The pain of radiotherapy

Hi, I’m only having 5 sessions of radiotherapy, but after the first one on Wednesday I spent the night in A&E on IV morphine. I have never experienced pain like it. So far I don’t have any burning or soreness, but the pain is still lurking and I have oral morphine for if it gets bad, which I shan’t take unless there is no other solution. My main side effects at the moment are tiredness and nausea (plenty of rest and some anti sickness medication), so my situation is not really the same as yours, but I hope the following might help a bit.

Do you have something soothing to put on your burning? A combination of aloe Vera gel straight from the fridge to cool it down, followed by a nice soothing cream (I use Aveeno) should help a bit. Don’t use it before your radiotherapy but take it with you and slather it on afterwards, and as often as you need. Wear loose clothing made from natural fibres and let the air get to it as much as possible. Now that it’s a bit cooler hopefully it will help cool the burning. Are you able to go bra-less? If so, I think that might help too. You could try a fan as well.

you may already know all this, but if not give it a go and see if it helps. Good luck

Hi

Sorry to hear you are having such a rotten time of radio.  It does sound as if the team are right that you are having a very bad reaction to radio.  I had 15 and didn't react expect for some burns in the last week.

The biggest thing I found with ladies who suffered fatigue was that they didn't seem to be drinking very much, so apart from the creams (which I am sure you are doing) make sure you are drinking plenty.  I had pints and pints and pints of squash, tea, coffee and I wasn't tired at all.  The other ladies who had theirs when I did who suffered seemed to only have the odd cuppa during the day. You may already be doing this, but just in case, I thought I'd mention it. 

I had a pint of squash and 5 mugs of  green tea and a mug of coffee in the morning and 3 mugs  (coffee/ tea) in the afternoon and then a couple of mugs of tea in the evening and another half pint of squash.

I do hope things improve for you!

Kindest wishes,

hello Catz777,

So sorry for you that you are struggling.

See if you can get hold of R1 and R2 water gel. You put the R1 gel on immediately after the session and R2 when you get home. I used it for six weeks and it was brilliant. It was recommended in a post on this site and I was lucky to see it. Bought it on line. The only problem is now whether your skin is too  compromised. Ask for advice from your nurse or radiologist. The water gel was trialed in a swedish hospital and they were so impressed they used it for their patients., as the said it saved them the cost of post radiotherapy treatment.  Google should have more information...but it worked for me and I am  psoriasis sufferer . I think you have been very unlucky and wish you a safe recovery. Lots of love and concern.

hello Catz777,

So sorry for you that you are struggling.

See if you can get hold of R1 and R2 water gel. You put the R1 gel on immediately after the session and R2 when you get home. I used it for six weeks and it was brilliant. It was recommended in a post on this site and I was lucky to see it. Bought it on line. The only problem is now whether your skin is too  compromised. Ask for advice from your nurse or radiologist. The water gel was trialed in a swedish hospital and they were so impressed they used it for their patients., as the said it saved them the cost of post radiotherapy treatment.  Google should have more information...but it worked for me and I am  psoriasis sufferer . I think you have been very unlucky and wish you a safe recovery. Lots of love and concern.

Hi,

i too thought i would be ok. I got pain swollen etc in fact the first week was the worst. Then it seemed to settle/level out. Still hot and uncomfortable but pain not as bad. 

I got of R1/R2 from gp. However, i also used Aproderm collodial oat cream, iike aveeno but cheaper with no parafin. Big 500ml pump around £10, ebay/amazon. This is brilliant, I am 10 days post rads and about to start my THIRD one. Slather it on. Very soothing . Go bra less at home, and expose breast to air when you can.

Also, as has been said drink litres and litres. I used to drink 600ml x 3 from when i arrived at the centre to when i left. It stopped the headaches.

The fatigue hit me too. Got as much rest as i could.

rads arent easy but once you get going the days soon pass.

Good luck

yvonne xxxx

Thank you so much x

Thank you so much x