Dilator with internal radiation

Options
CheeseQueen57
CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

i begin internal radiation tomorrow. I've been using the cool water cones I intermitently.   The nurse told me that they don't advise use of the dilators until 6-8 weeks after therapy although sex is okay (not really interested right now!). That seems different from from all of you have done. Did you use the dilator when in active therapy with internal radiation. 6-8 weeks seems like a long time to wait   I'm confused. 

Comments

  • beccabtown
    beccabtown Member Posts: 234
    edited October 2016 #2
    Options
    I was told to wait until

    I was told to wait until after all the external and internal radiation is done before using the dilators. I've already bought Cool Cones because I thought they would make brachy go more smoothly, but was told not to use them because there is so much irritation going on in there. I don't know whether they think the dilators can actually interfere with the effectiveness of the radiation, though.

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    #3
    Options
    Weird that there is such a

    Weird that there is such a wide variation in what we are being told about this.  I was told that I could use them during therapy as long as there was no irritation.  I had been using the Cool Cones prior to the brachytherapy since I had issues after surgery.  I didn't use anything during, but I began using the dilator within a couple of weeks after brachytherapy.

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    #4
    Options
    I didn't use the dialTor

    I didn't use the dialTor until later. In fact I'm not a good user of it. I know that is not recommended, but I did have an internal exam recently that went fine.

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    edited October 2016 #5
    Options
    2 weeks

    I was told to wait till at least 2 weeks after RT ends. Merry Christmas?

  • janaes
    janaes Member Posts: 799 Member
    #6
    Options
    my nurse told me to wait tell

    my nurse told me to wait tell bracytherapy was over.  by the way what are cool cones?

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,811 Member
    edited October 2016 #7
    Options
    I started using mine about 3

    I started using mine about 3 weeks post brachy therapy.  In the beginning of using them, it was everyday for the first two weeks, then down to two times per week since then. I used the cool cones during that first two weeks and now just use the hard rubber dialators that the radiologist provided.

    While it isn't something I look forward to, I have been very consistent with it and have had no problems post radiation treatments. I hope all goes as well for you.

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • cindy0519
    cindy0519 Member Posts: 173
    edited October 2016 #8
    Options
    I was told to wait until 2-3

    I was told to wait until 2-3 weeks after treatment was completed also.  I had external radiation though so I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not.

  • Beverly30
    Beverly30 Member Posts: 18
    edited November 2016 #9
    Options
    janaes said:

    my nurse told me to wait tell

    my nurse told me to wait tell bracytherapy was over.  by the way what are cool cones?

    Hi, I wanted to know as well

    Hi, I wanted to know as well so I looked them up on the Internet. a man created them for his wife. Based on what I read they are a nicer form of dialator. You run cool water over them and it seems like it makes them easier to insert. There are 3 sizes as well. I will definitely look into them if dialators are required after my radiation. I know it's recommended for me I just don't know the plan yet. 

    Bev

Discussion Boards