Burning during radiation treatments?

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Comments

  • Lynne P
    Lynne P Member Posts: 165
    Wendy Joy said:

    I used organic coconut oil. 

    I used organic coconut oil.  I didn't burn at all just looked a little tan (in fact almost a year later I still have faint tan lines around my left breast).  You can get the coconut oil at Trader Joe's and it smells so good that I still use it and all over my body! 

    I bet that would smell good,

    I bet that would smell good, but, would that be ok to use, if it had a fragrance?  I use unscented soaps as I was told no scents.

    Lynne

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    Rague said:

    Talk to your Dr!

    Talk to your Dr!  Different Drs have different ideas but I have never heard of a Dr who said to 'slather down' with creams/oils before rads.  As it was explained to me, very simplistically, is that anything on the area being radiated will only 'fry' the area.

    How is everyone doing this

    How is everyone doing this week on rads?  I see several of you are having treatments besides Candi.

  • pegalina
    pegalina Member Posts: 42
    burning from radiation

    Hi Candi, I read you had a lumpectomy & 3 weeks into radiation your skin is pink..Did your doctor give you cream to put on after radiation?..The reason I'm asking..I had a double mastectomy..radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks..by the end of my 3rd week..my skin was so pink & hurt..even with the cream..How long & how often do u still have to have radiation & I'll tell u what to do..I also went thru extensive chemotherapy & surgery..I will be totaly honest with u..but I need to know more about you.

  • muffingranma
    muffingranma Member Posts: 107
    Rad burns

    I just finished up my rad treatments. I had to take two weeks off from rad treatments. I burnt so bad I would put cream on   it would run off and my skin with it . I bleed a lot and could not wear cloths. I couldn't stand anything to touch me. , this was after two weeks. I have had a lot of problems, so if your just a little pink after two weeks just watch your skin, Mine went to far. he said they gave different doses to different people. and they were trying to blast the cancer. IF I was you and this is just a suggestion, I would keep my skin soaked in Aquaphor. I set two weeks with no blouse in my room .I had burnt till I bleed and my skin came off and I hurt and still do. Just watch your skin and keep it from drying. Hope this helps some. I will be thinking of you.. wishing you the best

  • Candi Cane
    Candi Cane Member Posts: 159

    Candi, I am getting pink and

    Candi, I am getting pink and burned too now, but, I am using my creams and they help a lot. Also you can apply fresh brewed green tea to the area and it helps too. You can spray it on and them let it dry or apply with a damp cloth.

    The creams I use are Elta (OTC) and Triamcinalone (prescription).

    God Bless and take care

    Charlie

    Sorry Charlie that you're

    Sorry Charlie that you're turning pink too.  I wish I was done, but, still have more to go.  I will ask about using the green tea.  What is Triamcinalone for?  Is that for the burning?  I can't stand having anything touch the area.  This is hard..

    Candi

  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member

    Sorry Charlie that you're

    Sorry Charlie that you're turning pink too.  I wish I was done, but, still have more to go.  I will ask about using the green tea.  What is Triamcinalone for?  Is that for the burning?  I can't stand having anything touch the area.  This is hard..

    Candi

    I am sorry Candi.  Soon you

    I am sorry Candi.  Soon you will be done and your skin will start to heal. 

    Sue

  • JJDS
    JJDS Member Posts: 258

    Everyone reacts differently

    Everyone reacts differently to treatments.  Ten+ years ago I was diagnosed with DCIS.  Lumpectomy, full course of rad treatments, five years of Tamoxifen.  I am fine today and no worse for wear.  Far as rads go, my skin got only pink and dry after app. 33 treatments.  Not sore at all.  My rad onc recommended Fruit of the Earth 100% aloe vera gel (fote.com).  I applied four times per day.  Started with it few days before rads.  He also recommended either Basis or Ivory soap.  In any case, NO products containing alcohol.  Many skin products do contain it.  I did so well with rads that he said there was no need for me to come back for 2-week post rads check-up.  

    Aloe vera gel 100% is good

    Aloe vera gel 100% is good for any burns.  Make sure to always have something on your skin Candi, except prior to your treatment.

    JJ

  • pegalina
    pegalina Member Posts: 42
    pink & pain

    What you are going thru I went thru..I had a double mastectomy..but radiation on the right side..had to go for 6 weeks..by the end of my third week..very red & sore..used the cream..but every nite after work..I would put a cold icepack on top of my shirt where the radiation hurt the most..I also took 2 advil for inflam..helped a little..unfortunately..sorry to be honest..it just sucks..but you gotta do what you gotta do to kill any remaining cells..I probly didnt help but I'm still here..I was only given 56% to live..I'm still here..so do the best you can dealing with it & I wish you the best.it sux..but life is so much better!!!

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    coco2008 said:

    New here also.

    They are still deciding on tx, but it looks like radiation will be a part of it.  Am I understanding that you can apply lotion immediately after rad treatments?

     

    You can put your creams on

    You can put your creams on right after rads, but, not before.  Your skin needs to be clean and free of anything.  Slather it on as much as you want when you come out from your treatment.

  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    Lynne P said:

    I bet that would smell good,

    I bet that would smell good, but, would that be ok to use, if it had a fragrance?  I use unscented soaps as I was told no scents.

    Lynne

    I used plain old white Dove

    I used plain old white Dove soap and never had a problem with it.  After I started getting sore, I just let the water and soap gently run over my skin where I was getting radiated.  It's so important to be careful and gentle with that area.

    Kylez

  • taylor manny
    taylor manny Member Posts: 113

    Sorry Charlie that you're

    Sorry Charlie that you're turning pink too.  I wish I was done, but, still have more to go.  I will ask about using the green tea.  What is Triamcinalone for?  Is that for the burning?  I can't stand having anything touch the area.  This is hard..

    Candi

    Rads are very tough to get

    Rads are very tough to get through Candi.  I don't know how much longer you have, but, I know you can do it.  I was red too and my skin hurt, but once you're done, you'll be so proud of how you've endured this to fight the cancer.

    Keep posting updates for us.

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    Radiation

    I have done 36 radiation treatment and was badly burned in my neck.  Mine was in the area of the axilla where a good size tumor was found 4 years after diagnose.  The area that was burned happened on a Friday night so I suffered the whole weekend.  They gave me something on Monday and the lesion healed right away.   I took myself to the center which was about 1 hour from where I live.  A year after radiation, I lost the bottom half of teeth on the side I was radiated on.  It killed the saliva gland and all my teeth collapsed at once which required a bridge.

    Found radiation to be the easiest of all treatments, (surgeries, chemotherapies, hormonal drug therapies).  I would choose it over any of the other options.  I suffered less with it and once done, it was done.  Except for the teeth but the problem had a solution which I did.

    Doris

     

  • Kobias
    Kobias Member Posts: 115
    SIROD said:

    Radiation

    I have done 36 radiation treatment and was badly burned in my neck.  Mine was in the area of the axilla where a good size tumor was found 4 years after diagnose.  The area that was burned happened on a Friday night so I suffered the whole weekend.  They gave me something on Monday and the lesion healed right away.   I took myself to the center which was about 1 hour from where I live.  A year after radiation, I lost the bottom half of teeth on the side I was radiated on.  It killed the saliva gland and all my teeth collapsed at once which required a bridge.

    Found radiation to be the easiest of all treatments, (surgeries, chemotherapies, hormonal drug therapies).  I would choose it over any of the other options.  I suffered less with it and once done, it was done.  Except for the teeth but the problem had a solution which I did.

    Doris

     

    I've started radiation too

    I've started radiation too and it isn't easy.  Starting to dread having to do this for weeks yet, but, I know I have to. 

    I am lucky as my husband is taking me every day.  I hated for him to take off work, but, he said he wouldn't have it any other way.  It does make me feel good knowing he is there with me.

    The technicians and my radiation onco are great.  I really am so lucky to have such a great team, and, I really feel they are my team.

    I haven't read all of the posts here, but, I will for any help. 

    Wishing everyone going through rads now good luck. 

     

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    Kobias said:

    I've started radiation too

    I've started radiation too and it isn't easy.  Starting to dread having to do this for weeks yet, but, I know I have to. 

    I am lucky as my husband is taking me every day.  I hated for him to take off work, but, he said he wouldn't have it any other way.  It does make me feel good knowing he is there with me.

    The technicians and my radiation onco are great.  I really am so lucky to have such a great team, and, I really feel they are my team.

    I haven't read all of the posts here, but, I will for any help. 

    Wishing everyone going through rads now good luck. 

     

    For Kobias

    "Starting to dread having to do this for weeks yet, but, I know I have to."

    You will be surprise how fast the weeks fly by and then it is OVER.

    Best wishes,

    Doris 

  • June Bugs
    June Bugs Member Posts: 167
    SIROD said:

    For Kobias

    "Starting to dread having to do this for weeks yet, but, I know I have to."

    You will be surprise how fast the weeks fly by and then it is OVER.

    Best wishes,

    Doris 

    The weeks did go slow for me

    The weeks did go slow for me too Kobias.  8 weeks of rads is a long time.  Too bad it couldn't be just once a week, with a couple of weeks off.  I wouldn't have minded it so much. 

    I do hope it goes fast for you.  Keep updating us and I see you are new, so, welcome to the site.

    Hugs, June

  • Candi Cane
    Candi Cane Member Posts: 159
    June Bugs said:

    The weeks did go slow for me

    The weeks did go slow for me too Kobias.  8 weeks of rads is a long time.  Too bad it couldn't be just once a week, with a couple of weeks off.  I wouldn't have minded it so much. 

    I do hope it goes fast for you.  Keep updating us and I see you are new, so, welcome to the site.

    Hugs, June

    I hope all of you know how

    I hope all of you know how much I appreciate all of your comments.  It has really helped me.  Sometimes one feels so alone in this journey, but, you have made me feel like I truly am not now.

    I am still no worse as far as burning, which surprises me, and, I am so thankful for.  Still so sore and tender. 

    My poor husband is afraid to even hug me too tight.  lol 

    Can't wait for Friday to have the weekend off!

    Thanks again!

  • Kobias
    Kobias Member Posts: 115
    June Bugs said:

    The weeks did go slow for me

    The weeks did go slow for me too Kobias.  8 weeks of rads is a long time.  Too bad it couldn't be just once a week, with a couple of weeks off.  I wouldn't have minded it so much. 

    I do hope it goes fast for you.  Keep updating us and I see you are new, so, welcome to the site.

    Hugs, June

    Thanks June, I will.  Once a

    Thanks June, I will.  Once a week would be great!  But I don't think that will happen. 

     

  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member

    My RO's nurse did a lengthy

    My RO's nurse did a lengthy demo showing me how to care for my skin. I got some special cream from her, she said they used Auquaphor before they discovered this stuff. I don't know the name but she scooped some into a container for me and it only takes a tiny bit and it works, so far. I'll try and keep you updated on my progress through the radiation treatment and I'll look out for yours. She did say that because I have a little darker skin I may noy have as much troubloe. All I know is, I had a major sunburn when I was 19 which blistered and oozed and I was a mess and ever since then I burn kind of irregular and uneven. I knw this is not exactly sunburn but it's similar.

    Take Care and God Bless

    How are you Charlie?

    How are you Charlie?

  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    DianeBC said:

    I took vitamins before rads

    I took vitamins before rads and was also told to not take any during rads.  You don't want anything to plump up and make stronger any cells, especially the cancer cells.

    Diane

    My rads onco told me too that

    My rads onco told me too that I should stop all vitamins and take no antioxidents.  The reasoning is you don't want to feed the cancer cells anything that might help them and certain vitamins can.  Check with your own rads onco if you are taking vitamins and see what he says.

     

  • Candi Cane
    Candi Cane Member Posts: 159
    pegalina said:

    pink & pain

    What you are going thru I went thru..I had a double mastectomy..but radiation on the right side..had to go for 6 weeks..by the end of my third week..very red & sore..used the cream..but every nite after work..I would put a cold icepack on top of my shirt where the radiation hurt the most..I also took 2 advil for inflam..helped a little..unfortunately..sorry to be honest..it just sucks..but you gotta do what you gotta do to kill any remaining cells..I probly didnt help but I'm still here..I was only given 56% to live..I'm still here..so do the best you can dealing with it & I wish you the best.it sux..but life is so much better!!!

    I never thought about using

    I never thought about using an ice pack on top of my clothes pegalina.  Thanks for posting that.  That would feel cool on my hot skin!  I did put the aloe vera gel in the frig and it feels good, it is so cool.

    The weekend is here and no radiation treatments!  YEH!

    Thanks again!