Headaches 6 months after chemo and about 4 months after radiation

Options
Isabella99
Isabella99 Member Posts: 22
in Breast Cancer #1

Hello everybody!

My husband who finished his chemo in mid-August and completed radiation in early November

is having a nagging headaches! We saw his oncologist in last week and they took blood test

in the waiting room before we headed to see his doctor. His oncologist told us that his blood

test look fine for a cancer survivor, but it is nowhere near to be normal. He said my husband

is still recovering from chemo! He ordered some test for prostate cancer (he kept telling us

my husband has a some risk for prostate cance) and he called us back in next day and said

the test came out just fine.

I did not know he was having headache, so we just did not ask... He later explained it to me

it has been a couple months since it started and it goes away when he takes pain pills, but

comes back next day. It usually comes after he has some physical labour or exercise. Did any

of you have such headachse? Probably we will see his doctor again soon, but I just

wanted to find out if it is normal? I also thought that it could have been caused by a cashmere

turtleneck when he sleeps to just keep warm. I know it sounds strange, but he is so sensitive

to cold or always feels cold since the chemo. I would love to hear your opinions.

 

Thank you very much.

 

 

 

 

Comments

  • SLS100
    SLS100 Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2017 #2
    Options
    After chemo

    Hi.  I read your post and unfortunately do not have the same experience. But I did want to say I am also always cold since chemo. I wear a bra, undershirt, tshirt and turtleneck just to get into the car. Then I usually have another sweater or coat and always a beanie since I can't do the scarf thing no matter how hard I try. Basically I am always cold since chemo. I am having 5 weeks of radiation now and I am still cold even where the rad is starting to turn red already.  I wish you the best and hope they figure out what is wrong with your husband.

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    #3
    Options
    I'm a year and 2 weeks out of

    I'm a year and 2 weeks out of chemo and I'm still very cold sensitive. I had headaches for a while, but they gradually went away. I was glad they did because my MO was going t schedule me for a brain MRI.  I'm surprise none of your husband's doctors didn't suggest something like that. Maybe it's a reaction to not taking the pain pill. I would try to talk to another doctor, primary care maybe. They say it takes a year or more to recover from chemo.  I'm still not there.  Best wishes.

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    #4
    Options
    Headaches

    I am a year into this and have chemo headaches.  Pain pills make mine worse, so I take over the counter, ice pacs, rest.  The chemo burnt my sinus bad so I have a constant drip.  It also affected the nerves in my ears causing pain.   cotton in the hears help noise vibration thus settles the nerves down. 

    You might consider asking the doc for a brain MRI just to have peace with it and if it turns out fine, go see an ENT about sinus and ears. 

    Keep us posted please.

    Hugs,

    Annie

  • Teach76
    Teach76 Member Posts: 351 Member
    #5
    Options
    Headache types are different

    There are as many types of headaches as there may be causes.  I am 8 months out of active treatment, and I still experience headaches.  Doctors feel the causes for me may be dehydration sometimes (headaches and dizziness in front), and at other times stress  (pain concentrated in the back of head and down neck).  I am finding that healing goes way beyond the cancer/surgical site, and there are so many other side issues and side effects that need to be addressed as I discover my new normal.

    i would suggest keeping track of when headaches occur and where.  The more information you can give to the doctors the better they can understand the possible causes and develop a plan.

Discussion Boards