After Radiation Symptoms

ashley88

My mother had radiation therapy in November '09 and is now experiencing extremely itchy skin. Her primary dr & oncologist has prescribed many meds that just haven't helped. We've even been to the ER over this months ago. Is this normal? I've searched every where but can't find a single thing about it.

SusieMTN

I have never had any itching skin, just redness and incision breakdown.  Has she changed any thing like soap, shampoo or conditioner, skin cream any thing like that? 

I am still seeing the radiation oncologist, does she or perhaps can she check with that doctor.  Just asking as that is sort of there area, so to speak.

ashley88

No changes in shampoo, soap, etc. She will be seeing her oncologist at the end of the month. I'm really starting to wonder if she may have some type of blood cancer. I've been reading that even radiation therapy can cause blood cancers & a sign of that is itching. And the type of itching she is having is all over her body, not just in the site of radiation therapy. Her blood work last Thursday came back abnormal & all she had was a CBC & CMP. I'm just really concerned & worried.

Irishred

After day 4 of radiation, I sat on the floor in so much pain it was unbearable,  the next day I went the radiologist and he gave me pain pills and muscle relaxers.  after two weeks i started again, at this point of my life that little bought, makde my left arm useless completely.  Please get on this forum before you choose radiation, it sucks too, ljust like chemo.

realitychick

Ok, all of you are making me really feel like I made the right decision in not getting RT for my DCIS. I had reluctantly agreed to the Canadian treatment, but had some reconstructive surgery for my lumpectomy, and then my plastic surgeon nixed the high dose treatment and said I could only do the 5 week treatment, as the high dose would be too hard on the rearranged skin. I just couldn't see putting myself through that, what with all the potential side effects. I am going to try fighting any lingering cancer cells with natural supplements instead. I really hope that every one of you recovers quickly. There has to be a better way to fight this, and I hope they find it soon!