Forum Discussion

MaryJoan's avatar
MaryJoan
Member
7 years ago

Prevention of side effects rads

1.Does anyone have experience with use of Mepilex to protect the skin during radiotherapy? what should I do to prepare my skin and incisions in advance?
It
will be 8 weeks since lumpectomy and 5.5 weeks post sentinel lymph node biopsy when I start 15 treatments over 3 weeks. 
2. Have long awaited overseas holiday planned but have to change departure date. How long should I wait after radiotherapy?
radiotherapy
travel-insurance
  • MaryJoan's avatar
    MaryJoan
    Member
    7 years ago
    Thank you, Anne65. You’re response is encouraging and informative. I will proceed with using the Mepitel. I hope I have as positive experience as you did with rads. 
    Im grateful for your advice. And yes,I’m very much looking forward to a holiday at the end of all of this.
  • Anne65's avatar
    Anne65
    Member
    7 years ago
    @MaryJoan I posted this on another forum so copied it for you! 

    I had a lumpectomy back in late  Dec 2017.

    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 & then I removed it myself. 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!!

    If your surgery site has healed well enough, you could just start rubbing on some Vit E cream over your scar & the area that will have the treatment. That is all I did to prepare & it helped break down the scar tissue & helped with the healing & keeping the area supple.

    I got through the treatment with ease & didn't really suffer from any tiredness. My skin was amazing thanks to the Mepitel & I was back to work the day after I had finished the treatment so I don't think you should need to hold off on your holiday as long as you feel OK. You will be having the same amount of treatments as I did which is a small amount compared to others so I think that is why I didn't get any real side effects. It is not like chemo so you will breeze through it! It only takes around 10 mins. each day so your whole day is not spent in the hospital. Many women work while having the treatment & just duck out for their daily zap & then go back to work but as i live in the country, i had to stay in the city for the 3 1/2 weeks but was back to work when I finished.

    You have a wonderful holiday planned when you have finished & it will give you something to look forward to when it is over. Good luck & safe & happy travels Hugs xxxx
  • MaryJoan's avatar
    MaryJoan
    Member
    7 years ago
    Thanks, for your response and further information. Yes, it is Mepitel. I am keen to hear of others experiences with it. 
    Hope your radiotherapy goes without incident.

  • JoeyLiz's avatar
    JoeyLiz
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi @MaryJoan i think you might be referring to mepitel instead of mepilex? Mepitel is a clear plastic film that is placed over the entire treatment area (from the middle of chest to half way around your back, from arm pit to navel as an idea) it helps to lessen the skin reaction and also from your clothes rubbing on your skin. It is in place for the entire treatment and often a wk or so after. It does roll at the edges but these can be touched up. It does not work for every patient due to allergies, larger ladies, excess sweat etc nor does every department have access to it. The mepilex (in case you did actually mean that) is a dressing that can be used if your skin does break down.
    unfortunately there is not much “preparation” that can be done, you could start moisturising prior to starting if you really want to, moo goo cream is a good 1, there are others including sorbolene, candula, the nurses should have a standard 1 they recommend.
    the how long to wait question is again a bit of an unknown sorry, it depends on how your skin reaction is and how fatigued you are.... the general guide is a wk for every wk of treatment so it sounds like your having 16 treatments I would give at least 4wks but it’s soooooo different for everyone. I myself should finish radiation at the end of July and have booked a holiday in October to ensure I have my energy levels and skin back to normal so I can really enjoy it!
    sorry i can’t give you any definitive answers, best wishes x
  • kezmusc's avatar
    kezmusc
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi @MaryJoan,

    Welcome to the forum.  I didn't have the option of Mepilex but I know there are many on here that did and I am sure they will be along to help answer your question.

    I would imagine the travel plans will be determined by how you feel.  I had 30 rads and coped well.  Only really had skin problems from about dose 22 and even then it wasn't super bad.

    I went on holidays locally in the middle of  radiation, went camping straight after my last appointment and then for a longer trip (not over seas though) three weeks after I finished as I felt fine.  It just depends on how you get through it.  Which is not very helpful to plan I know but it's just another one of those questions that can't be answered until you get started.

    All the best.
    xoxxo