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Side effects of chemoradiotherapy treatment

dids
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Hi my partner completed chemoradiotherapy treatment three weeks ago and we are really struggling with the side effects.  His mouth has constantly filled with either thrush or a bacterial infection.  He also had an infection in his throat and jaw, this hopefully is on its way out with the help of antibiotics that has caused the thrush to reappear.  We are struggling to keep his spirits raised as he constantly feels tired and weak (although this may be the result of the morphine).  Also we feel abandoned by all medical staff, just continually supply a raft of meds with no finish date and almost waived away with a "just get on with it" attitude.  Anyone give me any advice please.

 

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    Hi Dids, 

    So sorry that things are not going your way! It must be very difficult. On the medical side of things it seems the best thing to do is to continue with what the doctor prescribes to combat the infections. But I'd also not be afraid to continue to consult them if it doesn't seem to be working. (Often some antibiotics are ineffective on certain types of bacteria and you need to change) 

     

    In terms of nonmedical you have to keep your spirits high! Feeling tired and weak is horrible - Regular naps and eating high energy foods should help. For mouth issues you could try some non-medical products. I found a website that offers cancer patients products based on their needs. There is a mouth category and you might find something useful here. Best to consult with the doctor as well! I hope that helps a little bit. Thoughts are with you. Claire 

  • Offline in reply to claire_d

    Hi Claire

    Thank you very much for your reply we have been to see another doctor (same practice) who has prescribed a different range of products, fingers crossed they will work.  I'm never backward at coming forward (especially for someone else).  I shall certainly have a look at the website you have suggested as I am hoping, once the mouth infections have cleared) to try to encourage him to eat again, at the moment he is having nutrition through his peg.  Trouble is its the usual chemo problem everything tastes aweful.  Oh to get a good nights sleep, the Flocare Infinity is a wonderful piece of kit but I can hear it running all night.

    Thank you again for your support.   Kind Regards. Deirdre

  • Offline in reply to dids

    Hi Deirdre, 

    Glad I could help and that you got a different range of products - I hope they work as well! Yes, it's a common issue with everything tasting awful :( I've heard using bamboo cutlery helps for some people. That might be worth looking into. Hope your partner is feeling better. Claire 

  • Offline in reply to claire_d

    Hi Dids,

     

    I would say from my experience of looking after my partner who has leukemia is to take diet into serious consideration. I found that this was at least something I could help with. High calorie, health orientated meals. My partner went off water with having a metallic taste so we substituted juices. The treatment is rough, no doubt. But you're there to reinforce the fact that they can beat it. 

    I feel your struggle though sometimes infections just appear without warning. I keep the house spotless and I'm seriously strict with germs/people visiting etc. But sometimes it just happens from within the body. The mouth sores are a nightmare and my partner struggled with them too. All I could do was reassure her and theye eventually passed with treatment.

     

    Good luck though! 

  • Offline in reply to NathanR
    Thank you Nathan We have now a huge variety of squashes and bland fruit juices I have even a variety of smoothies in for when his swallowing gets a little easier. At the moment he even has difficulty in swallowing liquids (let alone the taste) as it depends on their density, some fluids wrap around his throat. Everything food wise including medicine is being fed through his peg. I think it might be a long while before his throat heals enough to attempt to swallow even soft food. No sign of the thrush clearing yet although the swollen jaw and neck have subsided. I fear it will be many more months before his throat heals enough to attempt even soft foods, maybe he will have more sense of taste by then. Thank you for your support, I hope your partner is on the mend. Kind regards Deirdre

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