Radiation and fever

[Vitaminlover]

Hi! Would like to ask about EBRT and developing fever. Spouse just finished 5 sessions of radiation one week ago. Suddenly developed fever. We went to urgent care and it is not flu or pneumonia. Had a cold and cough before radiation started but had improved. Should we be checking his white cell count? Thank you!

[arete1105]

I found taking CBD oil prior to radiation put the side effects to nothing.

[Vitaminlover in reply to arete1105]

Yes, I was thinking of that but MSK so picky about alternative treatment. Thanks!

[Tall_Allen]

If his EBRT aimed at metastases in long bones, it could cause myelosuppression.

[Vitaminlover in reply to Tall_Allen]

It was EBRT for pelvic area where he has one suspicious lymph node. Ended up in ER today due to fever, hypotension(76/47) and dehydration.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Vitaminlover]

Flu?

[Vitaminlover in reply to Tall_Allen]

No, they say it isn’t but possibly complicated by radiation induced gastritis and colitis.

[Notsdr]

You should have a complete blood count to see whether any of your blood markers are out of range. When I had prostate bed radiation (2009) , by the end of the 9 week treatment, 15 of my blood markers became out of range, including an almost 50% drop in hemoglobin, low red blood cells and absolute lymphocytes, and very high ALT and AST. My side effect symptoms, among others, were extreme fatigue, "burning" scalp, swelling in leg, and extreme chills. I started taking vitamin B-12 (don't know if that made a difference), and within a few months, all of the blood markers returned to pre-radiation levels. As an aside, the RT did very little in terms of cancer control - PSA dropped to 0.1 for two weeks, then started rising again. In hindsight, there was probably very little tumor in the prostate bed and much more in the lymph nodes or elsewhere.

Best regards,

Richard

[Vitaminlover in reply to Notsdr]

Thank you! I agree about blood work. MSK scheduled it for a month from now but I think that’s too long.

[CalBear74]

You may want to read Vaclav Vetvicka’s book “Beta Glucan: natures secret“ ( third edition). He does an excellent job of explaining the immune system and how beta glucan will enhance the immune system after the damaging affects of illness or trauma from radiation. Beta glucan is an immuno modulator which is sold over the counter. It has been used for years in Asia, especially Japan to treat cancer. It also is used to strengthen the immune system for building a patient’s response to a number of illnesses.Only one dose a day is permitted. I take three 500 mg capsules on an empty stomach at night with Resveratrol and vitamin C, per Dr. Vetvicka’s instructions. He is a professor of pathology at the University of Louisville medical school.The problem your husband has had is fairly common among patients receiving radiation treatments. I only use transfer points beta glucan. The Brand isBeta 1,3-D GlucanFrom transfer point.

[Vitaminlover in reply to CalBear74]

Thank you! I have been reading your posts and did get the book and beta glucan. Before he started treatment he was on a beta glucan regimen but the medical oncologist at Sloan nixed it due to the Zytiga/ lupron meds. Of course, this is just the time he needs it most. Hope to meet with Sloan alternative medicine dept to see what they will recommend and allow.

Best wishes to you for continued success!

[CalBear74 in reply to Vitaminlover]

I would love to hear the medical rationale for nixing beta glucan. It has been used in clinical trials as an adjuvant therapy with various chemos. There should be any conflict with medications, but I am not a physician, I have no license to practice medicine.

[boness]

Vitaminlover, my husband also goes to MSK for treatment and his situation is very similar to yours. Brachytherapy and radiation two years ago. PSA rising; had Axumin scan which detected pelvic lymph node activity. Started on Firmagon in November for first dose and had 3 month lupron shot in December; also added Zytiga and prednisone. Message me if you would like to compare notes.