Radiation side effects

Thanks everyone for your support. You’ve all been really helpful.

All the best for your surgery. I know how you feel! I trust that we are in good hands and by keeping informed, can feel a little less overwhelmed by it all xx

Lucky to have escaped the fatigue of radiation, and as energised as I am in the day if I've been extra busy I'm  longing for my bed of a night. As I have large breasts, right at the end of my 20 rads last Friday week, , I started to peel underneath in the crease and the last few days the skin is flaking off my nipple and surrounds. So a bit sore  and sorry. I have been well cared for re dressings and supplies etc. I was given Moo Goo as a present and when it ran out I by accident found that Moo Goo do an online oncology pack. Wow a huge saving with lots of goodies and a handful of samples . I ordered it on the Wednesday and it arrived the following Monday. I found the Sorbelene provided by the radiation nurse was too thick a consistency and painful to apply whilst moo goo slid over the skin nice and easy. Although you need to slather on the cream it's not a given that your skin will peel. Hope it doesn't. All these treatments and given side effects don't always eventuate but at least it gives you an idea and if they happen you will know that it is normal. 

Thanks for that insight.  I am having my lump removed next Thursday, right breast, and will start radiation in a couple of weeks after biopsy results.  I have no idea of what I'm heading into.

Hi @Lizzylou2 I am a Radiation Therapist so am I happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to PM me :)

Thanks Anne, I’ll ask about the Mepital for sure! I’m really trying to stay positive, but also wanting to be well informed beforehand

@Lizzylou2 I finished 16 doses of rad treatment back in March/April following lumpectomy on left breast. Being on my left side I also had to do a Deep Inspiration Breath Hold which basically means that you hold your breath for up to 30 secs while they zap you & this moves your heart out of the way of the rad beam. They do think of everything to help you! You may have to do this if it is on your left side. It may sound scary but it isn't. You have control over the beam & if you can't hold your breath the machine stops automatically. As I am small breasted, my rad onc used a "plastic skin" on me called Mepitel which was GREAT! They wrap the area they are treating in this waterproof film & it stops your skin going red, blistering or peeling. It also minimises the rad beam to your body & protects your skin from your clothing. You do get used to it & you will have to see the nurses probably every day for them to check & make sure it hasn't peeled or bubbled. They expect it & are happy to do it as every time you shower, it can start to peel a bit. I also had to leave it on for 2 weeks after the treatment finished as your body is still reacting to the treatment & your symptoms actually peak at 2 weeks after you have finished so this is when you can get fatigued. I would thoroughly recommend Mepitel as after I took it off, my skin had NO REDNESS OR PEELING AT ALL! As your skin is covered you don't have to use any creams either during treatment but after I took the Mepitel off, I did use Calendula cream just to make sure & keep the area supple. I was amazed at how good my skin was & you wouldn't even know I had treatment. I also used Aveeno fragrance free body wash as you can't wash with anything that has perfume or fragrance. I did get a little tired but still tried to go walking as much as I could to keep active. Listen to your body & if you need to have a sleep or rest then do it as everyone reacts differently & has different dosage amounts of radiation & also different number of treatments. I didn't have to have many doses compared to others so that is probably why I didn't suffer a lot with fatigue. Try to get some fitness up before you start by going for walks when you can as it all helps in your recovery. Eat well & drink LOTS of water during the treatment. I didn't have to have any drugs so I can't comment of that side of things. I found it an easy process to go through & the staff are AMAZING. It will be over before you know it & I wish you well & hope you get as good a result as i did. I hope this helps. Lots of hugs & keep positive. xxxx 

@Lizzylou2 you now have many others to walk with you on this journey who will provide support and practical knowledge. You will get thru this but it will change how you see things probably.As the saying goes one step at a time - best wishes.xo

Hi @Lizzylou2

Moogoo is the bomb and Manuka honey gold cream helped as well. I had 30 rounds of rads and only got skin problems in the last week.  Solosite and flamazene afterwards cleared that up pretty quick.  I had no problems with fatigue either during or after. I only got tired of driving there daily!  It's one of those things that just depends, like everything else.

I am 10 months post radiation and the only problem is  the part where they nuked the nodes on my chest  aches mildly every so often and is still very sensitive to sunlight so I make sure it's always covered.

Thank you, any information is helpful! I appreciate your input, it’s a journey I never expected to be on.