whole brain radiation

backtokd · New User Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

My Mom has stage 4 lung cancer with bone and brain mets. She had 10 treatments of radiation which finished 8 days ago. For the past couple of days she has seemed confused and disoriented as well as VERY sleepy. I can't tell if these are side effects of the radiation, getting too much pain meds or if one of the brain lesions are growing. When I can get her to wake up, she will initially respond appropriatley. Then she dozes off in mid-sentence or begins to talk about something else.

Anyone out there heard of this kind of side effects with the radiation?

Kelly

In · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject: Re: whole brain radiation

Hi Kelly,

First of all I'm sorry about your Mum's Lung Cancer. I'm not so sure about the info you need. (i haven't really got a clue). But to me it sounds like it might be the pain meds more than the result of Radiation. I have heard of many of friends and members here, with pain meds being too strong and them feeling sleepy and no conherent. I have never heard of ratiation doing this. I do know it makes you tired and sore and feel awful- but never as bad as your mum.

I would reccommend talking to her medical team to make sure. I'm sure someone will reply soon to your post- with better advice.

Take Care and I hope you get your answers.
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brainman · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:07 pm Post subject: Re: whole brain radiation

Hi Kelly, I am very sorry about your mother's lung cancer and current problems. All of the things you mentioned could cause her symptoms. Or the symptoms could be caused by the combination of treatment, tumors, and radiation. Unfortunately, it will be very hard to determine exactly what is causing her confusion and sleepiness. It will be a while until the radiation has finally finished its work and the doctors will be a scan then to see if the tumors have decreased in size or are totally gone.

Try to make the most out of those times you have with her when she is normal. You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
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backtokd · New User Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

This morning my Mom woke up completely lucid. I didn't cut back on her pain meds. as she would rather be sleepy and pain free versus wide awake and hurting. I'm still not sure what made her sooo very sleepy.

Kelly

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1294

Kelly,

It could well be strictly related to the WBR. My friend had WBR and was confused for a few weeks, so was my brother-in-law. It's pretty common. Radiation is known to make you tired too. Make sure she is staying hydrated and that her electrolytes are up. No use making her feel worse by allowing dehydration to complicate matters. Have her drink gatorade, orange juice, and eat bananas. OJ and bananas will give her the potassium, but you need gatorage (or something similar, read the labels) to boost all of her electrolytes.

Best wishes for sunnier days.

PBJ

brainman · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:08 am Post subject: Re: whole brain radiation

Kelly, I agree with pbj. WBR can and often does make a person feel exhausted. Even after my stereotactic radiation therapy, I needed a long nap.

I drink at least 16 oz of pure water every day. That is good advice for anyone but especially for people trying to fight cancer.
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1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

sodapop · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:44 pm Post subject: Re: whole brain radiation

Hi Kelly,

I finished my WBRT 2 weeks ago. I didn't really notice any side effects until about 8-10 days after. I started to get really fatigued. My forehead looked like a strawberry just a few days after the treatment and felt like a piece of leather it was so dry, lol.

Now, I'm starting to feel much better as far as fatigue is going and my head is back to normal color. I am also on Chemo, so it's a double whammy.

I drank a lot of water and still do, I think it really helps, also lots of OJ, which I always do anyway with my bacon and eggs in the morning, Wink

Anyway, I hope she starts feeling better and thought my story might help with your questions.

Keep us updated.
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jrecufan · New User Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Posts: 5

Hi Kelly. Just curious how old your Mom is. I believe that WBR effects can be more pronounced in older people. My Dad was 69 when he had his WBR and, although he didn't have a lot of the sleep issue, he had issues with balance and memory for several months.

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