Radiotherapy burns please help

Hi Jupiter Jo 

You definitely need to get back onto your GP . They need to ensure you don’t have an infection in my opinion.

Also I would phone your radiotherapy unit and ask about how you should be managing the area concerned , how to know if you have an infection or should you be getting help with lotions and dressings . You could mention that you think it above the expected level of pain . You also need guidance on pain relief until this settles . That needs to come from a dr as they consider contraindications to the process .

April is just unacceptable. If you don’t feel able to phone back then get someone to do it for you . When you are in pain like that people often feel a bit defeated and unsupported and need someone else to assist to get the help they need .

I would start with your radiotherapy team and your GP and see if you can get the pain relief addressed .

Let us know how you get on . Our helpline staff could guide you further on 0808 808 0000

take care ,

Court 

Thank you so much Court, I got in touch with the radiotherapy and the colorectal team I have advice with painkillers and creams, and confirmation of everything that is happening is normal. Thank you for your help again x

Hello.  I also experienced intense pain & burning  following radiotherapy.  Reduced me to tears on occasions.  Like really bad cystitis. I was given Flaminal gel to use for the radiation burn. The best thing I did was buy a Sitz bath.  This fits on top of the toilet and you fill it will warm water.  You sit on it and You can wee/poo into it. Flush it down to loo and then fill again and the warm water does give relief and really does ease the pain. I bought mine on Amazon.  I would dry by dabbing with a soft toweL, apply gel and then lie on the bed with legs open (not very elegant but hey anything to ease the pain). I also found if I had to wear knickers then boxer shorts were the best.  I bought some seam free ones.  I carried on drinking water to flush through and not get dehydrated.  I was given oramorph (liquid morphine) to take if the pain became too unbearable.  I did have to take it on a few occasions, when the pain was just too bad.  I’m glad you have spoken to your team and I hope you feel reassured.  It will get better.  All the best. 

Thank you Kaye I have never heard of a sitz bath but I’m definitely looking into getting one, I have been doing the same every couple of hours with the shower head then no knickers so at least I was doing something right, I made the mistake of stopping drinking and I know that wasn’t the right thing to do but I was just trying to avoid the pain.. thank you for your advice and hope your feeling well now.

Just ordered one thank you so much can’t wait for the relief xx

So pleased you got some help . 
Such a relief and I hope the pain subsides soon for you . 
Kaye Emma I shall try to remember that . I had a look around most guidelines and you could tell they were written by people who had not gone through the process . 

Thanks for your input .

Take care ,

Court 

Actually just bookmarked the thread as I can’t trust my memory just now !

Hi Jupiter Jo 

I’m sorry to read you are suffering-I remember this well as I had terrible radiation cystitis and explosive diarrhoea during pelvic radiotherapy. It did settle pretty quickly after treatment ended, which is the positive!

I was prescribed flamazine, and during treatment Aquaphor cream as I couldn’t have the flamazine during treatment due to the silver content. 

I was advised to smear the aquaphor all over the area before attempting a wee, and I also had a pump spray bottle to spray warm water all over the area whilst going to the loo.

With the flamazine, I would put on after my shower and lie on a puppy pad on the bed to save the sheet, legs akimbo. No underwear. Inelegant but a great relief. Prior to the cream, I didn’t even use a towel to dry-just used a hairdryer on a low setting which was better for me with everything being so sore. 

I think you’ll find the sitz bath a great relief, and hope you’ll feel more comfortable soon.

Sarah xx

Thank you Sarah that is positive news xx also thank you for another good tip, I have just used the sitz with Epsom salts so comforting and soothing and then used the air dryer never thought, atm feeling more comfortable than i have in days, thank you so much for the tips and advice xx

So glad to hear you are more comfortable Jupiter Jo. I was miserable with this for a few weeks but the bliss of lying on the bed with the cream on was wonderful! I’m just glad the window cleaner no longer uses a ladder for the upstairs as he might have got more than he bargained for!

Sarah xx