Radiation, long term side effects

nanabolini

I'm wondering whether anyone has had heart problems as a consequence of radiation.  I've read it is a possibiltiy.  I had radiation over a year ago and am now experiencing a problem.

arnie2two

What problem are you experiencing nanabolini?  I came on this forum because for the past two days I've had a horrible raised red rash under my "surgery" arm....  It just keeps getting worse and I had my radiation a year ago?  Can't figure it out....

jakaba

arnie2two,

It's probably just a rash, but you need to report it to your oncologist.

nanabolini

I have to see a cardiologist for a heart problem which showed up on an echogram.  I'm always tired and at times have shortmenss of breath, both symptoms that developed after radiation 1.5 years ago.  I'm not saying it was caused by radiation, probably will never know, but we all know how close the heart is to that zapping no matter how careful they say they are.  I wish now I had opted not to get radiation.

RiverCat

I'm having radiation on the left side and my onc said it would be years before symptoms would show up if there was damage to my heart caused by the radiation.  With that said, I think we all know that they are not always as forthcoming with us as they should be and they definitely tend to downplay stuff like that.  I'm not sure I believe it would be years.  Hoping for the best for you.

CTMOM1234

No problems at all and good peace of mind that I zapped away any stray cells.

mrsnjband

arnie2two,

I started getting a red rash on my radiated side.  I had it for months, saw a couple different doctors, ended up in the hospital with a HUGE red rash.  Come to find out now that the whole time I had cellulitus but not one doctor called it that until I was in the hospital.  After going to a wound specialist for another issue & I showed the pictures of what it looked like, he said it looked like cellulitus.  Not saying that is what you have but it's a possibility. 

As a side note, I had IBC which presents with a rash.  So a first I was scared I had a reoccurance but thankfully not.  

But I would recommend you talk to your doctor about it.  NJ