twice a day radiation

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arndog64
arndog64 Member Posts: 537
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Has anyone had radiation twice a day. If so, how was youe experience?

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  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #2
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    No I haven't
    but it seems to be fast becomming the "Gold Standard" treatment model at more and more hospitals. It may prove more effective when all of the studies bear out. I can only see positives since the dosage is lower because it's done twice a day while theorectically having the same impact or even greater impact. Post treatment I would guess the negative effects of long term side effects from the radiation would be lessened probably not causing as much damgage to the jaw bones. This would lead to less dental issues down the road. I don't see a down side as there are sure to be more positives if they can kill the cancer with less exposure. As I see it there is less radiation exposure twice a day vs. once a day as ironic as that sounds.
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #3
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    Yes
    I did but it was to different areas. First was bolted to the table for head and neck. Second was shrink-wrapped to the table for bone. It made for longer days in radiation and I suppose more discomfort but I really got to know the rad techs well. Lots of good music too.

    Bob
  • Army_Guy
    Army_Guy Member Posts: 53
    #4
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    Twice A Day...
    I did...from June 28, 2010 through August 12, 2010. It was a rough six weeks with radiation "sunburn" all over my neck (thanks to Aquaphor it went away) and after about 10 treatments I could hardly put one foot in front of the other most days. I did have one episode of Thrush and my mouth and throat got pretty sore, but I never lost my voice. It was all worth it; November 2010 PET scan showed me to be cancer-free. Two follow-ups so far and no signs of any tumor and I feel pretty good. It did "fry" one salivary gland but I'll live a lot longer with dry mouth than I will with cancer so I'm grateful. So, with that said, hang in there, be strong and the treatment should be effective. Dave
  • charles55
    charles55 Member Posts: 87
    #5
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    i was glad they hadn't dreamed up three times per day
    I also had twice a day treatments. The idea is to give you more cancer killing radiation and get away with it. For me, each dose was slightly greater than one-half of a daily dose. There was also a boost amount in the last week to try to kill any more resistant cancer cells. It was tough, but so is cancer. So you have to be tougher to win.
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #6
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    charles55 said:

    i was glad they hadn't dreamed up three times per day
    I also had twice a day treatments. The idea is to give you more cancer killing radiation and get away with it. For me, each dose was slightly greater than one-half of a daily dose. There was also a boost amount in the last week to try to kill any more resistant cancer cells. It was tough, but so is cancer. So you have to be tougher to win.

    2 X a day
    Had IMRT twice a day for 7 weeks. WEEKENDS OFF. I wish I could say different but it was hard going. It knock the crapper out of me. Focus on the end game. Do pain meds when you need, L-Glutamine powder in water to help stop the mouth burning and assist healing, Biotine mouth wash, salt water mix to rinse mouth ++

    Let the gang know how yr doing.

    Scam
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #7
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    Rad twice a day


    My First treatment was 180rads once a day for 35 days and my second treatment was 120rad each twice a day for 35 days. I did not see any difference in doing it once a day or twice a day, as I got the normal burnt skin affect on both.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • josh r.
    josh r. Member Posts: 264 Member
    #8
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    Hi,arndog64,
    Sorry that I
    Hi,arndog64,
    Sorry that I missed your April posting. I had twice a day rads in 1991. I would go in on Sunday night and get out of the hospital on the afternoon on Saturday. I would be on chemo around the the clock with the exception when they would come and get me in the morning and then again in the afternoon for rads. That week would be followed up by Monday thru Friday of once a day rads then two weeks off for recovery. It would then start all over again and this went on for four sessions covering two months. These treaments were followed up by once a week for three weeks of VERY powerful eight hour sessions of rads. This was relatively new at the time and I am very grateful. I wish you and all are sisters and brothers all the best. josh r.

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