?4 Survivors

Kmort

 

I have not started treatment yet but have read many posts here.  From what I have discovered is that that most painful aspect is the radiation burns (correct me if I’m wrong).

 

1.       Does pre-moisturizing of the area help lessen the effects from severity?  And if so, what types would you recommend.

 

2.       I understand that the creams and lotions used on the burns when they occur help, but what I don’t understand is how it can be applied, and then having to wash away before a rad treatment if the area is so painful.

 

I appreciate any input on this and thank you.

 

eihtak

Kmort...

Hi and welcome, 

(Though always sorry for the need to be here)

Its been 9 years since I was initially treated with chemo/radiation and while everyone is different, yes, radiation does cause painful burns in such a sensitive area. It is as you've read so important to have all ointments washed off before radiation treatments and that can become difficult depending on how severe the burns are...its a catch 22 I guess.

I used a spray called Dermoplast (can be purchased OTC) which was easy to apply but also only used it on Fridays and Saturdays because I had no treatments on the weekend. I believe Aquaphor is also available in a spray.  On Sunday evening I was sure to soak and wash well. At some point most appetites take a dive, but eating as much protien as possible will help with healthy skin too. The pain for me was tough yet some seem to have less...mid way through I was also on a scheduled (every 12 hr) dose of oxycontin to help...and it did take the edge off so I could eat and sleep a bit better which is also needed to heal! Not long after treatment I was easily weaned off the pain meds with no further issues.

I wish you well, and will have you in my prayers for swift and smooth sailing through all this!

katheryn

PainInTheBum

I used Aquaphor and did sitz

I used Aquaphor and did sitz baths with a little epson salts every now and then  Also took oxycotin once a day, usually around dinner time so I could get a few hours of relief before I went to sleep.  I spent about 2 months "living" in my recliner in the tv room nearest bathroom.  After each bathroom use I'd hop in the shower quickly and use the shower head to "cool" things off.  I also kept a small spray bottle near toilet filled with water to spray on me immediately after urinating to help ease the burn.   I'd also spray the toilet paper a little wet to pat clean the area.  At the time it seemed like the pain would never ease up but eventually it did.  Just take it day by day.  It wasn't until close to the end of treatment that my burns got the worst.  My pain killers, frequent soaks/showers and understanding husband got me through it all (and my beloved oxycontin)   There are lots of good suggestions on here from others on how they dealt with it that I'm sure will help you.  This forum was so helpful to me when I went through treatment.  Mine finished the end of May.

Kmort

Aquaphor

Thanks guys for your reply.  I've noticed that Aquaphor comes in several different taste... so to speak.  Can you tell me which is best if you remember?  I haven't been able to find it in spray.

 

HoneyD54

Kmort

during treatment I laid a cool washcloth with Domeboro (u can get it OTC at drugstore) over the area to ease the pain and it really helped calm the area.  I also used aquafor and silver cream during recover.

i used a squezze bottle after a BM or urination to clean the area.  And I carried lotion with me to put on toilet paper when to wipe with when I wasn't at home.  Also, if you are female it helps to use a Dixie cup with the bottom removed to direct the stream forward and away from the burned area since the urine stung the burned area when it made contact.  sitz baths were good too.  And I sat in a gel pillow that I carried around everywhere. 

I am 2 years NED (Stage 3).  Hang in there and get lots of rest. 

 

Kmort

HoneyD54 said:

Kmort

during treatment I laid a cool washcloth with Domeboro (u can get it OTC at drugstore) over the area to ease the pain and it really helped calm the area.  I also used aquafor and silver cream during recover.

i used a squezze bottle after a BM or urination to clean the area.  And I carried lotion with me to put on toilet paper when to wipe with when I wasn't at home.  Also, if you are female it helps to use a Dixie cup with the bottom removed to direct the stream forward and away from the burned area since the urine stung the burned area when it made contact.  sitz baths were good too.  And I sat in a gel pillow that I carried around everywhere. 

I am 2 years NED (Stage 3).  Hang in there and get lots of rest. 

 

Thank Honey

Appreciate your comments and tips.

THANK YOU

shamayim

Kmort

Hi

I would ask your radiologist what he/she recommends and for me it was aquaphor(ointment in a large jar) and a spray bottle filled with saline(regular water's PH is too harsh) to spray myself with especially when urinating.  As treatment progressed I had a jar of lidocaine 5% that I mixed with aquaphor 50/50 because the radiologist said that the pure lidocane would be very drying.  I mixed up a travel jar of this mixture along with medical gloves and slathered it on in the changing room of the radiation department immediately afterwards so that for the rest of the day I was covered.  I also wore long comfy skirts because I couldnt wear pants.   I sat on a tempurpedic pillow as I drove to treatment and spent alot of time upstairs in bed under a ceiling fan with legs spread eagle.  Once I made the mistake of resting in a fetal position and my labia fused to my leg and it was painful to separate it but I was darned if I was going to be stuck walking around like that. (I can laugh about it now but at the time I was horrified)  When I called my radiologist about it he remarked that he was amazed that I had any left!  Also if you cant sit as you wait for appointments if there is room, stretch out on a loveseat or couch and dont be afraid to ask for help.  Everybody is different- all you have to do is get through it and eventually you will heal.  The reason you can't have lotions on when you get radiation is that it can interfere/lessen the amount of it you get.  Just do the best you can and try to stay positive. 

Kmort

shamayim said:

Kmort

Hi

I would ask your radiologist what he/she recommends and for me it was aquaphor(ointment in a large jar) and a spray bottle filled with saline(regular water's PH is too harsh) to spray myself with especially when urinating.  As treatment progressed I had a jar of lidocaine 5% that I mixed with aquaphor 50/50 because the radiologist said that the pure lidocane would be very drying.  I mixed up a travel jar of this mixture along with medical gloves and slathered it on in the changing room of the radiation department immediately afterwards so that for the rest of the day I was covered.  I also wore long comfy skirts because I couldnt wear pants.   I sat on a tempurpedic pillow as I drove to treatment and spent alot of time upstairs in bed under a ceiling fan with legs spread eagle.  Once I made the mistake of resting in a fetal position and my labia fused to my leg and it was painful to separate it but I was darned if I was going to be stuck walking around like that. (I can laugh about it now but at the time I was horrified)  When I called my radiologist about it he remarked that he was amazed that I had any left!  Also if you cant sit as you wait for appointments if there is room, stretch out on a loveseat or couch and dont be afraid to ask for help.  Everybody is different- all you have to do is get through it and eventually you will heal.  The reason you can't have lotions on when you get radiation is that it can interfere/lessen the amount of it you get.  Just do the best you can and try to stay positive. 

Shamayim

Than you for the advise.  You mentioned something that I have not come across or considered and that is the problem sitting for appts.   Soemthing else for me to add to the worry list.   lol

annie4145

Kmort said:

Shamayim

Than you for the advise.  You mentioned something that I have not come across or considered and that is the problem sitting for appts.   Soemthing else for me to add to the worry list.   lol

My hospital (UCSF) gave me

My hospital (UCSF) gave me tons of everything that I needed, and they were very specific that they didn't want me to use anything that they didn't supply.  So you don't have to spend alot with supplies ahead of time, since the hospital may end up giving you supplies, or you could order on-line if they dont'.  Sorry you are going through this now, with the coronavirus on top of everything else. 

annie4145

PS ask your doctor for

PS ask your doctor for clarification, my doctor didn't require to wash away.  Just said do not apply 2 hours before treatment, so I didn't apply in the morning.

 

Also, I don't know how to say this except to be blunt.  If you are overweight in any way, and haven't done your positioning yet, spread the cheeks of your butt apart when you first lay down on the table.  (or perhaps it would work for everyone.)   This prevents the radiation from being sort of trapped , which doesn't happen with people that are normal weight.  (That is my solution, not my doctors, so clear it with them, and I didn't do it because I didn't know about it.)  My doctor said that I had worse radiation burns because of my weight which doesn't happen in people that are not obese.