I am 9 days post radiation. I dont want to say too much here that will scare people who are about to start. But i have skin which has come off and is weeping.Anyone know if i can use an antiseptic powder to dry out a bit or will that make it worse?

Oh my 😩. I remember that pain. I was also burnt in my underarms, between breasts and under them. That’s where Mepitel refused to stay. I made a litre of saline soak, then put a soft tea towel inside, drenched it, lay down on a towel on my bed, and put the soaked tea towel on my chest. Completely covered it. It was so soaked the water would run down me, but I had the towel underneath. I stayed like that for 20 mins. The tea towel was too soaked to stick to the sores. This was in winter so I was quite cold, but I had to try it. It was too painful otherwise. After that soak, I’d gently scrape the old skin away. It came off easily cos it had been softened. And then the inside goo of an aloe vera plant, all over, which I’d kept in the fridge. After that a couple hours Flamigel. Then before bed the 20 min saline soak again, and more aloe vera. I put the chunky fleshy part right on the burnt parts, inside my bra. The next morning they were all dried up and shrunken. It took ages to do and hurt, but was soooo worth it. I’m telling you, I think actually 2 days later I felt no more pain, but it was still red, so I kept doing it for about a week. Then I just used aloe flesh and Flamigel for another week. Good as new, soft and smooth. I couldn’t believe it. Other ladies have said the same of both these methods. And now no signs of radiation. A lady I worked with had bc before me. She told me her radiation burns were horrendous. She went on holiday with her partner right after it, and went swimming in the sea. She said it hurt really bad, but was healed a couple days later, no more pain. The salt soak and aloe do wonders, just do them longer. In any case, I’m hoping it goes away. No one should have that pain. Hugs to you ♥️

Hi @lrb_03,I had a telehealth. Mainly because it hurts to drive. I texted rad onc a photo. He said my side effects were severe. I think i needed reassurance that i was doing the right things and it would end sometime . He said i could arrange as many appts with him as i wanted. I agree that the nurses are a bit unhelpful. I attended a large organisation that treats public and private patients. Im private but it should not make a difference in the treatment. Pain is pain and care should be given where it is needed. I do wonder if the "trying to be a profitable business," interferes with the caring. Im sure they do their best but empathy should not be in short supply and once your treatment is over you should not be made to feel that they are too busy to care for your "normal" experience. Im not a trained health person and trying to decide how to look after wounds whilst in pain has been hard. Luckily my sister, who lives interstate, is a nurse and told me what dressings to buy so things stopped sticking. Anyhow, im told it will take time to heal. I have a surgeon appt thursday which will be interesting since he wont be able to touch me. He usually likes to admire his work and check for lumps. I do not know what he will say. Thanks for asking. It hasnt been pleasant but i think it will get better.Michele

Sorry to hear @MicheleR 😟. I’m not sure about antiseptic powder. I had areas that weren’t covered by the Mepitel, that were also burnt and broken skin. By onco’s recommendation, I did a saline soak (I made it) twice a day. Soaked area for about 20 mins each time. Then used gauze to scrape old skin away (painful yes, but worked). Straight after that I smeared aloe leaf flesh all over it. I had it on all day and night. In between those two, I’d also apply Flamigel. 3 days later no pain, skin healed. 2 weeks later good as new. Good luck, I’m hoping whatever you use works well and rids you of your pain 💜

Totally agree, @lrb_03 .... there should be at least one qualified burns treatment nurse in every Cancer Centre/Rads Centre .... @MicheleR's treatment has really been totally unacceptable and I am so sorry it has been this bad for this long.Have you been keeping pics of the burns? I would suggest everyone with bad burns to do so.I have just written off to the Fiona Wood Foundation in WA (she invented the liquid skin for burns victims) to see if Fiona & her team might be interested in looking into the treatment of Radiation Burns specifically - as it can be such a nasty type of burn and can leave people scarred forever - both mentally and physically. I look forward to hearing back from them & will pass it on to you. xxTake care & have as good an Easter as you can. xx

@MicheleR I used Bepanthen antiseptic cream on my burn, it healed really quickly and there was nothing to show by the time I saw the rad oncologist, of course.

Radiation burns how to treat | BCNA Online Network

arpie
Member
5 years ago
Totally agree, @lrb_03 .... there should be at least one qualified burns treatment nurse in every Cancer Centre/Rads Centre .... @MicheleR's treatment has really been totally unacceptable and I am so sorry it has been this bad for this long.

Have you been keeping pics of the burns? I would suggest everyone with bad burns to do so.

I have just written off to the Fiona Wood Foundation in WA (she invented the liquid skin for burns victims) to see if Fiona & her team might be interested in looking into the treatment of Radiation Burns specifically - as it can be such a nasty type of burn and can leave people scarred forever - both mentally and physically. I look forward to hearing back from them & will pass it on to you. xx

Take care & have as good an Easter as you can. xx
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Thanks @lrb_03.
Think i needed to vent. Im feeling a bit grumpy. Probably the whole 9 month slog and its still not over....
lrb_03
Member
5 years ago
@MicheleR it always makes me mad and sad in equal measure when I hear of stories like yours.
Undertaking wound care should be considered part of your ongoing treatment, as the wounds are a direct result of your treatment. Rad Onc nurses should be specialists in that area but too often I hear of people having to work it out for themselves
My radiation burns weren't severe but I believe that once they start to heal it happens quickly

Take care
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Hi @lrb_03,

I had a telehealth. Mainly because it hurts to drive. I texted rad onc a photo. He said my side effects were severe. I think i needed reassurance that i was doing the right things and it would end sometime . He said i could arrange as many appts with him as i wanted.

I agree that the nurses are a bit unhelpful. I attended a large organisation that treats public and private patients. Im private but it should not make a difference in the treatment. Pain is pain and care should be given where it is needed. I do wonder if the "trying to be a profitable business," interferes with the caring. Im sure they do their best but empathy should not be in short supply and once your treatment is over you should not be made to feel that they are too busy to care for your "normal" experience. Im not a trained health person and trying to decide how to look after wounds whilst in pain has been hard. Luckily my sister, who lives interstate, is a nurse and told me what dressings to buy so things stopped sticking.

Anyhow, im told it will take time to heal.

I have a surgeon appt thursday which will be interesting since he wont be able to touch me. He usually likes to admire his work and check for lumps. I do not know what he will say.

Thanks for asking. It hasnt been pleasant but i think it will get better.

Michele
lrb_03
Member
5 years ago
How did you go with the rad onc today @MicheleR . Hope you're starting to find some solutions.

Unfortunately, the nurses in my local public radiation oncology unit were less than helpful when I had my treatment a few years ago. From all accounts that I've heard recently, nothing's changed, sadly. The Radiation therapists were fantastic. Sometimes a wound care nurse through the community nurses can be useful
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Jane_Elizabeth,

Chemists in SA dont seem to know this drug. I have a consult with rads onc tomorrow. Will ask.

Thanks

Michele
Jane_Elizabeth
Member
5 years ago
Flamazine/flamigel. You'll be surprised how fast it heals. Good luck
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Wow. A whole heap of blister spontaneously broke. Not sure if this is good or bad...
FLClover
Member
5 years ago
Great news @MicheleR! 👌🏻. Glad you’re feeling better. And happy birthday!! May you celebrate many more wonderful years with good health 🍀🎉🎂♥️
arpie
Member
5 years ago
SO pleased to hear this. Many happies xxx