Side effects still bad 5 weeks after treatment has ended!

Hi.

I am looking after my mum who was diagnosed with stage 2 oesophagus cancer back in march.

She completed her 25 sessions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy (tablet form and a mild dose) running along side the radiotherapy 6 weeks ago and is still suffering terrible side effects from the treatments. 

Is this normal? Her nausea is the worst. she has pain all around torso. She was told that this should all subside after a couple of weeks! It is  awful to see her so depressed and in so much discomfort and pain. She is now wishing she had never started down this road. 

We are due to go back to see her consultant next week but i can't imagine what he is going to say. 

Is their anyone else in the same boat? 

Thanks 

Verity

  • It can last a while but she will built up strength and energy again soon. Speak to your oncologist for medication to prevent the nausea - this was the worse thing I had. If there are pain killers / medication for easing the torso pain too, once you are in a more comfy position it does help you heal.

  • I had 6 weeks of radio/chemo therapy and the side effects didn’t really start until 3 weeks after I had finished the treatment.. I didn’t have nausea but other stomach problems! My oncologist assured me it happened quite often and gave me various tablets. Things did clear up a couple of weeks later. Unfortunately I’ve had similar problems with immunotherapy which is now stopped! I hope things clear up for your mum soon.

  • Thank you for that.  
    Mum is so fed up.  She’s near the point of giving up too. She’s convinced herself that it’s spread now she will never feel right or herself.  
    We have the 6 week follow up appointment on Tuesday with the consultant and we are definitely asking for another X-ray and scan and she would like a nasal camera to check the top of her throat where she says the big lump/ball has never gone away since Xmas, if anything its got worse.  
    She could just be one of the unlucky few that get ongoing side affects for up to a year. 
    it is strange how your side affects didn’t kick in until 3 weeks after the treatment had ended. It can be so different. They had to lower mums chemo down at the start as she had such a bad reaction to it initially. Instead of intravenous she went on to a daily chemo tablet. 

  • Hi 

    Thank you.  The problem with her type of cancer is getting the pills down too. It’s been a nightmare. 
    she has a cupboard full of medication all different types of anti sickness and painkillers. We speak to the consultant on Tuesday so might get some more help 

  • ah yes, I would imagine that is particularly tricky for this type. Defo speak to he oncologist about all of this though - they will have way and means and different options/ best of luck