Finished Rads 1 yr ago. Is it normal I feel burning now?

cs34

Has anyone ever experienced burning one year after finishing rads?

There's a big brown spot on my shoulder blade where the radiation came out from (which I know is normal) and the other day I felt such burning.

I didn't put two and two together until this morning that maybe it's from rads.

Just wondering if anyone else experienced anything similar or am I just plum crazy????

akjs19

 Hi there,

I was reading through a lot of posts and it seems that your note touched home base. I finished radiation about ten months ago. It was my second time. My first bout was nine years ago and I had chemo and radiation. I had NO residual effects. This time, my skin was really burnt to a crisp and I experience quite a bit of pain. It is not an everyday thing, but today I feel it a lot. It does feel like a burning and I just know that that area of my body is there. Ibuprophen does help it, but I do not like to take it all of the time. I was told that it is the nerve endings regenerating, but I thought that would be over by now.

Now, as I read the posts, it seems that it could last for a very long time. I guess that misery loves company. Does anyone else feel this burning, uncomfortable, sore sensation? It is not terrible, but I am concerned because I did not feel any of it the first time. I was wondering if it has to do with my age, the spot of radiation, or I don't know what. There is slight discoloration, but no other obvious side effects. I use ice sometimes and that helps but doesn't cure.

Anyone in the same situation or know some good techniques to deal with it? This is a silly question, but do you tell anyone how you are feeling or do you keep it to yourself? Everyone thinks that I am doing just fine, but these bouts of pain are not so pleasant. I don't complain because everyone has baggage. I feel like I want my family and friends to know. It seems selfish, but maybe some sympathy would help. Strange, but I was wondering what any of you feel. Thanks for letting me rant and I appreciate any feedback.

Sincerely,

Karen Ehlin

KansasKay

Karen - I almost started crying when I read your post!  It was almost as if you had been "hearing" my thoughts.  I am quiet most of the time but yesterday was a bad day and I took it out on my husband for something minor.  It still hurts after two years, if I try to return to any normal level of activity.  I am right handed and the surgery/radiation was on the right side so pretty hard to do anything that requires coordination with my left hand.  I want to write more but am taking a break from getting ready to have friends over for a belated Christmas get together.  I had done too much yesterday and was hurting pretty badly by evening.  I was mad at the turn my life has taken and it seems like I am always rationing my activity level.  I know that there are others that are much worse than I have it, but if they physically look worse, maybe they at least get some level of concern.  Friends and family think I'm "all better" - which I'm not!  I just received the new issue of "Cure" today and am looking forward to reading the article on after effects of radiation, "The Cost of Living", p.32, Vol. 9, No.4, 2010.  Maybe it will provide some of the answers since my doctors have not provided anything but "that happens sometimes" - WOW - that really helped!