Pain after cervical lesion radiation

[dpowellnt]

Hi all. I am still working on my sequel to my last post, but in the meantime I have a problem that I hope someone has an answer to.

While I'm deciding on whether or not to continue chemo treatments, I had radiation to a met on my C7. Went well it seemed, but when I got home the swelling and pain escalated dramatically. My neck swelled up with painful nodules (Lymp nodes?) and the pain in my back around C7 was almost unbearable. I had hoped it would dissipate quickly, but it is a bad now 48 hours later as when it began. Moving around or using my arms makes the pain accelerate again. I have called my ONC and Rad ONC but neither is available.

I looked through many websites on this and not a single one mentioned pain. I think something is wrong but I don't know what. Anyone else have this pain after radiation.

[Tall_Allen]

It is very common for pain to increase for a week or two before it gets better. The reason is exactly what you said - an immediate inflammatory response to the radiation. As the inflammation goes down, it should feel a whole lot better. I don't know why ROs don't tell patients to expect this.

[dpowellnt in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you TA. I couldn't find anything on this pain. It's severe. They sugar coat this stuff and then I'm walking around looking like a squirrel saving nuts for the winter, wondering if this is the "slight" inflammation possible or something more serious.

Thanks again.

[SPEEDYX in reply to Tall_Allen]

I find doctors don't say a lot of things...you have to be your own advocate and ask questions...and this site provides information for us to ask important questions about our care and treatment...your knowledge has been invaluable to all of us!!!

[p3d1]

This is called “Post radiation pain flare” so search for that and you will get more information. It can last for up to 2 weeks. They should have prepared you for this and allowed you to have pain meds ready and a plan on how to use them. The best source for advice on this may be a pallative care nurse, they will tell you about background plasma levels and breakthrough solutions.

[dpowellnt in reply to p3d1]

Thanks. I finally got through to a nurse and she is arranging stronger meds.

Not quite the minimal swelling and no pain they advertise.

[j-o-h-n in reply to dpowellnt]

They're too busy trying to get their $123,000 XJR575Jaguar serviced....

Makes up for the Pinto they droved in medical school.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 09/05/2020 2:39 PM DST