No Lotion for First Three Weeks?

Anonymous

No Lotion for First Three Weeks?

Frill

The nurse called to reschedule me for the consult with the RO and the simulation. She mentioned bringing in any lotions I planned on using so we could talk about it, they would have some recommendations. Then she says that they don't recommend using anything for the first three weeks. That sounds contradictory to everything I've read on here or anywhere. Has anyone else been told that? Was there wax in my ears? This is a major cancer hospital, so I have to believe there are some reasons, which I will definitely ask a lot of questions about, but I wanted to toss it out here. I'm freaked out enough about rads, and just so tired and beat down now in general with this last hospital stay, that hearing that totally through me for a loop. Not that I'm not above just doing what I want anyway, I'd just like to see if anyone else received those instructions and what the results were. To me, if I could just live in a tub of oil for a month, that's what I'd do!

mara51506

I was told I could use Glaxal Base which worked well. My RO said not to apply within 3 to 4 hours of appt. After done rads used vitamin e oil to heal. Did not get more than some dry peeling.

mara51506

Side note, told nothing oil based during rads since that could cause problems with amount of radiation absorbed

etnasgrl

I was told that I could use Aquaphor and 100% pure Aloe beginning from Day One. My RO did tell me to make sure that any lotion or Aquaphor that I had on was wiped away prior to my treatment.

I used the Aquaphor even before my treatments began and I honestly think that's what kept my skin in such great shape.
I'm surprised that they told you that.

Frill

Etnasgrl - I'm at MDA, too. Maybe I just totally misunderstood her? I guess I'll find out! It's funny, there are times when I hear something crazy and I jump on it and start taking a deposition. Other times, it's like I'm floating through a dream, and I'm thinking to myself, "That just sounds like horse hooey. I do what I want anyway. What on earth is she even saying?" I was caught off guard by the call, trying to schedule the appointment, etc. etc.

I've been putting Lanolin oil on many evenings, but I have Aquaphor, already, too. I can start using that now. I just want to go in with the best skin I can. I can't say how worried I am about rads. I was super close to not doing it at all, but I just don't want to dig my heels in about everything and wind up back on the cancer bus again, although there aren't any guarantees. I *really* don't want to do Tamoxifen, so I feel like I can't just say no to everything after I've gone through so much.

I'm rambling.

ruthbru

This is what I was told: Don't use anything during the day until AFTER you have gotten zapped (or it could intensify the burn). Then slather it on. I used Aquaphor. I brought a little tube right into the dressing room & applied it before I left the clinic & then put more on before I went to bed at night. I did this from day one and didn't have any problems other than getting red (like a sunburn from the inside out) right at the end.

CassieCat

I was told what ruthbru was told. I used calendula and aquaphor, but always after my rads each day. I also brought it to my appointments, for afterward.

ksusan

Miaderm is another product you may want to look for. It's a moisturizer specifically for radiation.

I was told, "Don't use any moisturizer for 3 hours before radiation. After the treatment, go to the dressing room and slather it on."

molliefish

I was told no deodorant for sure at all during treatment. Thankfully it was in winter. I also used a number of solutions after having an unfortunately bad reaction. I used aloe very gel all the time, from the moment I left my session. I carried a bottle with me. I also used saline soaks near the end. These are very very very soothing. I really didn't like the Glaxal base. I still have most of the tube of Glaxal here. I also used polysporin cream many times on the areas where it blistered. NO ointment because it really pulls on the skin to apply it. I just realized i have no lasting marks from rad (except my tattoos) I had a 'tan' for many months after my radiation session ended.

Frill

I can totally believe that either I misheard three hours before rads . . . even though I'd heard that and it wouldn't have made the hair on my neck stand up. I'll find out and report back. In the meantime, I still need to grab the Miaderm. I think that's the only non-prescription thing I *don't* have.

One question to see if anyone has an opinion - do you think there's a difference between just plain cotton undershirts/camis and say bamboo or some funky natural-ier (lol) fiber? Just curious. I think *way* too much.

ksusan

Hard to say. I found some old tee shirts just fine, but other shirts, including fancier materials, itched and caught.

ruthbru

The softer and lighter the better.

ChiSandy

My instructions from the RO and his nurses were exactly what Ruthbru was told: come in with totally naked clean skin and then immediately use the Aquaphor that they gave me. I applied it (later on, calendula cream) and pure aloe vera at bedtime, then showered it all off (including deodorant) in the morning before going for my treatment in the afternoon. In fact, on the second day, the RO asked me if I wanted a prescription steroid ointment. (I declined at the time--though I did get one from my dermatologist months later).