Side Effects of Radiation NSCLC

• By Rick4
• Posted February 2, 2007 at 7:32 am
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Yes it is very common side effect of radiation. I found eating soft foods with very small bites to work very well. It used to drive me crazy (that feeling in the throat). It will also last quite sometime after the radiation stops but goes away a little bit everyday. Her doctor should have explained all of this. But that's about all you can do. Did they give her a throat medicine I got a special mixture that had some lidocaine in it along with other stuff that gave temporary relief for eating also. I hope your sister does well and my prayers are with you both.

Rick

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• By Becca
• Posted February 2, 2007 at 7:55 am
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I was diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IIIb in 2004 then restaged to stage 4 last April. Since then I've been on taxotere at first once every 3 weeks and then since October I've been on 3 weeks then off 1week. Around Thanksgiving I came down with a cold and deveoped a cough and pain in my back. The cold got better the pain didn't. An MRI showed a met to my spine and and radiation txs. were indicated. I have 2 more radations treatments to go ( I also had 2 weeks) . They did tell me that I might have some discomfort and difficulty swallowing (that has happened yet). I was also advised to only use Dove soap, and to apply an ointment called aquaphor (it's helped alot). They said NOT to use the ointment 5 hours before a treatment. SharonH has a wonderful list in her blog on "stuff" to do and have while getting Chemo. You are already doing one of the critical dos and that is being supportive and caring. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, BECCA

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• By mammie
• Posted February 2, 2007 at 7:54 pm
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Hi,
I finsihed my radiation in Nov of 2006 and I found the magic mouthwash solution my radiologist gave me worked wonders. Ask your doc.
I also found that cottage cheese and mac and cheese became my best friends during this time. It is very difficult to eat anything of substance, chicken or meat or sandwiches....small bites are tolerable if you numb the throat first...
She will get through it. I am happy to say I am at this time...with SCLC free of any cancer.
So hang in there and your sister will do fine. I just know it. But I will pray for both of you!
Love,
Cheryl

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• By DrWest
• Posted February 4, 2007 at 2:40 pm
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There may be different ways to make it, but the most common form of "Magic Mouthwash", which is very widely used for this common situation, is a 1:1:1 mix of benadryl liquid, kaopectate, and lidocaine (liquid), I believe. There is also a medication of just viscous lidocaine that some people find helpful, and others hate the feel of.

-Dr. West

--
Howard (Jack) West, MD
Director of Medical Therapeutics, Thoracic Oncology
Swedish Cancer Institute
Seattle, WA

Founder and Managing Member
www.OncTalk.com

The views expressed here are my own and do not represent those of the Swedish Cancer Institute, nor do they constitute medical advice. They are for general information purposes to be used along with the input from your doctors.

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