betplace Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Hi Friends, As many of you know, I finished 11 rounds of radiation late last month. I felt really good throughout the whole process. However since I finished the radiation I have run a constant low grade temperature and have basicly been feeling mostly miserable. Headache and fever, diarrea, and fatigue for over 2 weeks seems excessive to me. I told PCP about it and he says it is just my body working through the toxins. Is he right and I just need to ride it out? I feel like I will never be well again. I do see the onc on Friday. Any thoughts about it would be appreciated. Blessings Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NellW Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Hi Betty, Just wanted to say I am sorry you are feeling so sick. Sending prayers you will get stronger and feel better really quick. Love, Nell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Radiation is cumulative and it does keep wprking weeks after the treatments stop. It frequently tires one and lowers your resistence. Hope you are better soon. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Hang in there, Betty... you'll be feeling better soon.... Just hang on and ride this out. Take good care of yourself in the meantime. Eat good stuff to help your body heal from the damage the radiation did, and rest well... XOXOXOXOXOX MaryAnn Prayers always.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Betty, I don't know any answers, but just keep in contact with the Dr. I sure hope you are up and happy dancing soon! love and fortitude elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcawork Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 I would tell your Oncologist at once, not your PCP who has little to do w/ things for a while. Radiation should not cause fever per my rad oncolo. How are your counts? do you have a cough? Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcawork Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 I would tell your Oncologist at once, not your PCP who has little to do w/ things for a while. Radiation should not cause fever per my rad oncolo. How are your counts? do you have a cough? What is your temp? Over 100.5? Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 YEP!! Let your oncologist know. If the fever gets above 100 be sure to call him then. If not at your Fri apt. let him know. Rad does work for weeks after treatments are done so you will be tired and yucky feeling for awhile. This to shall pass. Love ya, Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Hi Betty, I had been feeling pretty good right after my brain Rad. Then the fatigue, nausea and the blah feeling hit. I have to admit it lasted at least a month for me. So hang in there and get some good books. I'm still working on getting all of it back. Today is a 3 month check. very anxious. May take one of my ativans! Hope you are feeling better soom. Hugs, Prayers & Positive energy for you...Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Betty, I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling so miserable. I do hope things will look up for you soon. Love and Prayers, Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Betty, I agree with some of the others. Radiation works for weeks after you finish. It also can run down your immune system making it more likely that you will catch something else. I would tell the oncologist about it. If your fever is over 100 call sooner than Friday. I hope it turns out to be something easily fixed...if not..hang in there...radiation was the pits for me. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted September 15, 2004 Author Share Posted September 15, 2004 Thanks every one, so this was to be expected. The temp has never gone above 100 so I will wait until Friday. I probably won't be posting for a while until I feel better. Do you think Ry will give me a Hall Pass over the weekend? I find I have the energy to read, but not type. Any how thanks for all the reassurance. Blessings Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 I will give you a hall pass if you call your onc about your symptoms. I don't think a fever and diarhea are part of the radiation treatments...you might have picked up a bug while your system was weak. How's that for blackmail? Hope you are dancing soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Betty I also have to say call your Onc AND your Radiologist. Those do not sound like the normal side effects associated with the radiation. My prayers are with you. I hope you get feeling better soon. David C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted September 18, 2004 Author Share Posted September 18, 2004 Well I went to see Onc, and he had nothing to say about the temps. Of course when I got to his office I was 98.6, which is high for me, but normal in the med. world. My red blood count had plummeted down to 8.9, so they shot me with Procritt and I am back to weekly blood tests and Procritt shots. It's no wonder I am so exhausted all the time. He is concerned with the amount of weight I have lost, but I contend it is mostly water, I was so swollen and bloated. He is sending me for a chest xray, and will see me in a couple weeks. So I am still running a low grade temp and feeling lousy. Please forgive me if I don't post as much as usual, I am always praying for all of us and I read all posts daily, it just depends on energy levels to type an answer. When you have good news I will Happy Dance for you even if I don't type it! When the news is sad I will send hugs and prayers even if I don't type it. I just need more stamina right now, and it will take some time to build it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 Hey Betty, We are here for you and totally understand. Just rest and get your stamina back. Hope the xray is clean, clean, clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 Betty, Just get better and post when you can, we will think of you and return all the prayers and good vibes you always send for everybody, now it is your turn to get them. J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted September 19, 2004 Share Posted September 19, 2004 Betty, My Mom had similar problems to those you speak of. She felt the same way. I pray that you will be feeling better soon and your treatments will be over. Hugs to you, Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted September 19, 2004 Share Posted September 19, 2004 Betty, My husband had this as well, at least the fever. He had a constant fever of approx. 100.5 to 101.5 for 3-4 weeks after radiation and chemo. Antibiotics didn't help, tylenol would bring it down, but it would pop right back up, and he just felt lethargic with the fever. They finally put him in the hospital and did all kinds of blood tests and blood cultures and never did come up with a reason. He was in the hospital for 3 1/2 days, and about 1 week later, the fever just went away. The onc just assumed it was associated with the radiation. He said it wasn't uncommon to develop a fever after radiation, but he got concerned when it lasted so long, especially since it was getting above 101. He had us write down the temps at least 4 times a day and take them to him on each visit. I certainly don't know if this is the same situation as you are having, but that's what happened to him. Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Betty, I am praying for you to feel better soon and for the chest X-ray not to show anything. Take care and I will "Happy Dance" for you when you are feeling better. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Betty, hope you are feeling better soon. There is a really neat book out there called The Bible Cure for Cancer. It has some good ideas to help with tiredness and good foods to eat that have anti-cancer properties. It also has some really good biblical quotes that helped my mom through all her radiation and chemo she has had so far. It's not real big and is easy reading. Good luck to you! God bless and keep you all, and above all, keep up the fight!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Betty, hope you are feeling better soon. There is a really neat book out there called The Bible Cure for Cancer. It has some good ideas to help with tiredness and good foods to eat that have anti-cancer properties. It also has some really good biblical quotes that helped my mom through all her radiation and chemo she has had so far. It's not real big and is easy reading. Good luck to you! God bless and keep you all, and above all, keep up the fight!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Betty, I didn't have fever and diarrhea after radiation, just the throat problem and fatigue that are so common. I think that a specific question like side effects of a procedure should be asked of the doctor performing it, not your PCP. It's a specialty, not general care. Hope you're up step-dancing soon! Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haylee_38 Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Betty, Just want you to know I am thinking about you. Get some rest and will be saying prayers that you will be feeling better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharKats Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Hi Betty, I started feeling bad about 2 weeks after completing radiation; having trouble breathing, etc. Went to onc, she said radiation induced pneumonitis, gave me antibiotics and steriods. One week later felt worse. Went back and another onc sent me straight to the hospital. Had another bronoscopsy(?), various tests, etc. They found some form of TB and put me in isolation and started me on "TB meds" which sent my BP plummeting to the point I had to have sodium chloride IV to bring it up. (I'm a high BP person and have been for 24 years - I use to take 4 different meds to keep it in normal range). I was all set to go home when I got a 103 temp and they said I wasn't going anywhere. I ended up being there 2 weeks and left with a diagnosis of asthma, COPD and mild emphysema along with a lung infection, Micro-bacterial Avian something or other. It's a common contaminent that only affects people with bad lungs which I have. It also requires a year's worth of antibiotics to which I am allergic so we're just gonna watch and see if I have any problems - maybe I won't have to deal with it at all. Anyway, you definitely need to see your onc so he can closely monitor you until you're feeling better. I only had 25 radiation treatments - you had 6 more! Sure hope you are feeling much better very soon!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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