WRB side effects
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WRB side effects

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › WRB side effects

  • Post
    • June 29, 2013 at 4:02 pm
    ecc26
    Participant

    Hello, 

    Nearly finished (1 day left) with a 3 week course of WBR and mostly doing just fine, but over the last 4-5 days my ear canals have gotten sore. I'm aware that this is not uncommon for a side effect, but I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to help ease the discomfort- especially at night since it does keep me awake some. I know that some advocate ear rinses, etc but my understanding of those is that they help clear debris, not relieve discomfort. Any suggestions from those who have done WBR?

    Thanks

    Hello, 

    Nearly finished (1 day left) with a 3 week course of WBR and mostly doing just fine, but over the last 4-5 days my ear canals have gotten sore. I'm aware that this is not uncommon for a side effect, but I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to help ease the discomfort- especially at night since it does keep me awake some. I know that some advocate ear rinses, etc but my understanding of those is that they help clear debris, not relieve discomfort. Any suggestions from those who have done WBR?

    Thanks

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • June 30, 2013 at 1:24 am
      DeniseK
      Participant

      My ears are just now getting back to normal.  My last treatment was the first part of January.  Sorry I know that's not what you  want to hear.  The pain in my ears was from pimples.  They got huge!!  I don't know why that happened but I broke out in black heads/pimples all over my head, forehead, and ears.  Ask your doctor about it.  I saw an ear doctor to help.  I don't know if that's what is causing you pain but it was for me.  I also had/have ringing in my ears and the feeling like my ears won't pop, like when you go up in elevation.  I put an ear rinse in my ears but regretted it immediately, didn't help at all and it made my ears feel really weird.  Maybe take some pain medication.  Sorry I don't have much else to offer for help.

      • June 30, 2013 at 1:24 am
      DeniseK
      Participant

      My ears are just now getting back to normal.  My last treatment was the first part of January.  Sorry I know that's not what you  want to hear.  The pain in my ears was from pimples.  They got huge!!  I don't know why that happened but I broke out in black heads/pimples all over my head, forehead, and ears.  Ask your doctor about it.  I saw an ear doctor to help.  I don't know if that's what is causing you pain but it was for me.  I also had/have ringing in my ears and the feeling like my ears won't pop, like when you go up in elevation.  I put an ear rinse in my ears but regretted it immediately, didn't help at all and it made my ears feel really weird.  Maybe take some pain medication.  Sorry I don't have much else to offer for help.

      • June 30, 2013 at 1:24 am
      DeniseK
      Participant

      My ears are just now getting back to normal.  My last treatment was the first part of January.  Sorry I know that's not what you  want to hear.  The pain in my ears was from pimples.  They got huge!!  I don't know why that happened but I broke out in black heads/pimples all over my head, forehead, and ears.  Ask your doctor about it.  I saw an ear doctor to help.  I don't know if that's what is causing you pain but it was for me.  I also had/have ringing in my ears and the feeling like my ears won't pop, like when you go up in elevation.  I put an ear rinse in my ears but regretted it immediately, didn't help at all and it made my ears feel really weird.  Maybe take some pain medication.  Sorry I don't have much else to offer for help.

        • June 30, 2013 at 6:21 pm
        DeniseK
        Participant

        my specialist thinks the pimple breakout was due to combining Z with radiation.  That's probably what caused it.  I never have pimples or breakouts so that could explain that, but I am better now.  I didn't have the burning or itching.  But I agree that seeing the ENT doctor would probably be best if it's causing you discomfort.

        • June 30, 2013 at 6:21 pm
        DeniseK
        Participant

        my specialist thinks the pimple breakout was due to combining Z with radiation.  That's probably what caused it.  I never have pimples or breakouts so that could explain that, but I am better now.  I didn't have the burning or itching.  But I agree that seeing the ENT doctor would probably be best if it's causing you discomfort.

        • June 30, 2013 at 6:21 pm
        DeniseK
        Participant

        my specialist thinks the pimple breakout was due to combining Z with radiation.  That's probably what caused it.  I never have pimples or breakouts so that could explain that, but I am better now.  I didn't have the burning or itching.  But I agree that seeing the ENT doctor would probably be best if it's causing you discomfort.

      • June 30, 2013 at 4:02 pm
      Phil S
      Participant
      My husband did WBR, and his ears bothered him too. Just be aware that wax build up can be a big problem in ears after brain radiation, so we went to an ENT doctor and they cleaned out the wax a few times. The good news is that my husband got good relief and better hearing after the ENT visits, so have someone look in your ears in a few weeks, the other good news is my husband had WBR in November 2011 and is still doing well!! Valerie (Phil’s wife)
      • June 30, 2013 at 4:02 pm
      Phil S
      Participant
      My husband did WBR, and his ears bothered him too. Just be aware that wax build up can be a big problem in ears after brain radiation, so we went to an ENT doctor and they cleaned out the wax a few times. The good news is that my husband got good relief and better hearing after the ENT visits, so have someone look in your ears in a few weeks, the other good news is my husband had WBR in November 2011 and is still doing well!! Valerie (Phil’s wife)
      • June 30, 2013 at 4:02 pm
      Phil S
      Participant
      My husband did WBR, and his ears bothered him too. Just be aware that wax build up can be a big problem in ears after brain radiation, so we went to an ENT doctor and they cleaned out the wax a few times. The good news is that my husband got good relief and better hearing after the ENT visits, so have someone look in your ears in a few weeks, the other good news is my husband had WBR in November 2011 and is still doing well!! Valerie (Phil’s wife)
      • June 30, 2013 at 12:20 pm
      ecc26
      Participant

      Hmmm…

      Your right, 6 months of ear issues is very dissapointing. I'm sorry you had so much trouble. I do not have pimples in my ears, although I had one in an ear last year (randomly) so I know how painful those are and do sympathise with you. My discomfort is more like a burning/itching. I've been told that people often get the ringing/ear not popping after radiation and that's where the ear rinses are supposed to help, but I don't have that (yet). I did try taking advil last night before I went to bed, but I don't think it helped. Hmmm… not sure what to do or if there's anything to do.

      Thank you for your reply though!

      • June 30, 2013 at 12:20 pm
      ecc26
      Participant

      Hmmm…

      Your right, 6 months of ear issues is very dissapointing. I'm sorry you had so much trouble. I do not have pimples in my ears, although I had one in an ear last year (randomly) so I know how painful those are and do sympathise with you. My discomfort is more like a burning/itching. I've been told that people often get the ringing/ear not popping after radiation and that's where the ear rinses are supposed to help, but I don't have that (yet). I did try taking advil last night before I went to bed, but I don't think it helped. Hmmm… not sure what to do or if there's anything to do.

      Thank you for your reply though!

      • June 30, 2013 at 12:20 pm
      ecc26
      Participant

      Hmmm…

      Your right, 6 months of ear issues is very dissapointing. I'm sorry you had so much trouble. I do not have pimples in my ears, although I had one in an ear last year (randomly) so I know how painful those are and do sympathise with you. My discomfort is more like a burning/itching. I've been told that people often get the ringing/ear not popping after radiation and that's where the ear rinses are supposed to help, but I don't have that (yet). I did try taking advil last night before I went to bed, but I don't think it helped. Hmmm… not sure what to do or if there's anything to do.

      Thank you for your reply though!

      • July 1, 2013 at 12:36 am
      ecc26
      Participant

      Thank you, I will keep that in mind. How long did he have trouble after the radiation, if you don't mind me asking, and how often did he see the ENT?

      • July 1, 2013 at 12:36 am
      ecc26
      Participant

      Thank you, I will keep that in mind. How long did he have trouble after the radiation, if you don't mind me asking, and how often did he see the ENT?

      • July 1, 2013 at 12:36 am
      ecc26
      Participant

      Thank you, I will keep that in mind. How long did he have trouble after the radiation, if you don't mind me asking, and how often did he see the ENT?

      • July 1, 2013 at 2:42 am
      Phil S
      Participant
      I think Phil had trouble for around six months with his ears, and saw an ENT about three times during that time period. He got an ear infection during that winter which didn’t help, and he has an ear perforation, so that could be why his ears took so long to feel better. But, they did get substantial amount of wax out of ears at all three ENT visits! Hope you feel better soon, Valerie
      • July 1, 2013 at 2:42 am
      Phil S
      Participant
      I think Phil had trouble for around six months with his ears, and saw an ENT about three times during that time period. He got an ear infection during that winter which didn’t help, and he has an ear perforation, so that could be why his ears took so long to feel better. But, they did get substantial amount of wax out of ears at all three ENT visits! Hope you feel better soon, Valerie
      • July 1, 2013 at 2:42 am
      Phil S
      Participant
      I think Phil had trouble for around six months with his ears, and saw an ENT about three times during that time period. He got an ear infection during that winter which didn’t help, and he has an ear perforation, so that could be why his ears took so long to feel better. But, they did get substantial amount of wax out of ears at all three ENT visits! Hope you feel better soon, Valerie
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