Burning during radiation treatments?

Candi Cane
Candi Cane Member Posts: 159
in Breast Cancer #1

Hi.  I had a lumpectomy and am now in radiation treatments.  This is my third week and I am already getting pink and am very sore.  Is this normal?  I have weeks to go yet and am worried.

Thanks,

Candi

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Comments

  • Pink Rose
    Pink Rose Member Posts: 493
    #2
    I am sorry that you're

    I am sorry that you're worried.  I started getting sore and pink about the 4th week, so, I think it is normal.  Do you have creams to use? 

    Rose

  • Candi Cane
    Candi Cane Member Posts: 159
    #3
    Pink Rose said:

    I am sorry that you're

    I am sorry that you're worried.  I started getting sore and pink about the 4th week, so, I think it is normal.  Do you have creams to use? 

    Rose

    The 4th week?  So am I

    The 4th week?  So am I starting to turn pink too soon?  :( He gave me a prescription for Biafine, but, that's all.  I have been using it.

     

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #4
    Candi Cane said:

    The 4th week?  So am I

    The 4th week?  So am I starting to turn pink too soon?  :( He gave me a prescription for Biafine, but, that's all.  I have been using it.

     

    Welcome Candi to the site

    Welcome Candi to the site that no one ever wants to come to.  Everyone reacts differently to rads, so, what we give here is just our own experience.  Yours might be different.

    Biafine is great to use.  My rads onco gave it to me too.  Are you using anything else though, like Aquaphor?  You need to keep your skin moist also.

    Welcome again,

    Diane

  • Candi Cane
    Candi Cane Member Posts: 159
    #5
    DianeBC said:

    Welcome Candi to the site

    Welcome Candi to the site that no one ever wants to come to.  Everyone reacts differently to rads, so, what we give here is just our own experience.  Yours might be different.

    Biafine is great to use.  My rads onco gave it to me too.  Are you using anything else though, like Aquaphor?  You need to keep your skin moist also.

    Welcome again,

    Diane

    Thanks for the welcome

    Thanks for the welcome Diane.  I wish I didn't have the need to be here either, but, I really appreciate the feedback.  I don't have aquaphor.  Do I need a prescription for that? 

     

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #6
    Candi Cane said:

    Thanks for the welcome

    Thanks for the welcome Diane.  I wish I didn't have the need to be here either, but, I really appreciate the feedback.  I don't have aquaphor.  Do I need a prescription for that? 

     

    No, you can buy it any drug

    No, you can buy it any drug store.  I got the biggest jar they had and used all of it and bought more.  It is really greasy, so, wear something crappy for after you put it on.  It will stain.  An old tshirt or something you could throw away after you're finished with rads.

     

  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #7
    DianeBC said:

    No, you can buy it any drug

    No, you can buy it any drug store.  I got the biggest jar they had and used all of it and bought more.  It is really greasy, so, wear something crappy for after you put it on.  It will stain.  An old tshirt or something you could throw away after you're finished with rads.

     

    I bought a few wite mens tees

    I bought a few white mens tees and wore them, used aquaphor, would put it on in the changing room, just kept it slathered. i held up with rads NTM with chemo.

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #8
    Burns can happen in varying

    Burns can happen in varying degrees.  My RO had me use Miaderm.  As long as the red (aka burn) did not get to the point of oozing, things were good. 

    Near the end, I did have some of that ooze.  The RO nurse had me do some easy things to be sure it did not become anything too serious, like infected.  It healed quickly.  What few problems I had did not get me off schedule, and so I was able to finish on time. (I had had surgery, chemo, and then this AND was very eager to get it all behind me and resume life.)

    As someone else has inferred, we are individuals.  Each of us can share our experiences and there be differences.  The value of a place like this is that it gives you some idea of what you might encounter.  Over the entire process, from surgery to radiation, I did not seem to match anyone else 100%, but there were things here and there that were helpful to me.

  • coco2008
    coco2008 Member Posts: 418
    #9
    carkris said:

    I bought a few wite mens tees

    I bought a few white mens tees and wore them, used aquaphor, would put it on in the changing room, just kept it slathered. i held up with rads NTM with chemo.

    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?

     

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #10
    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?

     

    yes

    I started the cream the day I started radiation.  Usually my appointments were in the morning, and so I was to wait to apply the cream after I finished.  (Often I had it with me to put on when I changed out of the gown I had to wear.  A few times I had to go in the afternoon.  The instructions then were to put the cream on in the morning BUT clean it off before coming for my radiation treatment.  Then I would put cream on the area again, after I finished.

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #11
    desertgirl947 said:

    Burns can happen in varying

    Burns can happen in varying degrees.  My RO had me use Miaderm.  As long as the red (aka burn) did not get to the point of oozing, things were good. 

    Near the end, I did have some of that ooze.  The RO nurse had me do some easy things to be sure it did not become anything too serious, like infected.  It healed quickly.  What few problems I had did not get me off schedule, and so I was able to finish on time. (I had had surgery, chemo, and then this AND was very eager to get it all behind me and resume life.)

    As someone else has inferred, we are individuals.  Each of us can share our experiences and there be differences.  The value of a place like this is that it gives you some idea of what you might encounter.  Over the entire process, from surgery to radiation, I did not seem to match anyone else 100%, but there were things here and there that were helpful to me.

    Welcome -- Looks like many of our

    Sisters in PINK are starting to weigh in on your topic..  Good luck, and happy healing.

    Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

     

    Vicki Sam

     

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #12
    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 apply it right after,

    You can apply it right after, but, you can't have anything on you hours prior to the treatment.  I showered in the morning and didn't put anything on until I got home from my rad treatment. 

  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #13
    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?

     

    Taking good care of your skin

    Taking good care of your skin is so important.  Your rads oncologist should see you, at the least, once a week.  His nurse should take a look at you more than that.  Express any concern you have about your skin. 

    Some used Aloe gel on their skin and some even kept it in the fridge, so, it was cool when they put it on.

    Always check with your own rads onco before trying something new.

    Megan

  • TexasCharlie
    TexasCharlie Member Posts: 76
    #14
    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

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #15
    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?

     

    Welcome Candi

    I didn't think I would need to start from day one, but on the advice of my rads oncologist, I did and I am glad I did.  We don't realize that rads are cumulative and even though we can't see anything for awhile, they are hurting our skin.  I was sore and turning pink by the third of fourth week.  I can't remember exactly. 

    I had also been wearing an underwire bra and was told to not wear an underwire anymore.  After my skin started being tender, I quit wearing one period.

    Good luck and welcome Candi,

    Angie

  • Candi Cane
    Candi Cane Member Posts: 159
    #16
    carkris said:

    I bought a few wite mens tees

    I bought a few white mens tees and wore them, used aquaphor, would put it on in the changing room, just kept it slathered. i held up with rads NTM with chemo.

    I'll get some aquaphor and I

    I'll get some aquaphor and I think I will just wear an old shirt of my husband's.  He has some that need to be used as rags anyway.  lol 

  • Candi Cane
    Candi Cane Member Posts: 159
    #17
    desertgirl947 said:

    Burns can happen in varying

    Burns can happen in varying degrees.  My RO had me use Miaderm.  As long as the red (aka burn) did not get to the point of oozing, things were good. 

    Near the end, I did have some of that ooze.  The RO nurse had me do some easy things to be sure it did not become anything too serious, like infected.  It healed quickly.  What few problems I had did not get me off schedule, and so I was able to finish on time. (I had had surgery, chemo, and then this AND was very eager to get it all behind me and resume life.)

    As someone else has inferred, we are individuals.  Each of us can share our experiences and there be differences.  The value of a place like this is that it gives you some idea of what you might encounter.  Over the entire process, from surgery to radiation, I did not seem to match anyone else 100%, but there were things here and there that were helpful to me.

    I am sorry you had a hard

    I am sorry you had a hard time with radiaiton desertgirl.  I hope I don't, but, I am a little worried since I am already pink and sore.  Maybe it won't get a lot worse for me?

    Thanks, Candi

  • Candi Cane
    Candi Cane Member Posts: 159
    #18
    TexasCharlie said:

    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

    That's great that they did

    That's great that they did that for you TexasCharlie.  I wish they would have for me.  They told me some and gave me some pamphlets, but, it seems there is still so much to know.

    I've always tanned great, so, I was hoping I would get through this without burning.  Crossing my fingers that I won't burn, or if I do, that it won't be so bad.

    I will keep watching for your updates TexasCharlie.  I hope you do great with radiation and thank you.

    Candi

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #19
    I think it is normal-I only

    I think it is normal-I only got slight tan (square)-no burning to speak of and I am very pale. I am guessing depends on the dosage of radiation perhaps.

     

    Denise

     

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #20

    I burned VERY bad AFTER rads.  I did 25 rads and with the 24th I got a slight pink, after 25th a bit pinker but the next morning I woke up the entire radiated area open and running.  Radiation does not quite doing it's thing when it is not being used any more - it keeps 'cooking'  for quite a while.  Some seem to think that those who burn, didn't do due diligence with skin care - not true  - I did everything I was told to do.  I am very VERY 'white' so Dr was really keeping an eye on my skin but as 'white' as I am, I have always tanned great and never have had a really bad sunburn.

    I ended rads in early March '09 and the last scabs came off late June '09.  Still have some 'great' scars up the side of neck and under arm and arouind to back.  Thankfully, I never developed any infections  as I could not have used Sulfadene/Silvadene because I'm allergic to sulfa.  I had a huge tub of aloe and I almost totally annihalated it but what finally got healing going was Domobro soaks.

    Not trying to scare you - VERY FEW burn as bad as I did.  BUT I will always believe that rads are a part of why I am 3 yrs, 10 mths from my IBC DX and still NED.  If I had to/needed to go through it again - I would in a heartbeat - 'discomfort' for a while beats not being here at all to me.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan 

  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #21
    desertgirl947 said:

    Burns can happen in varying

    Burns can happen in varying degrees.  My RO had me use Miaderm.  As long as the red (aka burn) did not get to the point of oozing, things were good. 

    Near the end, I did have some of that ooze.  The RO nurse had me do some easy things to be sure it did not become anything too serious, like infected.  It healed quickly.  What few problems I had did not get me off schedule, and so I was able to finish on time. (I had had surgery, chemo, and then this AND was very eager to get it all behind me and resume life.)

    As someone else has inferred, we are individuals.  Each of us can share our experiences and there be differences.  The value of a place like this is that it gives you some idea of what you might encounter.  Over the entire process, from surgery to radiation, I did not seem to match anyone else 100%, but there were things here and there that were helpful to me.

    Welcome

    Hey Candi!  Rads aren't easy but you can do it.  I wanted to mention to not rub the area being radiated.  Always be gentle with it and I used unscented Dove white soap. 

    I think the most important rule of all is to keep the creams on and a lot of them. 

    Keep us updated,

    Noel

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