Pain Pain and More Pain

Ron Silver
Ron Silver Member Posts: 94
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

9 weeks post treatment (chemo and radiation), you would think things would be better.  2nd bout with thrush.  Into the 9th day of the 14 days of treatment for it.  Swallowing is painful, whether it is water, or food--painful.  Could the thrush be the culprit? Mouth looks clear and has been clear since day 3 of the thrush treatment.  Suggestions.  Can't even handle smoothies at this point.

Also, the neuropathy seems to be getting worse.  Besides the numbness in the hands and a little in the feet, my scalp and neck feel like they are sunburned and painful to touch.  Any suggestions on vitamins etc??  Thank you.

Comments

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #2
    thrush

    I can only say that thrush is a b****!  I had it 3 or 4 times during and following tx. never affected my swallowing but my tongue burned unbelievably bad. Mine always got better within 3 or so days of starting the meds, if I recall correctly (I've tried to forget those things). I know there are different options/combinations to treat thrush. I would call the doctor and tell them your situation. You should not have to be that miserable for that long.

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #3
    i don't know about thrush but

    i don't know about thrush but wanted 2 say i hope u feel better soon.

    dj

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #4
    Nerve Pain

    Hi Ron,

    I dealt with three bouts of thrush. It's no fun at all! Magic Mouthwash was the only thing that helped until it cleared up which could take up to 2 weeks. Nine days in and still hurting that bad is a concern. I would contact your doctor on that one.

    Concerning the nerve pain. You're describing what I went through about two weeks ago. it was awful! I had nerve pain from my head to my chest and down my arms and back. I was prescribed Lyrica and Tramadol. Within three days I was feeling much better and now I'm not feeling any pain from it.  

    "T"

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #5
    thrush

    Hey I wanted to let you know thrush can be a tricky horrid little beast !  I had to try 2 different forms of meds....one was a swish and swollow, another a pill to suck on.  I had many bouts of this my first yr. out.  Let your primary know and have them change up the med.  Hope you can find some relief soon !   Katie

  • Ron Silver
    Ron Silver Member Posts: 94
    #6
    fishmanpa said:

    Nerve Pain

    Hi Ron,

    I dealt with three bouts of thrush. It's no fun at all! Magic Mouthwash was the only thing that helped until it cleared up which could take up to 2 weeks. Nine days in and still hurting that bad is a concern. I would contact your doctor on that one.

    Concerning the nerve pain. You're describing what I went through about two weeks ago. it was awful! I had nerve pain from my head to my chest and down my arms and back. I was prescribed Lyrica and Tramadol. Within three days I was feeling much better and now I'm not feeling any pain from it.  

    "T"

    Spoke with the ENT, who I

    Spoke with the ENT, who I will see if the pain doesn't clear up after the full 14 days are up.  I am taking the pill and also using the wash (Nystin).  But had thrush before, and do not recall it increasing the pain while swallowing (just mouth issues).  I spoke with the oncologist about the meds such as Lyrica and Tramadol, and he said I don't want to "go that route" due to side effects from the meds, and that I should just give my body more time to recover.  Got a haircut yesterday, it was painful-scalp felt on fire. 

    The swallowing issue is really disheartening.  I want to have the peg tube pulled in two weeks and at this rate I don't see it happening.  Thanks for all your responses. 

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #7
    Hope you feel better and are

    Hope you feel better and are able to find relief! 

  • cureitall66
    cureitall66 Member Posts: 913
    #8
    Time...and...Patience...

    Ron,

    I do know it takes time and patience for the healing. It seemed like once loved one got to about 3 months out from tx he started feeling better. He did have some pain in his legs and body, but we found it was drug withdrawls from the narcatics. That took some time to get out of his body and the nerve receptors to return to normal. Not sure if you are still on any pain meds or recently was taken off, but this could be some of the issue.

     

    Hang in there...

     

    ~C

     

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #9
    7 months post tratment

    i am 7 months post treatment and am having a battle with thrush now - on clotrimazole tablet to suck on - its been two days and is finnally clearing up - it was no fun. i felt like i was just out of treatment as i couldnt eat anything and eerything burned like hell. 

  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #10
    try

    i did vitiamn B12 shots from the doc. early on it was twice a week and then about 4 months post treatment it went to once per week. vitiamns by tablet were not as effective. b12 helps with healing 

    friend of mine had the same problem as you last year. dr. told him that eating, drinking and swallowing can not hurt it, but yes it hurts and the more he did eat, drink and swallow it got better fast. i know sounds strange, but that actually was said, done and happen. 

    you might try some more iv fluids if your not getting enough orally. i know when fluids are down it does not help at all. 

    also talk to dr. as you might have acid reflux problem, mine was handled easily with one pill daily

    good luck, sorry you must have to fight this

    john 

     

     

  • Ron Silver
    Ron Silver Member Posts: 94
    #11
    fisrpotpe said:

    try

    i did vitiamn B12 shots from the doc. early on it was twice a week and then about 4 months post treatment it went to once per week. vitiamns by tablet were not as effective. b12 helps with healing 

    friend of mine had the same problem as you last year. dr. told him that eating, drinking and swallowing can not hurt it, but yes it hurts and the more he did eat, drink and swallow it got better fast. i know sounds strange, but that actually was said, done and happen. 

    you might try some more iv fluids if your not getting enough orally. i know when fluids are down it does not help at all. 

    also talk to dr. as you might have acid reflux problem, mine was handled easily with one pill daily

    good luck, sorry you must have to fight this

    john 

     

     

    Thanks for all the

    Thanks for all the ideas/responses.  ENT scoped my throat and thrush is not causing the pain.  Throat looks "normal" for someone 9 weeks post treatment.  No idea why the pain.  Things steadily better until 7 weeks and beginning to eat, then the set back and things worse.  

     

    firsrpotpe, you wrote that your friend was told, and experienced, the more he did eat, drink swallow, it got better fast.   I was thinking the opposite.  Let the throat rest and recover and not irritate it.  

     

    Starting next Monday, I am going to use the Magic Mouthwash (lidocaine) and just eat.  Resting the throat doesn't seem to be helping.  Heck with it, I will just use the mouthwash and force myself to eat and get rid of this peg.  Thanks for the idea.  

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