Radiotherapy and mepitel

@Lallaby You are most welcome!! I am so glad it has helped you & PLEASE let me know how you get on. Be patient & think of the big picture & make sure you get checked everyday. I used to say I felt like a "Cryovac Chicken" being so wrapped up in my plastic skin but it was so worth it in the end!! Hugs xx

Thank you @Anne65!!! That is so helpful. If I had any doubts before about using it I don't anymore

@Lallaby I had 16 doses of rad back in Feb/March & had the Mepitel on for the entire treatment plus I had it on for 2 weeks after finishing treatment. The rad symptoms peak at 2 weeks after finishing so your skin is still reacting to the rad so it is important to keep the film on to protect your skin from clothing/sun & it also helps it heal. I thought the mepitel was FANTASTIC & i would recommend it to anyone but you do have to take care of it & make sure you visit the nurse every day like I did so she can check to see if there is any bubbles or peeling & if so, they trim/repair/replace it. You do feel like an imposition having to see them every day but they are lovely & used to dealing with Mepitel & realise that is what has to be done. I didn't have ANY reddening/peeling/blistering in fact when I took the Mepitel off you wouldn't even know I had rad treatment! Once the film came off I did start moisturising my skin with calendula just to keep it supple but there was no signs of any damage & while the film is on, you don't use any creams as the Mepitel protects your skin. At the start, you do feel like a "mummy" as you are taped up but please stick it out & you do get used to it. My little niece called it my "plastic skin" & she kept gently rubbing it when I saw her. You can shower with it on but try not to let the water pour over the film & keep the water temp warm as it is important not to have too hot or too cold temp on that area of your skin. Use a fragrance free body wash, I used Aveeno & keep it up for a few months after you finish treatment. I'm not sure where you live but I do know that some women who live in humid areas like Qld do have trouble with the Mepitel as when you sweat it can make it bubble so you have to ensure you keep getting it checked by the nurse as bubbling can actually make your skin reaction worse. I have seen a lot of pics of skin after rad treatment where the women have only used moisturisers throughout & the skin looks horribly dry, red, blistering & peeling & so sore. I really felt for them as if they were able to use the Mepitel, they wouldn't have had to go through that pain. I do hope you try it & it works for you as I would recommend it to anyone but just look after it & it will look after you!! Hugs xxxx

Hi Lallaby,  I also had 6 weeks of rads with the mepitel and as Janny54 said it does peel of a bit especially around the arm pit area but the nurses will always sort it out for you.  

Best of luck  :)

Thanks @Janny54

Thanks @kmakm !

Sorry, Mepitel!

I've tagged you in a recent thread that has a lot of Mepital info. Hope it's helpful. K xox