Secret tips to help with burning?

sta1129
sta1129 Member Posts: 71
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I am now officially on break from radiation because my skin is too raw. I have yet another medicine to apply, but am wondering if any of you out there have something specifically that aided your healing or discomfort. Suggestions?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • carolynf
    carolynf Member Posts: 262
    edited July 2008

    Hi sta1129,

    I finished my rads a week ago.  I would have the onc nurse bandage me after my treatment. She would use these moist strips and put aquaphor on them and lightly tape it on.  The bra helped keep it in place.  I also had these wicked cool packs called Solosite (from the onc nurse-they were new to them).  You would put it in the refrigerator.  Once it was cold, i would open it and place it on the burnt spot.  I kept its coolness for about 20-30 min.  It took about a week to heal.  I would lie on my bed when I got home from work and put aquaphor on and just lie there naked. Good luck to you.  You will get thru it.  Time heals Smile

    Carolyn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RIV54
    RIV54 Member Posts: 359
    edited July 2008

    Hi, sta1129, I applied aquaphor a couple of times a day. I, on the other hand, only wore a camisole during txs and nothing at night. Showering with cool water using Dove bodywash also and pat dry. Good luck, it will get better.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2008

    sta1129, how many zaps have you had?

    What are you putting on the sites and how often?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sta1129
    sta1129 Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2008

    I have had 22 whole breast treatments - only 6 of those left. It's frustrating to think that I am, essentially 10-15 minutes from finishing those and I have to wait. The doc was open to starting the boost treatment and going back for the other 6, but the area under my breast has now "broken open" and is to close to the scar. So I am soaking and gelling, soaking and gelling, and watching skin grow (kind of like watching paint dry).

    I soak with Domeboro solution at least 3x a day (more starting last Wednesday). I am now putting Allanderm-T (the generic for Xenaderm) ointment after every soak, so again at least 3x a day and on the increase. I put the Radiagel on top of that. There is another ointment, but it is sulfa based and I cannot use it.

    I'd never heard of aquaphor - is it over the counter?

    Stacie 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zschweeb
    zschweeb Member Posts: 160
    edited July 2008

    so sorry to hear you are having a bad time during rads i too am at 22 treatments out of 33 (including boosts)  i have been using aloe all along now i have a few tough spot s i am using biafine on...what have you been using all along were i have a trouble spot under my breast and its starting to get irritated under my arm...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sta1129
    sta1129 Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2008

    I have been using since #1 a prescription gel called Radiaplex, applied in the a.m., after treatment, and before bed to the whole treatment area. When I started to get irritations, they directed me to the domeboro, then hydrocortisone ointment (both are over the counter), and now the allenderm prescription ointment.

    It sounds like mine are the same spots - under my breasts and under my arm. The nurse said these are common areas, and a member of a board I'm on told me his wife had the same thing at about the same time we are at (she had and I will have 35 total) - about 2/3 of the way through. I guess how much reaction is just individual, but it was helpful to me to know that I'm not some random anomoly that may never heal. If others did, I will eventually and so will you.

    Is biafine over the counter?  SInce you are just starting to get irritated in the same spots, I will think healing thoughts, images and words for you as I'm doing for me.

     Peace

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zschweeb
    zschweeb Member Posts: 160
    edited July 2008

    thank you for your healing thoughts...from your mouth to Gods ears...many out here and on another site have told me about biafine i dont know as of yet if it is working but i am trying it...it is a prescription tube of cream most people said it was not covered by their insurance i was told to expect to pay between $50-60 per tube ...what a surprise to find it covered by my insurance company it cost me $11.90 boy was my dh thrilled...good luck with your tx as long as things do not get any worse i have 4 more regular tx starting this monday then right into 7 boosts...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • snowyday
    snowyday Member Posts: 1,478
    edited July 2008

    I used aloe vera jel the clear 100% kind it was cooling, I also put one of the majic pillows (the littel ones in the fridge) wore it for one half hour, Boy did it feel good but he tech told me not to do that.  But the burning was so bad I did it only when I couldn't stand it and not for a long time.  Aquaphor is good but the aloe really cooled it and I ran around for about an hour topless with aloe on there (thick). Good luck.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Krissy37
    Krissy37 Member Posts: 291
    edited July 2008

    Hi Stacie

    Aquaphor can be purchased over the counter at any drugstore, Walmart, Grocery Store, at a reasonable price.  I finished my rads last week (33 total).  I used biafine and pure aloe vera from only the plant - I believe that the aloe leaves saved my skin from the burning side effects of rads.  I had a red looking sunburn , and also under my arm - but I never had any bad burns.  But my onc did give my skin a 1 week break and did the 5 boosts in-between that time, then back to the remaining 3 rad sessions. 

    It's now been a week and my skin has already started to heal nicely.  I'm still using biafine 2x day, and a skin cream I found at a Whole Foods store called Skin Again - to be used after radiation - works great.

    Good luck to you :)

    Krissy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Piera
    Piera Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2008

    My daughter had the same problem, my dear! Try please the PURE ALOE'S GEL: the ancient warriors roman used this plant, and I assure you it is fantastic. It is cheaper (Holland&Barret?) and you could ask your doctor about.

    I am italian so excuse my english please. Good luck Piera

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sta1129
    sta1129 Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2008

    Just an FYI that I finally finished - YAAAAAYYYY!!!! It even looks like I may wear a bra again someday. Thank you for all of your suggestions and your empathy.

    One suggestion never brought up here came from someone at the cancer center and then affirmed by my aunt: sit/lay naked in front of a fan. The air is good for the damage, the coolness feels good on the heat, and it's just downright decadent in July/August (or, I suppose, any time).

    Peace to all

    Stacie 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zschweeb
    zschweeb Member Posts: 160
    edited September 2008

    stacie...thanx for the pm i have replied ... i still havent put my bra back on but am looking forward to that this week  i guess the majority of your burns have also healed am hoping that is so...i used to lay on my bed without my shirt under the ceiling fan and it felt wonderful... hope all is well

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories