When do you typically begin to see radiation side effects?

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lanagraves
lanagraves Member Posts: 596
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I'm ripping off someone else's topic title regarding hormonal therapy, but I was just wondering. I have had three radiation TX so far and no skin changes, itching, burning, nothing. I know the RO said not to expect any SEs until second or third week. Is that typically the case, or have some of you experienced earlier or later effects?

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited July 2012

    I did not really have any SE's until treatment 14 or 15, then they all hit at once (fatigue and skin issues).  Overall, they were quite tolerable though ... just a long distant memory now (4 weeks out!).

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  • mckenna
    mckenna Member Posts: 413
    edited July 2012

    the worst of my skin reaction was actually after the 25 rad treatments.  the 3 weeks post rads were the worst for me.  good luck and hopefully no SE's

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited July 2012

    I'm 20 days post rads today. Around rad#17 (out of 25) I noticed a few red, itchy spots. It became worse towards the end, but never blistered or broke down. Then the rad onc told me to use over-the-counter hydrocortizone cream for this, which helped a lot. Every day immediately after rads I slathered on aloe vera gel (non-alcohol) before I got dressed. I put it on again a few hours later. Before bed I put on Lubriderm Intense Dry Skin Repair cream as well as when I got up, and once more during the day. It gets absorbed, does not stain your clothes, and it moisturizes like no other body cream I have ever used before. My plastic surgeon told me about it.

    A week after rads were done, I started peeling a little under my arm and in the armpit, and the skin became leathery and dry. I kept on using the Lubriderm twice daily, and the leather skin was gone in a few days. My skin is still darker, but it is soft and back to normal. Up until last week I still had some itchy spots for which I used the hydrocortizone cream. It should not be used more than twice daily, and only when and where necessary, but that was enough. The Lubriderm? I will never be without that again. It works even on my feet.

    Hope this info helps a little

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited July 2012

    I was tired before I started, and red from day one. Laughing

    The broken ooozing skin didn't start until the last day of regular tx. Did 5 boosts after that. On the plus side once the skin broke down I started taking the vicoden the RO prescribed, so I started sleeping really well.

     The worst was over in 10 days or so. Now, I'm feeling better than I have for a long time.

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited July 2012

    I am 1 1/2 yrs out so its in the distance now.please cme visit my thread after rads...there is lots of good info on there for sistas just like you......everyone is different.It would be so easy if we had the one fits all description.....Right now you should concentrate to drink lots of water,eat lots of protein for energy and cream cream cream....

    come vsit us but start at the beg.the info you need is there.

    I wish you the best....

    huggggggggggs K

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