Nausea with Radiation?

riesesdad · New User Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 3

Hi,

My wife is half way through her 6 weeks of Radiation. She is Stage one, unknown nodes (they weren't done) and she had vascular/lymphatic invasion. She had lumpectomy, chemo and now radiation. Her radiation is for 4 different areas, lump/aux nodes/intermammary/supraclavical nodes.

I haven't heard of anyone being this sick from the radiation. I know that it can be exhausting, but she can't function, and is so nauseous that she is back on the anti nausea drugs used during chemo (metoclop?)

She says that she just wants to go to sleep and not wake up anymore. This is NOT like my wife at all. Anyone who knows her knows she is very strong and does not complain about anything.

Has anyone heard of radiation being this bad or should we insist that she has something else wrong and it needs to be addressed?

thanks for any help.

Marion · Experienced user Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 60

Hi, glad you have joined us although not glad that you have to go through this. I finished 4 treatments of chemo Jan 5 and then did 6 weeks of radiation and now in my final 4 treatments of chemo starting today. The only side effects I had with radiation was slight swelling, breast turned brown and started to peel and small rash that cleared up once I stopped using the lotion. I was also tired but I think that was more becuase of the daily routine at 7:30 each morning rather than because it was the radiation making me tired. I have heard that radiation can affect some women with nausea depending on the location and amount of radiation being given. In any case, if this is not normal for your wife and you or she have concerns or questions about what is going on, I would certainly talk to the radiologist and ask questions. I don't remember how long you said your wife had been doing radiation but most doctors will see their patients weekly to take a peek at the breast to see what kind of site reactions are occuring, draw blood occassionally and ask questions about any other side effects. I would call the doctor to see what can be done and what is causing it if you don't have a regular weekly appt in the next few days.

Marion
_________________
Age: 48
Dx 10/14/04
lumpectomy 10/26
1.6 cm
Stage IIA
SN biopsy 10/29
1/14 nodes +
4 A/C
30 Rads
Taxotere complete
Tamoxifen for 5 years

riesesdad · New User Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 3

Yes, I'm leaving soon to take her to the doctor. She was feeling better after the chemo, but has taken a turn for the worse now.

It's awful since she was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, now she is right back where she was during chemo.

Thanks for the reply

Roxi1 · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Nausea with Radiation?

I am so sorry you and your wife have to go through this; especially after going through some of the angst which comes with chemo.

You write that: "Her radiation is for 4 different areas, lump/aux nodes/intermammary/supraclavical nodes".

Intermammary nodes are almost right on top of the esophagus. Radiation to the GI tract does cause nausea. As the esophagus is part of this 'alimentary' canal; the same could be happening with your wife. The extent of her radiation to surface area is significant; therefore, radiation fatigue could be quadrupled. My Radiation Oncologist said I could anticipate fatigue after only 2 weeks of therapy, and I am only having the right breast irradiated.
If you couple fatigue with nausea, that could explain some of her symptoms.
I am so glad you will see the Radiation Oncologist today. Please let us know what happens.
Good luck
Roxanne
_________________
Roxanne
Lumpectomy R. Breast 1/5/05, Post-Menopausal
1.2 cm invasive ductal CA
Histology Grade 2
Estrogen/Progesterone +
Her-2/neu Negative
Nodes negative, 2 Sentinel, 8 other nodes
RT 28+5, Tamoxifen (as osteoporosis)

leo · Owner Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Nausea and vomiting can be a side-effect of radiation. Higher doses mean more side-effects.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Breast Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others