Pain after treatments have ended

Physical Health Cancer
1

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with Stage IIA Hodgkins last November (it was confined mainly to my neck and chest). Had 4 months of ABVD which ended in April, and 4 weeks of radiation treatments which ended in May. I haven't gone back for my final PET scan yet b/c the insurance company won't pay for it until it's been at least 6 months since the last one (scan is scheduled for Aug 27. Previous scan I had back in feb showed the cancer was gone) so I haven't had my final visit with my oncologist.

I'm sure it's related to the radiation, but even though the lumps in my neck are gone shirt collars irritate my skin quite a bit, and my neck is still quite painful to any pressure. My traps and shoulders are also always tight and achy - feels like I've worked out too hard but I haven't yet. Anyone else have these issues?? Was thinking of giving the Doc a call to see what he had to say, but don't want to seem like a whimp either....

Thanks!
Pete

2

Pete-
It does sound like the radiation-- you'd be shocked to see the laundry list of acute and chronic potential complications from radiation, it goes on and on, and includes everything from simple rashes to permanent hearing loss and everything in between.

Still, I think you should call your doc and let him know, if for no other reason you document this discomfort with him. It's important. There may be issues he's aware of that will alarm him that none of us could have come up with. So let him know.

Ross