Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | I was dx'd abought the same time you ended Tx and am having many of the post Tx issues you describe. Muscle spasms in the neck - from collateral damges to the muscles from radation - that took 2 years before it started to appear. Tried PT to no avail - just use meds to control the side effects now. GERD and hiccups have also been recent issues, so much so that they just did a spiral CT of the esphogus and lungs as a precautionary measure. I have toned my diet down a little and take Prilosec occasionally. It seems to help. Depending on where radiation was targeted or what type, the muscle groups that Dr. Mike mentioned may well be involved also. Probably just the new "normal" that many speak of.
Philosphically, it still beats the alternarive... I have a great life today a few more annoyances perhaps but I am alive and having a blast.
You are not a hypocondriac these are real side effects from treatment.
PS Read your instructions for usage on Prilosec very carefully. They are much more effective when followed precisely as the manufacturer recommends. Other OTC antiacids may help you as well.
GERD is nothing to fool around with.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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