Hi all,
Hi all,
In advance of my RT starting on Monday, the radiologist called me yesterday to discuss a few things. He advised me to put E 45 or Avenida cream on my neck before and after treatment. I told him that I had read of many people who swear by aloe vera, he said that they don’t recommend that at all, because it’s more like an oil and will fry skin!
I was under the impression that I would be given a batch of stuff to cope with side-effects when I first start treatment, but this seems not to be the case. Anyway, I just wondered if people had thoughts about the best cream to use? I also thought it was odd that he told me to put cream on before treatment as well as after……
Following this chat with him, I plan to do as I’ve been told, but I would be interested to know of other peoples thoughts on this. Thanks in advance, Bridget
Hi, it is a good idea to keep your neck well moisturised, but if you have time, contact your GP, and see if you can get some Flamigel RT .. if not, have a word with your team on Monday.. just a thought.. good luck.
Loz (61)
Oropharyngeal right tongue base T2N2bM0 squamous cell carcinoma p16 positive..
Show him this
Radiologists don’t know everything. Radiographers who actually deliver the treatment and are your daily point of contact are much better informed.
First. E45 is fine ( I used Cetraben but that’s not much different) DO NOT put it on in the hour before RT. You will fry. I washed my neck before treatment.
Aloe vera is not an oil but a water based gel. The only time I applied it was immediately after RT in the car on the way back. My neck got red and a bit flaky but stayed intact and didn’t hurt
If you meet your radiologist again ( probably unlikely, I met mine only during planning) show him the post
Your radiographers are likely to know all this already.
Hope this helps.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I was under the impression that I would be given a batch of stuff to cope with side-effects when I first start treatment, but this seems not to be the case.
That’s a real pity. I was given a huge pump tub of Diprobase. I found it too greasy which is why I went for the Cetraben
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Take care and keep out of the sun
It’s recommended that we cover our necks during treatment and use sunblock after recovery
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
contact your GP, and see if you can get some Flamigel RT
That's good stuff. It’s a gel so won’t clog your skin up.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I used both during RT sessions. My team allowed me to put cream on before a session, but only the thinnest of smears otherwise it causes the trajectory of the beams to diverge - you learn something new everyday!
My oncologist said using that regime in their RT LINACS I would not burn.
Throughout and subsequently I've used bot and never suffered a significant "burn" to my skin. Certainly the Aloe Vera I use does not feel oily and did not fry my skin! However, best to listen to your team as their RT machines may be different to the one I was in and have different requirements.
My team allowed me to put cream on before a session, but only the thinnest of smears otherwise it causes the trajectory of the beams to diverge
I never knew that. Maybe it’s because all these creams have metals in them?
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
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