So, I've had 19 treatments with 6 more to go for breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy so my breast is still mostly intact. So far apart from being tired my skin has held up well with regular application of Sorbolene and a couple of days of of Elocon for itchiness. In your experience out there in breast cancer land is this as bad as it gets. I am not having the 5 focused boost treatments as the radiologist doesn't believe it is necessary because of my pathology results so I'm just have the wide area radiation.

I found this photo on a site about thyroid condition - which I suffer from, added to the fatigue from treatment some days are not good! Had Physio yesterday, Remedial massage, hoping that will help with the fatigue as well as. Photo made me smile! Hope it has the same effect for you!

Sounds like you have done well with side effects but yes it's mainly fatigue and skin reaction. The fatigue usually continues we say for as many weeks as you had treatment, so if you had 5 wks of treatment expect the fatigue to stick around for 5 wks after you finish. The skin reaction may peak around 2 wks after you finish so continue with the creams

If you are at # 19 with no significant burns I'd say you are well on the way to a quick recovery as far as your skin is concerned. You may still get a bit of 'ouch' a couple of weeks after your treatment has finished, but even if that happens, you should heal quite quicklyThe tiredness is more difficult to assess and, unlike scorched skin, can take a long time to resolve. I looked like a BBQ chook by rad 20 but wasn't that tired at the time and was comfortable driving the 210km round trip each day. Thing is, it all takes its toll and I still, four months later, have low energy. This is a shit of a disease. Marg xx

Love the BBQ chook reference Zoffiel. I actually am developing the best tan of my life in a very strange place! I do a 150km round trip each day to treatment. I did radiation for 9 weeks last year for endometrial cancer so the tiredness thing I was expecting. No burns that time either. This time I was expecting the skin to break down more and some say it does int he last week and even the weeks after it. Just hoping it won't :)

Hi @MichelleGS, I just finished 30 radiation treatments last Wednesday, the last 5 were boost to underarm area. My skin held up well despite being burnt mostly to my neck and collarbone. My skin is peeling and very sore, the itch is driving me insane lol. Could be worse I guess. Oh and the fatigue is hitting big time. All sucks this treatment.

Side Effects of Radiotherapy - What to expect

20 Replies

viking1
Member
8 years ago
Well done for getting the moo goo donated! That is just splendid! I have been using it on my head, of all things, to stop a bald scaly scalp... it is a great product!
I am about to start 30 rad treatments in the new year. I had a lumpectomy and total axillary clearance in right arm so they have to do above the collar bone too. I am hoping it will be a lot easier than chemo. No keen on the possibility of longer term side effects though, the major one being breast cancer! I guess we do our best and cross our fingers.
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago

wendy55 said:

Hi @iserbrown, love the photo, just how I feel today, like you I have a thyroid condition I am on 75mg of Thyroxine and 10mg of Tertroxin and have to get my bloods checked often as my chemo interferes with absorbtion, just another thing to have to keep a check on!!
wendy55,

I'm on 100mg of Thyroxine. I am due for another blood test but he told me to put it off until the New Year as I have yet another cold, third for the year! I have never been susceptible to colds like now. Had flu shot but there are so many varieties going around. As I sat in the waiting room yesterday a lady walked past sneezing and coughing without covering up - if looks could kill! Trials and tribulations of it all!
Payne
Member
8 years ago
I love your pussy cat Annski, Maybe her longevity might rub off.
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
Oh wow! What a great age!
Annski
Member
8 years ago
Thanks so much for that tired pussy (as Mrs Slocombe might say). I so feel for everyone trying to get through every day. My own dear Betty is terribly tired these days as well, she is almost 24 which is 120 in human years or so for an indoor cat. Sadly she has to stay in cat hospital boarding while I am having cancer treatment as she has too many sources of infection for her to be able to live at home. Although she has a lot of health problems (totally deaf, only a few teeth, right leg barely functional with painful arthritis, kidney failure, cysts) she loves every day she wakes up and is missing home dreadfully. By the look of it she may outlive me!
wendy55
Member
8 years ago
Hi @iserbrown, love the photo, just how I feel today, like you I have a thyroid condition I am on 75mg of Thyroxine and 10mg of Tertroxin and have to get my bloods checked often as my chemo interferes with absorbtion, just another thing to have to keep a check on!!
wendy55,
June1952
Member
8 years ago
Hi @iserbrown
LOVE IT ! Relaxation as only a cat can do.
Summer :)
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
I found this photo on a site about thyroid condition - which I suffer from, added to the fatigue from treatment some days are not good! Had Physio yesterday, Remedial massage, hoping that will help with the fatigue as well as. Photo made me smile! Hope it has the same effect for you!
My3sons
Member
8 years ago
The fatigue! They weren’t lying when they said it was a side effect! Probably working while having treatment wasn’t all that wise! However took the week off after treatment finished (a fortnight ago) and all good now! Boob survived the radiation but my underarm where they too the sentinel node suffered and only just healed! Lathered myself in Q.V. moisturiser then when really uncomfortable Dermeze....my colleagues got used to seeing me with my hand in my bra rubbing it in! Lol! I’ve been and oncology/haematology/Palliative care nurse for 30+ years! Will never under estimate the effects of radiotherapy again when discussing it with my patients!
Romla
Member
8 years ago
Bugger shooting pain down arm not eye!