Was wondering if anyone else has experienced any lasting issues after chemo & rads. I finished chemo in April 19 & rads in June 19 for breast cancer. Although I had oral thrush during chemo it cleared up by the end of my treatment but in October I noticed a red & white patch on the inside
of my mouth, which I finally had a biopsy for just before Christmas . I have a hospital appointment soon to discuss the results & I’ve been tying myself up in knots worrying that I’ve got another cancer. Has anyone else had any oral related problems long after treatment has finished xx
YES! Not the same problems but nevertheless continuing problems - the more of us who report it, the more likely they’ll heed us because right now I feel they think I’m just a snowflake.
My treatments were the same time as yours. I suffered from sore mouth and ulcers during chemo and my gums are still numb in patches and I’ve a constant stream of small ulcers, nothing as worrying as you have. But I also experienced reduced salivation and patches of superficial numbness in my mouth and face. It’s this that has continued and, rather than see it as an effect of chemo (it all started in week 1-2 of my first EC treatment and I had it in other parts of my body), my oncologist insists there’s no link with chemo and has packed me off for MRIs (I’ve had two: first inconclusive, waiting for results of second) and has referred me to neurology. The numbness is improving but my top lip misbehaves and this really gets me down. It can be fine in the morning (when I see her) but is tucked under my teeth by the end of the day and I can’t identify the triggers. At the same time, the numb pads of my fingers and toes (PN from paclitaxel) begin to tingle. It has to be linked. Maybe it is neurological but it was caused by chemo.
I can understand that you’re afraid but could anything have survived the onslaught of all that chemo? I hope you get reassured by the results. I’ll carry on lisping and gurning. Maybe others will add their oral problems to the thread so you don’t feel so alone.