[melissaanne]

Radiation side effects and duration

by melissaanne on Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:29 pm

Hello, All

My mom is on her 19th radiation session (out of 25) for her spinal plasmacytoma. She is started to really get hit with the fatigue and general lethargy that's to be expected. No redness, burning on the skin (thanks to aloe, all-natural lotion and green tea applied to the site).

My question is: Has anyone gone through radiation and can you attest to how long these symptoms lasted following the treatment?

She still has about a week to go and she's getting more and more tired. I've read that these symptoms can last weeks, months, years past the end of radiation treatment. I would love some input.

Thank you!

[NStewart]

Re: Radiation side effects and duration

by NStewart on Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:41 pm

Melissa-

As with everything else, there is no set time as to how long one experiences the side effects from radiation. That being said, and with my experience as a physical therapist treating people while they were going through radiation, she should begin to feel better within a few weeks. Usually the last 2 weeks of treatment the length of your mother's are the hardest for fatigue and the development of other radiation side effects. Yes, she will still be more tired for a while, but gradually that should improve over the next month or two.

If she develops any skin problems over this last week, those will clear up within a few weeks depending on her normal healing process for burns. She will need to be careful of having any sun, or heat, on the area of the radiation because it can burn more easily.

Your mother is going through the worst side effects of her radiation treatment this week. Know that come next week she will feel a huge relief just knowing that it is over. Celebrate the fact by doing something special with her. Make sure that she rests when she begins to feel tired. Give her lots of love (as if you don't already) and know that she will get better.

All the best to your mother and to you,
Nancy in Phila

[Ginny]

Re: Radiation side effects and duration

by Ginny on Thu Oct 29, 2015 6:54 am

Hello,

Nancy's description is accurate. I had 25 external radiation treatments and the last two weeks were the most difficult. Also, I was pretty exhausted the two weeks afterward. In the three months since, I find fatigue sneaks up on me and I will get overtired one day and pay for it the next day. So I have to pace myself.

[melissaanne]

Re: Radiation side effects and duration

by melissaanne on Thu Oct 29, 2015 8:55 pm

Thank you for your helpful replies! She did seem to have peak fatigue last week (which was week 3-4 technically). This week, thanks to some new vitamins, she's feeling a little more peppy. However, I think some of that is her not telling me the whole truth about how she feels. I will surely celebrate the end to her radiation! It is such a feat and I commend anyone who has gone through it!