Radiotherapy and moisturising etc……..!

Hi Neenie29 welcome to the forum. Don't worry about not asking the questions that you wanted to, we are all like that .

Do not use anything on your skin before treatment at all. They should advise you at the unit what to use on the skin to keep it moisturised and when and how to use this and more importantly what not to use. So may be worth making a note of that one and remind you to ask them.

The first few sessions take the longest as they have to get you all aligned up with the machines so those couple of sessions can take longer and when they are done then the nest sessions are shorter up to 10 mins in duration all of that not in treatment but you will have to lie with your arm above your head in a support.

Maybe explain to them about the cough and you do need to drink plenty of water before and after the sessions and at home as this will keep you hydrated as the Radiotherapy can dry your skin out. 

Agree with Granny59 to let them know about the couhg - maybe take lozenges to suck while they are doing the actually. I found the lining up took the longest and they were away from the room for about 5 mins for the whole breast radiation and just a couple of mins for the booster.

I asked about moisturising and was told it makes no difference to whether you are going to have a bda reaction to the radiotherapy, but it can help keep the area moisturised which will stop it from becoming itchy. Your skin really breaks down with radiotherapy, even if you can't see it, so itching would make it quite bad I think! I barely had any reaction, just a bit of mild redness and mild pain but I did moisturise from the day before, twice a day.

My oncologist had recommended either aveeno or E45. 

I also used sensitive soaps for washing, so nothing with perfume in it. Simple are a good one to choose.

I found that my rm got much stiffer again during radiotherapy, so keep up your exercises. 

Hi Neenie29

I was advised to keep well moisturised so I moisturised well, both morning, after shower, and at bedtime.  My sessions were around1.30 'ish so had time to absorb the moisturiser

Also, when I asked about what to use, I was advised to use what I would normally use - which I wouldn't normally use anything.  So, I said I do sometimers use Nivea lotion, for dry skin, or E45 cream, or lotion, at night.  The cream is much thicker.  So, that was OK

I had very little signs of any skin issue, only very slight pink 'ish tinge towards the end of treatment, which continued for a couple of weeks after treatment finished.

I think, maybe, your personal skin type has a bearing on how your skin reacts to the radiotherapy.  I rarely burn in the sun.  In fact, I have a hard time getting a tan.  If you tend to burn in the sun, I wonder if you're more likely to have some degree of skin issue.

I'm afraid I can't comment on what happens if you cough but I can relate to that as I often got a tickle in my throat but never during the sessions, in spite of laying flat.

I believe, normally, you are not laying entirely flat, more likely at about 30 degrees, so that mighy help you.  I was flat because of a shoulder injury and only if flat could I get my left arm into position.

Another thing I'd like to mention is that I wore a Crop Top this time, which I found much better.  9 yrs ago, I had similar but continued to wear a bra, as it comfortable, but I did get sore under the affected boob, where the tighter bit goes.  So, if possible, that's what I would advise.  They're not expensive and available at most supermarkets etc.  I got mine from Matalan (mainly because theirs fit me better)

I hope this helps you, even if only a little bit.  It all seems so daunting but the staff are lovely and they will help you though it.  Good luck