Four weeks done!

Hi catsmum ,

This is great to hear you’re nearing the end of your treatment still feeling ok. 

Regarding creams I didn’t use hydrogel but my team supplied me with QV cream which is similar to an aqueous cream & Flaminal, both of these I used in copious amounts! Each time I went to the loo I washed rather than wiped like you & lathered the cream on each time, the only time I wasn’t lathered in cream was before my radiotherapy sessions as I was told not to have any creams on when going for treatment. Hopefully someone that has been prescribed hydrogel will be along soon to offer you some more useful advice. 

Nicola 

Thanks I’ll ask next week if they have alternatives, they’ve given me the hydrogel, but in tiny 8g tubes, and I’ve got a lot of sore spots, doesn’t go far! I’ll have to keep asking for more!

Hello catsmum

I hope you are marking off those days - only a few more to go!

I wasn't prescribed hydrogel but a recurrent theme on here is that some departments are not very forthcoming with offering creams, so if it isn't lasting, ask for more, or stronger if your sores are really painful.  I finally had Flaminal Forte when my sores were really bad and it really helped.  And don't forget if you need painkillers too, you may need them in the final week and for a couple of weeks after.  So we always say, don't hold back!

I hope you get something sorted out tomorrow.

Irene xx

Hi Catsmum,

Well done for getting to week 4 and great that you are still functioning pretty well. Not too long to go now although I appreciate that the last part is hard.

I’m not sure about the hydrogel as wasn’t given any. I seemed to have one of those teams who weren’t very forthcoming with creams and just had a couple of small tubes of flaminal. . What did help was keeping them in the fridge. I also used over the counter pawpaw ointment and sudocrem but I wouldn’t hesitate to ask your team for more help and supplies as this is the time when you really need it.

Very best of luck for the remaining treatment days and hope they pass quickly. Xx

Thank you, I will try tomorrow, I feel like I need a stock pile as it’s going to get worse before it’s better, and once my 28 days are done I don’t want to have to go back to hospital to collect tiny tubes of cream every week!!

xx

Hi catsmum

My hospital sent me creams in the post once treatment had finished I just had to ring when I was getting low. Worth asking if yours will do the same. Xx

Hi there,

The radiotherapist said twice a day but the cancer nurse, when I told her, said to use as often as I need it. If you need stuff just ask, I used to ring when I was running low and said I would be in radiotherapy that afternoon, could I come and get some, and they always said yes. Also ask if they can put you on painkillers. I took paracetomol 4 times per day and they gave me codeine which did take the edge off. I am still taking a small amount of codeine every day. Good luck, you will get there x