Spring 2014 Rads

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited May 2014

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/226763-side-effects-of-petrolatum/

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  • simplelife4real
    simplelife4real Member Posts: 563
    edited May 2014

    Vintagegal, I've never been a fan of petrolatum products.  Thanks for spreading the word.

    I got marked up for my boosts yesterday.  The boost field is much bigger than I expected, but I figure I can do anything 5 times.  Today is day 26/33.  Other than the hotspot at my collarbone that I posted a picture of yesterday, my skin is fine.  The RO gave me Regenecare for the hotspot.  It goes on easily and feels good.

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  • Pam358
    Pam358 Member Posts: 294
    edited May 2014

    I'm 11 days out and still have a couple of dime size areas in my boost area that have not healed. I called my RO's office yesterday to see if I could get another piece of Mepilex Lite to place on my boost area and the nurse had me go in as she wanted to check to make sure everything was on track and thankfully it was - she wasn't worried about anything she saw. She not only gave me the Meplilex but one with Silvadene in it so I bet it will be healed quickly as some have talked about the healing properties of the same prescription cream. The Mepilex is a thin foam that is self sticking to your skin but doesn't take any skin off when you take it off. Great stuff but really expensive.

    Simplelife - I had one of those hot spots on my collarbone and it never opened up, so I'm hoping yours won't either.

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited May 2014

    I told the RO that the Eucerin & Aquaphor both were petroleum as main ingredient. I don't think he believed me. I should have brought my creams. 

    I got the 100% aloe, just put it on & my skin didn't scream at me!

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  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2014

    saw Ro today and he listened to my lungs. apparently I have radiation pnuemonitis. It's an inflammation of lung tissue due to radiation. Coughing, fatigue, no fluid in lungs like pneumonia. Gave me hydrocodone acetamin.  Great... TG only two more treatments.

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  • FightBC
    FightBC Member Posts: 57
    edited May 2014

    What do you use to keep the skin from drying, VintageGal1111? 

    I use Aloe but for cooling down. It does not help as much as aquaphor to keep skin moist. 

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  • mz_mes
    mz_mes Member Posts: 66
    edited May 2014

    Sorry to hear it flagirl -- sounds uncomfortable.   Had 19 of 33 today and no problems.  Had to reschedule my usual time from early am to mid-afternoon as I had a presentation to do at work this morning.  Was well attended so it was worth rescheduling rads for it.   Center was very accommodating in moving my time.   They were backed up though and had to wait longer than usual (as the day wears on things take longer and each person who is late bumps into the next).   The folks in the waiting room were very chatty though so the time passed.  Unlike the typical morning crew who mumble a hello and goodbye.  Kind of nice to have some friendly conversation.  A couple of women even jumped in to help me with the puzzle I was doing.

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited May 2014

    FightBC

    I have Miaderm which is specifically for radiated skin. 

    No more Eucerin or Aquaphor for me, not with the main ingredient being petroleum.

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited May 2014

    Oh FlaGirl that's too bad, another side effect....so the painkiller is all you have to take, it will subside on its own?

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  • aussielovergirl
    aussielovergirl Member Posts: 46
    edited May 2014


    Hi Everyone. This is the first post for me.   I just went for my radiation simulation and will start next week for 6 weeks.   I am concerned about how my skin will react.  I take High Blood Pressure medicine and wondering if it enhances the "burning affect" to the skin.  I am wondering if I should try to go off of it just for the 6 weeks of radiation.  I know it says it may cause a sensitive reaction in the sun, but nobody has mentioned not taking it to me during my consultations.  I am sure they will say its fine-- don't go off it-- but wanted to hear from others with first hand experience.

    Thank you all.  I've been reading here for a few months, and the information has been very helpful.

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  • have2laugh
    have2laugh Member Posts: 132
    edited May 2014

    Aussielovergirl-please be sure to check with your primary MD as well as radiation oncologist before making any changes to blood pressure medications. I am not sure what exact type of medication you are taking or if sun sensitivity would be a concern but I am sure that hypertension medications should not be abruptly discontinued. This is a stressful time physically and emotionally even if you just consider getting to your appointment five days a week, you need to take care of yourself. I am sure your doctor would be more than happy to answer any questions you have regarding medications-I would use this week to put in a call. Best of luck to you! 

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  • have2laugh
    have2laugh Member Posts: 132
    edited May 2014


    Catching back on readings. Just wanted to say for those having itchiness, it took couple days to kick in but Topicort also known as Desoximetasone cream 0.25% has worked well for me. I do notice the last ingredient is white petrolatum which I assume is petroleum so those opposed to petroleum may want to skip this. I have a 945 time so I never apply anything in am and shower prior to treatment. It was $33 w insurance so not sure what straight cost would be but I was losing it with itchiness and this is only used 2x a day so convenient. Today was 20 of 33 getting kind of fried this week but hanging in there. Looking forward to getting done. My little one must have asked me 40 times to come in pool over weekend and I almost said to heck with it but I am trying to behave a couple more weeks. I was nervous about five boosts at end but my radiation tech told me some usually no difference in dosage and some people find this easier since just on incision area and surrounding area given chance to heal. I hope that is the case, kind of nervous about that. Crazy how many days I spent soaking up the sun literally burning my skin in hopes of tanning and now I am pulling out all the stops to keep from getting anymore color!

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited May 2014

    Hi Aussie lover

     I take bp med. All my meds are on a print out at the cancer center & all the drs & nurses go over them & have never mentioned any reaction from rads regarding the bp med.

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  • Gardengirl66
    Gardengirl66 Member Posts: 93
    edited May 2014

    Flagirl, sorry to hear you are not feeling well, hope your lungs heal soon for you.

    I had my first rad treatment  today, there for about 40 minutes to get lined up etc. I also got one more tattoo , so now I have three little dots. I have been told I will have 16, with 5  boost at the end on the incision on the breast, and not the one on the armpit (happy to hear that part)  It is nice to join all you ladies, and nice to read that some of you are almost finished with rads with only minor side effects.

    Hugs to all.

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  • kitty3916
    kitty3916 Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2014

    Happy to have it made through 33 rad treatments! I too had quite a bit of itchiness and found two things that worked pretty well.  The first is a cream called Miaderm and it worked very well and calmed my skin almost immediately. You order it online and it's somewhat expensive but it was a miracle for me.  My rad office had some samples too if you just want to try it before you buy it. The second thing that helped was aloe from a real aloe plant.  I bought a plant at the local garden center and would cut a piece open and use the inside liquid/pulp right on my skin.  My rad dr. had given me a prescription for a cream but it didn't work nearly as well as the aloe or miaderm cream.

    Another tip to save your irritated skin is to wear a very thin t shirt under your bra.  This saved me as it kept the bra from chafing my very tender skin in the final 3 weeks of rads.  Hang in there...it's tough but you will make it! 

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  • MaryFox
    MaryFox Member Posts: 121
    edited May 2014

    Well, I get another week off of rads.  My short suspenseion eased the pain, but skin is sloughing off like crazy.  Saw the onc today and got Domeboro and Silvadene.  This rigamarole is much easier now that the pain is reduced.  When I start again, I have nine more treatments to go.  Skin looking pretty ugly.

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  • FightBC
    FightBC Member Posts: 57
    edited May 2014

    Anybody very sleepy after radiation?

    I get radiation @5pm. I get so sleepy after that that it is difficult to do chores and take care of kids. I m yawning all the time in the evening. 

    Wish I could just go to bed after Tx. 

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  • smartypants
    smartypants Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2014

    Hello everyone.  What a whirlwind 2014 has been!  My annual mammogram on 2/14/14  included a totally unexpected sonogram. Then, within days, I had a biopsy and a Dx of DCIS.  Surgery on 3/26/14 led to a change in my Dx to Stage 1 IDC due to a discovery of  <1mm of microinvasion.  Thankfully, all three of my oncologists agreed that I did not need sentinal node biposy since my surgical margins were clear. Started RADS last week and I just finished my 6th treatment today....so I guess I'm in the Spring 2014 Rads group.  So far, so good.  No SE yet other than soreness.  I was given the clear aloe vera to use after my daily treatments, but have also tried a little Aquaphor and Vanicream.  I'm hoping my skin holds up and I have time to heal before the big family vacation in July. Just taking it day by day!

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  • FightBC
    FightBC Member Posts: 57
    edited May 2014

    did I mention spasm? Anybody experienced that?

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  • faerywings
    faerywings Member Posts: 173
    edited May 2014

    I am happy dancing today! Last day of rads!!!! I made it!  My nipple, not so much- hehe! I baked some cookies for the staff at the Center, they were all so nice.

    Has anyone used coconut oil after they finished rads to heal the skin? The Lubriderm/aquaphor is not cutting it, I feel so "scaly."

    Welcome smartypants!

    FightBC- yes, me too. For me is got progressively more so as the week went on.

    Mary and FLgirl, feel better, and gentle hugs to you

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  • faerywings
    faerywings Member Posts: 173
    edited May 2014

    Lisa- thanks for the comment on my siggie. I am a huge RentHead and love the play so much. It started out as a healing process for my BFF who lost her baby at 28 weeks, which then destroyed our friendship (I had a one yo and it was painful for her). As we got our friendship back on its feet, she took me to to see the play together. Then a few more times after that :D

    But the message gets me so deeply. Whenever I have a rough time (and there have been plenty in the last 10 years) I love to blast that in my car, it helps to inspire me to keep on going.

    You should rent the movie of the play. Not the Chris Columbus movie that was horrible LOL The actors aren't the originals but they are pretty decent. My DD and I watched it together soon after my dx. 

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  • simplelife4real
    simplelife4real Member Posts: 563
    edited May 2014

    Maryfox, I'm sorry you are having so many problems with your skin.  Hope the week off helps resolve things quickly.

    Vintagegal, I like the miaderm too!  It goes on easily and feels good.  

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  • smartypants
    smartypants Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2014

    Faerywings, congratulations on finishing treatment today!  I have 27 more to go...which sounds like forever right now, but I'm excited for the day I'm down to the last one.  

    I was wondering if anyone has experienced itching away from the actual radiated area.  I woke up this morning and, while the treatment area feels fine, my neck is sooo itchy!  I haven't changed anything in my routine other than switching to Dove soap. My appointments are at 12:45, so I'm going to skip putting anything on it and ask the nurses today  Just curious if anyone else had a similar reaction "beyond the dots".

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  • intothewoods
    intothewoods Member Posts: 449
    edited May 2014

    Faerywings congrats!!! Whoo!!!

    I will take you up on the suggestion re the movie.. The song is on my phone and often in my head and I am going to draw upon it today with rad # 3. I feel like a big whiner because I'm just starting and hating it. Might have to do with the minor hissy fit I threw yesterday over a scheduling issue which led me to question the radiation center's honesty. Will let it go and try to muster an apology for my curmudgeonly attitude yesterday. I'm also freaked about managing work and rads. Ridiculous that my priorities get confused, I know.. So hard though.

    The story of you and BFF is wonderful. Congrats on that too.

    Welcome smartypants. I'm just ahead of you. 25 to go.

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited May 2014

    welcome smartypants! I have some itchy areas upper chest with red bumps. Annoying at times. Hang in there!

    congrats on finishing rads, faerywings! Happy Dance for you!!! Will you be on Tamoxifen?

    #6 today! I get tired sometimes on the drive to rads...about 40 mins and find myself going to bed earlier at night, but other than that, no real fatigue to speak of. Still red, brown under my arm, nipple sore:(. Will see RO today. 

    Happy Hump day!

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  • count_it_all_joy
    count_it_all_joy Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2014

    Hi all - 

    new to this thread, but have spent this week lurking and learning.  Lots of good stuff here, thanks!   I finished chemo in April and I'm scheduled to start rads on May 19.  I am really enjoying feeling my strength come back and knowing I have 12 more days to catch up on some things, and get away for a weekend with my family.  Almost wondering if I should be stepping up and starting a Summer Rads thread... most of you look to be about done.  I'm so happy for you, and can't wait to join you!!  

    Keepthefaith and Kim from CA, nice to see your names again!

    My RO has prescriptions for any nasty stuff that comes up, but he said to choose whatever I'm most comfortable with for a daily moisturizer.  I've been hunting around for products, and there is one I may order… but I haven't seen this name pop up here.  Wondered if anyone is using it, and how it worked for you? 

    One is My Girls Cream - it looks more expensive than Aquaphore (but they say it is less greasy), but way less expensive than Miaderm.  http://www.lotstolivefor.com/my-girls-cream/

    Also, another that looks that seems good, more for if your skin gets a lot more fragile, I think.  Kind of an aloe moist pad.  I can get it locally, so I don't think I'd buy it until I know I need it.    http://www.lindiskin.com/review/product/list/id/38…

    Anybody have feedback?

    Mary

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  • Gramof2boys
    Gramof2boys Member Posts: 194
    edited May 2014

    Checking in, today is 15/25 for me. Skin seems a little red by my clavicle but holding up. Did any of you have a slight cough after starting rads? I know the pollen count in my area has been high so maybe allergies. I bought some of the California Baby Calendula cream, it has helped some. I bought it at Target. Also using the greasy Aquaphor and 100% pure aloe vera. Only 10 more tx for me! Can't wait til it's over!

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited May 2014

    count it all joy

     Hi~ & welcome. I had #13 rad today, almost half way through.

    I am using 100% aloe gel. The Eucerin recommended by the RO & the Aquaphor were like lard & contained petroleum. I had a reaction, soon as I used it my skin would be painful & I'd get a rash. And petroleum is considered by many to be a carcinogenic.

    I have MiaDerm to use also. We're all different & our drs all suggest different creams. I guess something as natural/pure as possible is best. But it is trial & error.

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  • StillRunningNLM
    StillRunningNLM Member Posts: 81
    edited May 2014

    flagirl - make sure the techs see your open areas.  They will let the nurse know and she will reach into her bag a tricks for things that will help.  I had a large chaffed area that I was able to get under control in a few days, I am sure there are more options besides aquafor and hydrocortisone for you.  Good luck.

    I had 8 boosts in the are of my lumpectomy.  My entire breast was already red from the full treatments, but the boost area got even darker.  It also got very warm and very sore, but the skin held up.  

    I just went for my 1 month check upon Monday.  I was cleared to get back into the pool for my triathlon training.  My RO suggested using unscented Lubriderm before and after the swim to help guard against the skin drying out.  The RO warned that the treated skin will be more susceptible to heat rash, sun burn and yeast type skin rashes (from sweating) for the summer.  I was told to keep an eye on things, back off if I need to, but I should be good to go.  I swelled during the first week of treatment and I am still lopsided.  I was told that could go on for 6 months or longer.  But, all in all it was really good news.  I don't have to go back for a year, unless I have issues.  I do have to say it was really odd going back to the treatment center without going through the treatment routine.  

    I wish all of you minimal SEs and discomfort as you make the journey.  Feel free to message me if you have any questions I may be able to answer.  I will pop in now and again until the next board opens up.  Be well! 

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  • Notbuyingit
    Notbuyingit Member Posts: 1,035
    edited May 2014

    12 days out & it's off to FL for me! skin looks good - reconstruct still a bit tight but have a feeling that will hang around for a long time. Will take precautions but plan on swimming - i think it will be good for my aching body :) bringing my lotion arsenal, hats, coverup T's

    just looking forward to not needing to be anywhere for anything!!

    good luck & strength needed to all of you !! be your own advocate

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