Forum Discussion
Radiotherapy
I session 22 of 25 and skin has completely broken down and peeled off under breast , areas of chest as well as blistered and bleeding and dark red to mahogany colour from under arm all way down side then right across chest and under breast. It’s excruciating- making nauseous. Had anyone’s nurses offered dressings etc this stage - I’ve just been told to use moisturiser and keep breast from rubbing- disappointing at this stage - has as no other nurse available- don’t want to fuss but omg I’m in pain and already on opioids. Any suggestions? 3 to go..
89 Replies
- Hi @Louise64, how are you doing now? Has it healed well? Are you free of pain?Hoping it is all good and skin has recovered as well as it possibly could ❤️
- Louise64 said:@ChezaH I’m 2 weeks post radiotherapy and used StrataXRT first 10 sessions was great but then stopped as not effective. Because of lumpectomy and large breast the mepitel film wasn’t option but had mepitel foam on and off last 5 of 25 sessions. My advice do what head nurse says then ASK during process what else. I wish I’d spoken up about session 14 to my radiologist. I’m good now but would definitely have asked for options along the way as care team there for you . Thinking of you on the journey- different for every individual. 💗💗💗💗Hi Louise,Yes I had a lumpectomy and so far after 4 treatments so far so good. I will certainly keep an eye on things When I see the radiation oncologist again I will be asking him, as originally he said I could use the StrataXRT ??Cheers Cheryl
- Abbydog said:How many weeks treatments are planned.? I’ve just finished 5weeks.
i can only speak for the Mepitel. It stuck well on me at the front probably because i have ia flat surface. I had a full Mastectomy. Around my side it did need replacing several times. The front main bit which covers 80% of the targeted area stayed on for 3 weeks. I’m not in Queensland though.Good luck with your research. It’s must be stressful if the hospitals advice doesn’t match what you are hearing. Do you think that nurse speaks for the whole department?Hi Abbydog, Yes I am having 16 treatments which is just over 3 weeks. Originally it was 25 which is 5 weeks, but they have told me that they recommend the 3 weeks as it works the same as 5 weeks no different result. The oncologist told me thatYes I asked the people doing the radiation and she told me exactly the same Confused !! Cheryl
- @ChezaH I’m 2 weeks post radiotherapy and used StrataXRT first 10 sessions was great but then stopped as not effective. Because of lumpectomy and large breast the mepitel film wasn’t option but had mepitel foam on and off last 5 of 25 sessions. My advice do what head nurse says then ASK during process what else. I wish I’d spoken up about session 14 to my radiologist. I’m good now but would definitely have asked for options along the way as care team there for you . Thinking of you on the journey- different for every individual. 💗💗💗💗
- How many weeks treatments are planned.? I’ve just finished 5weeks.
i can only speak for the Mepitel. It stuck well on me at the front probably because i have ia flat surface. I had a full Mastectomy. Around my side it did need replacing several times. The front main bit which covers 80% of the targeted area stayed on for 3 weeks. I’m not in Queensland though.Good luck with your research. It’s must be stressful if the hospitals advice doesn’t match what you are hearing. Do you think that nurse speaks for the whole department? - MorningLooking for some advice please, doing radiation at the Gold Coast University HospitalI had a conversation with the head nurse at my radiation, as I was asking was the StratX cream in yet (they were out of it, but came in yesterday) She has talked me out of using this as well as the Mepital as she said she has been doing her job for 20 years, and up here it is such a hot climate, that the mepital rolls and does not work that well on people like me, they use it on people who have had a mastectomy she also has said that the stratX cream would be of no benefit to me. She said I have olive skin and she does not expect I will have much trouble. Hope she is right ??I am sort of in 2 minds, but she seemed to know what she was doing. 😬 I am having my 5th treatment this afternoon, and so far so good. I am now having 16 treatments instead of 25 so maybe it has changed ?? I am very confused, and don't want to get caught out.Thanks Cheryl
- Absolutely fantastic @Abbydog! That’s great 😁. Mine was similar. Only had pain and redness where Mepitel refused to stay on. Rest of the skin was unaffected. And everything healed very nicely after 2 weeks of last treatment. Skin is so smooth now, no signs of it at all. But I’m also concerned about chest wall and breast capsules, as my expanders are rock hard now and quite uncomfortable.However, very happy with my Mepitel decision and also yours. I think trying to prevent as much pain as possible is the way. I hope we all continue to be guided in the right direction on this breast cancer journey/roller coaster/Shinkansen/donkey ride/wheelbarrow/supermarket trolley whatever the hell ride it is 👌🏻🙏🏻🤷🏼♀️
- I just want to put something positive out there.
Tomorrow is my last Radiotherapysession, of 25, My skin is only a hint of pink, no blisters or sores.
I've been using Mepitel from day 1. Apparently I leave the Mepitel on until it falls off. Then sorbolene.
Maybe I've been lucky.
I appreciate it's not the same for everyone.
But for newcomers to Radiotherapy or this site, keep an open mind, it might not be bad.
I've just been reading about chest wall pain later, I hope my luck doesn't run out. - I feel better (sounds odd, I know) knowing it isn't just me and/or my imagination. I too have had CT scan and PET scan and nothing shows any residual disease so I think it is surgical/radiation recovery taking a long, painful time. Funny though, no one seems to know how to deal with it, what to suggest and no pain relief actually relieves it. Maybe it's good ole Father Time 😒
Thank you for your comments, hugs and for sharing your journeys. I too send hugs to you. - @luckynov Wishing you all the best to find some relief. Please don’t think of yourself as a fraud- I said it to oncologist that made it very clear of the challenges . I’ve had same treatment and through the support here- know we are all in the together. I’m 2 weeks post radiotherapy and it’s nothing I expected. I’m not tolerating moogoo so back to QV intensive. I’ve been on pain medication and now decreasing dosage to lose foggy feeling. What I have learnt is to speak up- if you have pain ask everyone for suggestions- we’re individuals with specific needs. Ring the breast care nurses on this sight they are AMAZING!!! Sending hugs 🤗
