3 rad sessions and already red

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nonetheless
nonetheless Member Posts: 14
edited March 2016 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Is it normal to get red after just 3 rad sessions? I was expecting it would happen after a couple of weeks or so. But it feels very tender so I have concerns that I'll be unable to take the full treatment. I wanted to do rad as I am probably going to opt out of hormone meds.

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited January 2016

    Unfortunately, it is quite common to be red after just a few sessions. That being said please show your redness to the RO asap - they might give you more advice as to what ointments to use, how often, etc. Please be proactive and don't be shy about asking questions.

    Redness usually subsides a little over the weekend. They may give you a break for a day if needed.

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  • nonetheless
    nonetheless Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2016

    Thanks, I am reassured to know it's not unusual.

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  • ChicagoReader
    ChicagoReader Member Posts: 110
    edited January 2016

    I also had some redness very early on, but it didn't prevent me from completing treatment. It soon went away and didn't come back until close to the very end. I also echo Muska's advice about asking to see the RO. Mine was very helpful with the soothing lotions, potions, and creams.

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited January 2016

    My skin turned red right away, but that didn't turn out to mean bad problems later. IBy the end of radiation I hadno open sores even though my skin was very red.

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited January 2016

    I was red after my very first session. As i am very fair and sunburn easily, I was terrified. The next day I insisted on seeing the RO before treatment. She explained that my skin was just reacting to the rads (unusual, but not abnormal) and gave me the next day off. As that happened to be a Friday, I had a three-day weekend. The following Monday, I resumed treatment and all was well. After a couple of weeks, at just the exact time pinkness is expected, there it was. I had itching at the proper time, but probably I stayed well below "normal" side effects.

    On Monday (or maybe Tuesday, as Monday is a holiday), please ask to see the RO (yours, or whomever is on call), either before your session, as I did, or, if all seems well, afterwards. Even if all is well, do not be tempted to skip a chat.


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2016

    Hi nonetheless,

    We're so sorry to hear you're dealing with this unsettling side effect. As you can see though, it's very common with radiation treatment.

    In addition to the advice given here by our other incredible members, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's pages on Managing Skin Side Effects of Radiation Treatment. There are also some good tips on the Skin Sensitivity pages.

    We hope this helps and you feel better soon!

    --The Mods

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  • nonetheless
    nonetheless Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2016

    Thanks to all. I find the sharing of information on this forum incredibly helpful. I read the skin care tips just now. I didn't realize I should have already started applying lotions before the rad side effects began. I had read enough to know I should start to apply them when redness began. I am fair skinned and my skin is easily irritated/slow to heal so I will get aggressive now with applying something. I have the good kind of aloe lotion so I'll begin with that and look for the other kinds mentioned. I have used aloe once a day after tx but will increase it to 3 x daily.

    I will, as suggested, speak with the RO on Monday before tx. But I'll go forward with less trepidation now, knowing that I'm not an unusual case with redness this soon into tx.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2016

    Nonetheless, having fair skin does not always dictate a tough time tolerating RT; you may do quite well. (I hope!)

    I applied straight aloe and a cold pack to my radiated areas IMMEDATELY after treatment, drove home or to office and then applied more aloe. Used Boiron calendula lotion and an oil at night. My skin did amazingly well. You might find the cold packs helpful, too. Good luck. It's not fun but eventually it is DONE!

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  • guessnoonecares
    guessnoonecares Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2016

    Yes, after only three treatments. Makes me wonder how bad it will be in a few more weeks. I can't even use an ice pack because surgery was so close to the nipple area I was told no ice because of limited blood circulation.

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  • Bubbie1
    Bubbie1 Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2016

    Hi, I just had my second treatment today. They gave me Remedy skin repair cream to use during Rads, has anyone else used that?

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited March 2016

    I am VERY fair and always burn incredibly easy in the sun.
    After my very first treatment, I was bright red. Oh goodness, was I freaked out!! I was so scared that my skin would completely burn up. The next day, before rads, I asked to speak to my RO, so she could see my skin.
    She assured me that the redness was 100% normal. It was just my skin reacting to the radiation and not a burn. So, I went forward with the treatments, without a break.

    I'm very happy to report that I got through all my treatments with NO issues. Yes, my skin got red and itched some, but that was it. (My breast was very tender as well.) My skin didn't hurt, although it was hot to the touch. I had no open sores.
    Following every treatment, while getting changed in the dressing room, I applied 100% pure Aloe. Then, at night, before bedtime, I applied a thick layer of Aquaphor. That combo seemed to do the trick for me and I was able to get through rads without any problems!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2016

    I was given several different samples to use during Rads but not that one. It was stressed to not use any cream/lotion before rads as it would effect the rads and incrrase burn potential but to use after them. I am VERY light skinned and Dr expected me to burn but I didn't - that is until AFTER rads were done. They did finally heal about 4 months after Dr finally had me use Domeboro soaks to dry it.

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  • guessnoonecares
    guessnoonecares Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2016

    Bubbie, I haven't tried Remedy yet but I'm about to. The aquaphor is sticky and the miaderm fragrance makes me ill. I was reading very positive reviews on Amazon, but let me ask you about the fragrance. I happen to like lavender, so maybe Remedy will be a good choice for me. Is the smell strong or light? What are your thoughts?

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited March 2016

    I have very fair skin too, and began seeing redness after the second of 16 treatments. But I never had any irritation, pain or open sores. My routine (since my sessions were late aft.) was to shower in the morning, get the treatment, apply Aquaphor in the dressing room before putting my bra back on; and at bedtime, using pure aloe gel and sometimes calendula cream. Then the next day I would shower it off, go to treatment, yada, yada. Always went into the rads room with naked skin and lubed up right after. Three weeks ago (at a mole-mapping visit), my derm was concerned that my skin was still pinkish (tan over the fibrosed incision area, since that’s where most of the rays went, high doses at that), so she has me applying triamcinolone ointment BID 2 wks on, 1 wk off for three cycles. The pinkness is already dramatically fading and the fibrosis softening.

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