Burning during radiation treatments?

Noel said:

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

For me, rads were easy (until after as I have said).  I started rads a week after last of 12 weekly Taxol which really 'beat' me up.  Every day on rads felt better and could do more as each day passed.  There is  not a one of us who can tell anyone else what THEIR experiences wil be!  We can each only give what we experienced - not what anyone else will experience.

Winyan - The Power Within

Susan

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.

 

Biafine is the best to use if you're burning, or even prior to burning.  It's good that you've got that.  Make sure you apply it everyday. 

Everyone keeps saying this but it can't be said enough, use whatever your rads oncologist allows you to use every day.  Don't miss one day. 

When I got sore, instead of wearing a bra, you could wear a camisole if you feel like you need to wear something.

How are you doing today?

Rose

Candi Cane said:

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

I guess I didn't see myself as having all that difficult of a time with radiation.  The burns I had to deal with came at the end of the ones before the boost.  They did not prevent the boost.  With the boosts, I had a bit of a problem again, but I got right on top of that as well.  I did heal rather quickly.  

I'd see other people coming to the RO's who had more problems than I did.   Some of them had to stop their treatments for awhile so they could heal.

My biggest difficulty was having to have my arm up in the position I did.  Years ago I dislocated my shoulder "majorly" playing volleyball.  There are positions I have had problems with over the years; but it seemed especially pronounced during my radiation treatments.  The people were really good in trying to help me get comfy because I wasn't, as you know, supposed to move.  The hardest time, though, was the position I had to have that arm in for the boosts.  I just gritted my teeth and told myself, Just deal with it!  The med people felt bad for me because there was only so much they could do -- actually, they told me at the end of it all that they gave me credit for hanging in there.  THIS is probably why I thought my burns weren't all that big of a deal.

I had my 9th rads treatment today.. So far, my skin is ok.  They told me to use a hypo allergenic cream on my skin; but not to put it on the markings.  They didn't give me anything to use.  Linda

Candi Cane said:

Still really sore.  I think I

Still really sore.  I think I will look into getting some camisoles.  Any brand or store you recommend Rose?

Thanks, Canci

I just have some soft cotton ones that I bought.  I don't remember what store exactly, but, probably one of the chain stores, like Wal Mart etc.  You may not want anything too close to your skin if you're getting really sore.

Hugs, Rose

LindaJD said:

Also new here

I had my 9th rads treatment today.. So far, my skin is ok.  They told me to use a hypo allergenic cream on my skin; but not to put it on the markings.  They didn't give me anything to use.  Linda

I had tatoos Linda, not the markings, so, I was able to use the creams everywhere.  May I ask why you have the markings and not tatoos?  Good luck to you!

Lex

Rague said:

Fatigue DOES NOT hit everyone during rads!
Exhaustion/Fatigue does not hit everyone doing rads! I felt better EVERY day while doing rads. 12 weekly Taxol had me dealing with complete/utter exhaustion/fatigue. I started rads a week after last Taxol and only felt better EVERY day. By the time I was done with rads I was very close to being back to 'myself' energy wise. As I have said - after rads I burned very bad but I never experienced fatigue during those healing months.

There is no one set of 'rules' that ALL of our bodies follow (or that we follow.).

Winyan - The Power Within

Susan

Yes, I was so tired that I found myself having to take naps.  I had never taken naps before, but due to rads, I just had to.  I found myself just dragging after a few weeks.

I also started going to bed earlier as I am a night owl and like to stay up late, but, I just couldn't keep my eyes open. 

Someone had suggested exercising and I did find that an evening walk with my husband seemed to help with my energy level.  It sounds strange, but for me, that helped somewhat.

Do whatever your body tells you to do.  If you are exhausted, then take naps, get to bed earlier, just whatever you need to.

I am wishing you all good luck with rads!

Hugs, Debby

DebbyM said:

Yes, I was so tired that I

Yes, I was so tired that I found myself having to take naps.  I had never taken naps before, but due to rads, I just had to.  I found myself just dragging after a few weeks.

I also started going to bed earlier as I am a night owl and like to stay up late, but, I just couldn't keep my eyes open. 

Someone had suggested exercising and I did find that an evening walk with my husband seemed to help with my energy level.  It sounds strange, but for me, that helped somewhat.

Do whatever your body tells you to do.  If you are exhausted, then take naps, get to bed earlier, just whatever you need to.

I am wishing you all good luck with rads!

Hugs, Debby

There seem to be several starting and in rads now.  You sisters ought to start a separate post and keep up with each other.  And, others that have been through them could offer you advice.  Sound good?

I was tired also and I got really dark pink, close to a burn.  We all react so differently, so, you can't judge your rads on our experience.  We are just saying what happened to us, which I know you understand.

You aren't using deodorant, are you?  You can't use your regular deodorant.

Keep us updated and we'll help to get you through this, all of you girls!

Sue

jlharris said:

Sue;
Why can't use use

Sue;

Why can't use use regular deodorant during rad treatment? My rad doctor has not said anything to me about that. I have completed only three treatments. Would it be advisable to use deodorant after treatment? I will check with the tech tomorrow.

Thanks

Hi Jharris!  You are suppose to use, or my rads onco told me, only deodorants that are aluminum free.  Most are not.  The only one I know of is Tom's of Maine.  I didn't need one really as the rads killed my sweat glands under my arms, so, I didn't sweat.  See what your doctor says tomorrow and let us know.

Sue

Candi Cane said:

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

Welcome Candi Cane!  For the first few weeks, I had nothing, but, kept using a lot of my creams.  Then I started turning a little pink, but, noticed the tenderness first.  I didn't burn, but, got very close to it.  My skin healed up really fast afterwords and is beautiful now, looks better than before as it looks and feels like baby skin now.

Good luck Candi and keep posting.  I hope we can all help you.

Hugs, Kylez

p.s. I was one of the ones that got really tired too.  Rads exhausted me too.