Suspect radiation damage to my brain

[Marylou_II]

Hello:

I am not asking to be diagnosed over the Internet I know it is unlikely as tests have to be run and medical evaluation is required. I live in South America thus information is hardly available.

I received chemo & radiotherapy treatments, finished September 2009. While I was receiving the higher dose of radiation towards the end of the treatment, I was laying on the table in the special room. In one occasion with the higher amount of radiotherapy, the machine that moves from one side to the other flipped backwards and the shot went airborne. The technician in charge put the machine off and ran into the room where I was, I don’t remember much because I was dizzy and confused.

When this happened I felt a vibration in my brains and saw many colored lights mostly blue. The treatment was over & went home. Since then have had the following:

1] Severe headaches especially in my forehead [Daily]
2] Vibrations in my brains [Several times a day]
3] Since the incident began loosing my short term memory.    
4] Since the incident began loosing my hearing have a permanent buzz.
5] Since the incident my eyesight has progressively become very poor.
6] Through the side of my left eye I see these blue lights like the ones in an electric storm. [Daily]
7] When on my PC or watching TV I see this large black spot on the screen. [Not permanent but daily]

Could these symptoms be related to the Radio machine incident?
What specialist [s] should I obtain an appointment with?
Are all these symptoms possible because of the machine backward flip & airborne shot?

Before the machine incident I never had any of the mentioned issues.

I have appointments with an Ophthalmologist and a hearing specialist and will wait for the results and specially for your answer to know if I need to see a Neurologist or other suggestions will be appreciated.
I am afraid there maybe some damage from the incident if so I need to do something about it as I don’t pretend to keep getting worse in time. I live alone and have no family in this country.

Your information will be highly appreciated.

Regards.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
I agree with caregiver that it is unlikely to be a radiation injury to brain. Every effort is made to give radiation to the diseased part and though accidents can occur they are rare. The other point that goes in favor is that brain cells are the least sensitive cells to radiation. Hence a single dose high power radiation will not cause much harm in principle. Also usually there is an initial phase where there is nausea, vomiting and other such GI symptoms, followed by a symptom free period and then the neurological symptoms start. However the symptoms cannot be ignored. It would be good if you could consult a neurologist and your cancer specialist. Depending on what the primary cancer is it is quite possible that there are metastasis or there are some other problems like a bleed in the brain. All I can say is consult a doctor fast.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[caregiver222]

Until recently there was no good way to determine the exact amount of radiation a person has received. Recently they have discovered that by taking a chip from the enamel of a tooth they can do just that. This is an accurate but expensive procedure.

It is far more likely your neurological problems are due to either the disease or the toxicity of the chemo.

[Marylou_II]

Thank you for your reply. Suppose it is from the machine incident, just suppose it is, now if I want to be checked by a doctor to find out why I have the mentioned symptoms what doctor would I need to see? Would a neurologist be the correct specialty?

Though you doubt it could be from the machine incident, how on earth can I ever have an idea on why I have the mentioned symptoms if I never had those symptoms before the mentioned incident? Let's just take the symptoms and forget the machine incident, what doctor would I have to be checked by?

I hope you can direct me to the right doctor for a medical check up.

Thanks a lot.

Regards.

[caregiver222]

You have my extremey sympathies and prayers for your recovery.

There are two types of radiation treatment. One involves radioactive material encapsulated in a lead container and the other utilizes a machine that generates the radiation.

As much as I enjoy informing people they have a potential tort (legal action) I doubt your problems are related to the unfortunate incident with the radiation machine. I have worked with both kinds of units and I have difficulty envisioning the scenario you describe, but do not believe the symptoms you are experiencing are due to this ten-second incident.