Symptoms of Chemo and/ or radiation aftermath

TeePee

TeePee

Member
I was curious who has had radiation and/or chemo and still has side effects from it. I'm a little over two years post treatment and I am just exhausted all the time with a few spurts of energy. My rbc's and wbc's are still relatively low which could be one of the causes. I thought part of it could be my age (I'm 72) and maybe it takes longer to spring back because of it. Is there anyone who no longer has any side effects? That would give me something to look forward to.
 

Myself, I have never been exposed to either, but I know people who have and they had the same complaint. If you were anemic to begin with, that may double down on the tiredness. There’s all kinds of otc vitamins and minerals you could try, buy maybe your Oncologist would be able to guide you to what works best.

Best of luck.
 
TeePee said:
I was curious who has had radiation and/or chemo and still has side effects from it. I'm a little over two years post treatment and I am just exhausted all the time with a few spurts of energy. My rbc's and wbc's are still relatively low which could be one of the causes. I thought part of it could be my age (I'm 72) and maybe it takes longer to spring back because of it. Is there anyone who no longer has any side effects? That would give me something to look forward to.
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I can't help either TeePee.. but I do know that quite a few people have had and or are currently suffering from cancer.. so hopefully someone will be able to help ... sorry to hear you're feeling so tired all the time, that must be horrible..
 

TeePee said:
I was curious who has had radiation and/or chemo and still has side effects from it.
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I had chemo and radiation treatment back in 2013-2014, but I don't think I had any lasting effects from it. I started feeling older after age 60 (2016). Toward the end of age 63 I started feeling very tired and various vitamins have helped. But I think my tiredness is just my personal aging experience.

My chemo treatment was (if I'm remembering correctly) only three sessions, and I only had three radiation sessions. Probably each type of cancer (and stage etc) has different chemo and radiation types/protocols.

I don't remember the name of the forum, but when I had cancer I frequented a same-type-cancer forum and maybe if you can find one for your particular type there would be others with similar remaining side effects and hopefully some useful strategies.
 
I recently completed 38 weeks of chemo and radiation in April for stage 4 throat cancer. At first I was exhausted all time and could barely get anything done. Even through treatment I kept walking a mile to the hospital for treatment till they stopped me and put me in the hospital. Couldn't taste food, sometimes I soiled myself and had to wear a diaper and still have diarrhea.

My strength has returned and taste has come back mostly. Back to walking a few miles a day.
 
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HoneyNut said:
I had chemo and radiation treatment back in 2013-2014, but I don't think I had any lasting effects from it. I started feeling older after age 60 (2016). Toward the end of age 63 I started feeling very tired and various vitamins have helped. But I think my tiredness is just my personal aging experience.

My chemo treatment was (if I'm remembering correctly) only three sessions, and I only had three radiation sessions. Probably each type of cancer (and stage etc) has different chemo and radiation types/protocols.

I don't remember the name of the forum, but when I had cancer I frequented a same-type-cancer forum and maybe if you can find one for your particular type there would be others with similar remaining side effects and hopefully some useful strategies.
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There is a cancer forum I follow on Facebook. Most of the ones that post on it are just starting out or just finishing. I asked my PCP (she had cancer treatment at 59 yrs old) and she seemed to think it just takes some people longer than others. She said my blood count would probably always fluctuate. I was 70 yrs old when I had my treatment.(30 days of radiation and two weeks of chemo.) I'm grateful that I have not had a reoccurence but was just wondering about other people's experiences. Thanks for you input.
 
Oldeagle66 said:
I recently completed 38 weeks of chemo and radiation in April for stage 4 throat cancer. At first I was exhausted all time and could barely get anything done. Even through treatment I kept walking a mile to the hospital for treatment till they stopped me and put me in the hospital. Couldn't taste food, sometimes I soiled myself and had to wear a diaper and still have diarrhea.

My strength has returned and taste has come back mostly. Back to walking a few miles a day.
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Wow! Considering everything you've been through, it seems like you've come a long way. I'm happy for you.
 
In a bit over two years of treatment, I've undergone two that did nothing and a current third chemo that seems to be slowing my cancer down. One of the main side effects of this infusion treatment is fatigue which no amount of sleep or rest overcomes. I'm at procedure five out of 26 so I really can't address the issue of lingering side effects at this point.
 
Llynn said:
In a bit over two years of treatment, I've undergone two that did nothing and a current third chemo that seems to be slowing my cancer down. One of the main side effects of this infusion treatment is fatigue which no amount of sleep or rest overcomes. I'm at procedure five out of 26 so I really can't address the issue of lingering side effects at this point.
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I'm glad your third chemo seems to be slowing your cancer down. I wish you the best with the rest of your treatments.
 

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