When to call the doc ?

Brenda_D · 02-06-2007, 02:49 PM

I'm a little at a loss. I'm about a 2 weeks into my first chemo treatment, and have had a sore throat (on one side only) and soreness under that jaw, along with a slight earache, for 3 days now.
Since I'm kind of prone to sinus problems and have had problems with sore throats during winter, I'm not sure if this is something I should call my GP about (being at a low point for white cell count) or just wait a few days and see if it goes away?

MJo · 02-06-2007, 03:16 PM

My oncologist gave patients aking chemo the name & phone number of his nurse and told us to call her if we didn't feel well, had questions, etc. I would have called her about a sore throat and slight earache.

Brenda_D · 02-06-2007, 03:28 PM

I had mentioned a few aches and pains to my Onco before I started chemo, and his reply was "I don't know", so I asked him who I should see about those type things and he said "your GP".
So I won't be asking the Onc, although I will let him know if I don't feel well when I go to chemo.

Shell · 02-06-2007, 03:31 PM

that's always a dilemma for us in treatment, because the onc says you're just sick and the gp says i don't know if the chemo is involved - i just call whoever i think can best fix it, and remain persistent until they do...

Good luck with things,

MJo · 02-06-2007, 03:33 PM

Oncologists are different. Mine told me he considered himself my primary care doctor while I was taking chemotherapy. Does your doctor work in a cancer center?

Brenda_D · 02-06-2007, 03:39 PM

No, he comes to an Outpatient Clinic here at our hospital, once a week.

DonnaD · 02-06-2007, 04:35 PM

It is hard to know when to call the Dr and then who to call. My onc deals only with chemo related issues and says call your GP. It might be good to get your GP involved so they know about your treatment.

Good luck. You are a quarter of the way through your chemo, with only 3 to go!

Ceesun · 02-06-2007, 04:58 PM

Brenda-Do call your oncologist for that sort of thing-he/or/she should be taking care of that with a course of antibiotics. I always got an immediate or near immediate call back from the oncology nurses when something comes up during chemo........anything else would surprise me. Sincerely, Ceesun

pffida · 02-06-2007, 06:00 PM

I had the same experience last week. After doing well almost the first two weeks after my first chemo, I came down with the most horrible sore throat last week. After braving it out for three days, I called my GP who prescribed an anti-biotic. I had my regular appt. with the oncologist about two hours later, so informed her about my sore throat and the prescription. They didn't seem too interested in the sore throat. However, for me, it was probably the worst week of my life in the past 30 years. I suspect it was just the beginnings of a normal cold (which I now have), and because my immune system was down, what is normally a one or two day pre-cold sore throad turned into one week. I was FLAT on my back from Tuesday-Sunday. Honestly, the mastectomy was easier than dealing with the sore throat. I encourage you to call either the GP or oncologist -- whoever will respond to you and get some treatment for the sore throat.

I had my second treatment today and so far, all is well. Sore throat is 95% gone and cold is very mild.

Bev · 02-06-2007, 09:33 PM

I had stuffy nose before dx. AC and Herceptin gave me runny nose. I think that's an improvement.

At my onc's office we could leave messages for the onc nurses. I see no harm in doing that for advice. It's probably nothing, but you will feel better if you ask. If you ask nice they should understand and give you a suggestion as to what further action should be taken. BB

Brenda_D · 02-07-2007, 12:50 AM

Well, here I am, up at 2 am because my throat hurts and ear aches.
I'm calling the doctor tomorrow.