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What Causes Nerve Damage And Inflammation At The Site Of A Radiation Therapy?

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Posted on Fri, 29 Apr 2016
Question: My husband had Esophageal Cancer over nine years ago. He subsequently had the esophagus removed and the stomach stretched up. Then a couple of years later, he had an operation on his lung to repair some of the damage done by radiation treatments. Since then (approx. 4 yrs) he has been in constant pain and taking Oxycodone daily. We were told that they don't know from patient to patient how this will go, they had to go through so many nerves to get to the lung, that some people nerves heal together well, others never do. We are wondering if there is any kind of treatment or procedure that could help him get out of pain and possibly allow him to breath better. All of his care since getting cancer in 2006 were taken care of at UW Medical Center in XXXXXXX
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Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Start pregabalin or gabapentin.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Radiation causes nerve damage and inflammation at the site of therapy.
So in my opinion, he will be benefitted by
1. Pregabalin or gabapentin. These are specifically help in neuritic (nerve related) pain.
2. Inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Inflammation caused by radiation is usually persistent. And this inflammation causes bronchospasm and breathing difficulty. So to overcome this, inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid are given.
You should start these drugs and see for improvement.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Drkaushal85

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Practicing since :2008

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What Causes Nerve Damage And Inflammation At The Site Of A Radiation Therapy?

Brief Answer: Start pregabalin or gabapentin. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your concern. Radiation causes nerve damage and inflammation at the site of therapy. So in my opinion, he will be benefitted by 1. Pregabalin or gabapentin. These are specifically help in neuritic (nerve related) pain. 2. Inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Inflammation caused by radiation is usually persistent. And this inflammation causes bronchospasm and breathing difficulty. So to overcome this, inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid are given. You should start these drugs and see for improvement. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.