Headaches during Radiation

hellomykitty

I am on my 13th day of radiation therapy for breast cancer. I have been having severe headaches during the last two weeks, and this morning woke up with one. I was not stressed-out and slept well. I hardly ever have had headaches in my entire life, so I believe this must be associated. It seems that whenever I ask the nurse or doctor, their constant reply is, "It has nothing to do with the radiation", or, "It is too soon for you to start having any side effects." I personally think it is too much of a coincidence to not be related.
Thanks for any feedback.

Angie2U

I am not a doctor, but, I
I am not a doctor, but, I don't think that headaches are related to rads, unless you might be having them done on your head. It could be nerves, stress, sinus's, change in weather or many other things. If they continue, you might ask your oncologist for a brain scan, just to check things out. Good luck!

calvertcrafts

headaches
I too had headaches during radiation and they also told me it wasn't from the rads. I told them that I was not a person prone to headaches, therefore it must be from rads and I needed something to control them. After being nice but firm the doc gave me a prescription for something stronger than tylenol.

jnl

calvertcrafts said:

headaches
I too had headaches during radiation and they also told me it wasn't from the rads. I told them that I was not a person prone to headaches, therefore it must be from rads and I needed something to control them. After being nice but firm the doc gave me a prescription for something stronger than tylenol.

I've never heard of rads
I've never heard of rads giving you a headache either. Headaches can be from so many other things. Try taking something perhaps stronger than aspirin. Or, it could be just your nerves. Hope they go away.

Hugs, Leeza

Tinkerwoman1

calvertcrafts said:

headaches
I too had headaches during radiation and they also told me it wasn't from the rads. I told them that I was not a person prone to headaches, therefore it must be from rads and I needed something to control them. After being nice but firm the doc gave me a prescription for something stronger than tylenol.

Headaches with radiation treatment for breast cancer

I too began having headaches about 1/2 way into the 33 treatmnts. Mentioned this to the doctor and technicians and was told they weren't caused by the treatment yet I'm reading others having the same symptoms. Now that treatment is over I continue to have headaches at the same time every day? Was only having them at night but now wake up with a headache. I've been taking 1/2 of the hydrocodone from the surgery but DO NOT want to rely on them. Aspirin and or Aleve do nothng to relieve the headache. Radiation oncologist was willing to give me a brain scan but I said no. Now now so sure. May ask the medical oncologist for one when I see him mid March...hopefully the headaches will subside before then and there won't be a need for the scan. But they keep getting worse so ... I sure don't want to be a hypocondriac over this.

Tinkerwoman1

jnl said:

I've never heard of rads
I've never heard of rads giving you a headache either. Headaches can be from so many other things. Try taking something perhaps stronger than aspirin. Or, it could be just your nerves. Hope they go away.

Hugs, Leeza

Headaches with radiation treatment for breast cancer

Don't think my headaches are from nerves though. I understand while have treatment but it's been a week since my last treatment and the headaches are getting worse. Morning and night whereas they were only at night at the same time each night.

disneyfan2008

sorry to hear of your

sorry to hear of your headaches. I must say I was very fortunate I did not get any side effects at all from radiation. (8wks)

I did not burn, chap, fatigue etc. I am one of the thankful lucky ones..

 

I am sure you will get some good advice with this posting..

 

Denise

disneyfan2008

sorry to hear of your

sorry to hear of your headaches. I must say I was very fortunate I did not get any side effects at all from radiation. (8wks)

I did not burn, chap, fatigue etc. I am one of the thankful lucky ones..

 

I am sure you will get some good advice with this posting..

 

Denise

LC814

Tinkerwoman1 said:

Headaches with radiation treatment for breast cancer

I too began having headaches about 1/2 way into the 33 treatmnts. Mentioned this to the doctor and technicians and was told they weren't caused by the treatment yet I'm reading others having the same symptoms. Now that treatment is over I continue to have headaches at the same time every day? Was only having them at night but now wake up with a headache. I've been taking 1/2 of the hydrocodone from the surgery but DO NOT want to rely on them. Aspirin and or Aleve do nothng to relieve the headache. Radiation oncologist was willing to give me a brain scan but I said no. Now now so sure. May ask the medical oncologist for one when I see him mid March...hopefully the headaches will subside before then and there won't be a need for the scan. But they keep getting worse so ... I sure don't want to be a hypocondriac over this.

Headaches to Migraines

Your not alone, I've been fighting migraines since I finished my 34 rads.  I had hardly any side effects from rads but fatigue and a slight headache during treatment. Half way through and The headaches began getting worse, and alieve and tylenol didnt do anything.  the Radiation Oncologist said it wasnt related, and just probably due to the change in weather after hurricane sandy.

I'm finished with Rads now, but still suffering from migraines..... I go back to my Medical Oncologist in April, and hopefully she will be able to find the solution for these Migraines

((Huggs))

Liz

Tinkerwoman1

Tinkerwoman1 said:

Headaches with radiation treatment for breast cancer

I too began having headaches about 1/2 way into the 33 treatmnts. Mentioned this to the doctor and technicians and was told they weren't caused by the treatment yet I'm reading others having the same symptoms. Now that treatment is over I continue to have headaches at the same time every day? Was only having them at night but now wake up with a headache. I've been taking 1/2 of the hydrocodone from the surgery but DO NOT want to rely on them. Aspirin and or Aleve do nothng to relieve the headache. Radiation oncologist was willing to give me a brain scan but I said no. Now now so sure. May ask the medical oncologist for one when I see him mid March...hopefully the headaches will subside before then and there won't be a need for the scan. But they keep getting worse so ... I sure don't want to be a hypocondriac over this.

Bupap

Primary prescribed Bupap for the "tension headaches"...would have thought I'd have had them when first diagnosed wth breast cancer. Just seems odd they came on during the radiation treatment. Hydrcodone Acetomiophen is the only thing that eliminates the the pain. Bupap only helps for 2 hours and I'm not supposed to take them ever 4 hours so a waste. Not happy about depending on the hydrocodone but until I speak with the oncologist that's what I'll take. Can't function with my head pounding constantly. What I found odd wat the headaches would begin almost exactly 12 hours after a treatment. Honestly, the headaches have been the worse result of the cancer diagnosis, surgery, recovery and radiation treatment. Didn't have the skin issues some patients reported. 

Tinkerwoman1

Tinkerwoman1 said:

Headaches with radiation treatment for breast cancer

I too began having headaches about 1/2 way into the 33 treatmnts. Mentioned this to the doctor and technicians and was told they weren't caused by the treatment yet I'm reading others having the same symptoms. Now that treatment is over I continue to have headaches at the same time every day? Was only having them at night but now wake up with a headache. I've been taking 1/2 of the hydrocodone from the surgery but DO NOT want to rely on them. Aspirin and or Aleve do nothng to relieve the headache. Radiation oncologist was willing to give me a brain scan but I said no. Now now so sure. May ask the medical oncologist for one when I see him mid March...hopefully the headaches will subside before then and there won't be a need for the scan. But they keep getting worse so ... I sure don't want to be a hypocondriac over this.

Bupap

Primary prescribed Bupap for the "tension headaches"...would have thought I'd have had them when first diagnosed wth breast cancer. Just seems odd they came on during the radiation treatment. Hydrcodone Acetomiophen is the only thing that eliminates the the pain. Bupap only helps for 2 hours and I'm not supposed to take them ever 4 hours so a waste. Not happy about depending on the hydrocodone but until I speak with the oncologist that's what I'll take. Can't function with my head pounding constantly. What I found odd wat the headaches would begin almost exactly 12 hours after a treatment. Honestly, the headaches have been the worse result of the cancer diagnosis, surgery, recovery and radiation treatment. Didn't have the skin issues some patients reported. 

Maureen100

Headaches

I am also having sever headaches 1/2 way through my therapy. I wake up feeling fine and they come on mid morning. I am going to try Excedrin Migraine tomorrow as that was suggested.

RusselRagrats

Tinkerwoman1 said:

Headaches with radiation treatment for breast cancer

Don't think my headaches are from nerves though. I understand while have treatment but it's been a week since my last treatment and the headaches are getting worse. Morning and night whereas they were only at night at the same time each night.

I know what it feels like

I know what it feels like having a very bad headache that I can't stand the pain. The best thing you should do is see your doctor and tell about the persisting headcahe.

 

 

www.myelomacrowd.org

mdqxx

Even though this post is old,

Even though this post is old, replied might help others.  I am halfway through rad course and had headaches from the first.  The fatigue is overwhelming and cannot be slept away...it is the effects of radiation.  I also am experiencing nausea and dizziness when I stand.  I want to quit as I am quite miserable.  I hope others who do not experience these side effects. Not discount a patients experiences, however different it is, or play down suffering or symptoms.  I feel from talking to other patients that their side effects are not acknowledged adequately, patients feel guilty for having symptoms they are told is "uncommon." Overall, from all medical professionals involved, I have found disclosures and discussion of options. Drawbacks, side- effects to be lacking.n

justju

mdqxx said:

Even though this post is old,

Even though this post is old, replied might help others.  I am halfway through rad course and had headaches from the first.  The fatigue is overwhelming and cannot be slept away...it is the effects of radiation.  I also am experiencing nausea and dizziness when I stand.  I want to quit as I am quite miserable.  I hope others who do not experience these side effects. Not discount a patients experiences, however different it is, or play down suffering or symptoms.  I feel from talking to other patients that their side effects are not acknowledged adequately, patients feel guilty for having symptoms they are told is "uncommon." Overall, from all medical professionals involved, I have found disclosures and discussion of options. Drawbacks, side- effects to be lacking.n

Dont give up.I know how you feel.

By chance came across this post after spending ages on the net trying to find out about headaches from radiotherapy. 

I had cancer in both of my breasts and was fortunate for it not to have spread.I underwent radiotherapy nine weeks ago and i still have headaches. They started a couple of days into treatment along with nausea. My breast care nurse told me i must have a stomach bug and said it wouldnt be the radiotherapy.I asked a radiographer who said it was common to have nausea with rad treatment and i was given anti sickness pills.I lost heart with my nurse!! Having both sides zapped made it a much larger area of the body to treat.

The headaches have been quite unbearable,not a sort of headache i have experienced before.They have eased off a bit now after 9 weeks but have not gone away completely. My own GP has arranged for me to have a CT scan of my head just to be on the safe side. I was given stronger painkillers.

I still have heat in both of my breasts as well.Im hoping it will all settle down eventually as i long to go back to work but i know at present i would find it very difficult as i support a five year old with autism. I have my oncology check up Monday.Had to come off Tamoxifen as that made everthing worse. 

Its been a lot harder than i thought but you will get there it just takes time and we are all different and ive been told to be kinder to myself and not to expect so much,which im not very good at.

Hope you can do the same.

beachlover48

Headaches during radiation

Good to see others have had the same experience. Keep hearing from radiation oncologist that headaches are not related to the radiation treatments even though my body tells me otherwise. I do have chronic headaches that were under control before radiation began. Had a script for hydrocodone and rarely had to take any. Have just called the neurologist to ask for a refill of the hydrocodone as the multitude of over the counter remedies are just not working.

 

demgem

headaches during and after radiation

Why do the professionals not recognise radiation treatment to the breast causes headaches?  Ten weeks after treatment I still have 24 hour headaches . Today I saw my oncologist and she would not admit ithey were due to the treatment. I limit the painkillers as they have side effects, Hoping the pain will recede soon. Good to know I am not alone.

Mariangel43

Radiation headaches

Hi, ladies.  It is not common to have radiation headaches from the onset of treatment.  However, you cannot say they are not side effects either.  I have been reading about biological effects of radiation on matter; regarding human beings, the most resistant system is the neuromuscular system (nervous system and muscles).  But they can be affected.  Some people are more resistant to rad than others too.  

One of the recommendations we have before starting treatment is to get hydrated every day.  Radiation dehydrates the body or part that is irradiated.   And dehydration leads to headaches.  So, do not ignore or devalue your symptoms.  

I have had the same reaction from professionals concerning some drug side effects. For example, allergies are mostly skin related.  If I have a penicillin shot, 15 minutes later I will drop to the floor with hypotension.  Aspirin causes me a temporary quadriplegia.  Cortisone products burns all the fat in my body and creates a severe hormone imbalance. Those are symptoms that are not included in the list of side effects of those drugs.  I tell them and they in turn should notify the company producing them. If they (physicians) don't want to believe me, I'm sorry for them.  I won't take the medication.  

I do believe you.  I didn't have RT because I understood that the dose they were giving me was too high (conventional, external beam (not IMRT) 28 or more 1.8 fractions).  I am very sensitive to radiation.  I used to work in medical physics (used radioactive pills in diagnosis) and generally ended having an overdose of radiation every other month.  So I changed profession and began teaching science.  

Let yourselves be heard.  Some day they will be hearing you and will acknowledge your complaint.

 Mariangel

rhoinman214

Rad headaches

I too am having headaches almost daily right after my breast cancer radiation therapy.  Have also had a couple of days where I was queezy a couple of hours after a therapy.  Didnt have headaches before I started the radiation so I feel they are from them or maybe from dehydration from them.  I do drink almost a gallon of water daily though!!

Tink74

rhoinman214 said:

Rad headaches

I too am having headaches almost daily right after my breast cancer radiation therapy.  Have also had a couple of days where I was queezy a couple of hours after a therapy.  Didnt have headaches before I started the radiation so I feel they are from them or maybe from dehydration from them.  I do drink almost a gallon of water daily though!!

My dad had rad over a year

My dad had rad over a year ago on lungs he has had a headache everyday since then. He is tried every pain med but Excedrin helps the most never takes it totally away just eases the pain

claymore

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1573830#Comment_1573830

I have experienced 3 separate instances with radiation treatment and a very specific “flavor” of headache. The first was 14 years ago and was of my head. The second was 4 years ago of my stomach. The most recent is of my prostate. As others have already shared, total denial of any connection with radiation and headaches! The medical profession is very litigation savvy. Everyone always blames the other specialists and is very quick to dismiss any of these experiences. These headaches always begin within the first few sessions. The sensation I have is unlike any other type of headache pain. I refer to it as my “radiation headache”. The symptoms are situated between my eyes and my temples and often involve my stomach. It feels like metal plates in my head. The eye sockets hurt and I may belch and feel like I will vomit, but I don’t. As the sessions increase, the frequency and duration also increases. I have just completed 25 sessions of about 3 minutes each for a total of about 60-75 minutes of external beam radiation. I will undergo the brachytherapy seed implant in about 3 weeks. I am concerned because I understand that the intensity will be very high for the first 10 days. The only way I can get any relief from the headaches is to sleep. With most modern procedures, the physicians deliberately don’t explain all the consequences of these procedures. The doctors and nurses have been candid with me and explained “if we explained everything that the patient would endure, then no one would consent to treatment!” I recommend that you keep a journal and record your diet, symptoms, and note the time and describe your headaches to the best of your ability. Be as complete as possible. Don’t leave out anything, even if you think it is not possible to be connected to your headaches. As for neurologists, they are about 100 years behind the other specialists. If it ain’t epilepsy, they don’t have any tools to help! Never believe that the people treating you have special insights that you could never attain. With the internet and a basic understanding of academic citations and bibliography- you are more than capable of conducting your own research!! Do I sometimes wish that the people who administer radiation or chemotherapy could experience 10 days of treatment to gain empathy and insights into our experience!? Yes I do. You are not a hypochondriac or psychosomatic! Don’t allow the experts to bully you.