Radiotherapy issues

FormerMember over 3 years ago

5 replies
281 subscribers
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hey all

I am really struggling with reactions from radiotherapy.. I have had 15 sessions so far and I don’t think I can take th pain of the next 5

after 1st one within the hour I was red, swollen, sore.. radiotherapy nurses kept saying absolutely not a reaction you can’t have a reaction like that even though it was very clear.. lead radiographer reviewed me after 3 days and said oh my gosh that’s a bad reaction we haven’t seen anything that quick before noon that bad at 3 days. I was put on antibiotics and sent back to breast clinic as poss 4th infection.. to which I overheard my consultant say outside there is no point me seeing her and didn’t come in and I was sent on my way.

my underarm has gone brown/black onto my boob and that’s bright red, extremely swollen, skin is broken down.. and I was given polymem dressings to use.. these have done nothing. everyday I go for my session they ask how I am I tell them how bad it is and they see it and nothing.. they just ignore and then manhandle me to move me pressing down hard on the chest which is excruciating

now I have a high pain threshold I have a crumbling back and have had for 20 years so pain doesn’t floor me like this but god I have had spinal surgery and I would take that anyday over this.

I can’t use my arm properly the immense pain in my underarm and boob takes my breath away and they still take my arm and ram it up into the holds..

I was told off today for using e45 cream but I said I have to as my skin is so tight it feels like it’s ripping. She told me not to use anything now and just use the dressings..

Help.. any words of advice or wisdom welcome.. I am at breaking point

Tired Minion over 3 years ago

Sounds like you are in a bad way. Shame on the medics for not recognising the pain as its obvious when they look that you have had a reaction. I've had 15 sessions, finished last thurs and am in a lot of pain too. Boob is red and slightly peeling. My armpit is ok but below are my 2 scars which are red as is the side of me. I feel like its pulling all the time. I use E45 and lots of it. If your skin likes the cream keep using it. Its very pure and one of the ones recommended like aveeno. Is there anyone higher up the chain you can talk to? towards the end I was getting very fed up of being positioned and was very tired. Other than making a bigger fuss, I'm not sure what to suggest but I do sympathise xx

FormerMember over 3 years ago

Oh gosh I feel for you so much this is shocking . Can you demand a consultant and radiologist appointment together? This is dreadful we should not be expected to have high pain thresholds to endure this . I know at this time we as patients do not like to make a fuss but really they do have a duty of care and we are so vunerable . I m sorry I can't be of more help

Take care

Jayne

WallyDug over 3 years ago

Hi Hellcat

When I had the skin-skin burn underboob they told me to use paracetamol and ibuprofen together, which I had not though of for skin. I was thinking it needed something to put on it like cream or dressing. I took these three time a day for two days and they did give me complete relief.

Hope you get some relief

WallyDug

FormerMember over 3 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Oh it’s got a lot worse, more skin breakdown and the pain is horrific.. I’m taking oramoph and it’s not touching it.

I said to the nurse yesterday my scar has opened up and is oozing and she said don’t worry that happens and yanked my arm up for my sessions. They also told me to stop using cream and only use polymem dressing. I said my skin is tight and feels like it’s ripping and she said the dressing need me ti draw out the moisture.. hmmmm aren’t we meant to be putting moisture in to help

I have 2 more to go and my god it’s broken me.. I let my partner see it yesterday as I was in that much pain and he was horrified as he did t realise how bad it was.

FormerMember over 3 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi Hellcat this is horrific yesterday I found out I was having chemotherapy and I have been down all day . But this what you are going through is just the most difficult thing I can imagine in the journey. I don't know what to say are you going to give some honest feedback to the hospital after all this? Are you keeping a note of it all? I suppose these posts will tell there own story. I don't know what to suggest I'm so glad you only got two left . X please take care

Jayne X

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