Brain mets

[BellaBe]

Hi everyone, I just wondered if if you had any tips on dealing with the side effects of SRS. I have 4 very small mets that I’m having treated in one session next week.

I was thinking that maybe a cool pad pillow may be good for headaches and reducing inflammation after treatment. Has anyone tried anything like this?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Xx

[Vapcq]

Hi. I had 6 small brain mets all treated in one session with Cyberknife and had no side effects whatsoever. I know we are all different and hope you won’t have any either. After waiting 1 year my brain mets all shrivelled and died and I’m still clear a year after that. Incredible technology! Good luck.

[Bow-19]

I have been treated for 2 brain mets with SRS and that was 3 years ago. I was very tired after the treatment, everyone is different though. Wishing you a good response x

[Cockailschemocancer]

I had cyberknife for Brain Melts a year ago, just tired after a few days, they will give you steroids though if you need them, I didn't. Brilliant technology. Best of Luck xx

[BellaBe in reply to Cockailschemocancer]

Thanks to you all. It’s very encouraging that you didn’t get side effects and I hope to continue the trend. I have been told to take 5 days of steroids starting on the day of treatment to ward off side effects and reduce inflammation. So I’m going to do that anyway. As I’ll have to start back on my targeted therapy after that.Very nervous, just keeping my fingers crossed it goes well x

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear BellaBe

As you have read from the posts, not everyone gets the same side effects and tiredness seems to be the most common effect after the treatment.

A cool pad pillow can be a great aid for any headache, the cool gel ones you can put in the freezer before bed and it may provide longer relief.

You may find this link from Cancer Research UK of use on SRS:

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

It sounds like the team will be looking after you well and if you would like to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team