Radiotherapy

I'm sorry you're feeling so grotty. I was surprised at how tired I felt after radiotherapy. You're nearly halfway there - although that may not be that much of comfort when you are literally in the middle of it. I found I just had to go with it, rest afterwards, and plan very little for the three weeks of treatment and a couple of weeks afterwards (which is when the fatigue really hit me). I was using aloe vera (cream or gel) straight afterwards, which I think helped to reduce the soreness and itchiness. I take ceterizine regularly anyway.

It sounds like you'd benefit from a discussion with your BCN, consultant or one of the radiotherapy radiographers. They can talk you through the pros and cons. 

But if moaning/venting on here has helped, then that's good too!

Take care,

Diane.

Understand completely as I’m feeling the same. Going to discuss with my cancer nurse as suggested.  Hopefully in a few weeks we may start to feel better.  Thank you for sharing your experience. Take care,

christine

Hi I know the feeling I had energy before the Radiotherapy now I'm tired physically exhausted I only had 5 sessions. When I have energy I make dinner even if it 2pm! Just sleep rest drink lots of water. I use E45 cream and the wash. Moisturise a few times a day.

I hope this help take care x

Thanks so much. Is anyone else feeling sick? My nurses say it's not very common but I feel really queasy

Hi, I found talking to the radiotherapists really helpful. I put on E45 cream after my appointments and then at night. I'm still using it now. I finished radiotherapy at the end of October last year. I did feel sick once or twice, during treatment. I had 20 sessions of radiotherapy and found it helped to tick them off on my card after each treatment. That way I felt it was a session I didn't have to have, rather than I've still got a lot to go. Be kind to yourself. Hope you feel better soon.

Morning everyone.  Its now 4 March and my last radiotherapy session was 20 February.  I felt rubbish initially but seemed to have turned a corner last week and arranged to go back to work on Monday 6 March. 

The last 2 days have been awful.  I've terrible radiation burns all over my breast/chest/stomach and under arm.  My skin is broken under my breast and I've been using dressings and cream daily the nses prescribed. My main issue is my arm.  It feel like a dead weight. It's scarlet underneath and I'm genuinely in a lot of pain.  I'm taking antihistamines and paracetamol as advised and my nurse aures me this is all normal (tho she hasn't seen me since 20 Feb and this arm pain and redness and swelling is just all in the last couple of days) I'm now worried about going back to work,  tho it ion a phased return.  The radiotherapy has genuinely been the worst bit for me.  I had 5 sessions on full breast followed by 5 just targeted to tumour. I honestly didn't expect to feel "this bad".  Inow not everyone is the same, but can anyone advise when this will pass.  My arm/shoulder/neck area just feels so sore and this redness is getting worse  

Sorry for my moaning.  I know I'm lucky.  I know I'm in a better position than others. All my friends and family are great, but I think they think its all over now and that's that.  But I actually feel worse now than I did after surgery and they don't understand 

Hi

Sorry to hear you feel lousy.

At 12 days post radiotherapy you are just at the height of the reaction as the treatment carries on working for 10 to 14 days after you finish.

Are you able to rake ibuprofen as this has an anti inflammatory in it which should help with the stiffness and swelling.

I wouldn’t advise a return to work yet…..you need at least another two weeks off before even thinking about it!

You are doing all the right things with the dressings and antihistamines but your body needs time to heal.

if you can sit with your arm propped up when you watch tv etc it will help get some air to the area in your arm pit .Also try and wear loose soft cotton next to your skin to rather than synthetic.An old t shirt is perfect.

Once you start to heal you will feel better.

Hang on in there x

Just reading this after finishing my radiotherapy yesterday. 5 sessions. I asked about Aloe Vera jel and the Radiologist said to moisturise on top of it. It seems to sink in quicker than the cream but might be drying. The burns seem quite extensive for you Lozzy. The whole thing is quite debilitating, hard for my husband to understand. This has helped me to explain it.

My breast is pink and a bit hot. I am going to keep walking when I am able. Maybe admitting to work you have had a relapse is the best thing. If your arm isn't working and you're generally unwell it's not going to help you or them. Hope and prayers it starts to heal soon. Xxxx

Hi please consider not going back to work yet, you are still getting over all of this and tiredness soreness will be there for a bit. Try doing your arm exercises this helps and using E45 cream only a cool shower on that arm and breast. I put breast pad under my bra to keep it dry. 

Please take it easy and rest 

Hope this helps x

Thanks.  Unfortunately I can't afford to stay off work any longer.  I'm only doing half days for the first 2 weeks so just pray that I will be ok x