Your experience with radiation?

ArchTB
ArchTB Member Posts: 150
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi everyone,

Tom started his radiation treatment on Monday (daily for 28 days). Of course we got a pile of materials on what to expect in terms of side effects. But I would like to hear from all of you about your experience with radiation. Some of the patients in MSK I've talked to are mostly complaining about sore throat and trouble swallowing, which start around the second or third week of radiation. My biggest concerns, however, are about possible short- and long-term complications and affects on heart, lungs and other organs that are so close to the area treated.

Olya

Comments

  • rmitchell
    rmitchell Member Posts: 94
    #2
    Radiation
    My husband too, had 28 radiation and 6 Chemo treatments before surgery. The radiation was tough, but it did its job and they were able to remove all the cancer in the esophaghus.
    Dehydration is one of the things that you have to watch out for. Don had to be hospitalized twice for that while he was in treatment. Hang in there, it will get better.
    Reba
  • Yovana_survivor_since_2010
    Yovana_survivor_since_2010 Member Posts: 11
    #3
    Radiation
    I had 25 days of radiation. I did not feel much the side effects until the last week of the threatment. It was so awful. I could not swallow anything due to the esophagitis caused by the radiation.I could not even swallow my own saliva. If I tried to swallow,the pain was horrible like of thousand knives inside me. Right away my surgeon place me the Jtube, and I ended in the hospital for 5 days. This issue lasted for almost two weeks after the treatment was done. I do not want to scare you, but many people react different. My case was like a miracle for others since I felt very little the side effects of Chemo along with radiation, but last week of treatment.
  • ArchTB
    ArchTB Member Posts: 150
    #4
    Yovana_survivor_since_2010 said:

    Radiation
    I had 25 days of radiation. I did not feel much the side effects until the last week of the threatment. It was so awful. I could not swallow anything due to the esophagitis caused by the radiation.I could not even swallow my own saliva. If I tried to swallow,the pain was horrible like of thousand knives inside me. Right away my surgeon place me the Jtube, and I ended in the hospital for 5 days. This issue lasted for almost two weeks after the treatment was done. I do not want to scare you, but many people react different. My case was like a miracle for others since I felt very little the side effects of Chemo along with radiation, but last week of treatment.

    Yovana, thank you for
    Yovana, thank you for sharing your story. It does sound scary, but I am glad the problem was fixed. I assume you've already had the surgery. How are you doing now?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    #6
    radiation
    Jim's biggest complaint was the tiredness factor. It is a cumulative affect. He was doing the chemo and radiation at the same time and ended up in the hospital very ill from the side effects. His counts all dropped and he needed blood transfusions, platelet transfusions and about every kind of IV there was. He also had a fever and they had him on anti-biotics. He spent about ten days in the hospital before being able to come home.

    Everyone is different, but I know the combination of the two treatments can be brutal. I hope your husband does well with his treatments. Jim had the IMRT radiation and it targets the area without affecting the other organs like the old radiation machines can do. I guess time will tell what the longterm affects are. Jim had the MIE with the tumor and cancer completely gone from the treatment. He had his esophagus removed as well as 20 lymph nodes and he is cancer free! He is doing better after his pneumonia.

    Linda
  • ArchTB
    ArchTB Member Posts: 150
    #7
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    William, thank you for
    William, thank you for sharing your story and for the update on MIE. These sound very hopeful.
    Olya
  • ArchTB
    ArchTB Member Posts: 150
    #8
    linda1120 said:

    radiation
    Jim's biggest complaint was the tiredness factor. It is a cumulative affect. He was doing the chemo and radiation at the same time and ended up in the hospital very ill from the side effects. His counts all dropped and he needed blood transfusions, platelet transfusions and about every kind of IV there was. He also had a fever and they had him on anti-biotics. He spent about ten days in the hospital before being able to come home.

    Everyone is different, but I know the combination of the two treatments can be brutal. I hope your husband does well with his treatments. Jim had the IMRT radiation and it targets the area without affecting the other organs like the old radiation machines can do. I guess time will tell what the longterm affects are. Jim had the MIE with the tumor and cancer completely gone from the treatment. He had his esophagus removed as well as 20 lymph nodes and he is cancer free! He is doing better after his pneumonia.

    Linda

    Thanks, Linda. Based on the
    Thanks, Linda. Based on the description I found on IMRT, it looks like what Tom is getting.
  • cjmac49
    cjmac49 Member Posts: 100
    #9
    radiation
    I had 30 treatments along with chemo. Worst side effect for the first 20+ treatments was fatigue. The last week to week and a half I had a very sore esophagus. The radiation nursing staff provided me with multiple scripts for managing the pain. I can't remember what the exact name were but one was lidocane (?) based that numbed the esophagus so swallowing wasn't so bad.
    Everyone is different and some people had little to no problems. May you be one of them!

    Jim
  • kcinpdx
    kcinpdx Member Posts: 13
    #10
    Experience with Radiation of Esophagus and Stomach areas
    Hi Olya - On January 17th I completed combined chemo with 28 radiation treatments that covered my esophagus and stomach areas. The last 3 weeks were very painful and it became very hard to swallow as everything felt burned inside. I had to use magic mouthwash and pain medication just to be able to eat and drink fluids and it was still very tough. At the end of my last week of radiation I went in and got IV fluids twice because I couldn't drink enought fluids to keep hydrated - but it made me feel SO much better and I highly recommend it if Tom can't drink enough water due to painful swallowing. Now the GOOD NEWS, I am now 5 weeks out and doing very well, I have no pain at all, no vomiting and feel good again. The best way I found to to deal with radiation fatigue is to dress warmly and get out and do 10-15 minutes walks, it helped me regain my energy and mades a world of difference in recovering. My Oncologist recommended I take L-Glutamine, which is a protein supplement that helps rebuild your esophagus, stomach and intestinal lining, as well as boost your immune system and rebuild muscle tissue affected by radiation and chemotherapy. I bought 1000 mg tablets over the counter from the health food store and would dissolve one a day in water and drink it. I found L-Glutamine to be very helpful and experienced NO side effects from it. More time needs to pass before I can report any long-term effects from radiation, but so far so good on getting past the short-term effects. Take it from a guy who has just been there, let Tom know he WILL GET BETTER after the tough part is over, just keep eating a soft diet and drink as much fluid as possible. Milk with ice cubes became my favorite drink. My best to both of you - Keith
  • ArchTB
    ArchTB Member Posts: 150
    #11
    kcinpdx said:

    Experience with Radiation of Esophagus and Stomach areas
    Hi Olya - On January 17th I completed combined chemo with 28 radiation treatments that covered my esophagus and stomach areas. The last 3 weeks were very painful and it became very hard to swallow as everything felt burned inside. I had to use magic mouthwash and pain medication just to be able to eat and drink fluids and it was still very tough. At the end of my last week of radiation I went in and got IV fluids twice because I couldn't drink enought fluids to keep hydrated - but it made me feel SO much better and I highly recommend it if Tom can't drink enough water due to painful swallowing. Now the GOOD NEWS, I am now 5 weeks out and doing very well, I have no pain at all, no vomiting and feel good again. The best way I found to to deal with radiation fatigue is to dress warmly and get out and do 10-15 minutes walks, it helped me regain my energy and mades a world of difference in recovering. My Oncologist recommended I take L-Glutamine, which is a protein supplement that helps rebuild your esophagus, stomach and intestinal lining, as well as boost your immune system and rebuild muscle tissue affected by radiation and chemotherapy. I bought 1000 mg tablets over the counter from the health food store and would dissolve one a day in water and drink it. I found L-Glutamine to be very helpful and experienced NO side effects from it. More time needs to pass before I can report any long-term effects from radiation, but so far so good on getting past the short-term effects. Take it from a guy who has just been there, let Tom know he WILL GET BETTER after the tough part is over, just keep eating a soft diet and drink as much fluid as possible. Milk with ice cubes became my favorite drink. My best to both of you - Keith

    Will definitely look into it
    Keith thank you for your notes. I will definitely check with our doctor about L-Glutamine. Tom has no trouble swallowing yet, but two days ago he started to complain about sore throat. It's only been 5 days of radiation, so we think that he might have caught cold somehow. His last blood check showed low white cells count and i am looking for ways to boost his immune system now. He is taking multivitamin and vitamin C.
    Olya
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #12
    Dehyrdration
    My husband had radiation 5x a week and chemo once a week...on Wed..on Thursday and Friday he had hydration at the hospital...it makes a difference..he managed to stay out of ER because of that...thank goodness..

    The radiation caused burns where it entered...and as it went a long they hurt. His oncologist was the one that gave him better ointment for that..a silver something, I forget...

    Fatigue was another effect.

    He always wears sun screen on those areas...

    jan
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    #13
    oriontj said:

    Dehyrdration
    My husband had radiation 5x a week and chemo once a week...on Wed..on Thursday and Friday he had hydration at the hospital...it makes a difference..he managed to stay out of ER because of that...thank goodness..

    The radiation caused burns where it entered...and as it went a long they hurt. His oncologist was the one that gave him better ointment for that..a silver something, I forget...

    Fatigue was another effect.

    He always wears sun screen on those areas...

    jan

    Burns from radiation
    My husband also had burns, but his were on his back from where the radiation came through his body. They gave him a special two part cream to use. He will also have to be careful with the sun.

    Linda
  • Susie_Brendon
    Susie_Brendon Member Posts: 128
    #14
    ArchTB said:

    Will definitely look into it
    Keith thank you for your notes. I will definitely check with our doctor about L-Glutamine. Tom has no trouble swallowing yet, but two days ago he started to complain about sore throat. It's only been 5 days of radiation, so we think that he might have caught cold somehow. His last blood check showed low white cells count and i am looking for ways to boost his immune system now. He is taking multivitamin and vitamin C.
    Olya

    Flintstone vitamins
    I heard that taking Children's Vitamins will help boost his immune system... Might go out and get some Fred and Barney ones!! :-)

    My husband starts chemoradiation tomorrow...I'm headed to Walgreens now to pick up some for him. I figure it can't hurt anything!

    Best of luck to you and Tom.

    Susie
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    #15
    Susie_Brendon said:

    Flintstone vitamins
    I heard that taking Children's Vitamins will help boost his immune system... Might go out and get some Fred and Barney ones!! :-)

    My husband starts chemoradiation tomorrow...I'm headed to Walgreens now to pick up some for him. I figure it can't hurt anything!

    Best of luck to you and Tom.

    Susie

    Thanks for the tip
    I am going to go and get Jim some chewable children's vitamins. He isn't comfortable taking the huge ones he used to.

    Linda
  • ArchTB
    ArchTB Member Posts: 150
    #16
    Susie_Brendon said:

    Flintstone vitamins
    I heard that taking Children's Vitamins will help boost his immune system... Might go out and get some Fred and Barney ones!! :-)

    My husband starts chemoradiation tomorrow...I'm headed to Walgreens now to pick up some for him. I figure it can't hurt anything!

    Best of luck to you and Tom.

    Susie

    Same to you!
    Thank you Susie. I am giving Tom multivitamins, but he complains about the large pills. So maybe children version would work better. Thanks for the best wishes, I am wishing you and your husband good luck too.

    Olya
  • ArchTB
    ArchTB Member Posts: 150
    #17
    linda1120 said:

    Burns from radiation
    My husband also had burns, but his were on his back from where the radiation came through his body. They gave him a special two part cream to use. He will also have to be careful with the sun.

    Linda

    No burns yet, but using cream already
    Yes, I've read about the burns. Although Tom only had 6 radiation treatment I started making him apply Aquaphor on his chest and on his back (just in case). I guess I am that type of an overprotective Russian wife :)
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    #18
    ArchTB said:

    No burns yet, but using cream already
    Yes, I've read about the burns. Although Tom only had 6 radiation treatment I started making him apply Aquaphor on his chest and on his back (just in case). I guess I am that type of an overprotective Russian wife :)

    Radiation burns
    You can't be too overprotective of these husbands! Our radiation department gave Jim two different creams that are marvelous! They worked very well for his skin. He had no burns on his chest, but huge ones on his back. We have some left and I love them.

    Linda
  • Susie_Brendon
    Susie_Brendon Member Posts: 128
    #19
    linda1120 said:

    Radiation burns
    You can't be too overprotective of these husbands! Our radiation department gave Jim two different creams that are marvelous! They worked very well for his skin. He had no burns on his chest, but huge ones on his back. We have some left and I love them.

    Linda

    Linda - creams
    Hi Linda - Brendon is on day 3 of radaiation (and yes! I am anally over protective!!!)....do you know what creams you got that worked good?!? Trying to be proactive here!! :-)

    Thanks,
    Susie
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    #20
    Susie_Brendon said:

    Linda - creams
    Hi Linda - Brendon is on day 3 of radaiation (and yes! I am anally over protective!!!)....do you know what creams you got that worked good?!? Trying to be proactive here!! :-)

    Thanks,
    Susie

    Susie name of creams
    The name of the cream the radiation department gave to Jim is Medline Remedy with Olivamint Skin Repair Cream and there is also another one by them that they had Jim use. Ask the radiation tech if they have any special creams that they can give to you. Believe me, you are paying enough for the radiation treatments!

    Hope this helps,

    Linda
  • Susie_Brendon
    Susie_Brendon Member Posts: 128
    #21
    linda1120 said:

    Susie name of creams
    The name of the cream the radiation department gave to Jim is Medline Remedy with Olivamint Skin Repair Cream and there is also another one by them that they had Jim use. Ask the radiation tech if they have any special creams that they can give to you. Believe me, you are paying enough for the radiation treatments!

    Hope this helps,

    Linda

    Everything helps!
    Thank you Linda!!! Not only for the names of the cream but also just the knowledge so I can be proactive and ask the radiation oncologist about this now! We have an appt with him on Monday, so I will be sure to ask about any special creams. This is something I wouldn't have thought about had it not been to this site!!

    Thanks again!!
    Susie

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