Update

SuzJ
SuzJ Member Posts: 427 Member
edited February 2020 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

So, 3 years out from diagnosis, I have 1 taste bud and it likes sugar..

My thyroid has bought the farm, its given up.

My carotid is having issues..

And I have a rare side effect - Baroreceptor Dysfunction (my BP is way way low.)

 

So what this means - I like sugar for the first time in my life - I have hypothyroidism, my weight is going up, but I'm eating less (I'll get to that) I am permanently exhausted, more than I was during chemo/rads (imagine that?) My carotid is having issues causing me to fall down - a lot.. which is also Baroreceptor - for which I get to take BP meds - to push my BP UP..

 

On the end of all that, I have some lumps and bumps in my neck and throat that require a CT. yay go me! - No appetite - it kinda hurts to swallow..

Comments

  • ERomanO
    ERomanO Member Posts: 317 Member
    #2
    Sorry to hear that you're

    Sorry to hear that you're having issues. Hopefully the lumps and bumps can be explained and are not a threat.  i think everone's thyroid gives out ahead of time due to the radiation.  I know that mine has been riding the fence for a while. I think my occasional exhaustion is a combination of tx effect and age... and the time change gloomy winter weather doesn't help one bit.  Regular exercise helps. I noticed yesterday that carrying bags of softener salt from my garage to my basement didn't tire me out like it used to, and I'm sure that's from regular exercise. Taste bud recovery seems to be another personal issue - some have full recovery, others hardly any.  In my case, of all the taste buds recovered, sweets has never made a tremmndous comeback.  Doesn't matter because I have pretty much dropped my sugar (carbs in general) intake to a minimum.  I had to look up Baroreceptor as I'm not sure that I've ever heard that term before.  But I also don't know many (if any) people that suffer from low blood pressure.

    Prayers and best wishes to you to get through these challenges.

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,274 Member
    #3
    SuzJ I Have A Couple

    Things in common. After my first cancer and treatment, I got back some taste, not 100% but satisfactory and the best flavors are sugar and salty. Since my most recent cancer, they have had to up my thyroid meds. I would think your low blood pressure is probably related to your carotid issues. Praying your new scan turns up nothing and maybe the lumps and bumps on your neck is lymphedema-Take care SuzJ-Take Care-God Bless

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