It's been awhile since I've been on these boards.....

About 5 years ago I completed treatment for Stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma on the right side of my tongue. I completed 6 weeks of radiation after my surgery. I am cancer free. I was 34 when diagnosed....4 months after my wedding. I don't smoke, am a social drinker, don't chew but my mother was diagnosed with tongue cancer in the 80's and passed away a year after diagnosis.

However, the treatment didn't go without a price for me. I was wondering what other experiences are out there. I have been on/off lortab/norco for 5 years for nerve damage pain on my tongue and jaw due to radiation. My energy levels never really went back to where they were. I still function fine, work and have a 22 month old that keeps me busy.

Do you still deal with pain? what do you you? Is your energy back?[/color]

Lola congratulations on being 5 years out!!! I wish I were you - as it is I am only 6 weeks post rads!!! Energy wise maybe you need thyroid meds - did they check your levels prior to treatment even if it's within the norm maybe it not your normal.... Sorry about the pain - I'm sure I'll have some of the same issues at some point... but to be where you ate now is great. Take care!!

Lola,

Sadly neuropathic pain usually doesn't respond well with standard pain treatments so opaite pain medications probably aren't the best solution. They also may be what's causing the fatigue...it's a side effect from the hydrocodone that's in lortab/norco.

Hydro works by depressing the central nervous system which slows the cardiovascular system...sometime dangerously so which is why they don't recommend alcohol while taking it as it can kill you. The lower heartrate and breathing will cause you to be sluggish and fatigued. Overtime the opiates will cause insomnia and irregular sleep patterns which will also cause you fatigue.

For neuropathy (nerve pain) anticonvulsants (like neurontin) or even antidepressants are used to some degree of success depending on the type and severity of the nerve damage. Electrical stimulation of the nerves have also been used to block the pain signals quite effectively as well. Sadly however neuropathy can be difficult to get a handle on and can increase over time (my case) with little relief available...myself I use an herbal medication that is legal in your state to help find relief with mine as the other options didn't work for me.

As far as the fatigue goes there can be several causes for it but I'd look to the opiates first as it's a major side effect of them. PTSD from the cancer experience could be the culprit or it could be CRF (cancer related fatigue) or thyroid issues which there have been cases where it took years to recover from. It's a tricky thing and I've struggled with both fatigue and nerve pain since tx/surgery was over and am just now getting to a point through exercise/activity levels where I feel I'm not completely void of energy 3.5 years out.

Anyway, keep your chin up

Eric

Dear Lola,

Congratulations on 5 years and on the birth of your baby!

I truly wish that you could enjoy being cancer-free without the constant reminders that you had cancer but don't have it anymore. It saddens me that you are in pain and your energy hasn't completely returned. I hope you are able to get some relief. Being back on the forum can only help with getting good ideas and answers to your questions.

Best of luck and congratulations on your very full and busy life!

Sandy

Lola, you've gotten great advice here and I'm sorry you're going through such a mess. If I were a betting person I'd put my money on a hypothyroid condition for the fatigue. Let us know what they find, ok?

Thanks everyone...I suspected hypothyroid as well. I am thinking even a small change even if within normal would have an affect on me. And I also think the opiates had something to do with it. I have only been off them (again) for about 2 weeks.

I am going to the doctor on July 8 for regular physical. I am going to request to get it tested again. I only had it tested once (that I recall) and that was about 2.5 years ago.

Yes, I will keep you posted. Thanks again!

Make sure they check the free T4 as well as TSH. Ask about it anyway, and hope they will. You can be low only on the free T4 and with symptoms most docs will do something about it. TSH numbers seem to be somewhat controversial, and I won't get into that, cause it's, what's the word, "fatiguing"

Best to you,
Anne