I had my hysterectomy in Jan 22, and radio April-May 22. At my Dec 22 check up I mentioned to the oncologist that I was feeling a bit tired still, so she requested a repeat thyroid function test (I am already hypothyroid). My GP likes to get good value from blood tests so decided to also add in a full blood count and B12 check. Thyroid came back normal, B12 was borderline OK, but my white cell count was slightly low (below normal). A repeat full blood count after 6 weeks gave the same result. My GP was concerned it could be some kind of infection even though I had no symptoms. I mentioned having had radio but he was a bit dismissive and said it was usually with chemo that that could happen. I then started taking a vitamin B complex supplement in case it would help. A second repeat 6 weeks after that showed a slight improvement, which was a relief, and a third repeat 6 weeks later (mid June) showed another slight improvement, almost normal. My B12 had improved too, I saw my oncologist last Friday for my check up, and told her about it, and she said that because the area covered by pelvic radiotherapy involves quite a lot of bone, and that means the bone marrow can be affected, resulting in lower white cell production. I’m almost back to normal now and not at all concerned, but I thought I’d mention it here as I’d not seen it mentioned here before.
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Hi Marmitefan59,
Thanks for sharing. I had very low white blood cells after both chemo and after radiotherapy. I was told that the chemo attacks the bone marrow in your hip bones where it is made and that it is common to have bloods that come back low after pelvic radiotherapy for a similar reason. I was told it was going to take a few months after treatment finished for the blood cells to be getting back to normal as they are being affected quicker than the time it takes them to be made.
I had problems with neutropenia, haemoglobin levels and with magnesium. I was given supplements and a blood transfusion. At my last appointment I did ask whether it would be worth taking B12 because of peripheral neuropathy- I had heard that it helps with nerves- but was told it wouldn't harm me but wouldn't do much good. Instead I discussed taking a multi vitamin, multi mineral and calcium/vit D for bones. They said this was a good idea as the bones are affected by the radiotherapy.
Jane
Hi Plod,
If you go to the diagnosis and treatment section of the Womb cancer forum - there is a thread on pelvic radiotherapy that may help. I will put a link for you.
(+) Radiotherapy Support Thread (inc. Brachytherapy) - Macmillan Online Community
If you post on there any questions you have we will be able to offer you some support. I had pelvic radiotherapy in Aug/Sept 2022. I found it hard at times, very tiring (25 sessions). Main side effects for me apart from the fatigue were an irritated bladder and diarrhoea. I am now 9 months from the end of radiotherapy and I still have a few problems but I mainly control these through diet. People seem to vary in how they react to the radiotherapy but there is support there and they can give you medication to help with side effects.
I would advice against googling for information as some of it out there is not accurate. I will pop a link for some info in case you need it
Radiotherapy for womb cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
I can understand how you are feeling before your treatment starts- I was really nervous but in reality it was a different experience, the radiotherapists look after you so well and I found that I started to see the same faces each day and it helped to chat and share our journey's together. For me the fear of a recurrence was worse than the possible side effects from treatment.
Good Luck
Jane
Google is always a mistake. I scared myself silly looking on there before I found Macmillan! And none of what I read related to what I actually experienced
