Even after a successful cancer treatment, long-term health issues often arise, lasting anywhere from months to an entire lifetime. Some effects are the result of the disease’s attack on the body, while others originate from the treatment itself. Many cancer survivors struggling to return to a normal life turn to an Ocala disability attorney for help in getting the disability benefits they need. Here are some of the possible after effects that may be a cause to seek out benefits.

Long-Term Fatigue

One of the most common issues following treatment is chronic physical, mental and emotional fatigue. This can be a lasting effect of therapy or surgery, prescribed medications or the stress and depression brought on by the ordeal. Despite being debilitating and making independent living difficult, fatigue following cancer treatment often goes underdiagnosed. It’s important to recognize the symptoms and get the aid you need.

Chronic Pain

Many cancer survivors are left with long-lasting pain, the severity and type of pain varying between patients. Chronic pain can come and go, dull one day and excruciating the next, further frustrating the recovery process. Managing chronic pain often requires medication, physical therapy and—in extreme cases—surgery, all of which put additional demands on survivors’ daily lives.

Chemobrain

Patients commonly describe mental symptoms and deficiencies following cancer treatment—these include difficulty in processing information, short-term memory loss, lack of focus and periods of mental “fog”. Chemobrain is most strongly associated with chemotherapy, hence the name; however, cognitive dysfunction can occur in patients receiving other forms of treatment such as hormonal therapy or immunotherapy. Regardless of specific cause, these dysfunctions can last long after the treatment, though some patients do report improvement over time.

Cancer leaves a lasting impact on the lives of survivors, sometimes leaving them unable to work at the same capacity as before the disease. If you need a disability attorney in Ocala to work on your behalf to get the benefits you need, contact the Law Office of JW Chalkley III, PA at (866) 629-7511 or fill out the online contact form.