the same.

How did you get on with the carboplatin/ paclitaxel ? I have just had my first of that combination,  and am feeling quite rough, on day 4 afterwards. Very tired, achey probably from the immune booster, and background nauseous  though not actually sick, funny taste in my mouth. The meds are keeping the sickness under control. They said days 7 to 10 of the cycle would probably be the worst. What did you find?

xx

Hi Mrs Woodentop,

I haven't had radiotherapy or chemotherapy, but thought you may be interested in the following. When my husband had radiotherapy to his neck it went as hard as rock and took two and half years to get soft again. I dread to think what the inside was like!

My daughter had chemo, but I can't remember what sort! It was for breast cancer and she spent the first week of every cycle in bed!! If she moved she felt sick even with anti sickness drugs. She found she could only cope with little meals, often. By the second week she was pottering around the house, and by the third week you wouldn't have guessed she had anything wrong with her!!  She came down to the kitchen for tea once in week 1, suddenly went white as a sheet, and went back to bed!!! I took tea up to her bed!! That was the pattern through treatment. I found it tough watching her and you have my every sympathy. xxxxx

Hi NannyAnny,

Thanks for answering,  it's helpful to know your husband's and daughter's experiences,  makes me feel more that my reactions are in the range of the normal ones. Also, that it gets better in the end.

I had less reaction with the Cisplatin,  but my oncologist did warn me that the carbo/paclitaxel is stronger. Also its early days for me with recovery from the radiotherapy,  so I will not expect it to be done with just like that. 

I will take it easy. Thanks xxx

Hello

I am sorry that you are feeling rough. 

i had the same cameo therapy session. 

I felt very rough first. I was in lot of bone pain in my legs. I also felt sick but once madication taken , I felt better. 

I started feeling better 2nd week and third week was ok and manageable. 

Please try to drink plenty of water and do try to eat. I found it very difficult to eat and drink. I survived on smoked salmon sandwiches. It tasted better. My daughter used to make me milkshakes. I was able to drink those. My daughter is a consultant. She told me that chemotherapy drugs were effecting my bone marrow. That is why I was getting so much of pain and it will get better. I lost over 2 stones but have gain back now. I also did not enjoy food because it did not taste same. I could not eat spicy food. My skin was very dry and had to apply cream to keep it moist. 

I loved perfumes and creams and nice shower jells but I could not use any of them while on treatment. 

Once the treatment is finished, you will start feeling better. 

Try to be positive and rest whenever you can 

lots of prayers and best wishes 

Rahman x

Hello

I am sorry that you are feeling rough. 

i had the same cameo therapy session. 

I felt very rough first. I was in lot of bone pain in my legs. I also felt sick but once madication taken , I felt better. 

I started feeling better 2nd week and third week was ok and manageable. 

Please try to drink plenty of water and do try to eat. I found it very difficult to eat and drink. I survived on smoked salmon sandwiches. It tasted better. My daughter used to make me milkshakes. I was able to drink those. My daughter is a consultant. She told me that chemotherapy drugs were effecting my bone marrow. That is why I was getting so much of pain and it will get better. I lost over 2 stones but have gain back now. I also did not enjoy food because it did not taste same. I could not eat spicy food. My skin was very dry and had to apply cream to keep it moist. 

I loved perfumes and creams and nice shower jells but I could not use any of them while on treatment. 

Once the treatment is finished, you will start feeling better. 

Try to be positive and rest whenever you can 

lots of prayers and best wishes 

Rahman x

Hi MrsWoodentop,

Those side effects from carbo/taxol sound so familiar. Pineapple (fresh or tinned) is good for dealing with the metallic tastes. Joint pains are common - mine tended to last a week or so. Paracetamol and ibuprofen kept the worst of it under control - if they don't work ask your chemo team for something stronger. Ginger (biscuits or fresh in tea) can help with the background nausea that seems to persist even if you take anti sickness mess (well, it did for me) as can small light meals. I found very fatty or rich foods made me feel unwell. Certain food based smells made me very nauseous in the first few days - my poor husband would ask me what I'd like to eat and cook it but if the smell made me feel sick I'd be unable to eat it. The first 7-10 days were the roughest, after that I'd start to feel better and week 3 was generally the best and when I tried to meet friends, family etc and do nice things. Then, as my nurse said, just as you feel ok they get you again! I lost all my hair by the end of cycle 3 which was very hard  emotionally but the nurses were amazingly supportive. The cumulative fatigue was hard too - I had to curtail my daily walk. Climbing stairs or getting up hills wasn't, easy  (low blood count). If you can, keep well hydrated to flush out your system and try to get a daily walk/exercise in the fresh air if possible - strange as it sounds, hydration and gentle exercise help to combat fatigue.

I usually say chemo was tough but doable - some days were tougher than others,both physically and emotionally. Pace yourself, save your energy for the people and things that matter to you. There's no shame in having a sofa day if you need it.Above all, be kind to yourself. Gentle hugs x

Hi Mrs Woodentop,

Now Fairycake has mentioned it, I can remember my daughter drinking loads of water(Still does). I think she said 2 litres a day plus any cups of tea or coffee. She also nibbled ginger biscuits.

Her hair fell out during the second cycle. She had it shaved off when it got too messy. She bought a blond wig (she is normally dark), but hardly wore it because it was too hot!! After a few weeks she went out with no scarf or wig on and said people could have her as she was!!!! When her hair grew back it was very curly (normally straight), but that wore off. 6 years on she is being sent round the country for work, and you would not think she has gone through all that.  Love xxxxx