Summer 2013 Rads

Yes, the RO did give me a 'scrip for oxycodone which worked well for me following each of the surgeries. As of 2 days ago, I also decided to max out on ibuprophen too. Even if it doesn't seem to be having much of an analgesic affect, it should help with the inflammation. The treated breast has been swelling some which I'd guess must be contributing to the pain.



For me, I haven't had skin pain at all. I ache in one spot, much like the ache after a too strenuous workout. That's not too bad. The oxy helps less with the rest of it. I'm also having some shooting pains inside the remains of the breast, mostly right in the middle. Less frequently I'm having some worse pain - sharp, sudden, and over quickly - it's like a white hot wire getting pulled through. Overall, I'm not in a lot of pain, but it wears you down, y'know?



During the day I can distract myself pretty easily. Plus, it seems to get worse as the day wears on. Ive been taking the oxy only at night but there are still nights I can't sleep because I just can't get comfortable or because the shooting pains just won't quit. Only three more weeks!





For anyone else who's experienced the feeling of a lump in the throat - any tips? The RO recommended Prilosec which hasn't helped at all. I'll give it a few more days to be sure.



Thanks all!

Blue fox. I am a week and 1/2 out and am having my worst fatigue yet. I actually didn't have it bad during treatment but crashed this week. I didn't know about the peaking a week out.



I too am getting PT to stretch things out and build up some strength in my arm. I lift a lot a work and have kind of got my back and neck all out of wack during recovery from surgery and rads.

Sciencegal, I had a partial mastectomy on 5/17 and a SLNB on 6/14, both on the left. I'm not sure how to display them below the signature as many of you do.



I'm not sure which I enjoy more - the day of rest from the rads or the day of rest from not driving there!

Cass --my RO told me to expect some shooting pains during the 3rd week of rads.  I will see next week.  So far so good.  I also had those shooting pains like what you are discribing following the BMX.  There is also one location where there has been constant ongoing pain which is gradually lessening over time.  I don't know if it was where the cancer was, the tube was or where the lymph nodes were removed.  I'm just glad it's improving.

I'm wondering if anyone is having back pains.  Laying on the metal table fpr rads is killing my back.  It hurts my lower back to lay on the table for a brief time when I first get in position; and I'm unable to get off the table following rads and have to be pulled up.  Now I'm getting painful knots in the connective tissue  in various places in my back after rads.  I have never previously had back pain. (altho now i know from a recent bone density test that I have some osteopenia. (and osteoporosis in L4) in my spine. I'm thinking of maybe arranging for a modified back massage for next week.

Blue fox. I am a week and 1/2 out and am having my worst fatigue yet. I actually didn't have it bad during treatment but crashed this week. I didn't know about the peaking a week out. Thanks for that info.



I too am getting PT to stretch things out and build up some strength in my arm. I lift a lot at work and have kind of got my back and neck all out of wack during recovery from surgery and rads.

Still sooo tired, its frustrating because the RO said I should start feeling better a couple weeks ago.  I'm about 6 weeks out from treatment.  Thanks Cozzoli I'm going to try the mylanta today

Welcome Goldie.  My RO said to use Eucerin and his nurse said use Aquaphor at night since it's so greasy.  I've had 16/35 and so far my skin is just barely pink.  So that combo is working for me.  Every doctor is different and every persons skin reacts differently.  Good luck.

I'm on day 11/25. My non-cancerous MX side has developed a large seroma. It was drained today and they put an ace bandage around my whole chest, including radiated area. I don't think this is going to work..... But I hope so!



Best wishes to all.

I hadn't explored the profile beyond articles. Thank you!



Prilosec - tomorrow makes a week. If no help, the rest goes in the trash.

Mylanta - thanks for the tip, I'll try that.



I haven't had nausea but have had lots of heart burn and gas. I almost never have digestive issues. It's not supposed to be rads-related, but I wonder just the same. Could be stress related too, long drive in.



Today was 16/30. My skin has been pinking up but after today is much pinker. It otherwise looks ok. I've been using Aloe Life Skin Gel 2-3 times a day. I agree that our skin's needs can be different and what the RO recommends can be different.

I am 5 days out from rads and having a lot of skin peeling, not painful. My ro recommended radiaguard and miaderm during and after treatment. The radiaguard has lidocaine in it. They also recommended aloe vera so I went to Walgreen's and found their brand which contains aloe, lidocaine and menthol which is very soothing and cool (after refrigeration).

ItswhatItIs- I was allowed to wait up to four months after my last chemo because I had the mastectomy afterward and then wanted to get rid of that darned tissue expander before going into radiation.



There is some research showing that four months is the absolute outer limit after chemo, for those of us who have had a skin-sparing mastectomy. For lumpectomy I do not know however. anyone else in that situation?



gentle hugs to everyone



22/25

I started my rads 2 weeks after being done with chemo. I just wanted it over and today it is! My skin is peeling and definitely itchy, but it really held up well. I used aloe vera (the clear kind with no additives) emu oil and aquaphor. Really did the trick. I NEVER missed putting it on 3 x a day. Never. No underwire, i wore a camisole bra that i found at target. It was so much easier for me than chemo. I'm done! :-)

Hello Jumping over to this board as I just started Rad Monday. 3 down 30 to go. Praying side effects are not too bad as Chemo was SO HARD on me and so were the two surgeries. I am going into Rads with brand new implants. My PS is one that does reconstruction before. He said its about 50/50 for doing reconstruction before or after, so praying I dont need another surgery after this!

Hello my ladies!!! Happy some of you are done!!!!! .....it's my 14/28 days and si far my skin it's a little tan ... No pain... Dry mouth but little everyone here my RO says has nothing to do with rads........ I'm gonna start lubbing at night with aloe Vera with aquaphor..... Ladies make sure it's 100% aloe Vera no alcohol...... Will post next week see how my skin is doing

chickaD...

I think I may have caused a scene & had to be escorted out by security if my Onc told me that..... I'm sorry! I hope everything goes well... There must have been a good reason...