Hi! Iam about to start treatment for my cancer and am a little apprihensive, I would like any imfo into the side effects of Systplatin and Radiotherapy that you people have encounted after Radical neck Dissection.

Hello Trev

You might this link helpful: Cisplatin: Side-effects.

Our members who have had this will soon give you their experiences. Meanwhile goodluck with your treatment.

Best wishes
Vinod

Thankyou for your rapid response, it is amazing how before i was diagnosed with C i was a little ignorant and now that I am among the sufferers i find that there are a lot of people that are giving their time to help, comfort and give hints
Again thankyou

Hi Trev
I had radical neck dissection on left side - three cancerous lumps that were secondary, my primary was at the back of my tongue. I had cysplatin and fluralracil(!)not sure of spelling. Anti sickness drugs helped me greatly and I had thinning hair but did not go bald! I found chemo a doddle compared to the RT - I had 33 sessions and lost 2 stones in weight but am glad to say it was all worth it as am fully recovered now. It is a hard slog but stay positive and hopefully like me you too will make a complete recovery. Best Wishes
Sheils

Best of luck and best wishes

Ive been finished Rt and chemo about 11 weeks ago

need any info just post
Dave and Sue

Hi Trev,
welcome on board!
Can't say it's gunna be an easy ride but having a good lady wife by your side is a benefit to you.
I had Cisplatin & 5FU combined. I had every side effect going & invented more besides! So feel free to ask away!
Good luck to you,
Michelle

Hi Trev,
You are really a lucky guy to have so many special people here to welcome you. I am sure you will find a lot of answers to any doubts and a helping hand whenever its required. I finished my treatment in 2000 so am not in touch with the latest of things - but like to be around making friends as one does require them when one is feeling low.I know here I can post anything and everyone will help me - so remember you are with friends.
Take care,
Ananth

quote:

Originally posted by Trev:
Hi! Iam about to start treatment for my cancer and am a little apprihensive, I would like any imfo into the side effects of Systplatin and Radiotherapy that you people have encounted after Radical neck Dissection.

Trev is that pic really you! not a bit how I imagined. I have to thank you you made my daughter and my night with lovely hair. Deborah should go into business, can she do one for my husband?

Hi Trev,
I too had a radical neck section (April '06) followed by 33 fractions of radiotherapy and 7 sessions of cisplatin chemotherapy.

Major side-effects were burns on the outside of my neck, chronic sore throat and difficulty swallowing a lot of different foods. The former can be treated with gel (try and avoid E45) and the pain with painkillers. an inability to swallow is something you will need to come to terms with it -- finding folds that slip down easily, and which your battered taste buds will allow you to eat. Oddly the surgery was almost completely pain free although I did wake up on the operating table (during my third visit to theatre 12 hours) but that's another story.

It's been said before but I shall say it again anyway follow: keep a positive mental attitude to your illness and look forward to being better. It's mostly a matter of time.

Here are some observations which you may find of use:

Expect to see a change in your eating habits - the radiotherapy will do to your taste buds what the Dam Busters did to the German dams!

Most likely you will be very tired. I am now 12 months out of hospital (other than check ups) but I am still very tired. I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat and frequently do (fall asleep that is, not drop hats).

Do not be afraid to ask your doctors for clarification -- most, if not all, of the medical personnel with whom I dealt were open to questioning and indeed I think they were generally pleased that their patients showed an interest in what was going on around them.

Do your research whilst you still have time before going into hospital. apart from this invaluable site, there are a couple of UK cancer sites with glossaries and pages on the various aspects of cancer. (Google will find them: search for cancer uk) All of these will help you understand what is happening to you (although they won't reduce nausea, pain or help you swallowing once you're radiotherapy starts)

If you have trouble with a dry mouth (apparently it is a frequent side-effect of RT) try chewing sugarfree gum, and taking frequent sips of cold water.

Lastly, because it is important, I say again - keep a positive mental attitude and you will be a winner.

I look forward to your posting bulletins of your progress.

Best regards

Robert WT

Thanks Robert WT
Yes a very similar story same surgery same treatment only one year later, I was rather traumatised by the initial consult and I guess loke many before me thought "Why me" amd then my lovely wife Deborah took me in hand and the rest is history,
my first Rt was a breeze with hardly any feelings at all untill a little later when I noticed a queer taste in my mouth but I managed to qwell that with food(I do like spicey food) but aftewr the seconcd treatment I found that I was a little listless and needed food more often and could eat anything that was put in front of me and more.
However at breakfast time I noticed that my juice tasted bland so I had my coffee ( I have Tripple Shots )first and that made the juice have taste, not so much for the Porridge.
After my third treatment we had Red Rooster(Chicken take away) and that was a little bland , however I finished it and some of Debs.
Wierd what?
One think has been nigling me and that is long bouts of Hiccups which does not help ones demeanor. I have been given lots of advice on the subject and have tried most. Did you have this problem?.
My Chemo may also have something to do with this affliction as The Doc pointed out.
Thanks again for your reply and will look forward to hearing (Oh for the simple voice)from you again
Trev

Robert,

Why not E45?

Angie,
E45 is a cream. Gel bases are more cooling and soothing. If you burn yourself you don't wanna go slapping buttery creamy thing on it. Gel based remedies are much better for taking out the heat and soothing it

I wondered why Robert said avoid E45 cream. That is what we had been advised to use and Bill will only use wha has been prescribed at the hospital or by the doc. He wont even take advice from his sister who is a pharmacist. The only thing he wont have is his oramorph which he has been prescribed as required. I think that he thinks if he goes on that it is the beginning of the end, like giving in or something.

Angie,
I was the same as Bill through treatment. My family did everythin they could to help me on the way but my stupid mentality was 'if the doctors haven't given it to me it cant be any good'! I wouldn't even take the suppliments Amir went and spent a fortune on! But the Magnesium helps alot with my nerve damage. It just took me a long time to figure out that the doctors aren't gods and DON'T know EVERYTHING!
I put off the morphine for as long as i could too. But in the end the pain got unbearable for me & it was the only thing i could get relief from! & yeah, i did get an addiction to it - even though the doctors insisted i wouldn't! But needs must and all that! If Bill's bearing up without the need for morphine then its silly to add it to his already huge list of meds! I got by on paracemtamol & codein mix for a good few weeks. & then at least the morphine's there as back-up, as your body does become tolerent & i needed more and more to quell the pain. A last resort kind of thing. Trust me, if he NEEDS it, he'll give in a take it!

Trev all the best with your treatmeant, stay positive xx