Third day of radiation and one chemo treatment

Charmit
Charmit Member Posts: 87
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Good afternoon...third day of radiation and I’m not sure if its all in my head and I’m overthinking but all of a sudden I feel a dull pain at the sight of radiation. Is this normal or premature?? I don’t feel sick any other way no pain when swallowing it’s more a dull pain in the neck like the inside. My radiation is just to the left side and last 5 minutes, was fine earlier but I’m feeling it now. Could it be the way I slept, I’m grasping at straws here because it seems too early for any side affects. Also very tired today....other then that treatment is doable no need for the Ativan anymore I’m managing the mask well.

Thanks in advance and as always God Bless

Charlene

Comments

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #2
    Fairly Early for issues

    Charmit,

    I am not sure of the amount of Gray's you are receiving per radiation treatment, but unless they are hitting you very hard in those 5 minutes, you should be okay for a spell. I noticed some decrease of moisture in my mouth midway of the 2nd week. I was getting hit pretty hard and treatments lasted about 20 some odd minutes each time. It could be that you slept wrong and the fatigue could be the combination of your 1st Chemo treatment and the Radiation. All this is on your mind and could be tiring you out as well. 

    As mentioned in prior posts, stay hydrated, keep the nutrition going into your body the best way you can. You will get thru this and hopefully with minimal discomfort. 

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    edited May 2018 #3
    You are going good. Be safe.

    Charlene,

    I had a feeling from the start that you were not part of my group, the ones who do continue to take a little mask time helper, but that is my cross to bear not yours.  When I was younger, I never experienced claustrophobia or anxiety when in tight spaces or under house, but I got some serious, feelings of impending doom when I first did the PET scan (eyes to thighs, cancer where are you) and eventually the radiation mask.

    You may feel all sorts of pains, twinges, discomforts, but  the real, in your face side effects will leave no doubt of their legitimacy when they come knocking.  I don’t want to give you any ideas, as I want you to own these delightful H&N issues.  Delightful, because they are yours and you earn them.  Now, if you go out and skirt around all the side effects and become the most talked about H&N hero since whenever, all the better.  I want everyone who travels this road to be the best at not getting anything bad.

    If you manage the chemo well enough to eat more pizza on chemo day, I will ask for a pint of your blood to be transfused into me for your very special mixture of “leave me alone ”stuff.

    Matt

     

  • Charmit
    Charmit Member Posts: 87
    #4
    MarineE5 said:

    Fairly Early for issues

    Charmit,

    I am not sure of the amount of Gray's you are receiving per radiation treatment, but unless they are hitting you very hard in those 5 minutes, you should be okay for a spell. I noticed some decrease of moisture in my mouth midway of the 2nd week. I was getting hit pretty hard and treatments lasted about 20 some odd minutes each time. It could be that you slept wrong and the fatigue could be the combination of your 1st Chemo treatment and the Radiation. All this is on your mind and could be tiring you out as well. 

    As mentioned in prior posts, stay hydrated, keep the nutrition going into your body the best way you can. You will get thru this and hopefully with minimal discomfort. 

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

    Thank you for the quick

    Thank you for the quick response I’m thinking it’s being tired and the way I slept. Been drinking so much water I feel I may float away lol and eating pretty good as well. Extremly tired today and I have to ask how many Grays I’m getting Per treatmen. Something that I’m sure they told me but I lost in my mind along the way. 

  • Charmit
    Charmit Member Posts: 87
    #5
    CivilMatt said:

    You are going good. Be safe.

    Charlene,

    I had a feeling from the start that you were not part of my group, the ones who do continue to take a little mask time helper, but that is my cross to bear not yours.  When I was younger, I never experienced claustrophobia or anxiety when in tight spaces or under house, but I got some serious, feelings of impending doom when I first did the PET scan (eyes to thighs, cancer where are you) and eventually the radiation mask.

    You may feel all sorts of pains, twinges, discomforts, but  the real, in your face side effects will leave no doubt of their legitimacy when they come knocking.  I don’t want to give you any ideas, as I want you to own these delightful H&N issues.  Delightful, because they are yours and you earn them.  Now, if you go out and skirt around all the side effects and become the most talked about H&N hero since whenever, all the better.  I want everyone who travels this road to be the best at not getting anything bad.

    If you manage the chemo well enough to eat more pizza on chemo day, I will ask for a pint of your blood to be transfused into me for your very special mixture of “leave me alone ”stuff.

    Matt

     

    Hi Matt day three seems to me

    Hi Matt day three seems to me treating me well. Minus the slight pain in my neck area. I woke feeling a little nauseous but have not thrown up. Made it to hydration today and my wonderful nurses gave my a shot of anti nausea med and it helped, then downstairs for my 5 min zap. Then lunch BLT with side of onion rings....healthy not. Came home and felt the pain in my neck, hoping it’s how I slept. Been drinking so much water I fear I may float away. But very tired today....so hope I sleep through.

    Counting my blessings for sure but I’m sure my **** will be getting kicked in the weeks to come.....

  • Sprint Car Dude
    Sprint Car Dude Member Posts: 181
    #6
    Ask your team

    Ask your team about using Rediplex or something like it. I used that and it staved off any major symptoms until about week 5. Tiredness is could be your normal reaction. I did not show any symptoms until about week 4, then all hell broke lose. I seriously think it is a wise move to check a cream for keeping you neck moisturized during early radiation treatments. Your doing great.

  • Charmit
    Charmit Member Posts: 87
    #7
    Sprint Car Dude said:

    Ask your team

    Ask your team about using Rediplex or something like it. I used that and it staved off any major symptoms until about week 5. Tiredness is could be your normal reaction. I did not show any symptoms until about week 4, then all hell broke lose. I seriously think it is a wise move to check a cream for keeping you neck moisturized during early radiation treatments. Your doing great.

    Thanks I will surely mention

    Thanks I will surely mention it tomorrow. I’m hoping all hell don’t break loose for sometime!! 

  • OKCnative
    OKCnative Member Posts: 326 Member
    #8
    My 35 radiations were about

    My 35 radiations were about 20-minutes each. I began to feel the fatigue by the end of the fist week - but nothing that kept me from my normal routine. About week 5 I felt the severe pain in my throat (no PEG tube) and solid food was a no-no.

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 427 Member
    #9
    tiredness

    I wondered too if it was lack of sleep due to having to pee all night long!

  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    #10
    You know, its funny(and not)

    You know, its funny(and not) but I too had an achy type feeling in my neck At the first few days of radiation. My pain was right in the front of my neck. It wasn’t horrible, for me it was stiff and achy. I asked my drs and nurses and they all said they didn’t think it was from the treatment. It was odd for sure and I felt like I was being hyper sensitive but it was there, no doubt about it. The good thing is it only lasted for about 24 or so hours. The mystery ache??

    My radiation took about 23 mins and I 1/2 wondered if I was tensing up during treatment and it was making me sore. The next day I tried really hard to relax and it was better. 

  • Steve1959
    Steve1959 Member Posts: 28 Member
    #11
    I TRUST ALL IS WELL WITH YOU (ALL THINGS CONSIDERED)

    Hi Charmit,

    I truly do hope that you radiation treatments are going well; all things considered. As you can see from all the posts, we are all different as to how radiation effects our neck, mouth, taste, etc. I can only say to stay hydrated and drink lots of smoothies!

    I just posted the results of my latest visit to my oncologist. The two lumps on my neck are nothing to worry about. They aren't cancer. However, the PET scan did reveal a spot on my upper right lung and another spot on the left side of my neck just below my ear. CT scan is scheduled in the near future to shed some light on these spots.

    Take care Charmit.

    Steve

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