Forum Discussion
Mich_x
14 years agoMember
Radiotherapy creams
Hi girls
Just wondering what each of you girls who had radiotherapy used on the area that you had your radiotherapy.
I have used basic sorbolene cream 2 to 3 times her day, aired the area as much as possible and used an over the counter cortisone cream if itchy. So far so good with only 8 boost sessions to go. But I only had a lumpectomy
My friend used paw paw cream and it is a totally different story for her in that she is suffereing badly with blisters etc. Plus she had a double mastectomy which I think makes a difference as well.
I thought it important I get this out there for ladies looking at going through radiotherapy and to help them to know what is the best thing to be using.
I am sure the question has been asked before but thought it worth mentioning it again.
Mich xoxo
38 Replies
- AbbyMember
I too only used sorbolene and a cortisone cream when appropriate. I had a lot of burning as I had 26 lymph nodes also removed and the radiation burns under my arm were the worst - resulting in big blisters and skin hanging off. It was bad at the time but I am good now. My husband used to wrap me up in gladwrap to sleep with the sorbolene plastered on the burns as that was the only way I could keep the dressings on. Six months later and the burns are fading and my arm is starting to return to normal use. Just hang in there - there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Blessings to you dear sister I had a lumpectomy on the left breast , it was close to the chest wall and a slow grower thank god I had it removed by a lovely female doctor bless her , I finished my radiotherapy about a week ago and used Sorbelene three times a day I wear a vest under my nightie at night and pile it on at night , I have cool showers and no broken skin but my breats feels like a hot bun in the oven at times but soldier on . I was told to use the cream three times a day an not to use anything else . I place my cream in the fridge so it goes on cool and was also told I could use a wet flannel to cool my skin . If this helps any one please try it . Thank you for sharing your stories and bless you all I also wish you all a merry Christmas and a safe new year and be proud of your journey and yourself anf fight we are warriors xx
- sbpMember
Hey my Pink Sisters
I have 8 of 25 radiotherapy treatments to go. I was told to use only sorbelene on my radiated area which is my chest wall, under my arm and my clavicule neck area. It is starting to get red and angry looking and the radiotherapy oncologist recomended sorbelene to be used everyday after my shower (although I have my shower at night) solugel (from the chemist) for the redness and inflamation and a tube of Sigmacort 1% Hydrocortisone acetate cream for the itching which I got a free sample from the pharmacy, yippee!!
I have been using sorbelene with vitamin E everyday since my mastectomy 3/4/13 on the mastectomy scar that goes across my chest to my armpit where I also had 17 or 18 lymph nodes removed (can't remember exactly now) but she said to bring it in and show the nurses. Which I did and the radiation oncology nurse said it needs to be only sorbelene with 10% glycerene. She said the vitamin E and any frangrance can interfere with the radiation or something so I had to buy another container of the sorbelene with just the 10% glycerene which is a bit crappy because it sits on the skin in a white cream rather than being absorbed straight away like the sorbelene with vitamin E. Aghh, I'm starting to get so fussy about all this stuff.
About the bra thing I've got one 14D breast so no bra gets even more stares than my bald head did so I wear the good 'ol faithful bra that came with the My Journy Kit from BCNA. Since I've started radiation I've stopped wearing the proper prosthesis which weighs about 800gm & it seemed to create more heat and sweat on the poor treated area so now I only wear one of the soft ones that came with the kit. Also at home I try not to wear anything but a loose cotton top with no bra when I can. I did try looking around for brightly coloured loose cotton tops that had frills or some sort of busy-ness at front but I couldn't find any.
Love and hugs to you all, Sandra xoxo
Hello ValU sorry to hear of your pain sounds a little like myself I too had a lumpectomy and around my nipple is sore just wear something soft on your skin like an old singlet and pile the sorbelene cream on leave it in the fridge and it is comforting , also do not wear a bra!!!! I find that helpful. But stick with the pain as I do I have two more weeks of radiotherapy before Christmas and then finish it thank goodness dont use anything else but sorbelene I have been told it is the best unless you do talk to your nurses at the hospital good luck and keep smiling through your journey and that goes to all ladies xx
Hello Gobbytart lol what a name sorry !! it is coming up to my last two weeks of radiotherapy and I am doing fine thanks although my back is not , I had a slow grower cancer removed via a lumpectomy and I use the sorbelene cream three times a day it does help as well as the tepid showers and wearing no bra but a singlet to support me , under my top the radiotherapy is annoying but it will help me so stay happy l;adies and put up with the pain as there is a light at the end of it all no doubt xx
- ValUMemberHi everyone, Thanks for all your tips re creams etc. I was given Aqueous cream prior to my radiation (I finished last Friday - 29/11/13) As my tumour site was right next to the areola area, my booster week concentrated on the nipple up to the armpit. My lymph node scar is very sore as is the area at the base of the nipple. My oncologist advised me to use aloe vera gel for this last week which seems to help. But i feel I need something more to help it all heal faster and not blister. So the zinc cream someone mentioned - is there a specific cream? I have the normal clear zinc (like you use for sunscreen). Can I use that to help heal my "wounds"? thanks girls. Val
- ValUMemberHi everyone, Thanks for all your tips re creams etc. I was given Aqueous cream prior to my radiation (I finished last Friday - 29/11/13) As my tumour site was right next to the areola area, my booster week concentrated on the nipple up to the armpit. My lymph node scar is very sore as is the area at the base of the nipple. My oncologist advised me to use aloe vera gel for this last week which seems to help. But i feel I need something more to help it all heal faster and not blister. So the zinc cream someone mentioned - is there a specific cream? I have the normal clear zinc (like you use for sunscreen). Can I use that to help heal my "wounds"? thanks girls. Val
- gobbytartMember
Hi Mich.
I know it seems a long time in replying. Thanks for the advice.
Actually I am really grateful that I have some front fastening bras. I needed surgey 7 days ago for a rotator cuff injury (shoulder). When in hospital, the nurse did my bra up for me.
I had so much difficulty trying to undo it one handed. Like a naive 12 year old boy. I am able to do up my front fasteners. Yay
So, thanks again