Begining radiation therapy and chemo

[Undyddarytro]

Have spent a long day in hospital today where my husband was scanned and marked in preparation for radiotherapy in a week's time. He will also be given chemo tablets at the same time. Has tolerated previous chemo well. We are into month 15 since diagnosis of inoperable p c.All weight lost in first two months has been regained. Main problem is sore mouth and gullet. Any experiences or tips out there?

[PCUK Nurse Dianne]

Thanks Unyddarytro for your post.

It is good to hear that your husband has managed so well after 15 months, well done on all of your support to him too. It might be helpful to understand a little more about your husbands symptoms, are these secondary to his chemotherapy, has he had any treatment for oral thrush, mouth ulcers etc?

Undyddarytro if you wish to touch base with us on the support line we would be more than happy to have a conversation with you about this too. Our contact details are below:

I hope this will be helpful and hope to hear from you.

With kind regards,

Dianne

Pancreatic Cancer specialist nurse

Pancreatic Cancer Uk

Support phone line: 0808 801 0707

Email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

[Undyddarytro]

Yes, tge thrush started about two days after removing 5Fu pump and the pain, ulcers in mouth, although not always huge,lasted even longer. As he is going to be given a tablet of chemo while receiving chemo I was wondering if the symptoms will be as bad. Wait and see I suppose. He tajes Nysta? for the rhrush and has been using salt and bicarb mouthwashes regularly. Sometimes they seem to work, other times no help. Uses Oralive toothpaste. Any hints grateful ly accepted.Thank you.

[PCUK Nurse Jeni]

Hi there,

Thanks for the further information.

A few things to consider here - has he ever had Difflam mouthwash? This is very good and also has an anaesthetic element, so helps with pain. This is available on prescription from the gp, so please do ask about this.

If the thrush is not being relieved by the Nystatin, then he might need some anti -fungal tablets, such as fluconazole, for a period of time. Again, available on prescription.

Orabase gel or Iglu paste (available over the counter), are both excellent to coat mouth ulcers, allowing them to heal quickly underneath. It is worth asking for this or buying the Iglu over the counter, as they are invaluable to have to hand.

The Capecitabine shouldn't be as bad as the 5FU, however they are essentially the same drug and a sore mouth can be a common side effect with Capecitabine also. So, better to be prepared.

I hope this helps?

Kind regards,

Jeni.

Jeni Jones

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707

[Undyddarytro]

Thank you. Will keep this in mind.

[Undyddarytro]

Has had one treatment of radiotherapy this morning but has not yet taken the chemo tablets. Those should be taken with food but so far today he hasn't kept any food down! Will have to get in touch with hospital later on.

[Undyddarytro]

We are now three days from the end of 28 fractions of radiotherapy. It has been difficult. The chemo tablets that were prescribed with the radiotherapy proved too much and we had to stop them. Christmas was spent in hospital on a drip and a syringe driver was used to administer anti sickness drugs.

Anyone else with experience of radiotherapy for pc and if so what came next? My husband is so glad to be coming to the end of this while I am worried about the radiation not working. Is more chemo a possibility. No one seems willing to discuss this at the moment.