Side effect of radiotherapy of neck

RoopaliSandeep
RoopaliSandeep Member Posts: 15
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

My dad was diagnosed with T1b Glottic in Mar'15. He under went 33 sessions radiotherapy and was NED till Nov'15, next check up is due in Feb'16. Recently we had gone for his routine heart check up as his bP was high whereas he was having low BP before. His ECG was fine but there was some issue in ECHO so he was recommended for Stress Thallium test. As per reports there was some issue in heart so he underwent angiography. There was no blockage as suspected in angiography. The final outcome stated by doctors were that heart is affected due to radiotherapy. Please advise if this 1 of the side effects of radiotherapy? He underwent radiotherapy of neck. My dad is just 47 kg and 5'10'' in height and he has this physique since I am seeing him. 

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    I've never heard that

    radiation of the head and neck could affect the heart....but I hardly know everything.  The radiation is directed at certain spots on the neck, but there is still radiation distributed in a circle (think ripples on a lake)...that get less and less as the further away they are from the directed place.  Muscles can sometimes become fibrotic from rads.  Is there any way to have a different cardiologist look at his tests? 

    p

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #3
    Have not heard of that

    I never had to have radiation or chemo, but I have never heard anyone ever saying that. Now as having stress thas is not only coommon but just about everyone will have that and stress can effect BP and heart rate. I have a very fast heart rate which is in the 90's most all the time. If very calm and resting it may drop to 85, and if I walk it will go to 109. Mine is due to COPD and I have to work harder just to breath.

    Now his weight of 47 kg is not good as you know. Being underweight can almost be as bad as over weight. I had dropped to 56kg and had to get up to 65kg just to help with my COPD. If I have a flair up and am too underweight it is harder to fight it.I do hope he can put on a few kg. I'll keep you both in my prayers.

    Bill

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Radiation side effects

    You will find from now on that when the doctors can’t figure out what the problem is they will always say radiation side effects.

     

    Tim                 

  • oldvampswyfe
    oldvampswyfe Member Posts: 10
    #5
    Logically

    speaking, anytime the body is in extreme stress, the heart can have issues.  Radiation treatments aren't the cause.  The cause is the stress we go through while under the treatments.  Think about having a tight hard mesh face mask over your head bolted to a table, being strapped down and not able to move or protect yourself for 20 minutes each time, day after day.. the pain from the burns, not to forget the fear of what may come, the loss of control over the situation.. all these add to a lot of stress and confusion. Stress can produce (not always) heart issues (that is scienfically known).  And if he had problems before (undiagnosed or diagnosed) it can amplify the issues. It may be nothing.. and he will heal.  It maybe be something and he will heal.  Have faith.

    Be there, its a confusing and frightening time for both of you, oldvamp and I know that one all too well.  When its all over with and a few months down the road you will look on it and give a sigh of relief that its all over with.  Before that time, we all need to beleive in something bigger than ourselves, because there is nothing we can do, but wait, hope and pray.  But do yourself a favor and don't start reaching out blaming whatever, it won't help him and it definetly won't help you, it will just make you angrier. I know from personal experience.

    And when everything is over and done and the healing process starts to occur and continues..give thanks that he is doing ok.  A friend of mine told me to go hug a rock and put all of my fears, pain, angrer into that rock and fling it into the lake.. I did.. it made me feel a heck of a lot better.  lol..

    This is a hard and confusing road.  My heart goes out to you.   

  • RoopaliSandeep
    RoopaliSandeep Member Posts: 15
    #6
    oldvampswyfe said:

    Logically

    speaking, anytime the body is in extreme stress, the heart can have issues.  Radiation treatments aren't the cause.  The cause is the stress we go through while under the treatments.  Think about having a tight hard mesh face mask over your head bolted to a table, being strapped down and not able to move or protect yourself for 20 minutes each time, day after day.. the pain from the burns, not to forget the fear of what may come, the loss of control over the situation.. all these add to a lot of stress and confusion. Stress can produce (not always) heart issues (that is scienfically known).  And if he had problems before (undiagnosed or diagnosed) it can amplify the issues. It may be nothing.. and he will heal.  It maybe be something and he will heal.  Have faith.

    Be there, its a confusing and frightening time for both of you, oldvamp and I know that one all too well.  When its all over with and a few months down the road you will look on it and give a sigh of relief that its all over with.  Before that time, we all need to beleive in something bigger than ourselves, because there is nothing we can do, but wait, hope and pray.  But do yourself a favor and don't start reaching out blaming whatever, it won't help him and it definetly won't help you, it will just make you angrier. I know from personal experience.

    And when everything is over and done and the healing process starts to occur and continues..give thanks that he is doing ok.  A friend of mine told me to go hug a rock and put all of my fears, pain, angrer into that rock and fling it into the lake.. I did.. it made me feel a heck of a lot better.  lol..

    This is a hard and confusing road.  My heart goes out to you.   

    Thanks

    Hello Everyone,

    My apologies for reverting back so late as I was out of town. Many thanks for your encouraging words. My Dad is feeling lot better, for Thorat - it's NED HURRAY... ECG, ECHO and BP all in control. I really want to thank this group to be by my side in all my ups and downs. Your advises are really helpful. All your prayers are really working for us. 

    Roopali

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    #7
    RoopaliSandeep said:

    Thanks

    Hello Everyone,

    My apologies for reverting back so late as I was out of town. Many thanks for your encouraging words. My Dad is feeling lot better, for Thorat - it's NED HURRAY... ECG, ECHO and BP all in control. I really want to thank this group to be by my side in all my ups and downs. Your advises are really helpful. All your prayers are really working for us. 

    Roopali

    Great news! Congratulations!

    Great news! Congratulations!

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #8
    RoopaliSandeep said:

    Thanks

    Hello Everyone,

    My apologies for reverting back so late as I was out of town. Many thanks for your encouraging words. My Dad is feeling lot better, for Thorat - it's NED HURRAY... ECG, ECHO and BP all in control. I really want to thank this group to be by my side in all my ups and downs. Your advises are really helpful. All your prayers are really working for us. 

    Roopali

    Glad to hear he is good

    Roopali very glad to hear he is doing good. Just keep that NED coming.........

    Bill 

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    RoopaliSandeep said:

    Thanks

    Hello Everyone,

    My apologies for reverting back so late as I was out of town. Many thanks for your encouraging words. My Dad is feeling lot better, for Thorat - it's NED HURRAY... ECG, ECHO and BP all in control. I really want to thank this group to be by my side in all my ups and downs. Your advises are really helpful. All your prayers are really working for us. 

    Roopali

    Dad doing better

    Great News but don’t stop now, as with me I had to do a total change of life in order to survive and keep NED.

     

    Tim

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #10
    RoopaliSandeep said:

    Thanks

    Hello Everyone,

    My apologies for reverting back so late as I was out of town. Many thanks for your encouraging words. My Dad is feeling lot better, for Thorat - it's NED HURRAY... ECG, ECHO and BP all in control. I really want to thank this group to be by my side in all my ups and downs. Your advises are really helpful. All your prayers are really working for us. 

    Roopali

    NED

    It makes me very happy to hear your good news. May God continue to bless your father with good health. 

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