Starting radiotherapy

Hi. I can't help you regarding Letrozole, sorry, as I take Anastrozole. As far as the radiotherapy is concerned I had 20 sessions, which finished last October. I can't help with specific relaxation techniques either, but maybe the following might be helpful to you? I would recommend doing the exercises before, during and after radiotherapy. The radiotherapists are great and will advise you. I used and still use E45 cream after treatment and before bed each day, which helped. If you have to do the breath hold for left side breast cancer, be reassured as they will guide you through this and if it's difficult for you, they did shorter bursts where I went. Keeping hydrated and walking also helped with the tiredness. The sessions don't take too long. I hope all goes well for you. 

Please don’t stress over the radiotherapy. If you have any specific queries about it I can help as I was a radiotherapy radiographer.

As far as relaxation methods try looking up visualisation techniques on line. It might help you to relax if you can imagine  yourself on a nice beach or your own particular happy place whilst you are having treatment. The treatment is usually quick with most of the time being taken to get you in the right position.

Some departments play music and you may be able to take your own choice so it’s worth asking if you think that would help you.

Regarding the hot flushes, the first 6 months are the worst and things do settle down as your body gets used to the letrazole.

I had a course of acupuncture which helped me immensely so it’s worth asking if your hospital offers this service. I was extremely lucky as I was at The Royal Marsden and they offered 10 sessions and also taught me to needle my own feet and legs weekly which I have been doing now for a year. It really helps me and I rarely have a hot flush now.

Good luck x

I also needed to use the breath hold technique. It was explained to me at the planning scan and I practised whilst waiting for treatment to start. Some days I could hold my breath really well, other days it was as if I'd never been able to! But the radiographers were great, very reassuring, and would check in with me if I was struggling. 

I went to a couple of relaxation sessions run by my local Maggie's. There may be one near you, or a similar organisation offering this type of support.

Letrozole hit me big time, mainly with night sweats which meant I was very short on sleep. I also had other side effects. My consultant prescribed Venlafaxine which is used in place of HRT. It's certainly helped with the night sweats. As Exraygirl says, for some people things calm down naturally after a few weeks/months. It's something to discuss with your BCN. There is a separate thread on the forum about Letrozole.

Wishing you well with your radiotherapy,

Diane.

I found the radiotherapy department and staff to be really lovely - I'd had a telephone call explaining the process and a face to face planning appointment which both really helped in terms of easing any worries. For me, the treatment was just a case of lying down and breathing, so hope it goes just as well for you.