Serious Burns causing discomfort.

AaronBronte

The Doctor in charge originally, scheduled 25 sessions of radiation. He then said so he can be sure he wants to give her another 5. Since then her skin has been burnt serve, you are actually seeing the raw flesh,from her neck to her breast area. It's really uncomfortable. She is saying the radiation is worst than chemotherapy. Serious pain idk what should be do ? what type of medications did some of you take to relieve the pain. She is considering stopping it. It surely is hard for her both physically,mentally and emotionally.

stephincanada

Aaron,

Has she tried doing saline soaks? You boil four cups of water and one level teaspoon of salt in a pot. Let it cool. Dip a clean cloth in the salt water and spread it out on top of the affected area. Repeat as often as she likes. It is soothing and prevents infection. Tylenol also helps.

Hope she feels better soon.

Stephanie

Kicks

I burned very bad after rads - have the scars to prove it. Had only been a very slight pinkish that was barely visiable on Day 24, Day 25 was almost a light 'sunburn'. The next morning I woke up to the entire irradiated area blistered mid chest around to back and up side of neck. By the time I got to the Dr, all the blisters had 'popped' and major oozing/weeping. I was told to just keep using the creams he had given me to use. He said he would have liked for me to use Silvadene/Sulfadene to prevent possible infection but I'm allergic to Sulfa so that wasn't an option. (Thankfully, never developed an infection.). The burn rapidly progressed in severity with fluid pouring continually and nothing helped it. Vicodan was my 'friend' for keeping the pain under somewhat control - luckily the deepest of the burns were under my arm where there had been nerve damage from the UMX so it didn't hurt. This went on for quite a while, until his RN did some research and came up with using Domeboro soaks to dry it. (Domeboro is an astringent that comes in a powder then mixed with sterile water. It can be bought at almost any pharmacy but you often have to ask at the counter as it is kept behind it. It is not a 'script and 7 yrs ago when I was using it, it was about $5.00 for enough for a couple of weeks. It is also very good for soaking sore muscles after a hard work out or to be used for any thing you would use Epsom Saltz for - it is a great soak for abscesses on horses hoof or lower leg.)

It was early March when burns developed, mid May (don't remember the exact date) when I started Domeboro soaks and the last scab finally came off on June 29 - while I was seeing my PA so that date I definitely remember.

Even as bad as I burned, I'd do it again - if needed - BUT would start Domeboro soaks immediately to dry the area as soon as it was obvious that drying was needed - not more moisture.

25 rads + 5 sounds like there will be 25 'general'/wide area rads and then the +5 are 'boosts' which are not general breast/chest area but are limited in area irradiated - directed directly at the cancer site only. Some will do boosts but not all of us will do them. I don't know exactly why they are done for some but not others of us but there are reasons for the use (or not use) of them. Her Dr is the one who can explain why, in her case, they will be part of the TX plan.

VickiRides

I agree that radiation is worse than chemo. It's exhausting and painful. My advice is to let her doctor and nurses know that she is in pain! I used Silvadene from the time the burns first appeared until new skin finally appeared. My nurses gave me gel dressings, which helped enormously, but I needed Vicodin as well to make it through the last week or so.

ual0307

yep. i concur. Radiation was worse than chemo. Oozing. Weeping. Peeling skin. Could barely cover with a shirt.

I used a "cooling" pad from the mx boutique. It came on a role - like a lint roller. You place the pad on your skin and cover where you need it.

Lindi Cooler Roller

It soothed enough to sleep.....with an Ativan.

It sucked.