[nancy524]

Radiation

by nancy524 on Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:35 pm

Has anyone had any radiation treatments on their mid back or elswhere?
I am having a great deal of pain in the mid back and every time I have an x-ray there are more compression fractures. My doctor is talking about starting radiation and I would like to know how you did during this. I have read that it can make the skin very sensitive and other problems with the skin in the area being treated and also mouth problems, throwing up etc. Would like to hear from anyone who has had to go through this. Not sure if I will have to do this but something we discussed. Thanks, Nancy

[Mattias]

Re: Radiation

by Mattias on Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:39 pm

I have experienced radiation due to a plamacytoma in my back. The side effects were mild and mainly burning skin and an irritable bowel. Medication against nausea was a terrific help. The side effects started after two weeks radiation and lasted two weeks after the last treatment session. It really didn't bother me that much. Good luck with your treatment! // Mattias from Sweden

[Dr. Jason Valent]

Re: Radiation

by Dr. Jason Valent on Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:07 pm

Radiation for pain control in myeloma is generally well tolerated as doses need edto control pain are rather low comparatively to doses used to treat other tumor types.

The other consideration for pain related to compression fractures is kyphoplasty (or vertebroplasty) which is a mostly same day surgical procedure to stabilize the fracture by injecting a substance similar to concrete into the collapsed vertebrae. If you have not had this yet, please ask your doctor about it.

[Jade]

Re: Radiation

by Jade on Tue Nov 20, 2012 8:06 pm

Hi,
My husband (myeloma 5 years) has had radiation 3 times, all for plasmacytomas. There was no discomfort with the radiation and if you use the skin creams, very little skin irritation. He did experience fatigue for a few months after. I'm not sure if it was the radiation or that he was also on Revlimid and that causes fatigue and lowers blood counts. Good luck with your treatment.

[Mary Degenkolb]

Re: Radiation

by Mary Degenkolb on Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:24 pm

I have had two rounds of radiation. The first was the thoracic spine area, and I did not have any real issues. I had a little heartburn and that was it. The second round was lower, in my lumbar spine area. This made me extremely sick! Since it was my L2 the treatment was through my stomach! The dr. Said I would have "some" nausea" wrong!!! I was so sick after just two 5 minute treatments I had to miss 4 days of work. I asked the nurse if this was to kill the cancer or alivate the pain, she told me that it was to kill cancer cells! I am in remission and so have no cancer cells to kill! I asked if it would help the pain, and I was told it may in about 30 percent. So I opted to not continue with the other 8 treatments.
I guess it really depends on where they "shoot" the beam as to the kind of symptoms you will have, but they can be very precise when they use radiation. I have always found that the Doctors know more and do the best for all patients!

[Gilbert]

Re: Radiation

by Gilbert on Wed Nov 21, 2012 8:23 am

Had 2 weeks radiation January 2010 across stomach to reduce tumors on vertebrae
After 2 weeks severe pain in abdomen felt like squeezing a wet dish towel going on
Lasted about 3 weeks
Radiation worked shrunken hot spots
Pain is good if treatments work,also went to gym every day to walk on treadmill just to keep moving
That is important keep moving!

[GeorgeLJurak]

Re: Radiation

by GeorgeLJurak on Wed Nov 21, 2012 5:51 pm

Yes, I recieved 5 weeks of radiation on my lower back for pain. There were no side effects. However, the pain I was experiencing was later found to be from peripheral neuropathy from Velcade. A most terrifing experience!!

[nancy524]

Re: Radiation

by nancy524 on Thu Nov 22, 2012 2:46 pm

thank you all for your answers, I talked with the nurse and she said that last x-ray showed no changes but the doctor had not read it yet. I haven't heard from them so I am hoping I do not have to do this yet. If not I go back in Feb for next follow up and will see him then. Thanks again hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Nancy

[LizR]

Re: Radiation

by LizR on Wed Nov 28, 2012 8:26 pm

My husband had 10 rounds of radiation on his lower spine where the largest tumor was. He got radiation burn which caused him a lot of pain but it only lasted for about a week or so. His back turned brown where they did the radiation.