?4 Survivors

I used Aquaphor and did sitz baths with a little epson salts every now and then  Also took oxycotin once a day, usually around dinner time so I could get a few hours of relief before I went to sleep.  I spent about 2 months "living" in my recliner in the tv room nearest bathroom.  After each bathroom use I'd hop in the shower quickly and use the shower head to "cool" things off.  I also kept a small spray bottle near toilet filled with water to spray on me immediately after urinating to help ease the burn.   I'd also spray the toilet paper a little wet to pat clean the area.  At the time it seemed like the pain would never ease up but eventually it did.  Just take it day by day.  It wasn't until close to the end of treatment that my burns got the worst.  My pain killers, frequent soaks/showers and understanding husband got me through it all (and my beloved oxycontin)   There are lots of good suggestions on here from others on how they dealt with it that I'm sure will help you.  This forum was so helpful to me when I went through treatment.  Mine finished the end of May.

during treatment I laid a cool washcloth with Domeboro (u can get it OTC at drugstore) over the area to ease the pain and it really helped calm the area.  I also used aquafor and silver cream during recover.

i used a squezze bottle after a BM or urination to clean the area.  And I carried lotion with me to put on toilet paper when to wipe with when I wasn't at home.  Also, if you are female it helps to use a Dixie cup with the bottom removed to direct the stream forward and away from the burned area since the urine stung the burned area when it made contact.  sitz baths were good too.  And I sat in a gel pillow that I carried around everywhere. 

I am 2 years NED (Stage 3).  Hang in there and get lots of rest. 

Hi

I would ask your radiologist what he/she recommends and for me it was aquaphor(ointment in a large jar) and a spray bottle filled with saline(regular water's PH is too harsh) to spray myself with especially when urinating.  As treatment progressed I had a jar of lidocaine 5% that I mixed with aquaphor 50/50 because the radiologist said that the pure lidocane would be very drying.  I mixed up a travel jar of this mixture along with medical gloves and slathered it on in the changing room of the radiation department immediately afterwards so that for the rest of the day I was covered.  I also wore long comfy skirts because I couldnt wear pants.   I sat on a tempurpedic pillow as I drove to treatment and spent alot of time upstairs in bed under a ceiling fan with legs spread eagle.  Once I made the mistake of resting in a fetal position and my labia fused to my leg and it was painful to separate it but I was darned if I was going to be stuck walking around like that. (I can laugh about it now but at the time I was horrified)  When I called my radiologist about it he remarked that he was amazed that I had any left!  Also if you cant sit as you wait for appointments if there is room, stretch out on a loveseat or couch and dont be afraid to ask for help.  Everybody is different- all you have to do is get through it and eventually you will heal.  The reason you can't have lotions on when you get radiation is that it can interfere/lessen the amount of it you get.  Just do the best you can and try to stay positive. 

Kmort said:

Shamayim

Than you for the advise.  You mentioned something that I have not come across or considered and that is the problem sitting for appts.   Soemthing else for me to add to the worry list.   lol

My hospital (UCSF) gave me tons of everything that I needed, and they were very specific that they didn't want me to use anything that they didn't supply.  So you don't have to spend alot with supplies ahead of time, since the hospital may end up giving you supplies, or you could order on-line if they dont'.  Sorry you are going through this now, with the coronavirus on top of everything else.