Radiotherapy fatigue

hi maureen .i think its ahard one this one .i had 15 sessions of radiotherapy in january 09. it wasn't too bad & the sessions are over in a mater of minutes well depending on how long your blasts are its the postioning that takes the time my blasts  [me counting them were 40 secs 5 secs both were at the right side then the machine moved & i had 15secs to the chest area . i think the blasts depend on where your cancer is i see that you have breast cancer same as me . i think they work out what you have depending on your cancer.i was tired after mine mainly in an afternoon certainly by the second week i didnt have any major problems with my skin it went red a bit sunburnt looking  but nothing like what the consultant told me could happen so very gratefull for that they give you some cream to rub in which does sooth it . when the tiredness does take over though i did have to sleep not sure if thats true for everyone but most people i have spoken to have said the same but when you wake up you feel more refreshed .i found my bra irritaing to wear but i have two prothsesis which can become heavey over the day so i just wore a vest top under my clothes for me it was more comfortable.. i hope i have helped you in some way . i personaly thought it was a walk in the park after chemo .take care love n hugs theresa xxx

My Mum has just had 15 days with rads twice daily.  I really knackered her out and she slept LOADS.  Considering she wasn't a big sleeper in the first place she reckons she couldn't keep her eyes open.

She also had quite bad burning in her gullet, but true to form exactly as the consultant stated, 10 days following the end of the rads the pain began to subside.

Constipation, and loss of appetite are other side effects, but she has been using aqueous cream daily and has had no skin problems

Wish you all the best honey xx

I am in the fifth week of radiotherapy and find the travelling the worst. The tiredness is minimal. If I have time when I get back I go and have an hour's recharge in bed. Then I can carry on as normal. Good luck with it.

Drew

hi maureen, had 25 sessions no bother but i was advised to use E45 to preare my skin, and it was not a bit of bother, i worked till 3 every day then drove a 70 mile round trip to get it i was a bit tired but i put that down to the travelling.a note on your menopause blog,same here, and at first the hot flushes were really intensive at first they actually made me feel a bit sick, but they`ve eased off and not as many either. good luck with it all

                                           liz x

Hi  all

Thanks very much for your helpful responses. I liked the 'after chemo its a walk in the park'. I do hope so. Hopefully it won't be too bad and I can always enjoy an afternoon nap! Liz thanks for your menopause response. My hot flashes seem worse just after each cycle of chemo and then don't seem as intense or frequent in the last week, but like you I have had some really overwhelming episodes that make me feel sickly.

Take care everyone and thanks to you all

Maureen x