Radiotherapy pain

Everyone is different and you may be extra sensitive 

Take ibuprofen if you can take it as this should help with inflammation.

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and moisturise 

Take care

Hello,  I understand totally as my first radiation treatment I felt like I had a bad sunburn even though I couldn’t see a thing.  They also thought it was in my head but I felt it and continued to feelthat heat.  The worst part of radiation for me was my nipples being ultra sensitive and sore.  No bra for me during radiation.  I also got a slight mild rash but no real redness.  Used pro cure hydrocortisone with calendula if it was itchy.  I used Avene products while going through radiation and stil use today as so ultra gentle.  The Avene Tolerance extreme cleansing lotion was a great mild cleanser.  Used Avene Cicalfate+ restorative protective cream twice a day and sprayed the Avene Thermal Spring  Water which I kept in refrigerator whenever I felt like it.  The radiation staff had told me to use aquaphor but it is too thick and also mentioned Aloe Vera.  I told them I found my own regimen and so glad I did it as skin looks great.  Even the radiation oncologist was impressed at how well I did as I have super sensitive fair skin that doesn’t like a lot of products.  You are not ridiculous as you will feel strange things now and again.  I felt a lot of zinging type pain in my right breast while in treatment and for the 3 weeks after but once I started to do breast massage seems to have gone away.  Don’t know if it is because of the massage or it was just time but I think the massage is helping.  As far as sleepy I didn’t have much issues with it.  Only a few times when I had to rest.  Your body will tell you what to do as we all react differently to radiation. Good luck

Hi Barbara, 

Thanks so much for your reply and all the useful information! My nipple is also sore and sensitive!! Suppose it just depends how sensitive your skin is and I think the nipple is to do with nerves!!! 

jo 

Thanks  

My nipples felt like when I had breastfed my son and he was getting his teeth and ouch.  The soreness and sensitivity was the most bothersome but that went away too.  Yeah.  I had radiation on both breasts as I was unlucky to have DCIS in right one snd Stage 1 invasive in the other.  Didn’t expect that to happen but that is the thing with cancer so many unexpected things.  

Yes that’s exactly what it feels like! And also feel like I’ve had a boob job. It’s so hard and big  

sorry to hear that you had it in both. I thought I was in the same boat for a bit but the lump in my right turned out to be benign. 
Did you need chemo as well or just radiation? 

No chemo only radiation and now I am on anastrazole as my cancers were ER+PR+.  Suppose to take for 5 years.  So far not too many symptoms except dry mouth at night, dry skin but no joint aches or pains so far.  I took HRT for years so I really did miss my estrogen and still do but my tumors feed on it so no more for me.  I am sure that was a risk factor for me as well as dense breasts, being in my 70’s.  The highest rate of breast cancers is between 60 and 70.  Us poor baby boomers.  I am reading an excellent book by Dr Kristi Funk,MD breast surgeon called Breasts an owners manual.  There are two lemons on the cover.  Book is so informative and learning so much.  She is on YouTube too.  I have learned so much on YouTube too.  I think I can get a diploma from them.  Another good Dr on YouTube is Dr Li, MD.  He runs the Angiogenesis Foundation and his book Eat to beat disease is super.  I am always referencing what is good for me.  I eat plant based so don’t need to make many changes as did that years ago.   Surgeons and all the other docs can do their magic but then we need to take action for ourselves.  
Barbara

• Believe it or not I was on HRT. I was going through peri menopause and the symptoms were bad. I do miss HRT as I was starting to get my life back, as I had horrible fatigue. I’m not doing anything different diet wise, but maybe I should? I’ll need to have a look at those books! Thanks for the recommendations! 
  Jo 

Hii had my second radium treatment today.  I felt a heat in my breast afterwards. Not Iain jyst heat and also along shoulder blade. But I did suffer with shoulder after op with nerve repairing. 
my hair also feels strange like a tingling on my head. 
inly 3 left to go so hopefully will be ok I am feeling very tired by late afternoon  so early to bed to watch tv  

then I’m in tamoxifen for 10 years 

oh what a Bliddy journey we’re on 

hope all goes ok x 

Hey! The hair things strange. I haven’t got that yet. Just got pain in breast and it’s swollen plus sensitive sore nipple! I had my second session today too! Yes I’m going to get off to sleep soon. Feeling sleepy! 

They started me on tamoxifen a while ago so I’m dealing with the side effects of that and radiation. The tamoxifen has turned me into a horrible person. I can’t control my temper, I’m tired and my anxiety is through the roof. Brain fog is horrendous. I’d rather come off it that feel like this every day!!