I am 11 months post treatment of IMRT Radiation x32 with 3 Rounds of Cisplatin for Stage IV SCC at the base of my Tongue. I had terrible problems with low blood pressure for about 5 months after treatment and I have suffered from what feels like a general headache with a feeling of being light headed contiuously since my treatment concluded. I have had my Tyroid checked and the blood tests for this have been normal. Has anyone else had this problem so long after treatment? I still have problems with Nuoprathy in both hands and feet and my saliva being very thick in my throat with dry mouth....any ideas to help any of these symptoms would also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Steven

Hi Steven,
I don't have any advice for your headache or light headed feeling, but I can give you some suggestions for the dry mouth. I am 9 mos out of similar treatments that you had. The dry mouth is the most irritating side effect for me. I've found several things that really help. One is that I have a small humidifier in my bedroom at night. It helps to keep the air moist which in turn helps keep my mouth from drying out so much. Another thing that really seems to help is using ACT mouthwash with flouride several times a day. It is very mild and doesn't burn. I was using the Biotene mouthwash but it didn't seem to help with the dry mouth as much as the ACT does. That's my personal opinion. Anyway, I hope this helps and I hope your headaches will go away real soon. Hang in there!

Hi Steven
My husband also had problems with low blood pressure. Prior to treatment he was hypertensive and taking several medications to control his blood pressure. He ended up coming off all his blood pressure medication and his pressure never did go back up. He also had difficulty with postural hypertension i.e. his pressure dropping quickly when he stood up resulting in dizziness and loss of balance. He did also complain of frequently having a dull headache. Are you eating real food now or are you still on tube feeding or nutritional supplements. That seemed to make a difference for my husband, guess there is no bad stuff in the nutritional supplements to raise the blood pressure.

Thanks for your responses. I'm eating real food and have gained back most of the 45 lbs. that I lost. I think that my headaches and light headedness may be the result of being dehydrated? I dislike drinking water due to the unpleasent taste it has for me when combined with the thick saliva I still have in my throat. I've decided to try and force myself to drink more water and see if that helps any. Someone suggested that I try carbonated water and that is easier for me to swallow. Thanks again!
Steven

I think it might be prudent to have an ultrasound of your carotid arteries in your neck. A simple non invasive test that will evaluate if they are occluded and if so to what degree. It is really common in people that have been radiated to have scar tissue develop in them. This stems blood flow and definitely causes lightheadedness. This gets worse as time progresses if that is the case.