severe pain during radiation

meltibbs
meltibbs Member Posts: 6
in Colorectal Cancer #1

My husband has stage 4 colon cancer with Mets to his liver, stomach, brain, and upper spine (back of neck).  He is currently getting radiation on his upper spine to alleviate pain from that tumor.  He is on day 3 out of 5 treatments.  He is in way more pain now than before.  Does anyone know if this is normal?

Comments

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #2
    Hi there.  I know nothing

    Hi there.  I know nothing about radiation so unfortunately I don't have much to offer.  I just wanted to welcome you.  I read your about me page and it broke my heart.  I lost my husband six months ago.  We didn't have any kids so I can only imagine the tremendous stress you are under.  If you ever need to "talk" feel free to send me a PM.  Staying active here at CSN will help you deal with the practical issues that arise and it's great emotional support too.  

     

    Chelsea

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #3
    So very sorry

    I am truly sorry to read your post.  You are both so young, and such young chidren. 

    I cannot answer your question about radiation to the spine, as I only had it aimed at my colon and rectum and that was very, very painful. Have you talked to your husband's radiation oncologist? I would defintiely do that.

    Life deals some terribly rotten hands, and my heart goes out to all of you. 

    Please visit often. Even if we can't help you we can offer support and comfort. 

    Blessings!

  • teamzach
    teamzach Member Posts: 35
    #4
    Hello...

    Hello there!

    Zach, my husband also had Stage IV colon cancer and did 12 rounds of chemo and then 5 weeks of radiation. He said the radiation was much easier than the chemo- It didn't make him sick and didn't seem to have any side effects as chemo did. I noticed a positive difference also. I am so sorry to hear about your husbands diagnosis. I hope he is able to get some kind of relief quickly. Have you spoken to the radiologist about the pain? What have they said? Again, I am not sure if that is "normal" or not but in my husbands case it didn't cause him pain.

     

    Janelle

  • meltibbs
    meltibbs Member Posts: 6
    #5
    swollen bones from radiation.

    Thanks so much for your responses and kind support.  We found out today that radiation can cause swelling to the bone when treating the spine which would cause more pain.  He has now been prescribed a steroid so hoping that helps alleviate some pain.  He had the last radiation treatment today...  However he is now also having really bad stomach issues, constipation, bloating, pain.  Thinking he probably has another bowel obstruction.  He has been hospitalized twice before for them.  We will be off to the ER in the morning...  Always something.  I HATE seeing him continuously suffer.

  • teamzach
    teamzach Member Posts: 35
    #6
    meltibbs said:

    swollen bones from radiation.

    Thanks so much for your responses and kind support.  We found out today that radiation can cause swelling to the bone when treating the spine which would cause more pain.  He has now been prescribed a steroid so hoping that helps alleviate some pain.  He had the last radiation treatment today...  However he is now also having really bad stomach issues, constipation, bloating, pain.  Thinking he probably has another bowel obstruction.  He has been hospitalized twice before for them.  We will be off to the ER in the morning...  Always something.  I HATE seeing him continuously suffer.

    YUCK.....

    Zach also had sever stomach pain from blockage. Lactulose is something that may be perscribed by your physician upon request. Also, things were a little better after Zach started on a twice daily stool softner and once daily miralax. Finding the happy medium is a fine line at times... I hope you can manage! Watching someone you love in so much pain just SUCKS.

    Janelle

  • meltibbs
    meltibbs Member Posts: 6
    #7
    meltibbs said:

    swollen bones from radiation.

    Thanks so much for your responses and kind support.  We found out today that radiation can cause swelling to the bone when treating the spine which would cause more pain.  He has now been prescribed a steroid so hoping that helps alleviate some pain.  He had the last radiation treatment today...  However he is now also having really bad stomach issues, constipation, bloating, pain.  Thinking he probably has another bowel obstruction.  He has been hospitalized twice before for them.  We will be off to the ER in the morning...  Always something.  I HATE seeing him continuously suffer.

    severe fatigue after radiation

    My husband finished 5 sessions of radiation to his spine 5 days ago.  He is now severely fatigued with a sore throat and is not able to eat well at all.  Is this normal?  I am very worried.

     

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #8
    meltibbs said:

    severe fatigue after radiation

    My husband finished 5 sessions of radiation to his spine 5 days ago.  He is now severely fatigued with a sore throat and is not able to eat well at all.  Is this normal?  I am very worried.

     

    I would call his oncologists

    I would call his oncologists office, just to be on the safe side.

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