Bladder pain since having chemo and radiation for squamous cell carcinoma in lymph nodes of neck

pegb

Has anyone developed bladder pain during chemo and radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the lymph nodes in the neck.  Just about finished with chemo and radiation and the pain in the bladder has developed. Really, this pain has been there during most of the treatment.  I am not eating or drinking anything by mouth.    Had a PEG tube removed, because thought that might be causing the pain. Now am getting nourishment through an IV.   Still in severe pain.  Will have testing done today.  Could bladder cancer have possible developed?  This is a mystery to any Dr. that has been in to check.  Certainly would appreciate any info from those going through this.  Thank you.  

katenorwood

keep us posted

pegb,

Hey I just wanted to let you know we are here, and to remember until they prove it the C-word it aint !  I have no personal experience with what your going through.  My Mom had issues with the bladder pain throughout tx's for ovarian dx.  Most were related to infection....dehydration and nutrician.  Please keep us updated to how you are doing.  Best sent to you !   Katie

corleone

some simple tests needed first

I don’t understand why this is a mystery for Drs. Have they done any tests yet?

There are a few things that need to be investigated. First one needs to clarify if the pain is really caused by the urinary bladder. Assuming that yes, a few more steps:

- Character of the pain: continuous, or spastic; spontaneous and/or caused (increased) by urination;

- Localization of pain, above the pubis, and/or elsewhere, if any referred pain (if it goes anywhere, or remains in the same spot).

- Frequency of urination, and any symptoms during urination (like burning sensation; sensation that bladder is not empty, urgency to urinate).

- body temperature;

Also, some simple urine tests (including urine culture) would definitely help. Even if these summary tests don’t provide a cause, other tests can also be done.

You asked if the bladder pain might be cause by cancer. Of course, but there is no reason to assume that; there are many other much more probable causes that need to be investigated first.

 

pegb

corleone said:

some simple tests needed first

I don’t understand why this is a mystery for Drs. Have they done any tests yet?

There are a few things that need to be investigated. First one needs to clarify if the pain is really caused by the urinary bladder. Assuming that yes, a few more steps:

- Character of the pain: continuous, or spastic; spontaneous and/or caused (increased) by urination;

- Localization of pain, above the pubis, and/or elsewhere, if any referred pain (if it goes anywhere, or remains in the same spot).

- Frequency of urination, and any symptoms during urination (like burning sensation; sensation that bladder is not empty, urgency to urinate).

- body temperature;

Also, some simple urine tests (including urine culture) would definitely help. Even if these summary tests don’t provide a cause, other tests can also be done.

You asked if the bladder pain might be cause by cancer. Of course, but there is no reason to assume that; there are many other much more probable causes that need to be investigated first.

 

thanks for all info

The test done so far is CAT scan of the bladder - no indication of anything wrong.  The pain is sharp, in the lower abdomen (bladder area) and comes and goes.  I  find it interesting that a comment made was how important drinking is.  My son in law is the patient and he is also on radiation.  He is nearly done with the radiation and has just finished chemo.  They are giving him morphine for the bladder pain and he swallows big pills to take the morphine.  He is refusing to drink as he says everything tastes salty.  His only source of liquid is IV drip and his iv feeding through his port.  They removed his PEG tube as they thought perhaps it was causing the pain.  Well, that wasn't it!  He has none of the symptoms such as urge to urinate,  pain or burning while urnating, feeling that the bladder is not empty. Pain seems to be continous rather than in spasms. As we all know, cancer rears its head in mysterious ways and of course, when you are already fighting it, it quickly enters your thoughts.  Thanks to all for your concerns and help.  

corleone

pegb said:

thanks for all info

The test done so far is CAT scan of the bladder - no indication of anything wrong.  The pain is sharp, in the lower abdomen (bladder area) and comes and goes.  I  find it interesting that a comment made was how important drinking is.  My son in law is the patient and he is also on radiation.  He is nearly done with the radiation and has just finished chemo.  They are giving him morphine for the bladder pain and he swallows big pills to take the morphine.  He is refusing to drink as he says everything tastes salty.  His only source of liquid is IV drip and his iv feeding through his port.  They removed his PEG tube as they thought perhaps it was causing the pain.  Well, that wasn't it!  He has none of the symptoms such as urge to urinate,  pain or burning while urnating, feeling that the bladder is not empty. Pain seems to be continous rather than in spasms. As we all know, cancer rears its head in mysterious ways and of course, when you are already fighting it, it quickly enters your thoughts.  Thanks to all for your concerns and help.  

Maybe the pain doesn’t even

Maybe the pain doesn’t even originate in the bladder (be sure that a bladder infection is excluded, though). There are multiple things in the pelvis that might cause this, even the colon or prostate. But if the pain is intense, could be also a kidney stone lodged somewhere (but that should have been ruled out by the scan, if not too small).

HobbsDoggy

Had Pressure Not Pain

I did have bladder pressrue, but no pain. 

I agree what do the doctors mean they can't figure it out?  Seems strange they have no clue. 

I did find that I had all kinds of strange issues during treatment and they went away or are slowly going away as tiem passes.  Best of luck to you.