Radiation causing nausea and dizziness

marymary897

Well, here's one I haven't heard yet. My radiation treatments make me sick for 4-12 hours. It's not a stress type of sick. I'm actually feeling it's a toxic nausea and headache. I get sore swollen glands under my jaws too. My radiation is on the left breast side after having a double mastectomy in May. I'm only 2 weeks into my 7 weeks of radiation. I sure hope this doesn't get any worse! Have anyone experienced this type of sick feeling? Has anyone ever even heard of it?

Mary

Anonymous

Mary,
Im sorry to hear that you are feeling so yukky!!!!

Have you spoke with the rad oncologist about this???? I had 7 wks of rads and never once felt ill to my stomach or dizzy and have not read here that anyone else has had that either so I really think you should discuss it with your medical team....

Hugs
Jule

wildabouthorses

I had nausea after the first rads treatment. My doc said its after effects from the one and only chemo dose I did. She told me to try over the counter Zantec for it as she knew I have problesm with an acid stomach and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) The Zantec worked great for me.

Never had a headache or swollen glands. Sounds like you better talk to your doc before your next treatment just in case whatever is wrong with you and the rads could be making it worse?

talbrig13

I have had some upset stomach days and have been lightheaded...not sure if after effects of chemo, which was done 7/5/07 or if it is the rads...I am at #23 of 33 rads.

maxgirl

Mary, 2 women on our July rads thread said they've been feeling vaguely nauseated. I went surfing for articles on nausea and rad therapy and found the following:

1) Radiation causes nausea only when aimed at the brain.

2) Radiation can cause nausea no matter where you are being treated.

3) Radiation treatment for BC does not cause nausea. You're confusing it with chemo.

I'm so glad all the experts agree!

I haven't had nausea, but I've definitely been lightheaded from time to time.

Are you getting rads to the supraclavicular area, too? (around the collarbone) That might explain the swollen glands. The doc needs to rule out other things, though.

stired

I just started radiation treatment last Tuesday and am having similar problems. I started experiencing dizziness and slight nausea on the 3rd day. When I mentioned it to the RN, she said that this is not a side effect of radiation. During the weekend, when I didn't have any treatments, it went away. Now on week 2 and by the 3rd day of the week, have severe dizziness again. Has anyone else experienced this?

Erica35

I also had nausea with every radiation dose that lasted for about 1/2 hr and started after the initial rays. I also was told that radiation doesn't cause nausea unless the esophagus is included in the radiation field. However, I know I had nausea after being radiated and not before so not anxiety and I know that I only had the nausea on days I was radiated so definitely caused by radiation. I didn't take anything for the nausea because it only lasted 1/2 hr but if it was longer I would treat with compazine or something like. About tbe dizziness...If you mean lightheaded like you are going to pass out than I also had that. It started about two weeks into radiation and occured when I stood up after treatment. I would feel lightheaded and weak for a few hours after each treatment and then would feel better. I think one of my baroreceptors (which control blood pressure) was included in the radiation field so my blood pressure dropped when I stood up making me feel faint. Also don't forget that radiation is causing damage (burns) and it would be normal to expect fluid shifts, weakness, and fatigue. Drink lots of water and the lightheadedness might get better. However if you are having dizziness which means the room is spinning than this may involve other issues. Make sure you tell your radiation oncologist about your symptoms. They need to reevaluate their radiation fields and make sure there is no scatter to the esophagus. Also the more we tell them about our symptoms the less likely they are to say "radiation doesn't cause nausea" to the next patient with nausea.

Hope it gets better. Erica

Indigoblue

A year after treatment, nausea, dizziness, fainting, fatigue have continued. Thought I had a brain tumor, or worse. Found out I have been suffering from severe anemia.
Glycemic levels low, and my blood pressure has been all over the place. High, low, normal; my body has been so whacky, the cause: could be chemo drugs, chemo=menopause,
lukemia, radiation, thyroid, the aranesp?

During Rads treatment, I had a terrible fall; doors at a mall flew open. I was suffering from fatigue, and didn't know it. Knees suffered, swelled, never healed. Almost one year later, they continue to give me problems, hip, leg and head were all hurt.

Only commenting, because I found out yesterday that I am dangersously aenemic. I've been dizzy, tired, sleepless, and the fatigue has only gotten worse. Have been taking one-a-day vitamins since treatment, but apparantly they aren't strong enough. More blood tests will be in order, but meanwhile, I did increase the dose and noticed I felt better.

Apparantly, Taxol (they gave me Aranesp) causes anemia, and Radiation also affects bone marrow which also causes anemia. My family doctor made the discovery; thank goodness for her...she's been great throughout this ordeal.

Make certain you get you bloodwork done by a family doctor if you have one you trust. The anemia and fatigue were things I was not aware of, and didn't realize how dangerous I might have been while driving hours back and forth to treatments. Yikes! Thank goodness I never hurt anyone or had a car accident.

Indi

arnica

About three weeks into treatment, I had about 10 days that I felt a little dizzy and lightheaded and slightly nauseated. I mentioned it to the radiation oncologist and the oncology nurses.  All of them said it wasn't a side effect of radiation. However, every other woman that I saw in the waiting room during that period of time said she was experiencing dizziness.  That made about six of us, so the nurse said it was probably a virus.  I had started a high protein diet and was told to stay well hydrated, and I actually began to feel less tired and the dizziness went away.  Now that treatments are over and I'm not making sure I have the same amount of protein and not drinking as much water as I should, I'm having some lightheadedness/ dizziness again.  Coincidence?  Maybe not. . . . 

Cynthia1962

The oncology nurse my insurance assigned to me said that nausea can be a se of radation.  She said it's because the radiation is killing off cells that the body then needs to eliminate and sometimes the body can't keep up and the excess dead cells makes us feel ill.

kimvidito

Hi everyone

I am also having lightheadeness or dizziness.  It comes later in the week and goes away on the weekend.  One time I almost fainted at the cancer center.  I am going to mention this to my radiologist on Monday.  I feel much better than with chemo but it does scare me.  I get it mostly if I move my head too fast or stand up for too long.

Kim 

rcthymus

Hey there folks. I saw this thread and thank you very much. I was diagnosed in March 2010 with a rare cancer called a Thymoma, and it was of the Carcinoid cancer type. It was removed surgically (size of a grapefruit) from behind my breastbone where the thymus gland lives. I was thn treated with 4 cycles of Etop and Cysplatin, and then I started 30 rads as perventative to to avoid recurrence.

The rads are being delivered to the left side where the tumor invaded my lung. I am dizzy all the time, I tell my radiation oncologist and they think its sinusitus, but the sinusitus is clearing up and I am still dizzy all the time. I also get hypotension when I stand (sometimes things grey out). I wish they would just tell me to suck it up. but they look at me like I'm crazy! Thanks for you posts at least I know chest rads cause others to be dizzy too.

Lady_Madonna

Hi there,

I had nausea and dizziness during my rads treatment.  Rads onc denied it had anything to do with rads, my onc just laughed and said many, many patients experience it during rads. 

My August rads group had several women with this experience- we can't all be crazy! So don't worry, and it did pass after a few days.

All the best to you!

march17surg

my rad treatment ended in july 2010 sometime, a week or so before that I got really sick and was admitted to the hospital with pain on the inside all over I couldn't breath or move without pain. found out I had pneumonia and fluid on the lungs. all this was because of the treatments but they said none of their patients ever had this happen to them. I only missed one treatment and my dizziness  started while I was in the hospital.  sometimes the dizziness was really bad.  I don't say nausea cause I never felt like I was going to get sick.  After leaving the hospital I still got dizzy, I was given nausea pills that really didn't help and even now today I get dizzy, typing this now I have been getting dizzy.  I believe I was told that the dizziness was a side effect of the radiation.  I'm glad Lady_Madon that your's have passed.  Lord willing mine will too.

Lisa435

Hi everyone

I'm in my second week of radiation for breast cancer

My radiation is given to me on my left breast and this week I also started feeling nausea about an hour

after radiation. Luckily my Dr. did have an answer. I was told YES nausea can happen when radiation is given to the left breast due to it being so close to the stomached hope sharing this information helps.

Lisa

Susanne123

Yes, I experienced nausea within the first week. I had prescription anti nausea tablets which helped.. I told the Dr and he said this is rare and only affects 1%. I guess I was lucky! I also have Adrenal Insufficiency ( Addisons disease ) and so I experimented with the dose of the cortisone and I found that worked ( sick day rules for Addisons = increase the dose) and I could stop the anti nausea tablets. Maybe it was a low cortisol reaction?

MitziCal

I just started radiation therapy and I am experiencing the same symptoms as you. I am dizzy and unbalanced when my treatment is over and for the rest of the day I am nauseated with no appetite. I am pretty much worthless the rest of the day. Today was just my third treatment and I have many to go. I sure hope I get used to this because I am going to be miserable for the next three and a half weeks.

Moderators

MitziCal-

We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We hope you find the support you need here! Many members experience the same symptoms and say they get better over time, so hopefully that's the case here!

The Mods

ChiSandy

I experienced nausea the day after my second treatment (it was Sat., a day off). It was only several hours later that I realized that despite not having eaten or drunk anything (not even water) since a very light breakfast early in the morning, I had spent the day running a couple of song circles and volunteering at an indoor music festival--in other words, I was hypoglycemic and dehydrated! Never made that mistake again....and never had any more post-rads nausea. (Should clarify, though, that I had partial-breast rads to only the tumor cavity, which was nowhere near any part of my digestive system. Your mileage may vary).

phaila

I have been dizzy and sometimes very mildy nauseous. The dizziness was so perplexing. I mean I knew it was happening after my rads had started but had no idea it was caused by rads. I have 8 more to go then 5 boosts. I really hope it goes away or else something else is wrong. But seeing all of you dealing with the same symptoms gives me some relief... I'm being treated on right side close to armpit and also full breast

EmilywithHope27

hi there

i have done 15 of 33 radiation treatments and the second week, started feeling dizzy as soon as i stood up from the table. the radiation oncologists say that this is not caused from the radiation but of course it is! it started after radiation and happens immediately when i'm finished. a dear and smart friend reminded me that radiation splits cells open and cells maintain a cricitical balance of electrolytes and when that balance is attacked, of course we feel the effect. you are not alone! i've been experimenting with ways to fuel and nourish my body to combat this. for me, since my radiation is first thing in the morning, i start with my usual cup of water with lemon then have a banana and some almonds. i am drinking a LOT of pure water! best to you.

KAH67

After my second treatment , I started feeling a little dizzy. Every treatment, it's getting a little more noticeable. I feel like my head is floaty and have trouble consentrating. Today, was my 7th treatment. It was the worst by far. Had to lay down in my car for a while. Thankfully, I have the next few days off. I see the rad oncologist on Monday, after my treatment.

marijen

The cells also release toxins which causes nausea which causes dizziness

Cookiepetit

I was diagnosed with Papilarry Carcinoma Situ after having a needle biopsy done in Oct 2016. In December a small mass area was removed and Dec 27,2016. I was in the hospital that same day for gross hematuria in my urine. I was in the hospital for 12 days. No specialist was able to find the reason, but while I was in the hospital I had a oncologist come to my room to do special blood work and to give me the news that I also was diagnosed with BC stage 1. Today was my 1st day of radiation after 2 months of waiting. I finally started. I know I'm not crazy but I felt the like a squeeze on my chest as soon as it started not knowing they have started. Also I did feel nausea for a little bit and of course I was a little emotional because reality kicked in. I have a count down 32 more treatments to go. Best wish all the ones going through this. 💖

Niecey123

My symptoms are just like MiziCal....

Dizzy, nauseated, and unbalanced when my treatment is over. No appetite. I am pretty much also worthless the rest of the day. And I still have at least 4 weeks left and pray that i can get through them. The doctor gave me medicine for nausea but doesn't seem to me working. Apparently what I'm going through should not be so pronounced that he said something about doing an MRI which I'm not to happy about since I freak out when I get in to the machine. But better safe than sorry. All this started with radiation so he best not say it didn't cause it is gonna be war! 😆 I am bailing out Friday and Monday for treatment cause planned family reunion trip; but they will just tack on two days. Lucky me.

Chyree

hi I know this is 11 years after your post but I am experiencing exactly the same thing. I had my first week of radiotherapy last week to my right breast and from day 1 I felt nauseous, dizzy, light headed and almost like a fever. The "professionals" keep telling me that radiotherapy can't possibly make me feel this way. I knew I wasn't crazy and decided to google to see if anyone else had experienced this.

gb2115

Hi Chyree,

I had nausea pretty much the entire way through rads....rad onc said impossible, med onc said lots of women experience nausea during rads. You are not crazy, it will go away. I get so irritated that rad oncs deny all of these side effects.

Chyree

thank you and yes that's it, don't tell me it isn't possible until you have done the treatment I say thanks heaps comforting to know I'm not alone

IrishEyes57

Hi.... just found this site after googling 'vertigo and radiation treatment'. I just started treatments this past Monday to my right breast (full breast). Yesterday was my 4th day - my treatments are in the evening. When I woke up yesterday morning, I felt a little dizzy getting out of bed, but didn't think anything of it. My cat sleeps with me and I had to kind of climb over her to get up - so I just chalked it up to that. Felt a little dizzy all day and a bit nauseous. Did my treatment last night and when I laid down and turned by head to the right, I felt very dizzy. Then when I got up from the table I had to catch myself from falling on the floor. I'm going to have a real nice bruise on my hip where I hit the table. The Tech yelled out for the Nurse right away. They had me sit and took my blood pressure 3 times before they let me leave. I had to convince them that I didn't feel like I was going to pass out - just felt dizzy. I am back at work today and feeling a bit better, but noticed last night in bed that if I tried to sleep on my left side, the dizzy feeling came right back. I just made sure to turn over, very slowly, to my right side (I hate sleeping on my back!) and I went right back to sleep with no problem. Today is Friday and my last treatment of the week. I am reading from others here that I will feel more normal over the weekend but might feel dizzy again by midweek next week after the treatments start again. This is not fun! And as others here have also said, no one, not the Tech, not the Nurse, said anything about it being related to the radiation.... why am I not surprised!!

Sharrose

I just wanted to share, I have had nausea after radiation treatments to my left breast the entire time. It starts 15-30 min after treatment, It is mild but last an hour or two. I have had no other side effects. My doctor said, he has had only two out of fifty patients with this but our description is the same. He said he would now include it in his list of possible side effects. I have just two more treatments to go out of 35.

Lula73

I’m wondering how low the rads are pointed on the breast and if maybe a part of the stomach is getting radiated too. When I had full mantle rads (neck to just below where bra band would sit) for Hodgkin’s lymphoma I got nauseated and often vomited if I ate before rads treatment. If I had anything acidic (like orange juice or lemonade) it was especially bad and vicious. If I waited to eat/drink til after rads I was perfectly fine. Perhaps this is what is happening in this scenario with rads for BC. It might be worth it to try not eating for 4 hours or more prior to rads and avoid anything acidic as well.