2.5 years post rads and terrible odor

Barbie7

I am 2.5 years out of whole breast radiation which included a section of my underarm area.  I have noticed lately that I have terrible BO on my BC side.  I smell absolutely horrible on my right (BC) side.  So much so that my deodorant soap doesn't take away the smell.  I've tried many different deodorants, including men's deodorants - because men sweat, women glisten. ;-)

Has anyone else noticed increased body odor so long after radiation?  This isn't worrying me as much as it is making me a little angry.  I don't like smelling so bad!

somanywomen

Barbie, I actually started a post on this subject in Sept...It's been about a year for me since lump and finished rads end of Jan 10.....I have same strong odor on lump/sn side...It is a very different strange odor and only on surgery side......I have ask all my BC docs and they act like they have never heard of this before!!...Then I asked my GP and he said that it's probably because my lymph system gets backed up on that side due to the rads and the nodes that were removed....That made so much sense to me, with less nodes doing there job, the bacteria gets backed up...Mine gets worse at times and nothing I put on or no matter how hard I scrub, nothing helps.........Most replies just told me what deodorant to use, I have tried all the natural ones and nothing helps.....Wish I could tell you what worked but I truly believe that it is just backed up bacteria from not having as many lymph nodes doing there job, I was hoping it would fix itself, but you are 2.5 years out so it may be permanent for us......I just use a non-chemical lotion with a nice scent on my arms hoping it will help.......best to you

Barbie7

Thank you for your reply somanywomen.  I wondered about the lymph back up.  I will ask my onc when I see him in January, and I'll post a reply if he's actually heard of it.  I think with all the women and men who have had these treatments, if this was a commonly known SE, we would have had more responses and the medical community would know more about it.  Leave it to me to have the odd side effects!!  I hope that this doesn't last for lifetime, but if it does, at least I have a lifetime to cope with it!  It could always be worse.

Be well.

somanywomen

Barbie, when I asked my surgeon about this, he totally blew it off that he had never had this question before...He is a general surgeon, suppose to be the best in our area so I went with him locally instead of a Breast Cancer Center (if I have to deal with this ever again, I will drive to a BC center)...I don't think his ego would ever admit that by taking out my nodes this would be a se.....I am still sore after more than a year from surgery...The odor is strong and strange, comes and goes, and only on surgery side....Now, when I see my onco and surgeon, they get me in and out asap....To me, it only makes sense that is is a result of the nodes being removed....I would have thought with my original topic that I would have had more responses also, I'll be checking for your post in January for any additional info...Take care...

Leah_S

It wouldn't surprise me if it had to do with the lymph node removal. I had a complete ALND and have had the oppposite - since the surgery I have not sweated AT ALL on the surgery side. It's 2 years now.

Lucky me - think of all the money I save on deoderant.

Leah

Annabella58

I had two sentinel node procedures on the same side, 7 years apart for two separate cancers.  I have not sweated, nor regrown underarm hair on that side in two years.

It does not have an odor, but the normal one does of course.  I agree, I think node surgery messes up.

I think I'd get a consult with a BS and ask this question.  If your current one says "what"? the, continue with another one.

xo

maltomlin

Like Leah_s I'm two years from chemo amd rads and have no need for deod. I have no hair growth there and so smell.....

I too had node clearance but have saved a fortune in 'smellie' products. I must be lucky.

Mal

Bren-2007

Barbie ... I'm 3 1/2 years out from rads ... and the rad side (left) is still stinky.  My good armpit doesn't smell at all.  Even with deodarant it's hard to hide.  The left side was numb for a good year after rads .. at least I have the feeling back now so I don't cut myself when I shave.

Bren

Barbie7

I'm sorry I've been missing from this thread!  Partially because I found this other thread on the same topic:  http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/105/topic/764564?page=1#idx_13

Here is my update after seeing my onc in January.  He was interested in my condition, but added that he has not heard this before.  He sugguested that this may be a good question for my radiation oncologist.  Knowing my onc, he will file this in the back of his mind, and start doing his own research with his patients as to who may or may not have the issue.  He's good this way, always trying to help me find answers.

camelland

[edited march 19th] 

i noticed a very strong smell on my right side (mastectomy, 3 lymph nodes removed) that isn't on the left. i'm 4 years out, and realized over a year out that it was 1-sided. i notice it more after i've exercised - i bike, swim and work out at a gym.  

it doesn't matter what soap or deoderant is used that morning, after i bike, 10 miles or 100 it also doesn't matter, i get in a very hot shower and use the green irish spring bar soap. that seems to eliminate the odor for the day. unless of course i end up doing another very physical activity and/or sweat profusely

i'd like to find a paraben, dbp and metals free deoderant that would help 'solve' this issue.  - meaning it would help  to minimize the odor after exercizing or on very hot sweaty days.  

as it is before i was diagnosed and the only deoderant that worked for me was the 'men's right guard sport' solid unscented. - i have terrible allergies to florals/fragrances.

if anyone out there reads this thread, pls consider adding me to the list of others who have already posted a desire to find a solution.

if anyone out there tries that soap and would be kind enough to let me know it did or didn't work that would be fabulous!  thank you