23/32 rads breasts raw underneath help!

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lovewins
lovewins Member Posts: 881
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi ladies....I have had to take a break 3 days 5 if I include the weekend from rads.   I see the RO tomorrow to see what happens next.  From reading many posts here it seems like I am having a harder time than most.  I know it is tmi but my breast are weeping with some spots bleeding and sticking to my bra.  Very painful, I think it is because I have large breasts.  Did anyone else go through this?  Did the RO continue with treatments?  I have 9 more to go and I am concerned because I know to get the best results radiation is cumulative...I am still working and I am doing ok so far.  I am freaking out a bit would anyone mind sharing your experience if it was similar?

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  • icebaby10
    icebaby10 Member Posts: 26
    edited February 2014

    I had the same thing,, wear only cottom camisoles with no shelf bra.. Silvadene  cream from your doctor, do not rub the raw burnt areas at all the skin is so delicate.. Get 4 inch gause squares  fold it in half  generously cover it with the ointment a tuck it under you breast..it is so soothing... Keep it there about 8-10 hours and repeat..  I was so burnt starting at about 25 of 36.. The underside of my breast was the color of a coke can..

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited March 2014

    I also was so burned and raw and used silvadene cream. Instead of gauze, you can cut the softest old white tee shirt into pieces and put under your breasts. That helps a lot with the pain. Hope you get some relief soon. 

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  • redlessi
    redlessi Member Posts: 27
    edited March 2014

    My MO suggested that I use baby power without cornstarch under my breast. Its important to keep the area dry.  He also suggested to put something under the breast to cushion it.  I love the idea of tshirt pieces.

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  • icebaby10
    icebaby10 Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2014

    You cannot put baby powder on raw skin... I was told noooo powder while it is irritated.

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited March 2014

    lovewins.....I had the same problem towards the end...it was raw oozing and bleeding

    I was also prescribed the cream

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited March 2014

    A friend of mine used maxi pads between her skin & her bra.

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  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited March 2014

    I had the same thing happen with the underside skin toward the end so I truly feel for you.  Hang in there, as soon as the zaps end, it is amazing how fast everything dries up and heals nicely. After following my rad onc's gauze treatment -- which wound up making my weepy and delicate skin in the fold under even worse by ripping off skin as it stuck to the gauze -- I found the only thing that made it better was plain old air. So whenever I had the opportunity (obviously not at work), I would lie down strategically to let the weepy/raw areas air out.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2014

    lovewins - how is your skin doing?  I saw at your profile that you were here today but did not post.

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited March 2014


    Hi ladies....thank you for all your responces.  I have a very tearful day yesterday I think mostly from being in such pain for over a week.  The Dr gave me some ssd cream and I bought some non stick pads that really helped.  I have made some progress healing but concerned because I am taking a break from rads over two weeks and wonder how this affects my treatment.  I have to have faith that everything happens for a reason and that everything will work out.  Rough day yesterday....I am tired of people that have never had cancer talk about having a great attitude.   I know they mean well but they don'y want to hear anything but how great I am doing...God forbid I tell them I am in pain.  Sorry ladies...I know you can take it and understand....tomorrow will be a better day.  Thanks again.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited March 2014

    I think most people are too scared for themselves to want to hear anything but the 'rah, rah' stuff. It is pretty rare to find someone who hasn't 'been there, done that' who DOES want to know how you're actually doing. Hang in there; come here, we get it.

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  • Nettie1964
    Nettie1964 Member Posts: 759
    edited March 2014

    Every time i read about someone having a hard time with rads, I'm thankful that I didn't have problems. And either I've missed it or no-one else was given the instructions that I was. 

    My RO had me use ONLY cornstarch powder. And lots of it. My skin never got red or moist. So either I was lucky or this really worked for me. 

    After I was done, he had me use Aquafore ointment.

    Just posting my experience, don't want to offend.

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  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited March 2014

    lovewins - I second what ruthbru said, "Been there, done that...come here, we get it." Despite it all, I am glad I did rads and you will be too when you're on the other side of this.

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  • rosie9037
    rosie9037 Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2014

    Lovewins--my nurse gave me a powder (Pedinol) that I mixed with about a quart of water.  I poured this on gauze, squeezed it so it wasn't dripping and put it on the open area under my arms and under the breasts.  It was so soothing.  I had to do this two or three times a day, but it really helped dry the areas up.  She said that it was used for burn patients. I also had the silvedene cream and it helped somewhat too.  Use those old tee shirts under the breast, no bras.  I used cotton camisoles, my husband's tee shirts under a sweatshirt, or if I had to dress up a bit, I used a cotton top over the camisole and then either a loose vest or jacket.

    Good luck--it is worth it.

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited March 2014

    Lovewins: Nothing you do can prevent your skin from breaking down as it really occurs from the inside out.  All the lotions, etc are just to bring relief.  These are not burns, but the skin breaking down from the radiation.  The cancer cells are killed and so are the healthy skin cells.  But you can now do things to help your skin heal and to bring relief for your pain.  Sorry you are experiencing such a difficult time, but there is nothing you could have done to have prevented this.  Ask your RO, but I think there is quite a window of opportunity for the cumulative effect of radiation.  Try not to worry.  Take good care of yourself and there has been lots of helpful advise here as many before you have had similar problems.  I am on 8/25 so have quite a way to go yet.  My RO stated that there really is no way to predict who will have skin problems.  Just lucky I guess :) Now buy a lottery ticket.  My DS's ex's parents just won one million dollars.  So jealous! 

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited March 2014

    I had the same problem and my rads onc gave me some gel pads called Carradress. I've looked them up online since several times for friends. They're not cheap but well worth it. They are dressings made for severe burn patients. I put them in the crease under my breast and held them in place with a soft bra.

    No powder! That does not work when your skin is as raw as yours sounds-and mine was.

    Once you start to heal you will be amazed how quickly it happens.

    I soooo feel your pain. Best wishes for healing. Hang in there.

    Mary

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  • desalonde
    desalonde Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2014

    Lovewins. I hear ya on how people seem only to want to hear "good stuff". I'd like to hear good stuff too-but only if its true and meanwhile we need to deal with the bad stuff we are going through.

    It amazes me how much concerned friends/family were about the lumpectomy but then I guess they figure the rest is easy???? RT scared me to death.... still does. Now I hope I tolerate the tamoxifen and most of all I hope all if this works and I don't have to walk this road again.

    I need to learn to live my life as it is now without being crippled by anxiety about every possible problem and every next mammogram. Still trying to figure out how.

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited March 2014

    Hello ladies.  Thanks for all your responces!  I have been changing my bandages twice a day as prescribed and putting the ssd cream on.  Last night gave myself a break to see if allowing air to hit it would help.  Still in pain but not as much.  I talked with the nurse today and she said for sure I would continue treatments....hope it does not go down hill fast with the ground I have recovered healing.  I am hanging in there.  Still feeling very emotional but I think it was just the build up of pain over a couple of weeks.  All of your support has been uplifting...thanks so much all of you.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited March 2014

    I bought a small fan & when I was watching TV or reading, I put prop it on my stomach & let it blow on my boob.....also had a big fan & would have it aimed right toward the chest when I was sleeping at night.....yes, not a fun time. Keep checking in & let us know how you are doing. We will celebrate with you once you are done!


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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited March 2014

    resumed treatment today...8 more to go!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited March 2014

    Yea!

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited March 2014

    (((lovewins)))

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited March 2014

    thank you ladies!

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited March 2014

    image

    Good Night

    Sheila♥   

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited March 2014

    Hello....thanks for thinking of me Sheila.

    I am doing remarkable well healing considering where I was and that I am still doing rads.  I have 6 more Woo hoo!  Now I am having stabbing pain all thru the area....I sweet talked my nurse to sweet talk my RO to give me something stronger than Tylenol 3.  Giggles.  I think whatever they gave me finally did the trick!  Gosh this is the first time I have been this pain free in I can't believe how long!  I needed a mini vacation from pain.


    Hope you all are doing well....looking back to anyone who may read this post with the same problem I had...don't wait, get help.  The ssd cream and the telfa pads were awesome.  Even if I just had the telfa pads it would of stopped my bra from sticking to my breast and having to peel it off.  They even had them at the grocery store.


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  • positivenegative
    positivenegative Member Posts: 106
    edited March 2014

    lovetwins i feel your pain.  i amm in the last week of rads and really burned up and oozing.  they have me doing domboro soaks right before the ssd cream.  let the countdown continue!

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited March 2014

    lovewins...I'm so happy for you...finally some relief

    7 to go 

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited March 2014

    The end is in sight!

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited March 2014

    thank you ladies...we are hangin +/- .   Hope you are doing ok...4 more!!!!

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited March 2014

    image

    (((lovewins)))

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited March 2014

    I want to thank everyone again for all your words of encouragement and for letting me know I was not alone.  I have had some awesome support from family and friends, but on a certain level no one can understand if they have not gone thru it.  Really I mean this from the bottom of my heart you all got me thru a very difficult time and I am so grateful.  I am feeling strong again.

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