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Is anyone else getting these side effects months after radiation ?
I had 28 sessions of external beam radiation therapy, IMRT, that ended 7 months ago for prostate cancer. I passed on taking Lupron or anything like that. I was Stage 2 with nothing outside the prostate. The side effects at first were mostly related to increased urination frequency and stinging while going. That has not gone away and now 7 months later I have been getting the weirdest symptoms that started about 60 days ago. I itch all over, mostly head, eyes, arms and back, constantly all day long. I went in and my primary did a ton of blood tests, nothing to explain symptoms. He suggested my Dermatologist but I have no rash or anything on my skin to point him to that would cause it. About 45 days ago l started feeling light headed A LOT. I also started having weird feelings in my upper body that are hard to explain but not normal. Almost like being anxious all the time. So 30 days ago I went in to urgent care when the chest feelings and light headedness were too much. They did an EKG, X-ray of my chest, blood test and sent me for an electro cardiogram. Again, nothing found that would explain these symptoms. Now I am getting stomach discomfort off and on all day. It is not high up but lower by the belt line. Sometimes it just happens, other times when I drink something I feel it. Not painful but darn uncomfortable when it happens. I google it and get nothing other than irritable bowl syndrome that could be the cause. Anyway, long winded post but is anyone else getting weird symptoms like any I mentioned after treatment ? The quality of life is going way down quick with the constant itching and weird feelings that are not normal. I am thinking it has to be something to do with the radiation treatment. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
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I had 28 sessions as well. I still have urinary urges 2 yrs later.
Try saw palmetto. It helped me some with the peeing issues
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1 ReactionThanks for the advice. I will get the wife to get me some.
Have you considered the possibility that you have developed a food allergy/sensitivity, possibly unrelated to the RT? Long before I was diagnosed with PCa, I was having “weird” body sensations, fatigue, joint aches, itches, and brain fog that got worse over several years. It got so bad on some days that I started thinking about going on disability from work until I sorted it out. I finally started thinking about whether it was something in my diet, and came across a lot of information about sensitivity to dairy protein. The symptoms people described matched my symptoms. I did an elimination diet with all dairy products and anything that had dairy, casein or whey protein in. Lo, when I went off dairy, my symptoms vanished within days. When I went back on dairy, the symptoms returned. I’ve been dairy free ever since, and those nearly debilitating symptoms have never come back. Anyway, just something to consider. Hope you sort it soon and get through it.
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1 ReactionThanks for your reply. My diet these days is pretty bland but I guess something could be causing it. I don't do any dairy but we eat a lot of salmon and chicken so maybe I am allergic to some proteins. Anyway, Thanks again for the advice. I will change up some things and see if that helps.
Suzdog, I reread your post and although it could be anxiety, it could be a tick borne illness as well.
Have your blood tests included tests for Lymes, babesiosis and ehrlichiosis? One little tick bite made me allergic to ALL meat proteins for 6 years and I had many of your symptoms - mostly about 4-5 hrs after eating. It’s called ALPHAGAL syndrome and can cause GI disturbances as well.
I seriously recommend these blood tests - most doctors don’t do them unless you live in Connecticut or Long Island. Best,
Phil
Thanks for your reply. I live in the desert so we don't have ticks and I haven't traveled but I will ask my primary about the conditions you mentioned. Thanks again for the input.
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1 ReactionHave you had a compete blood panel recently? Liver disease can cause itching.
https://sagealphagal.com/
Take a look
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1 ReactionYes my primary did a complete CBC and Metabolic panel and no negatives that would point to the liver. I also get a scan once a year of all the major organs and as of November 2024 liver was fine but Thanks for the reply.