Struggling with post radiation treatment side effects .

I don't believe there is one treatment for all side effects, which can vary greatly. After coming to this discussion group, I've learned how fortunate I've been despite it being no cake walk, having avoided some really serious side effects. When I went through treatment 20 years ago, they used morphine and oxycodone to help with the pain. For burns Auqaphor helped. Treatments have improved since then, so I'm sure you'll find answers here. Good luck!

Thanks for your feedback .
I’m beginning to to think that it is a sin to want to feel better .

@ernierogersquamus123 I think we all want to feel better quickly after cancer. Unfortunately, that usually doesn't happen. The treatments affect each patient uniquely and the remedies are also unique in that what works for one doesn't necessarily work for all or even one other.
In my case as in many other patients here on Connect, it takes years to get to a place where one feels "normal". And this isn't usually the old normal. It is often a new normal. It is hard to say that the point of normalcy is where we stop improving or where we just get used to our maladies. For example, here I sit twenty-six years out with a painfully sore gum, the result of having my mandible rebuilt, the result of the tissue continuing to grow around my prosthesis and being irritated until once per year I have the excess tissue ablated, which will happen next month. Very annoying but I learned to ignore this for the past five years, best I can.
I hope you start feeling better soon. The nausea you have might need to be seen by a gut doctor. It could be anything from a bile duct issue to a chemical imbalance to lack of good gut bacteria. Time seems to be the best healer unless there is something medically wrong that needs repair. Just because you had cancer doesn't mean you can't have another issue. Courage.

I had nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment in 2006 - 35 sessions of radiation plus chemo as well. A few years after treatment, I thought I was back to norm!!
But in mid 2020 - when I started having issues with speech and swallowing (not to mention hearing impairments at the very beginning of treatment) - I was diagnosed with 'late effects of radiation'. And since then, 'late effects of radiation' creeps up bit by bit - numbness in lower jaw and lip, misaligned vision in left eye (radiation was on the left side), drooling, swallowing is getting worse - to the point where the last few drops will stay in my mouth - choice is to have a paper napkin to remove the excess or spit it out.
I believe these late effects apply to head and neck radiation treatment.
This is my personal journey .. and with advance in treatment - hope you fare better!!

@hrhwilliam
Going for a Endoscopy as soon as the insurance company covers the procedure . My problem is the fact that I lack intestinal fortitude plain and simple. I have to stop whining.

@josk Man I feel for you . I can not imagine. Late side effects !
Are you getting any help with late occurring side effects ?

@ernierogersquamus123 believe there is not much help or treatment for late effects of radiation - except for suggested exercises for severe neck fibrosis, mouth, jaw & neck, and speech therapy/exercises. There is no surgery or injection that provides immediate 'fix".
Up to this point, I am resigned to my situation, and learning to adapt and adjust.
Keep well!!

Thank you !

@ernierogersquamus123 "intestinal fortitude". I love a good pun. And yes, with cancer recovery, we have to take the bull by the horns. The doctors simply don't often have the experience with cancer recovery symptoms. They won't get it until they get it.

The question is , when and how will they Get It !
Some people can’t understand what it is like to not be able to eat because of the nausea .
My analogy is this . You stop by your friends house who just threw up from too much drinking . You say , “hey let’s go have a stake dinner at Garlock and he looks at you like he could kill you .
Based on the the fact that doctors don’t have the experience with cancer recovery symptoms wouldn’t it be nice if they would bring this issue up at their conferences. Topic # 15 .QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CANCER PATIENTS .
I know , I’m going over the deep end !