Seeking Radiation Advice

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TinyDancer1
TinyDancer1 Member Posts: 5 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

I‘m about to start radiation (5 days per week for 5 weeks) soon on my chest wall and adjacent lymph nodes (no axillary—they’re gone) now that I finished my chemo. I read some older discussion boards on what we need to do for ourselves during radiation (esp. for the skin). I’d love to hear from anyone who recently went through radiation and has updated advice for me. Which creams, ointments, etc. worked for you? Anything I should know about as to application, timing? What do you wear to treatments and at other times?. (I went flat—no breasts to worry about!) what about fatigue? Any other side effects to watch out for and what I should do about them? Did anyone experience lymphedema to appear as a result of radiation? Thanks for all your help!

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  • DrSparky
    DrSparky Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2017 #2
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    Radiation

    I am new to this board, so hope I'm doing this correctly.  I just finished radiation, but I had accelerated, 10 sessions over 5 days, so I'm not sure how helpful my comments will be to you.  I did use miaderm, and found it to be very helpful. I know people have used aquafor and other products with good success as well.  I was told to apply the cream after each treatment, and before bed. Now that my treatment is over, I apply it before bed and after every shower.  Will do that for a few weeks, per their instruction.  I wore an oversized t shirt.  You can keep jewelry on (I could) except for necklace.  I had some discomfort (still do, a few days after last treatment), but nothing serious.  I was very tired, yes. I had some nausea, but I understand that's not from the radiation. I have vestibular issues and get nausea often, so I attribute the nausea to that, and I used the medication I have on hand for nausea and it took care of it. Good luck to you. I hope this is helpful.  

  • HapB
    HapB Member Posts: 527
    #3
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    Radiation

    TinyDancer, I have had radiation twice and both times my RO told me to use absolutley NOTHING on my skin because creams, ointments and lotions all interact with the radiation and cause exteranl skin problems. I followed the advice both times and never had any problems whasoever with my external skin. I have observed that people who do use topical treatments almost always have what they term as “radiation burns”. These are not burns, the radiation is interacting with the creams.  Radiation does not burn the skin.  if you apply creams, they sink into the skin and you cannot wipe that off.

    So, my best advice to you is to use nothing but water on your skin during radiation and for a month after. I used cold compresses when I had itch or or pain. Ironically, some will tell you what they used and also tell you of the severe burns and pain they had.  Really, do not put anything on your skin. 

     

      

  • Elaine_wi
    Elaine_wi Member Posts: 124 Member
    #4
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    My Radiation Experience

    Hello Tiny Dancer,

    I finished radiation about six weeks ago. My treatment plan was five days a week for six weeks. I experienced some fatigue and skin issues during the last two weeks. For the fatigue I drank a lot of water and slept as much as I needed to.

    I did use the Miaderm cream that the radiology nurse gave me but I read HapB's advice about not using anything and that seems to make sense to me also. They told me use it twice a day and to avoid applying it four hours before treatment, but I can see where some of it could be absorbed into the skin. It's interesting because Miaderm was developed by radiation oncologists. I did use it and it felt good applying it but I can't say that it necessarily provided long-term relief. 

    After I was completely done with radiation the nurse gave me a cream that they use for burn victims called SSD (1% silver sulfadiazine cream). It definately gave me relief from the skin discomfort. They could not give it to me while I was in radiation treatment because the silver in it would have reacted with the radiation.

    My targeted treatment area was my left chest wall, axillary lymph nodes, and supraclavicular (above the collar bone) lymph nodes. I have not experienced any lymphedema. 

    Everyone's treament plan is customized for their particular body so not eveyone is going to have the same experiece. The application plan of radiation is developed with the help of radiation physicists and is very interesting. At my cancer treatment center I had the opportunity to have a "behind the scenes" tour. I observed what the dosimitrists do - the technology is fascinating.

    As for what to wear to treatment, it doesn't matter because you'll take it off any way and wear a gown. Other times just wear what's comfortable. Since you no longer have to wear uncomfortable bras you should have no problem.

    Keep posting and let us know how it's going!

     

  • TinyDancer1
    TinyDancer1 Member Posts: 5 Member
    #5
    Options
    DrSparky said:

    Radiation

    I am new to this board, so hope I'm doing this correctly.  I just finished radiation, but I had accelerated, 10 sessions over 5 days, so I'm not sure how helpful my comments will be to you.  I did use miaderm, and found it to be very helpful. I know people have used aquafor and other products with good success as well.  I was told to apply the cream after each treatment, and before bed. Now that my treatment is over, I apply it before bed and after every shower.  Will do that for a few weeks, per their instruction.  I wore an oversized t shirt.  You can keep jewelry on (I could) except for necklace.  I had some discomfort (still do, a few days after last treatment), but nothing serious.  I was very tired, yes. I had some nausea, but I understand that's not from the radiation. I have vestibular issues and get nausea often, so I attribute the nausea to that, and I used the medication I have on hand for nausea and it took care of it. Good luck to you. I hope this is helpful.  

    Thanks!

    i appreciate your sharing your experience and recommendations. 

  • TinyDancer1
    TinyDancer1 Member Posts: 5 Member
    #6
    Options
    HapB said:

    Radiation

    TinyDancer, I have had radiation twice and both times my RO told me to use absolutley NOTHING on my skin because creams, ointments and lotions all interact with the radiation and cause exteranl skin problems. I followed the advice both times and never had any problems whasoever with my external skin. I have observed that people who do use topical treatments almost always have what they term as “radiation burns”. These are not burns, the radiation is interacting with the creams.  Radiation does not burn the skin.  if you apply creams, they sink into the skin and you cannot wipe that off.

    So, my best advice to you is to use nothing but water on your skin during radiation and for a month after. I used cold compresses when I had itch or or pain. Ironically, some will tell you what they used and also tell you of the severe burns and pain they had.  Really, do not put anything on your skin. 

     

      

    Wow! That’s Different!

    HapB—I’m really intrigued by your experience on this! I’ve never heard anyone else say what you said, except I did read somewhere that keeping the area dry with cornstarch powder (not talc) was recommended. It would be hard to buck the radiation oncologist‘s instructions. Do you have any sources, studies on hand to support this method? I’ll likely go online to find some anyway—I’m a retired paralegal who always had to support my recommendations with legal authority—so here I am in another world of finding backup for medical issues! Thanks so much for sharing this with me!

  • TinyDancer1
    TinyDancer1 Member Posts: 5 Member
    #7
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    Elaine_wi said:

    My Radiation Experience

    Hello Tiny Dancer,

    I finished radiation about six weeks ago. My treatment plan was five days a week for six weeks. I experienced some fatigue and skin issues during the last two weeks. For the fatigue I drank a lot of water and slept as much as I needed to.

    I did use the Miaderm cream that the radiology nurse gave me but I read HapB's advice about not using anything and that seems to make sense to me also. They told me use it twice a day and to avoid applying it four hours before treatment, but I can see where some of it could be absorbed into the skin. It's interesting because Miaderm was developed by radiation oncologists. I did use it and it felt good applying it but I can't say that it necessarily provided long-term relief. 

    After I was completely done with radiation the nurse gave me a cream that they use for burn victims called SSD (1% silver sulfadiazine cream). It definately gave me relief from the skin discomfort. They could not give it to me while I was in radiation treatment because the silver in it would have reacted with the radiation.

    My targeted treatment area was my left chest wall, axillary lymph nodes, and supraclavicular (above the collar bone) lymph nodes. I have not experienced any lymphedema. 

    Everyone's treament plan is customized for their particular body so not eveyone is going to have the same experiece. The application plan of radiation is developed with the help of radiation physicists and is very interesting. At my cancer treatment center I had the opportunity to have a "behind the scenes" tour. I observed what the dosimitrists do - the technology is fascinating.

    As for what to wear to treatment, it doesn't matter because you'll take it off any way and wear a gown. Other times just wear what's comfortable. Since you no longer have to wear uncomfortable bras you should have no problem.

    Keep posting and let us know how it's going!

     

    Thanks, Elaine!

    I got a lot of good info from your response, and will likely wear a button-down blouse and go flat to radiation to make it faster and easier to get in and out of there! 

  • Indymom23
    Indymom23 Member Posts: 1
    #8
    Options
    Radiation suggestions

    I am fresh from 21 rounds of radiation.  Finished this past Monday, Oct 30th. This was following 4 rounds of chemo and 2 surgeries (lumpectomy and reconstruction).  My appointments were early in the morning as I requested.  I was told not to wear deodorant or any lotions in tha area of radiation.  I used Bass Farms Triple B Hydrating cream 4 times a day and I absolutely love it.  My skin was barely flushed looking at the end.  I was also told that from 7-14 days after the end of radiation I may see some additional reaction.  So far so good for me.  I was told to use Aquaphor if I became blistered and the area "seeped".  I have some on hand but haven't had to use it yet.  Of course, no baths, swimming, hot tubs or hot water from the shower pulsing on the area during treatment and 1 month after.  Too bad since we just got a hot tub!  LOL.  Oh well...it will be there when I'm allowed in.  I'm a lotion person anyway, so this hydrating cream has been a lifesaver.  Bass Farms is located in my home state of Indiana...

  • meschellejensen
    meschellejensen Member Posts: 117
    edited November 2017 #9
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    Radiation

    TinyDancer,

    I had 15  hypo-fractionated radiation treatments with 5 boosts.  My skin did great except under my arm (where I applied deoderant after each treatment ).  I used Calendula the whole time.  The Calendula was easy to wash off four hours before each treatment.  it was thought that the deoderant that I used left a residue that caused a burn.  I don't know, I was not supposed to recieve radiation under my arm, but it's finished, and my skin is completely back to normal (since about a month past treatment).  Please let me know if I can answer any questions for you!

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #10
    Options
    fI was a  very fortunate with

    fI was a  very fortunate with radiation (NO chemo) I didn't have any side effect from my treatment. NO burns, dry craking skin or tagiue. I wish i could pass that on to all others going through radiation.

     

    I am sure others will have advice.

     

    Denise

  • CatherineGarcia
    CatherineGarcia Member Posts: 3
    #11
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    My sister is  currently

    My sister is  currently receiving her radiation therapy Siuffolk for the cancer, which was diagnosed last year.

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