The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Fever

alwaysforhim
alwaysforhim CSN Member Posts: 14
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Good Morning all. My husband is out of treatment now for stage IV neck cancer. His last radiation treatment was 3 weeks ago, last chemo same time. Yesterday he started running a fever of 100.8. I know during treatment we were told to notify the oncologist anytime his temperature went over 100. Spouse did not want me to call, saying it isn't a big deal. To me it is. Is it common to run a fever after treatment? I have been reading this forum since his treatment began, and found it quite helpful. In fact, information I have read has been more accurate then what the docs told us to expect. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Like Care

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 CSN Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Fever
    I would say that if he still is running a fever, that it never hurts to get checked out. He quite possible has an infection or something going on.

    At minimal call in, they might just have him take a Tylenol or similar first.

    Stay proactive.

    Best,
    John
    Like Care
  • johnlax38
    johnlax38 CSN Member Posts: 136
    #3
    I would not say it's normal
    I would not say it's normal to run a fever but its normal for the inflammatory system to flair up because of radiation and chemo. This causes fever like symptoms where your head will feel very hot and temperatures will rise. My oncologist said this is to be expected for a while, I haven't had radiation for almost 8 weeks now and I flair up every night. Its not a bad fever but my face gets hot, my neck and my head. Children's Tylenol can help calm it down quite fast if it gets to be a pain to deal with. I would check with the doc to see how long this is to be expected. I was told not to worry unless fever hit 101.0+.

    Hope all goes well :)
    Like Care
  • RushFan
    RushFan CSN Member Posts: 224 Member
    #4
    johnlax38 said:

    I would not say it's normal
    I would not say it's normal to run a fever but its normal for the inflammatory system to flair up because of radiation and chemo. This causes fever like symptoms where your head will feel very hot and temperatures will rise. My oncologist said this is to be expected for a while, I haven't had radiation for almost 8 weeks now and I flair up every night. Its not a bad fever but my face gets hot, my neck and my head. Children's Tylenol can help calm it down quite fast if it gets to be a pain to deal with. I would check with the doc to see how long this is to be expected. I was told not to worry unless fever hit 101.0+.

    Hope all goes well :)

    I would call.
    I had a sinus infection about three weeks post treatment...that I put off for one week. Bad move. I finally called, got some anitbiotics and cleared it up, but not before losing a week of recovery...that thing really set me back.

    Hope all goes well.
    Chuck.
    Like Care
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster CSN Member Posts: 973
    #5
    AFH
    I had nasty hot and cold flushes post treatment but I really think it was caused by withdrawal from the pain meds I had been on as I was on Morphine for quite a while.

    Saying that, I would definitely get him to see the Doctor as the possible causes of fever are many. He is in a weak condition after the brutal treatment so is susceptible to infections.

    Regds
    Scam
    Like Care
  • alwaysforhim
    alwaysforhim CSN Member Posts: 14
    #6
    Scambuster said:

    AFH
    I had nasty hot and cold flushes post treatment but I really think it was caused by withdrawal from the pain meds I had been on as I was on Morphine for quite a while.

    Saying that, I would definitely get him to see the Doctor as the possible causes of fever are many. He is in a weak condition after the brutal treatment so is susceptible to infections.

    Regds
    Scam

    Thank you!
    I do appreciate everyone's input on this. You are right, the treatment was brutal and I have become a little (okay alot) protective. He is going in for a catscan at the cancer center where he received treatment today, and I might just hint to the nurse he is running a fever :)
    Like Care
  • Hal61
    Hal61 CSN Member Posts: 655
    #7
    Scambuster said:

    AFH
    I had nasty hot and cold flushes post treatment but I really think it was caused by withdrawal from the pain meds I had been on as I was on Morphine for quite a while.

    Saying that, I would definitely get him to see the Doctor as the possible causes of fever are many. He is in a weak condition after the brutal treatment so is susceptible to infections.

    Regds
    Scam

    Photo
    That's a mighty cute girl you've got there Scam, but that kitty on your left looks might it get a little large from the paw size.

    Hal
    Like Care
  • Hondo
    Hondo CSN Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    Fever
    I too agree, it don’t hurt to call, sometimes it is nothing and sometimes it is infection. You must remember his immune system is still weak from all the treatment.
    Like Care
  • dennis318
    dennis318 CSN Member Posts: 349 Member
    #9
    Hondo said:

    Fever
    I too agree, it don’t hurt to call, sometimes it is nothing and sometimes it is infection. You must remember his immune system is still weak from all the treatment.

    New Pic Hondo
    I finally got the new pic up Hondo, Hard to believe the guy you saw in the kahkee attire last fall was me, Here I am with my Son, on the right in the orange, this is what my cancer did to me, I have gained 18 lbs, and hope that trach comes out Monday, thats whats behind the hankerchief, what cancer can do in less than 8 months is a living hell...Dennis
    Like Care
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass CSN Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #10
    dennis318 said:

    New Pic Hondo
    I finally got the new pic up Hondo, Hard to believe the guy you saw in the kahkee attire last fall was me, Here I am with my Son, on the right in the orange, this is what my cancer did to me, I have gained 18 lbs, and hope that trach comes out Monday, thats whats behind the hankerchief, what cancer can do in less than 8 months is a living hell...Dennis

    Fever
    U of Iowa regards 101 as breakpoint- anything less, ho-hum, but any kinda sustained 101- notify the Drs. immediately, or get to an ER. 101+ means the fights gotten a bit too much, in the eyes of Iowa City, and has gone from typical to serious business. That is the standard.

    kcass
    Like Care
  • Hondo
    Hondo CSN Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #11
    dennis318 said:

    New Pic Hondo
    I finally got the new pic up Hondo, Hard to believe the guy you saw in the kahkee attire last fall was me, Here I am with my Son, on the right in the orange, this is what my cancer did to me, I have gained 18 lbs, and hope that trach comes out Monday, thats whats behind the hankerchief, what cancer can do in less than 8 months is a living hell...Dennis

    Dennis
    You look really good my friend, gained 18 lbs that is great news
    Like Care
  • alwaysforhim
    alwaysforhim CSN Member Posts: 14
    #12
    Hondo said:

    Dennis
    You look really good my friend, gained 18 lbs that is great news

    It was an infection
    Thank you all for your helpful comments. He did have an infection. I am so glad we didn't sit on this.
    Like Care
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 CSN Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #13
    alwaysforhim said:

    It was an infection
    Thank you all for your helpful comments. He did have an infection. I am so glad we didn't sit on this.

    Big Deal
    Glad that you got involved and stayed on it...

    Now ou can smack him one on the back of the head and say "I told you so...". LOL, we guys sometimes need a little positive reinforcement.

    Best,
    John
    Like Care

Discussion Boards