I'm currently just over halfway through 6 weeks of radiotherapy (30 sessions) and chemotherapy (6 sessions of Cisplatin).
The first week wasn't too bad - slight burning sensation developed in my mouth and on my tongue from the radio and I had a good vomiting seizure for about twenty minutes a couple of hours after my 5 hour chemo session - though I did feel nauseous for about 2 days after this,and not exactly great after that.
I use E45 cream for my increasingly reddening skin - the radio is slowly tightening my 9 inch lypmh node removal scar and my tongue is tightening up too where I had laser surgery.I read on this forum that Aloe Vera gel is a great help for my skin and I ordered the highest quality from the internet - however this obviously didn't agree with my delicate celtic skin (!) as it made me peel like an orange within an hour of whenever I used it.
Week 2 stepped up a level (as expected) and my mouth became more sensitive (i.e. burned).The Cisplatin brought on a more prolonged sickness and my nausea lasted longer.
Weeks 3 and 4 stepped up the burning sensation and my mouth is now very sensitive and swallowing is a little difficult/painful. The cisplatin did it's business after my fourth session and I was vomiting constantly for 4 1/2 hours.Weeks 5 and 6 loom large - so I hope the consultant can re-jig my medication accordingly.
All my symptoms were predicted (I am also increasingly tired)but I am a little puzzled by a change in my walking gait.During week four I noticed that I'm not putting my left foot down properly when I walk (my surgery/treatment was on the left).On the right foot I have a normal heel to toe contact, yet on the left I'm slapping it down whole at once (flat footed is another explanation) which I've never done before - and my left leg as a whole feels weak.I've had sciatica before but in no way is it anything like that.I spoke to the on-call Registrar who seemed to think I had a bad back -I dont like to criticise doctors, but I got the impression that was a bit of a guess, as I haven't exactly been able to do anything for 4 months which would remotely bring any such problem on.
I've heard through another medical contact (a General Practitioner) that Cisplatin can bring on flat footedness so I'd be interested if anyone else has had similar issues.

Brendan, I have not heard anyone on the forum complain of flat footedness.

Hi Brendan - I haven't heard of that particular issue but this treatment does crazy things to us! I have a tingly numbness that shoots down my spine as a result of radiation every time I look down.
I've found my GP to not be the best person to follow-up with - my MO - by far - has been able to give me reasons for weird side effects while others have seemed to just take their best guess! Not at all reassuring!

I can't help but wonder if there isn't something more that your team can do about your nausea and vomtting. I think I was on 3 different meds for nausea - given to me during chemo by IV and then afterwards by mouth and they did the trick - oddly enough - I looked forward to chemo cause I felt better the 2 days afterwards than I did all week - no nausea and the steroids gave me a blessed break from the fatigue. May want to see if there's something different that can be done for your nausea - the idea of vomitting with a radiation burned mouth makes me cringe!

Take good care!

Oh my gosh jenslp... Me too! It's not an all the time thing but yes I get the tingly numbness shooting too!! I'm wondering if it's related to swelling or fibrosis - dis you MO give you an explanation? Brendan.. Tell your dr. I. Case IRS related to your carotid, or a TIA! Good luck - oh and the skin.. Do you have glaxo base there? It a great cream.

Hey Cheryl - MO and RO said it was radiation induced fibrosis of the spinal cord - very common to appear 3-6 months after the end of radiation and should last approx 6 months. Range of motion - essentially stretching the cord itself through neck flexion is supposed to help limit the stiffening of the spinal cord. It's kind of a freaky feeling but now that I know I'm not doing permanent damage to my spine with each movement the freaky feeling, at least, isn't scary anymore!

Are you on decadron as well? It has made my bottom leg heavy which sounds a little similar.

I am not on any drugs... no this is a weird sensation... (I had a feeling it was fallout from rads so I wasnt freaking completely). I also thought mild fibrosis as it isn't constant. Hopefully yoga will help then - plus the neck exercises - I got a double blast to my neck area (bilaterally) so that may have exacerbated the problem. And strangely enough I am four and a half months out (sarcasm). I wish the rads department would compile a list of possible side effects... along with those that should concern you and those that shouldn't but then I bet they'd have a lot less customers... ;o)

Thanks so much for the info Jennifer.

:o)
Hank this is an odd sensation when I bend my head forward towards my chest I get a tingling down my spine, to the back of my legs. very odd. but not constant only once in a while and usually at night... perhaps when I am tired?