Effects of Radiation Long Term

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ljoy
ljoy Member Posts: 94
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I'm a nine year survivor of tonsil cancer and have a new problem as a result of radiation treatment. I had a cold back in the spring and had to have a tube placed in my right ear. It was full of fluid and would not re-absorb. The past two weeks I have had a sore throat and once agained noticed my right ear feeling stopped up. Saw my ENT yesterday. The tube placed in March had come out of my ear. It again had fluid in it. This time they placed a T-tube in my ear which is supposed to last for up to two years.

Now the interesting part. My ENT believes the problem is the result of radiation. It has damaged the fibers and tissue in the  Estatucion tube in the ear so it no longer functions properly. Also have a lot of nasal reflux when eating. This is also a result of radiation damage to muscle and tissue in the throat preventing proper closer during swallowing. Very interesting. The good news is my throat is fine and shows no signs of any reacurrance. Just a virus.

As we continue our lives as cancer survivors don't be surprised if there are still some minor challenges in our journey.

 

 

Comments

  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
    #2
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    One of the gifts that keep on giving

    Separately or in combination, radiation + chemo therapy are truly the gifts that keep on giving. They save countless lives but at the same time lead to a large number of side effects, some of which surface early and some of which might take years to appear.  Some come and go, and some hang around for a long time or forever. The best you can do is know what symptoms you might experience and to see your doctors as soon as you think something is going on.  There is no way to predict what might happen, or when, so be on the lookout and be sure to ask your doctors, no matter how small the sympton is at the beginning.

    Mike

     

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
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    Radiation side effects

    I just passed the 12 year mark of my first radiation treatment and 10 years passed the second. Talk about side effects I have them all and yes I have problems with both ears, the left ear was so damaged that when the tube came out it took 1/3 of the ear drum with it. But all in all I thank God everyday for being able to get up in the morning and go to work. I have a lot of problems but I also have a lot of people at Home, Church, and at Work, that love me and understand my problems.

    God Bless my friend

    Tim Hondo

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 727 Member
    #4
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    Hondo said:

    Radiation side effects

    I just passed the 12 year mark of my first radiation treatment and 10 years passed the second. Talk about side effects I have them all and yes I have problems with both ears, the left ear was so damaged that when the tube came out it took 1/3 of the ear drum with it. But all in all I thank God everyday for being able to get up in the morning and go to work. I have a lot of problems but I also have a lot of people at Home, Church, and at Work, that love me and understand my problems.

    God Bless my friend

    Tim Hondo

    After Effects

    This is a good topic of discussion because almost all of us have had radiation.  My question is, does the radiation effects ever get less as time goes by or does it stay somewhat level?

    Meaning, does the body heal itself from the damage or is it more like the rads just stay inside forever?  My concern is mostly about my teeth.  I had a tooth pulled several weeks ago and it healed up just fine.  If by chance I wanted to have one of those implant teeth inserted would me jaw heal better now or wait for a few years?

    To really sum it up, does radiation diminish over time?

     

    Funny how I've not read this before here.

     

    Heal well Tim, you're always in my prayers.

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