After Radiation- Long term effects and remedies

hi, I just found out I have mild fibrosis in the periphery of my right upper lobe probably due to post radiation changes. Found on CT scan done to rule out blood clot,having shortness of breath. Also showed finding suggesting airways disease and trapped air in both lungs. Guess,i'll be adding a new Dr. to the mix,just hope i get some answers. what I've read the fibrosis can occur about 1 yr after radiation. I have no idea if it will continue to worsen! I surely hope not! I know I have it in my breast and pain which onc said a lot of her pts experience! What??? I know they tell us about the risks about chemo and radiation but the reality is a lot different than what I expected!

So far I am the exception to the rule. I had 33 RADS treatments that ended in July 2011 and other than mild fatigue I haven't had the first problem from the treatments. I have read that sometimes SEs from the treatments don't show up until years later. Hopefully that wont happen to me. My Rad ONC told me to expect burning and fatigue as did my Oncologist. I have an appt with my Oncologist next month - 3 years out from my DX. I am sorry you guys are suffering. diane

Hi

Did all of you have whole breast radiation? I wonder if that is why there are so many SE to the lungs.

I had a lumpectomy two weeks ago.  Because I had a lot of radiation to my neck for laryngeal cancer two and a half years ago (oh yes I have the scars and stretched skin on my neck to show for it) my RO suggested I may want to try the partial breast radiation to reduce the area that gets radiation.  I am nervous about getting any more radiation to my body and want to find out my risk if I don't do it at all.  Once you get irradiated you can't get it again to that area. If I skip radiation and it comes back I could have radiation done then or do a mastectomy.  If I get radiation now and it comes back mastectomy is the only treatment.  No good answers.

hi all,had my appointment with the pulmonoligist . He said with the fibrosis from radiation,only 1% spreads. Most times it stay localized,will repeat cat scan in 6 wks to see. He said the air-trapping can be taken care of if I quit smoking and exercise,didn't seem too concerned on that. He was amazed at my lung functioning test,I scored 107% esp since I've smoked for almost 40 yrs! I told him I don't inhale,regardless that's my New Years resolution. He is concerned about heart damage from chemo,so Friday I have an appt for EKG,ECHO,and heart blood work. Hope everyone has a great Christmas.

Lsmith, I don't know if this will help but have your Dr check your vitamin D level and vitamin B. I had mine checked D was low, it can cause a lot of issues fatigue, muscle weakness, muscle, bone, joint pain, hair loss/thinning, depression/anxiety, bone loss, affect cardio function, sugar levels etc. My Dr put me on prescription dose for 12 weeks, retested it improved but still low so doing another 12 weeks.