After treatment discomfort

Porphy
Porphy Member Posts: 36
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
I've had a relatively easy time with NHL, (compared to the experiences of many on this forum). I was diagnosed with NHL, 1 node on rt side of my neck diffuse lg B cell stage 1, had 3 treatments of RCHOP & 20 rads, my last PET scan was clean & I'm very, very grateful.

Now that I'm about 6 weeks out from the radiation, my neck, shoulders & back ache & my skin hurts from my jaw to my lower back. It's not debilating & I'm almost embarrassed to complain, but it is starting to wear on my nerves. Is this possibly a side effect of radiation, has anyone else "been there, done that", and does it go away ?

Comments

  • vinny59
    vinny59 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #2
    discomfort
    Hi, I have NHL now, but my first cancer was head and neck, I received Rad's to neck, it's been three years and I still have spasms there! My skin is still leathery there also. It does get better though. Vinny
  • Porphy
    Porphy Member Posts: 36
    #3
    vinny59 said:

    discomfort
    Hi, I have NHL now, but my first cancer was head and neck, I received Rad's to neck, it's been three years and I still have spasms there! My skin is still leathery there also. It does get better though. Vinny

    Thanks Vinny, I guess I need
    Thanks Vinny, I guess I need more patience, it seems each step has it's hurdles. Sorry about your 2nd cancer, sending healing thoughts & hope things start going your way.

    Linda
  • vinny59
    vinny59 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #4
    Porphy said:

    Thanks Vinny, I guess I need
    Thanks Vinny, I guess I need more patience, it seems each step has it's hurdles. Sorry about your 2nd cancer, sending healing thoughts & hope things start going your way.

    Linda

    thanks
    Thanks Linda, hang in there it will get better!
  • Newfoundcancer
    Newfoundcancer Member Posts: 40
    #5
    vinny59 said:

    thanks
    Thanks Linda, hang in there it will get better!

    Weak bones
    Wow, I am having the same effects where they did the treatment.
    I took 21 sessions of rads at my left groin area. Now my joints ache, and have a little dicomfort in that area. But I take 7.5 HydroCodone while I am at work. Only bothers me when I stand for a period of time.
  • truckingalong
    truckingalong Member Posts: 445 Member
    #6
    Not only patience pays off but also REST well. We tend to overdo our bodies then they tell us to slow down. You mentioned you are working. Wow, that is a lot of energy to use up!! I find that resting helps reduce the pain. Just my 2 cents.

    Liz
  • Porphy
    Porphy Member Posts: 36
    #7
    Newfoundcancer said:

    Weak bones
    Wow, I am having the same effects where they did the treatment.
    I took 21 sessions of rads at my left groin area. Now my joints ache, and have a little dicomfort in that area. But I take 7.5 HydroCodone while I am at work. Only bothers me when I stand for a period of time.

    Newfoundcancer,
    I was taking
    Newfoundcancer,
    I was taking Tylenol liquid xtra strength which cut the pain but didn't get rid of it. I also have another condition which I should have been more aware of. I have porphyria & I get reactions from a lot of drugs, acedominifen being one, should have checked before I took so much of it. As soon as I stopped taking it my skin stopped hurting, still have the joint pain, but at least my clothes are comfortable, which is a good thing cause it's gonna get cold here pretty soon. Take care.
  • Porphy
    Porphy Member Posts: 36
    #8
    truckingalong said:

    Not only patience pays off but also REST well. We tend to overdo our bodies then they tell us to slow down. You mentioned you are working. Wow, that is a lot of energy to use up!! I find that resting helps reduce the pain. Just my 2 cents.

    Liz

    Liz,
    I'm sure your right,
    Liz,
    I'm sure your right, just growing hair seems to take all the energy I had left.
    good advice, Thanks, have a good day.
  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #9
    Newfoundcancer said:

    Weak bones
    Wow, I am having the same effects where they did the treatment.
    I took 21 sessions of rads at my left groin area. Now my joints ache, and have a little dicomfort in that area. But I take 7.5 HydroCodone while I am at work. Only bothers me when I stand for a period of time.

    Insufficiency Fracture
    I also had rads to left groin (hip) and I actually did have an insufficiency fracture from where the rads weakened the bone. Took about 4 months to heal. Took aleve 2 times a day per my onc, and lived on the heating pad. Doc gave me reclast and that helps with the bone strength.

    Take it easy and tell your doc about your pain.

    Beth
  • Newfoundcancer
    Newfoundcancer Member Posts: 40
    #10
    Porphy said:

    Liz,
    I'm sure your right,
    Liz,
    I'm sure your right, just growing hair seems to take all the energy I had left.
    good advice, Thanks, have a good day.

    That was my problem,I worked through my rads sessions. I would wake up at 7am. Be at the radiation place by 8. Then go to work by 9am till 8pm at night. Everyone told me to take it easy, but im a workaholic. To say the least,and spend time with my kid after work. But the Docs say its normal to have discomfort and pain. They said it will go away in about 4 months.
    The only embarrasing thing is my hair hasnt grown back in that area. It looks weird. Maybe I will shave the other side??
  • Porphy
    Porphy Member Posts: 36
    #11
    Newfoundcancer said:

    That was my problem,I worked through my rads sessions. I would wake up at 7am. Be at the radiation place by 8. Then go to work by 9am till 8pm at night. Everyone told me to take it easy, but im a workaholic. To say the least,and spend time with my kid after work. But the Docs say its normal to have discomfort and pain. They said it will go away in about 4 months.
    The only embarrasing thing is my hair hasnt grown back in that area. It looks weird. Maybe I will shave the other side??

    Yeah, the hair thing is
    Yeah, the hair thing is interesting, I have one side about 3" higher (or shorter) than the other side & because it's curling so tight I still look like GI Jane ! But it's hair !!

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