My husband finished radiation/chemo 18 months ago & post-tests are fine. 1)For 2 weeks he's been dizzy & off-balance. Has anyone had this problem? 2)He's terribly depressed & irritable. Is anyone using an antidepressant that doesn't further aggrevate dry mouth?

I am a little further along (21 months) and I don't recall any unsusual problems with being dizzy or off balance at 18 months. Infections in the inner ear can cause this. Thrush might be a factor. I would run this by your doctor. Depression and irritability are pretty common after effects but once again, 18 months is a ways out. I would speak with a doctor about that also. It's probably nothing ominous, just some things that need to be managed.

Hi Sirnech, as far as I know, one of the major side effects of most anti-depressants is dry mouth. I suffered from severe depression when I was about 3 to 4 months post cancer treatment. I had to be hospitalized and received professional help including psychiatrist, clinical psychologist and anti-depressants. My psychiatrist told me that the medicine given to me did not aggravate dry mouth and one side effect was weight gain. That was good to me, in fact. I have taken that anti-depressant for over a year and I didn't realize its effect on my dry mouth. I think the doctor would prescribe something suitable to your husband. About your first question, I didn't experience any serious problem of dizziness or off-balance after treatment.I may feel a bit dizzy if I have been sitting for a long time and suddenly stand up. I think it is just because my body is in general weaker than before after fighting the battle.

Karen.

I had quite significant dizziness at about 6-9 months after rad. Even had a brain scan to check no blood clots etc. Everything was fine and gradually it disappeared. Lots of little symptoms to keep us on our toes!! I also take antidepressants but have found that the hayfever tabs I took caused more dry mouth than the happy pills. Hope your husband improves soon. Love from Helen

Sirneck:
I too have occasional vertigo. Especially when entering a bright area from a darker area.
Darrell

When I am under extreme stress I can start to suffer from vertigo. Usually it is just some dizziness, once extreme dizziness and vomiting. For some reason, heriety I guess, my siblings can also suffer from it too when under stress One was diagnosed with Menier's (sp?) Disease which is also an inner ear problem. The dizziness could also be viral. None of the above is related to cancer tho and I am no expert! My husband has not experienced any dizziness since his treatment ended almost a year ago. Hope my experience is of some help to you. Good Luck!

Debbie M, husband had tonsil cancer

Sirneck,

A potential causes of the dizziness could be dehydration or restricted flow of the carotid artery. The first can easily be verified by checking blood pressure sitting and standing. If there is a significant difference, dehydration is the most likely culprit. You can get a pretty affordable blood pressure device from a drugstore. The latter can be checked by a doppler test. Have your husband talk to his doctors for the second.

Depression this far out could also contribute to many other physical issues. Long term effects of depression are not good for anything in one's life. Just my two cents worth.

Ed