Radiation side effects???

MGNS
MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm in my fourth week of radiation and have terrible itching where I'm being treated. Is this normal and is there anything to relieve the itching? I'm going to ask doctor when I go today, but would like any information from fellow sisters that have experienced this.
Hugs to all!

Comments

  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #2
    I had some itching, too,
    I had some itching, too, while I was going through rads. My onc recommended Cortizone cream that is specifically for itching. It worked great. Check with your doctor first before you use it, though. Good luck.
  • Different Ballgame
    Different Ballgame Member Posts: 868
    #3
    Where's Your Itching?
    My itching for 2 days was inside the breast...not on top of the skin. Needless to say, nothing I did alleviated the itch. Be careful of your nails. Do not scratch with your nails; you don't want to break the skin. Use your knuckle and be careful of the pressure you exert.

    Are you allowed to apply something cool on top of the itch? Double check with your doctor.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle
  • Sam726
    Sam726 Member Posts: 233
    #4
    Different Ballgame said:

    Where's Your Itching?
    My itching for 2 days was inside the breast...not on top of the skin. Needless to say, nothing I did alleviated the itch. Be careful of your nails. Do not scratch with your nails; you don't want to break the skin. Use your knuckle and be careful of the pressure you exert.

    Are you allowed to apply something cool on top of the itch? Double check with your doctor.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle

    Itching
    I used aquaphor..my doc gave to me. Always ask your doctor...Stay on top of your creams..you are getting close to the end of treatment and skin is super sensitive.
  • jbug
    jbug Member Posts: 285
    #5
    I had the same
    I had the same problem...itching about drove me nuts! Here's the recipe i got from the rad onc...hydrocortisone cream and zyrtec...if that didn't work, i was to add zantac too. The zyrtec and zantac are antihistamines...that's part of what makes you itch... and the double dose basically blocks it all. If you use the hydrocortisone cream, you need to follow up in an hour w/a good dose of lotion, as the hydrocortisone will have a drying effect.

    As others have said, you should definitely check w/your rad onc before trying any of the suggestions. Hang in there...your almost done! Blessings...
    Julie
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    #6
    I was prescribed
    Mometasone Furoate Cream 0.1%....stronger than hydrocortisone...ask your Doc. It works.
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #7
    blazytracy said:

    I was prescribed
    Mometasone Furoate Cream 0.1%....stronger than hydrocortisone...ask your Doc. It works.

    I had the itching too, and,
    I had the itching too, and, the hydro cortisone cream didn't work for me. I had the prescription kind too, which is stronger than the over the counter cream you can buy. My rads oncologist gave me Triamcinolone and it worked right away. Talk to your own rads oncologist and see what he says. Good luck!

    Sue :)
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #8
    Ritzy said:

    I had the itching too, and,
    I had the itching too, and, the hydro cortisone cream didn't work for me. I had the prescription kind too, which is stronger than the over the counter cream you can buy. My rads oncologist gave me Triamcinolone and it worked right away. Talk to your own rads oncologist and see what he says. Good luck!

    Sue :)

    The prescription
    The prescription hydrocortison sort of worked, but, I read on here about the cream that Ritzy mentioned. I got some and it did the job! Let us know what you get and if it works.
  • MGNS
    MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
    #9
    Different Ballgame said:

    Where's Your Itching?
    My itching for 2 days was inside the breast...not on top of the skin. Needless to say, nothing I did alleviated the itch. Be careful of your nails. Do not scratch with your nails; you don't want to break the skin. Use your knuckle and be careful of the pressure you exert.

    Are you allowed to apply something cool on top of the itch? Double check with your doctor.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle

    I was given Aloe with
    I was given Aloe with lidocane and that helped a little bit to cool the area. But as the itching got worse I tried hydrocortisone 1% and that didn't help. I was given a presciption for 2.5% hydrocortisone and that has been better. The dr. also had me get a spray called Dermoplast. I am getting some relief but am going to ask about the triamcinolone, mometasone furoate and aquaphor that fellow sisters have told me about. I'm also taking benadryl. I'm trying anything to get relief from this burning itching sensation!
    I realllly appreciate all of the suggestions and support!
    Hugs!
  • MGNS
    MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
    #10
    survivorbc09 said:

    The prescription
    The prescription hydrocortison sort of worked, but, I read on here about the cream that Ritzy mentioned. I got some and it did the job! Let us know what you get and if it works.

    New Cream
    The doctor gave me a new cream today that seems to working! The cream is XClair. I'm so glad to get some relief from this itching!
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #11
    MGNS said:

    New Cream
    The doctor gave me a new cream today that seems to working! The cream is XClair. I'm so glad to get some relief from this itching!

    Glad you got a new cream and
    Glad you got a new cream and that it is working. Always tell your rads oncologist of any problems you might be having. They should be checking your skin at the least, one time a week. Good luck with the rest of your rads.

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