Skin Cream during radiation

Options
135678

Comments

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2009

    my radiation has started this week on tuesday they gave me biafine to use but i would like something natural i am very fair with freckles and want to come out of this with as little discomfort as possible.  i have only done 2 treatments so far and nothing yet i am using the biafine 4 times a day

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2009

    what is jeans cream and where do you get it

  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited March 2009

    I only used 100% aloe - worked great!

  • peeps1111
    peeps1111 Member Posts: 262
    edited March 2009

    Hi:

    I got my Jean's Cream at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA.  They also supposedly have it at Dana Farber though I never saw it.  They also have it online so do a google search.  The cream that smells the best is the My Girls' Cream and I loved the texture of it too. 

    Peeps

  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited March 2009

    Just ordered My Girl's Radiation Cream.  Can't wait to get it.  I'm into my 11th treatment, and also getting the heat treatments with it, so I know I'll need some heavy duty help soon.  Right now I'm using the Aquaphor, and the A&D Cream, Aloe, etc.  No blisters or peeling yet!  Just some redness.   Cora

  • katirob
    katirob Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2009

    Hi All -

        Have no fear - the ugly brown and red skin does become normal again - and pretty quickly.  I finished rads 4 wks ago, and my skin has looked pretty normal for the past two weeks.  The area where the boosts happened is still a little brown, and my nipple is still a teeny bit tender (my incision went from my nipple under my breast and about an inch below the crease, so my boosts hit my nipple and the area where my underwire hits.  I had some very discolored areas on my collarbone that are completely faded.  Despite the location, I was able to wear a cotton sports bra during my rads, but mostly choose an undershirt (I'm not too big and was working from home so could get away with it).  My doc said to keep synthetics away from my skin as they'd hold in the heat, so I stuck with cotton.    I used pure aloe when I got home from rads (to promote healing) then MyGirlsCream or Aquaphore at night (wore an undershirt with the Aquaphore).  I don't know which worked best so I switched back and forth.  Had no skin problems at all with that protocol.  Also had to cream up the underarm and shoulder blade so don't forget those areas.)

         Anyway, it does end - so hang in there.

    Kati

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2009

    has anyone experienced muscle and joint stiffness during radiation.  i  am 8 weeks post chemo and 5 weeks post surgury and every day i get up stiff all over could it still be chemo or might it be radiation that is going well 7 so far  and not even pink  thanks to my girls radiation cream.  

    sharon 

  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited March 2009

    Sharon, I've heard that it takes 2 years for the chemo effects to completely get out of your system.  My bones and muscles ache all over, and I do know that radiation makes you tired and achey, too.  I finished chemo in December, and surgery in January.  I had my 13th radiation today and just starting to show a little redness.  Not uncomfortable yet. Waiting for my radiation cream to come in the mail!!!!   Cora

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2009

    thanks cora, glad to hear that i am not alone on this effect.  are you doing anything to help the aches  if so what i have started to walk as much as i can but i am still stiff all over.  it made my arthritis mad also.     sharon

  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited March 2009

    Sharon, during chemo, it seemed that the arthritis in my knees and feet eased up a lot.  I guess it was the steroids I was getting.  Now it is back with a vengence!  I need to start walking, too, but don't seem to have the energy or gumption to get moving.  It's all I can do to push the vacuum and keep things clean around the house.  I saw somewhere a post about help with housecleaning but I would have to do LOTS of work before I let anyone in to do that.  I've let it go to the point of being embarrassed!  I try to do a little each day, but it's getting further ahead of me!!!! 

    Cora

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2009

    cora, seems like we are in the same boat about the same time into it.  i have found that if i walk my knees feel better and i have more engery but some days it's a real chore to get it moving. i am still working and doing rads everyday.  i am a school bus driver so i can come home and rest before or after  my treatment if i need to , today was one of  those days i felt like i could fall asleep walking. my arthritis in my hands hasn't bothered in a long time now my feet, hands and knees and ankles are stiff and sore  i am hoping it will get better soon.  did my chemo in dec and jan and surgery in feb and started rads in march hope this all over soon i am tired of running everyday somewhere to see doctors or get treatments but i do now see the light at the end of that long tunnel and it is getting brighter and larger.                 sharon

  • Mamie2
    Mamie2 Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2009

    hey ladies who have just finished chemo, have you thought about doing the Essiac Tea cleanse? I did it even though I didn't have chemo. But it will help cleanse your body of the toxins. Also I joined the gym for a month to force myself into action. I have arthritis anyway and I felt if I got my body going during radiation I'd lessen the side effects and get a jump start on the s/e's of Arimidex. Just thought I'd share.

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2009

    thanks for sharing  essiac tea cleanse where do you get it      sharon

  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited March 2009

    Got my radiation cream in the mail yesterday, and I just love it.  Does NOT stay greasy like the Aquaphor or A&D cream.  I slathered up several times with it and it's wonderful!  I know I'm starting late with it (I'm at #16 already), but hope it keeps my skin healthy, etc., through the rest of the rads!  Thanks to all who mentioned it!  Cora

  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited March 2009

    I just had treatment #19 (of 33 total, including boost).  I have very fair, thin skin, sunburn easily, can't use paper bandage tape because it tears my skin, etc.  So when the Rad doc and nurse assured me that I'd not become pink until at least week 4 of treatment, I was pretty dubious.  (I WANTED them to be right, though...!)  Anyway, my skin turned pink after 2 treatments. :(  I started out with the aquaphor the nurse had given me - but that obviously didn't protect my skin adequately, and it was pretty hard to use during the day because it wrecks clothes - so I probably wasn't using it often enough.  By about treatment #4 I'd gotten ahold of Biafine (the other product the rad nurse had recommended - but it's expensive).  Used those two consistently (Aquaphor mostly at night) through this past week.  My skin was very red, very itchy, and a little painful (especially if bumped at all).  I've been wearing cotton camis with shelf bras, no real bras, and careful about having no friction on the affected area.  Last week, the Rad nurse admitted that she "couldn't guarantee" that I wouldn't have blisters by the end, given how burned I look already.  Arghhh! 

    So as of this past weekend I'm now on a new course of action.  Rotating between Alra Therapy Lotion (Aloe Vera based), Calendula Gel, and My Girls Cream (also Calendula based).  Bagged the Biafine and the Aquaphor (though I'm still experimenting, and may go back to using the Aquaphor at night).  My breast is already less red than it was.  The Alra and Calendula Gel both help with the itching (with either, I get relief for about an hour).  I love the texture of the My Girls, but it had zero effect on the itching in my case (no better than the Biafine).  I also bought a size larger cami (so the elastic is a little loose around my middle) and am trying that today.

    I'll try to remember to update on how it goes as radiation progresses.

    Linda

  • Seven11
    Seven11 Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2010

    I used biafine until the burns got bad, then switched to silverdine.  Been happy with both!

  • Seven11
    Seven11 Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2010

    I had bilateral mx, by the way, so I can't offer any bra opinions.

  • Angel40
    Angel40 Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2009

    I used Jeans cream a week before radiation and during radiation and my skin was really nice.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    I've been using "My Girl's Radiation Cream", plus Lily of the Valley 99% organic aloe vera gel.  Today's treatment is #20 of 30 and so far so good.  My skin is holding up very well.

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2009

     i am down to the last few boost treatments and i have one quarter size blister that the skin came off it is very sore i have used the my girls cream and it is great but i think i missed that spot with the cream anyway i have found out that if you do start to get red before it blisters put straight tea tree oil on it. it has a huge healing benefits look it up on the internet you would be surprised what you can use it for i wish i would have found this out sooner maybe i could have stopped the blisters. some one else can benefit from my pain i hope.  sharon

  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited April 2009

    I think I used everything --- maybe too much of everything!  Nothing helped me.  I even used the prescription silver sulphadia. . . .???   That was horrible, as it was very thick and hard to get on, and then just clumped up as it dried. 

    Maybe everything helped and it would have been a lot worse -- I don't know.  But right now, I'm peeling for the second time --- down to the very tender, very red skin.  I look like someone put a hot iron on my chest and left it there. 

  • Angel40
    Angel40 Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2009

    I hope you feel better.

    Make sure to see your doctor and check if you could go for wound care therapy. I still go to wound care center, basically they just evaluate your wound and give your the best treatment for the burn/wound/blister.

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2009

    nelia48

    i just found out that emu oil is great to heal second degree burns which is what you and i have i bought some today and am going to try it  look it up on the internet i typed in breast radiation burn treatment and it came up with emu oil.  i have only three more treatments left. i put on the emu oil when i got home and an going to use the silvadene later to keep the spot covered and protected i just want it to heal fast.  it is a little better today even though it was treated again just hoping it will not get worse.   sharon

  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited April 2009

    Sharon, I'm going out tomorrow to look for some.  I have to say, it's been a week since my last treatment, and it did get a little worse, but now starting to get better.  The outer edges are getting lighter in color.  It is where my mastectomy stitches and scar were that is so bad.  The worst part is when I stand up or get out of bed, the skin wants to pull and it's torture as it cracks and stretches.  I try to keep it well slathered so it doesn't dry out, but it still has that feeling of cracking, etc.  If it is of any comfort to anyone, it does seem to heal pretty fast.  I'm surprised each day as I see the area of burn getting smaller and smaller. 

  • Angel40
    Angel40 Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2009

    I'm done today with wound care. It is dry. It took 2 months for me.

  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited April 2009

    Oh my!!!!!  2 months!  If I have to put up with this for 2 months I'll die!  I looked carefully at mine again today, and it does seem there is yet another layer of skin coming off right at the center.  That's where it hurts the most.  Gees!!!!

  • Angel40
    Angel40 Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2009

    Nelia48, what did the doctor say about your pain and the burn? Please do not wait for your  month follow up visit. If I saw the doctor right away after my treatment then I'm sure it won't be 2 months for my healing process. My doctor said that the treatment is in our system for 6-10days more so I thought it was normal to have more blister and break out. I was wrong.

  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 74
    edited May 2009

    My radiation treatments are DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     I am cancer free and treatment free i went out to dinner last nite to celebrate and even had a margarita now it is on to becoming as healthy as possible and normal as possible after chemo surgery and rads.         I'M DONE   SHARON

  • LynnVA
    LynnVA Member Posts: 174
    edited May 2009

    Is it me or does anyone else smell an agenda!  Prey upon the weak an injured, classy!

  • seaotter
    seaotter Member Posts: 1,083
    edited May 2009

    Hey Lucky. Please check your "private messages" I'm from Springfield and would love to talk to you!

Categories