Does radiation cause nausea?

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I've read that radiation to the breast does not cause nausea but today, after rad # 5 of 34, I felt pretty queasy.  Other people have mentioned they were nauseous too, so who's right? Was today just a fluke or should I expect to feel sick every day?

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  • BridgetO
    BridgetO Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2008

    HI Kalyla,

     I had 33 radiation treatments and no nausea caused by the radiation.  I did get really sick at my stomach during about the 4th week and also had chills and fever. I was really worried that it was a radiation SE and I was going to have more of it, but my radiation oncologist said no, it was either a virus or food poisoning. I missed one Tx because I couldn't lay on my stomach without throwing up (my rads were face down), and then I began to recover and didn't have anything again that was similar. Do don't discount the possibility that the nausea is from something unrelated

  • 12954
    12954 Member Posts: 374
    edited August 2008

    Kayla

     I can blame a lot on the rads, but a don't think nausea is too common from breast radiation, unless it is just nerves and stress- then it wouldn't be suprising at all. I don't know where you live, but there are a couple of end of summer stomach viruses making the rounds here ( I have a 14 yr old who has been sick with it ) Could there be something unrelated causing it?

    Good Luck ( and I hope it isn't the stomach bug)

    Trish

  • bgcyclist
    bgcyclist Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2008

    I had my 4th radiation treatment on my breast yesterday and became nausuous last night and am unable to eat anything at all today. I thought it might have been the half glass of wine I had. It didn't taste good to me, but I still feel sick this morning. My nose is also running. I'm seeing the radiation oncologist today and will see what he says. Right now I'm pretty miserable.

  • floridaeyes
    floridaeyes Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2008

     I went through 36 treatments of Radiation 4 1/2 yrs ago, on my lunch break and never missed a day of work or treatment. I used to laugh when I went back to work since my Radiologist would tell me to go home and rest for two hours each day. The mind is a very powerful thing.

    The thing about any of this that we go through is attitude and not caving to it. As I see it we were all picked to bear this cross because we can handle it and we can save lives by spreading the word. 4 3/4 years after my original diagnosis, lympectomy, radiation etc, the Cancer is back. I just had a mastectomy last week and am looking at chemo soon. I go in Tuesday to have the port installed so I am freaking about what to expect during Chemo. I plan to work. This will not get me down, get my family down and I will turn these lemons into lemonade!! 

  • kalyla
    kalyla Member Posts: 258
    edited August 2008

    Thanks for all your responses. After today's treatment, I sat resting in the car for 10 minutes , saltine crackers ready, incase I felt ill, but I didn't. I kept thinking "radiation does not cause nausea" over and over again till I knew I was ok. The mind certainly IS a powerful thing.

    floridaeyes, I'm so sorry you have to go though this cancer ordeal again, I hope you get though it with ease.

    Thanks,

    Kalyla

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