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How to fight cisplatin side effects like nausea & fatigue?
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Jan 30 9:02pm | Replies (55)Comment receiving replies
@justwow
Sounds like you are on the right path doing the research and weighing best options.
We can certainly learn a lot from other people's past experiences with different treatment plans and outcomes so am thankful for this forum and people willing to contribute already.
If you haven't seen the excellent links roblem posted on the other thread titled "HPV Tonsil cancer: I'm very nervous about chemo and radiation" do read through ALL of those.
I was diagnosed Oct 2 2025, T1 N1 M0 HPV P16+. Right tonsil, right node. Stage 1. the tonsil tumor was 3,5 cm and node was 1.5 cm . By the time treatments started the tonsil was probably 4.5 cm. Took almost 3 months for treatment to get lined up with all the tests, scans, consultations and scheduling so that all made me a bit anxious.
Am now 11 radiation treatments and 2 chemos in.
Done with chemo that cesplatin 74 mg dose per cycle 1 week apart really wreaked havoc on my body, immune system and digestive tract.
A shingles outbreak and minor cuts or abrasions became infected.
Noticed blood work showing low RBC red blood cell count after 2nd week chemo. Other blood tests showing changes as well all heading in the wrong direction.
Anyway long winded today getting excited about finishing radiation next week . I am dropping out at 16 radiation treatments. The tumor is hardly visible anymore. My call based on compelling research data, trials and studies.
Let the dust settle while I still have some quality of life left and see what a pet scan shows in 3 mos. and go from there. My years here are growing slim anyway so I'm ok with my choices. I've had a good run. Best of luck to you and whatever you choose to do. Keep up the fight.
Just my opinion but the standard of care 35 radiation treatments and 7 chemo cycles seems like an antiquated plan for most any P16+ oropharyngeal cancer patients today . Keep researching and I bet you will come to the same conclusion.
Replies to "@justwow Sounds like you are on the right path doing the research and weighing best options...."
@woodsy1
I think I had asked that question once before what if I just dropped out of the study at 15 or 16 weeks and leave it at that…… that gives me two full rounds of cisplatin and that gives me the 15 rounds or 15 days of treatment no doubt 20 if I go that far….. that’s food for thought.
@woodsy1 This is a tough battle, a really tough one. I'm starting my third week of radiation photon as the other one is not avaliable in Canada. Constipation can get really bad, I have increased my dose of stool softener and laxatives. I'm trying to increase my liquid intake as food taste has drastically changed. I feel like now I have to eat to survive. I did tors surgery so now I have 30 treatments of radiation and 6 cisplatin. But doctors are happy if I get 5.
@woodsy1
I will be 64 in July. Grandma and animal lover…. I’ve been on overload ever since diagnosis. My struggle is just beginning. I wish you good things only and always
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@woodsy1 Dr said to expect not too good bloodwork results for a while as both chemo and radiation take a toll on the body. Cisplatin is a tough one but seemly is very effective. Headaches are another side-effect . Will read that post. In my husband's case the tumor was growing into the tonsil so dr removed it as well as surrounding tissue he got clear margins. That was tough on a 69 yr old male! Really hope all goes well for you and 3 month scan is clear. Keep us updated.