Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#142227 10-30-2011 02:15 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 212
Gold Member (200+ posts)
OP Offline
Gold Member (200+ posts)

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 212
well.we finally came to a conclusion of what was causing the pain and numness in my shoulders and arms. I have radiation induced brachial plexis neuropathy.Not uncommon for nech cancer paitents to get, maybe 15% will. I did have 40 days of radiation over a wide field, from my nose to around my collar bone, So I am taking gabapentin 3x per day, It seems to help. Does not stop the pain completly but at least I am not taking percocet every day any more!

so I do get ticked off at some of these side effects. but at least I have a live body to have the efffects on!

so I march on!!
Best to every one here!!!

Steve


70 male, athlete...again
SSC of undetermined orgin , early july 09
40 tx radiation, 8 chemo cisplatin and ebuterx
finished TX in mid Sept 09
Clear at the 6 year mark!
Back to swimming, biking and running! just a tad slower
never regained my weight, even when I eat lots and lots, just a skinny guy now

Just way glad to be seeing the green side up!




Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 875
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 875
Hi Steve:
Glad they found the cause of your shoulder and arm problems -hopefully the medication will work. Yes, side effects suck, and in my case, problems I'm having are blamed on radiation, and I have to beg doctors to do tests for other causes, like a "normal" non-oral-cancer patient might have. That's maddening too. Take care and keep stretching!
julieann


Julieann
Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer smile
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 1
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 1
Steve, reading your posts you've always struck me as an incredibly strong guy, both mentally and physically. Sorry you're going through this and glad the gabapentin is helping. Keep up the marching!


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18

Moderated by  Eva Grayzel 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,264
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,918
Newest Members
Patrick Beach, Kpwin, Boost iV Miami, dcrowman, Yuka
13,362 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,265
Posts197,179
Members13,363
Most Online1,788
Jan 23rd, 2025
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5