Radiation Therapy side effects

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shb
shb Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi

I am starting 7 weeks of radiation therapy in couple of weeks. I am curious if it is worse than chemo that I am finishing in a week.Please if you have any information let me know.

                                                                   SHB

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited March 2010

    No, no, no; compared to chemo, radiation is a piece of cake!!!!! You'll do fine.

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited March 2010

    OMG - no - even though I got lobster red in my last week and it burned - was uncomfortable, but never blistered, but did peel - that was the worst of it.  I would never compare it with chemo - I'd do rads over again - chemo - not so much - I get sick to my stomach just thinking about ever having to redo it, but being triple neg, not so sure I won't have to at some point.  The thing I hated most about rads was that it is so dang BORING!  Leaving work, driving to get there on time, getting undressed and redressed and driving back home, all for a big 3 or 4 minutes - for six weeks.  It seemed like it was 6 months.  Best of luck to you - this too shall pass.

    Linda

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited March 2010

    I had quite a bit of fatigue so be prepared for that.  I did ask a lot of questions about side effects of radiation.  You should talk about any concerns with the radiologist at the initial visit.

    If you have trouble lying still because of a bad back or what ever, that should be brought up at the initial visit.  It is necessary to be absolutely still for about 45 minutes during the first "mark up". 

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  • shb
    shb Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2010

    Thank you all for the input. I really appreciate your respond.I am happy I found this chat board keep in touch.Good luck to everybody.

                                       SHB

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  • Alcie1
    Alcie1 Member Posts: 68
    edited March 2010

    Radiation effects depend on lots of variables, like what is getting irradiated.  ASK!

    I only had a little IDC, no nodes, no chemo.  My rad Tx hit my ribs and my stomach and my left side.  Because of the ribs and stomach I got very nauseous, couldn't drive myself to the last treatment.  My blood count went down from hitting these areas also.  Red cound is up with taking iron, but white count is permanently low.

    Because of hitting the lymphatic system running down my side I got axillary web syndrome (aka cording), which will cause me pain for the rest of my life.

    My nipple and areola shrank from getting cooked also.  I have a dead gray crater now.

    I had no redness.  I had a tiny bit of pink and heat for an hour or so after treatments.  I used pure aloe right after treatment, never anything greasy!

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