☺RADIATION TREATMENT ☼☼☼ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS☻
Comments
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Good infoAngie2U said:The only deodorant my rads
The only deodorant my rads oncologist said I could use during rads was one that was aluminum free. He recommended Toms of Maine. You can find it any drug store. I didn't need it for the radiated side as the radiation killed my sweat glands, so, I don't sweat there anymore. Good luck!
Angie
Thanks for the bump up on this one! I just started a week ago and lots of stuff I didnt know:)0 -
I was told any deodorantSharon40 said:deoderant
Please start that thread! They gave me a ball that looks like crystal and it doesn't seem to do much!! I miss my "Degree"!!
I was told any deodorant that is non aluminum. Most health food stores will carry it or a drug store too.0 -
yikes, had to halt radssbmly53 said:Yikes,
2/3's of the way done
Yikes,
2/3's of the way done and I look like a torture victim! I have several open oozy burns which are under (in the crease of) my breast. I had been told to gently pat with peroxide. I use creams in the other areas.
I will be returning to work with 5 rads more to go. I am planning to go braless and if I can't find something to disguise that this weekend, I'll have to use the dreaded sewing machine and whip up a couple vests.
My real dilemma however, is deodorant. I use my regular on the 'good' side and, right now, cornstarch on the other. Once I return to work - PU! The stuff they gave me smells like pinesol.
I think I'll start a thread to inquire about deodorant if I can't find one.
Sue
Not trying to scare or freak anyone out, and this is not a horror story, but felt it was important to let you know that more intense complications can happen.
I have finished 5 weeks or 25 treatments of Rads. From the onset, used Emu Oil recommended by Rad. Onc. I also used my unscented dry-skin lotion in the evenings (ok'd. by Dr.)
Had absolutely no problems other than a managable sunburn effect until after the 4th week. It started on Saturday with itching and tiny little pings of pain. Then a rash broke out in the treatment area that my Rad. Onc. watched closely. It progressively got worse & by Wednesday was put on Silvadene Cream, Emla Cream (lidocaine), and Rx strength Ibuprofen. That Friday nite, the rash developed into many blisters. Started using Aloe Vera to cool it off along with other med. creams, of course, no bra, soft, soft clothing & drinking extra water.
On Mon., Rad. Onc. was very surprised at how quickly it progressed. It looks pretty much like Shingles but he is pretty sure it is not due to the good response to the Medlone 21-Pack Oral (steroids). He has only seen 1 other case even close to this in 20 years of practice and called it Radiation Dermatitis. Have been on steroids for 3 days now, blisters are drying up and is more annoyingly itchy than painful.
Saw Dr. today and will again on Fri. No decision has been made as to the continuation of 4 boost treatments that would have been completed this week. I am very sad about all of this and want to continue but we will see....my friend whose husband just finished treatment said that "I'm done, my body has had enough"...
(My Rad. Onc. is also the Rad. Onc. Medical Director of a relatively large medical center.)0 -
I had it but it went away quickly..thank goodnesstrooper52 said:yikes, had to halt rads
Not trying to scare or freak anyone out, and this is not a horror story, but felt it was important to let you know that more intense complications can happen.
I have finished 5 weeks or 25 treatments of Rads. From the onset, used Emu Oil recommended by Rad. Onc. I also used my unscented dry-skin lotion in the evenings (ok'd. by Dr.)
Had absolutely no problems other than a managable sunburn effect until after the 4th week. It started on Saturday with itching and tiny little pings of pain. Then a rash broke out in the treatment area that my Rad. Onc. watched closely. It progressively got worse & by Wednesday was put on Silvadene Cream, Emla Cream (lidocaine), and Rx strength Ibuprofen. That Friday nite, the rash developed into many blisters. Started using Aloe Vera to cool it off along with other med. creams, of course, no bra, soft, soft clothing & drinking extra water.
On Mon., Rad. Onc. was very surprised at how quickly it progressed. It looks pretty much like Shingles but he is pretty sure it is not due to the good response to the Medlone 21-Pack Oral (steroids). He has only seen 1 other case even close to this in 20 years of practice and called it Radiation Dermatitis. Have been on steroids for 3 days now, blisters are drying up and is more annoyingly itchy than painful.
Saw Dr. today and will again on Fri. No decision has been made as to the continuation of 4 boost treatments that would have been completed this week. I am very sad about all of this and want to continue but we will see....my friend whose husband just finished treatment said that "I'm done, my body has had enough"...
(My Rad. Onc. is also the Rad. Onc. Medical Director of a relatively large medical center.)
I had radiation dermatitis, and, my radiation oncologist gave me a prescription cream for it. It is called Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream. It cleared it right up within a day or two. That is all that I had to use for it. I had already been using Biafine for the dark pinkness and Aquaphor to keep my skin moist. My rads oncologist said that radiation dermatitis is quite normal, that lots of patients get it. Sorry you have had so much trouble with it. Hope you get cleared up soon.
Love, Jeanne ♥</♥</font>0 -
This post helped me as IJeanne D said:I had it but it went away quickly..thank goodness
I had radiation dermatitis, and, my radiation oncologist gave me a prescription cream for it. It is called Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream. It cleared it right up within a day or two. That is all that I had to use for it. I had already been using Biafine for the dark pinkness and Aquaphor to keep my skin moist. My rads oncologist said that radiation dermatitis is quite normal, that lots of patients get it. Sorry you have had so much trouble with it. Hope you get cleared up soon.
Love, Jeanne ♥</♥</font>
This post helped me as I read it before I took rads and found a lot of useful info that we aren't told. Thanks for the post and hoping that others get the same benefit.
Megan0 -
Still warmMegan M said:This post helped me as I
This post helped me as I read it before I took rads and found a lot of useful info that we aren't told. Thanks for the post and hoping that others get the same benefit.
Megan
I was wondering if anyone else has this. I have been done with rads for a few months now, but, I have noticed that sometimes, the breast that had the rads is warmer than my other one. I see my rads oncologist soon, and will tell him, but, wondered if anyone else has this. Thanks!0 -
thermographyDianeBC said:Still warm
I was wondering if anyone else has this. I have been done with rads for a few months now, but, I have noticed that sometimes, the breast that had the rads is warmer than my other one. I see my rads oncologist soon, and will tell him, but, wondered if anyone else has this. Thanks!
I read that breast thermograms will show the radiated breast is MUCH warmer than the other breast for more than a year. (A breast thermogram is a technology that measures the temperature gradients of the breasts with the hypothesis that since cancer forms it's own blood supply, and blood vessels are warmer than surrounding muscle/fat tissue, then thermographic "hot spots" are more likely to be cancerous areas.)
So, yes, it is common to be warmer for quite a while.0 -
Rads questionDianeBC said:Hi Peggy! Good luck on
Hi Peggy! Good luck on Monday! I can answer questions too for anyone about rads!
Hugs, Diane ♥
Hi Diane,
Thank you for offering your experiences. First of all can I just say, that I think it is funny that most of us have some sort of cat as picture? I used to have my kitten.
Anyway, my treatment, which isn't over for 5 weeks more of chemo, I have to admit, has been hell. Just about everything that could hapen, did. Taxotere, which I am doing now, once a week, makes me extremely tired and weak to the bone, so much so, that Wed. will be my first time back in 2 weeks. Dr. said my body needed a recoup. And I just want to get this over with! I started in August of last year...
My rads question is, and to all, if you experienced extreme fatigue thru chemo, does it seem to happen with the radiation too? I am not looking forward to this, need to get on with my life, as we all want to, and am actually considering not doing it if my Dr. syas I have a good chance of being extremely fatigued. He is very honest, and knows each of his patietns so well!
Any advice? Plus, there is the month off betwen chemo and rads that is annoying me too...
Sorry to complain, I never do it outloud, and need to get some frustration out..
Thanks for listening...
Jilly0 -
Superwomen! by NoelNoel said:Superwomen!
You are right Sue, for the women that work and go thru chemo and rads, they are super warriors in my book!
♥ Noel
I soooooooooooooooooo agree. I talk about it with the other women and men in the Cancer Center while getting infusions. Those who have to work thru chemo, (and rads, which I wont have until May) are absolutely incredible people. Makes me feel like such a wimp when I think walking up the driveway on a cold day is too much. Yes, these people, must be commended. I don't knwo how they do it!0 -
Pain after radssurvivorbc09 said:Pain
Is anyone still having pain in their boob after rads are done for a couple of months? Mine is still sore. My rads oncologist said this can last for up to a year. Has anyone else had this or been told this? Thanks!
I finished my 33 tx of rads the 1st wk of Aug. 2009, I still have pain in my breast, mainly if pressure applied, like the cat stepping over it ,if I bump my breast,etc. I don't know how long the tenderness will last, to have my 1st mammo in April, kind of wondering how painful that might be... I've also developed problem's with my esphogus, to have a upper scope to be done this week, Dr. wonders if there could be scaring from the radiation, anyone have trouble like that B/4?0 -
Blistered after 41/2weekstrooper52 said:yikes, had to halt rads
Not trying to scare or freak anyone out, and this is not a horror story, but felt it was important to let you know that more intense complications can happen.
I have finished 5 weeks or 25 treatments of Rads. From the onset, used Emu Oil recommended by Rad. Onc. I also used my unscented dry-skin lotion in the evenings (ok'd. by Dr.)
Had absolutely no problems other than a managable sunburn effect until after the 4th week. It started on Saturday with itching and tiny little pings of pain. Then a rash broke out in the treatment area that my Rad. Onc. watched closely. It progressively got worse & by Wednesday was put on Silvadene Cream, Emla Cream (lidocaine), and Rx strength Ibuprofen. That Friday nite, the rash developed into many blisters. Started using Aloe Vera to cool it off along with other med. creams, of course, no bra, soft, soft clothing & drinking extra water.
On Mon., Rad. Onc. was very surprised at how quickly it progressed. It looks pretty much like Shingles but he is pretty sure it is not due to the good response to the Medlone 21-Pack Oral (steroids). He has only seen 1 other case even close to this in 20 years of practice and called it Radiation Dermatitis. Have been on steroids for 3 days now, blisters are drying up and is more annoyingly itchy than painful.
Saw Dr. today and will again on Fri. No decision has been made as to the continuation of 4 boost treatments that would have been completed this week. I am very sad about all of this and want to continue but we will see....my friend whose husband just finished treatment said that "I'm done, my body has had enough"...
(My Rad. Onc. is also the Rad. Onc. Medical Director of a relatively large medical center.)
I too had problems with a rash/ blister's forming, mine covered pretty much the entire brest area. I was started on silver sulfadiazine burn cream,I also continued my hydro soaks and started on prescribed pain meds. I also pretty much went topless to air out when at home and of course only wore cotton tanks. Thank God I was close to the end of the full breast rad. and they started to concentrate on the incission area to radiate that last week, it was amazing how fast things cleared up, with in 2 wks the over all breast had healed a lot and once tx was done the incission area cleared up also within 2 weeks. Amazing how the body heals when not getting zapped everyday! I know there were other women that had ozzing area's, blistered and had to stop full radition to concentrate on the incission (letting the other area rest and heal some) b/4 going back to finish the full breat radiation. One person had a lumpectomy done in both breast and was having radiation in both also at the same time of course, she had blistered also and developed infection. I'm also not trying to scare anyone, but wish I had taken the time to find this blog and realized some of the more severe side effects that can come along during radiation. I know many people don't experience anything more than a slight sunburn and some fatique, but also be aware that the fatique can last up to a year or more, it does improve but as I was told you may not get your full strenght back completly.0 -
I will answer you Jilly.JillyB said:Rads question
Hi Diane,
Thank you for offering your experiences. First of all can I just say, that I think it is funny that most of us have some sort of cat as picture? I used to have my kitten.
Anyway, my treatment, which isn't over for 5 weeks more of chemo, I have to admit, has been hell. Just about everything that could hapen, did. Taxotere, which I am doing now, once a week, makes me extremely tired and weak to the bone, so much so, that Wed. will be my first time back in 2 weeks. Dr. said my body needed a recoup. And I just want to get this over with! I started in August of last year...
My rads question is, and to all, if you experienced extreme fatigue thru chemo, does it seem to happen with the radiation too? I am not looking forward to this, need to get on with my life, as we all want to, and am actually considering not doing it if my Dr. syas I have a good chance of being extremely fatigued. He is very honest, and knows each of his patietns so well!
Any advice? Plus, there is the month off betwen chemo and rads that is annoying me too...
Sorry to complain, I never do it outloud, and need to get some frustration out..
Thanks for listening...
Jilly
I will answer you Jilly. Yes, rads will make you very fatigued. Just the going everyday for 5 to 8 weeks would wear anyone out, let alone getting the radiation. So, get lots of rest, take naps if you can and go to bed early. I have never known anyone that said they didn't get very exhausted from rads. Just take good care of yourself. Good luck!
Angie0 -
severe allergic radiation dermatitis updateCPT said:Blistered after 41/2weeks
I too had problems with a rash/ blister's forming, mine covered pretty much the entire brest area. I was started on silver sulfadiazine burn cream,I also continued my hydro soaks and started on prescribed pain meds. I also pretty much went topless to air out when at home and of course only wore cotton tanks. Thank God I was close to the end of the full breast rad. and they started to concentrate on the incission area to radiate that last week, it was amazing how fast things cleared up, with in 2 wks the over all breast had healed a lot and once tx was done the incission area cleared up also within 2 weeks. Amazing how the body heals when not getting zapped everyday! I know there were other women that had ozzing area's, blistered and had to stop full radition to concentrate on the incission (letting the other area rest and heal some) b/4 going back to finish the full breat radiation. One person had a lumpectomy done in both breast and was having radiation in both also at the same time of course, she had blistered also and developed infection. I'm also not trying to scare anyone, but wish I had taken the time to find this blog and realized some of the more severe side effects that can come along during radiation. I know many people don't experience anything more than a slight sunburn and some fatique, but also be aware that the fatique can last up to a year or more, it does improve but as I was told you may not get your full strenght back completly.
Comforting to know that I am not alone. My skin is healing up but very dry, pink and crinkly. Also had a second and third wave of redness outside (stomach & neck) the initial breakout of blisters that were more of a redness and rash. I think the steroids are keeping it contained. Dr. is still puzzled about it all. Am doing my best to keep it all hydrated both inside and out.
In addition to my earlier post of skin treatments (emu oil, silvadene cream, lidocaine/prolocaine cream, aloe vera, vaseline unscented dry skin lotion, cortisones & benadryl creams):
I added "Body Drench" moisturizer that I used when I was an indoor tanner. It works great for softening and relieving itchiness!
Have 2 more Boost Rads to go and then I'm outta there. Some itching and tingling is going on at the Boost Area but nothing bad yet. When I was considering discontinuing with rads, my dr. reminded me that even if i had an identical acute dermatitis event, as bad as it was, it is nothing when you consider a bc recurrence! I took 1 1/2 week break to heal b4 continuing.0 -
Glad your skin is healing uptrooper52 said:severe allergic radiation dermatitis update
Comforting to know that I am not alone. My skin is healing up but very dry, pink and crinkly. Also had a second and third wave of redness outside (stomach & neck) the initial breakout of blisters that were more of a redness and rash. I think the steroids are keeping it contained. Dr. is still puzzled about it all. Am doing my best to keep it all hydrated both inside and out.
In addition to my earlier post of skin treatments (emu oil, silvadene cream, lidocaine/prolocaine cream, aloe vera, vaseline unscented dry skin lotion, cortisones & benadryl creams):
I added "Body Drench" moisturizer that I used when I was an indoor tanner. It works great for softening and relieving itchiness!
Have 2 more Boost Rads to go and then I'm outta there. Some itching and tingling is going on at the Boost Area but nothing bad yet. When I was considering discontinuing with rads, my dr. reminded me that even if i had an identical acute dermatitis event, as bad as it was, it is nothing when you consider a bc recurrence! I took 1 1/2 week break to heal b4 continuing.
Glad your skin is healing up trooper! You are almost done! We will all celebrate with you when you finish!
Hugs, Megan0 -
Bumping up for a lot of newMoopy23 said:Day One
Peggy, I was scared, too, and for quite awhile. I changed hospitals for the radiation, so everything was new and different. Plus, with radiation, you are undressed with technicians you don't know. You are not exactly in a comfortable position.
But, after a few treatments, it felt normal to me, and I was at ease with the techs and treatment. The routine was reassuring. You will come to feel that way, too, though you may doubt me now.
No way would you be starting radiation treatment if your surgeon and radiation oncologist did not believe it is safe for you now. The surgeon has to release you for the treatment, and the rad onc. has to accept you for the treatment. Neither will do that if there is any question about your readiness. So, please don't worry about any delay in healing from the surgery. You're already healed enough to get the radiation. Otherwise, you would not be there.
Hang on, Peggy. The days will pass more quickly than you expect.
Bumping up for a lot of new people starting!0 -
Radiation tiredness is aJillyB said:Rads question
Hi Diane,
Thank you for offering your experiences. First of all can I just say, that I think it is funny that most of us have some sort of cat as picture? I used to have my kitten.
Anyway, my treatment, which isn't over for 5 weeks more of chemo, I have to admit, has been hell. Just about everything that could hapen, did. Taxotere, which I am doing now, once a week, makes me extremely tired and weak to the bone, so much so, that Wed. will be my first time back in 2 weeks. Dr. said my body needed a recoup. And I just want to get this over with! I started in August of last year...
My rads question is, and to all, if you experienced extreme fatigue thru chemo, does it seem to happen with the radiation too? I am not looking forward to this, need to get on with my life, as we all want to, and am actually considering not doing it if my Dr. syas I have a good chance of being extremely fatigued. He is very honest, and knows each of his patietns so well!
Any advice? Plus, there is the month off betwen chemo and rads that is annoying me too...
Sorry to complain, I never do it outloud, and need to get some frustration out..
Thanks for listening...
Jilly
Radiation tiredness is a different feeling than chemo reaction. You need that time off to recoup a little strength for the last lap. You will get progressively more fatigued as the weeks go by. For me the last two weeks and the week following the end of rad needed all my mental strength. The important thing is that every day brings you closer to finishing this part of your treatment. Focus on that and the day will come when you are done!0 -
You are so rightYoucandothis said:Radiation tiredness is a
Radiation tiredness is a different feeling than chemo reaction. You need that time off to recoup a little strength for the last lap. You will get progressively more fatigued as the weeks go by. For me the last two weeks and the week following the end of rad needed all my mental strength. The important thing is that every day brings you closer to finishing this part of your treatment. Focus on that and the day will come when you are done!
You are so right Youcandothis. It is a different tiredness. Hopefully, the time between finishing chemo and starting rads will help you to gain back some strength. Good luck!
Lex0 -
It is amazing how fast ourCPT said:Blistered after 41/2weeks
I too had problems with a rash/ blister's forming, mine covered pretty much the entire brest area. I was started on silver sulfadiazine burn cream,I also continued my hydro soaks and started on prescribed pain meds. I also pretty much went topless to air out when at home and of course only wore cotton tanks. Thank God I was close to the end of the full breast rad. and they started to concentrate on the incission area to radiate that last week, it was amazing how fast things cleared up, with in 2 wks the over all breast had healed a lot and once tx was done the incission area cleared up also within 2 weeks. Amazing how the body heals when not getting zapped everyday! I know there were other women that had ozzing area's, blistered and had to stop full radition to concentrate on the incission (letting the other area rest and heal some) b/4 going back to finish the full breat radiation. One person had a lumpectomy done in both breast and was having radiation in both also at the same time of course, she had blistered also and developed infection. I'm also not trying to scare anyone, but wish I had taken the time to find this blog and realized some of the more severe side effects that can come along during radiation. I know many people don't experience anything more than a slight sunburn and some fatique, but also be aware that the fatique can last up to a year or more, it does improve but as I was told you may not get your full strenght back completly.
It is amazing how fast our skin heals up from rads. I am glad that yours did too CPT. This thread has been good for a lot of us that are going thru rads, just starting and even finished! Good luck!
Angie0
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