Radiotherapy side effects

@Lispy I don't recall having pain to be honest, I was uncomfortable as time went on and my skin started to burn and blister, but compared to Chemo, it was much easier I found. I'm not sure how it causes cramping, my Surgeon and Oncologist were aware of it though. Its not fixable and Ive learned to live with it. I put it down to the radiation penetrating the upper chest and into the muscles. It certainly hardens everything, I know my breast was so much more harder than the other after radiation. Honestly I wouldnt worry about it, these things are very doable and certainly are able to get through it. You know my Mum had a mastectomy many years ago, and she too complained of back pain, this was to do with her muscle.

I'll tell you something strange though...Ive had NO relief all these years but I have started seeing a Kinesiologist who does spinal analysis network. So bizarre! I cannot explain, she hardly touches my back, but physically I am improving. Alot to be said for alternative therapies helping with symptoms :) 

@melclarity how does it cause cramping? I was surprised after my mastectomy I had pain in my back - which was weird. 

Hi all, I can come back and update this and say that I really had minimal side effects from the radiotherapy. For me I go no tiredness,  I worked throughout treatment, so was quite grateful for that. I lathered with lots of sorbelene and other moisturising creams 2-3 times a day. I should have paid a little more attention to the area under my armpit as this got a little redder than other areas but it healed very quickly. Within 2 weeks of finishing all redness had disappeared. My breast still looks a little more tanned than the other one at the moment, and that is 3 months post radiotherapy, so this may take a little while to get the breasts to both look the same color wise. It was a little more swollen during treatment but this has subsided now too. The main redness did not hit me till about the last 1-2 weeks. My radiology centre did not use Mepitel film

Hey there,

I had rads with my first diagnosis in 2011, and wasnt able to have it with last years recurrence, surgery again and Chemo this time. However, I had 30 treatments, the tiredness kicked in about half way through but really hit by the end. I worked all the way through and the Radiologist said I needed 2 weeks recovery. I'm fair, so my skin went pink as the rads accumulated. I blistered and peeled but not until the end. The radiation continues to work well after you have finished for a few weeks. Having said that, they provided a proper burn cream and dressings and it healed super quick. I am scarred under my armpit from radiation, but no big deal!!! I did just want to mention as its been 5yrs, within a year after I used to notice pain in my chest and back. My Breast Surgeon said it is cramping believe it or not. I still suffer from it, comes on without warning but is due to the radiation. 
Hugs Melinda xo

I'm a bit nervous about this. I'll be having 7 weeks of it. I was told that most people handle it well until towards the end but I'll have the film. she also said I'd be having lots of places zapped. Does this make any difference to the pain?

PaulaN just a quick question - is your glad wrap Mepitel film? If it is, that is supposed to stop any skin reactions from occurring during radiation therapy. From what I've read the film usually lasts around 10 days so maybe during film changeover that's when you could use the sorbolene cream. I do know that some of the ladies on the site have had the mepitel film so maybe they can let you know about it???? All the best. Xx Cath

Hi Angie, 
I had 20 sessions of Radiation to my breast 13mths ago.

I used Sorbolene in the lead up to, during & after Radiation therapy.

No side effects for the first 2 weeks - by the 3rd week there was some pinkness over the entire breast & an ongoing internal itch deep inside the breast - that drove me crazy!. Oncologist prescribed an ointment for the itch which helped.

The pinkness & itchiness subsided soon after treatment. Experienced strong twinges (feels like an electric shock) in the treated breast for a good few months & the skin on my treated breast & nipple peeled a few weeks post treatment too.

Hope that helps & all the best with your remaining treatment :) 

Hello,
I'm about to start radiotherapy myself and just wanted to pop in a thank you for asking these questions, and a thank you to everyone who has responded. This has been really helpful. :star:
xo

Hi Paula,
Having the glad wrap cover i presume you do not use any creams. Does it still get itchy and can you itch it ok with this over on. 
I will be starting radiotherapy soon and they have told me they will be using this glad wrap cover.
Thanks and I hope you are feeling much better now.

I started rad a week ago & my skin is starting to react now. Paula