Starting Radiation

[Spettis7]

I am starting radiation on my breast on next month. I need to know has anyone suffered fatigue and pain while doing radiation treatment?

[kpgirl]

No pain (radiation is not painful), but extreme fatigue that set in about 90 minutes after each session and general fatigue that accumulated over the weeks. That wears of, of course, after you're done. I felt that I could plan my day well, knowing the fatigue pattern. (I have had 3 separate sets of radiation tratments) You'll be eliminating those buggers soon and that's a great feeling!

[Spettis7 in reply to kpgirl]

Thank you for replying! I am hoping that radiation will help me!

[Rubyjude]

I had weekly radiology over a period of 6 weeks. Certainly no pain. I don't recall being especially tired either. But that was maybe because this was the end of my treatment at that time and I was looking forward to getting back to "normal" again!

[Spettis7 in reply to Rubyjude]

This gives me hope! I am nervous about getting radiation!

[Hidden]

Hi l did not suffer from tiredness from radition was the difference times l when in for apptments Breast was tender and red

When l got home l would gentle wash the area with cool water and put Galaxy Base moisturizing creme on was cool on skin help alot ..Costco sells it in large container..l still use on my hands as the letrozole and ibrance make my skin on my hand hurt

I had a a lump removed two years ago after being told l had clear margins...no cancer ..it came back Stage 6

Best to you

Smile

[NPmary]

Much fatigue, no pain. Wish you the best.

[8576]

No extra fatigue and pain.

Cheers, June S.

[mariootsi]

I had radiation during my initial dx. I didn't have pain. Just alot of fatigue. But the treatment is very tolerable. I wish you well and good results!

[mariootsi]

Ask the radiologist to give you a cream for the area . It helps

[OneLump22]

No pain, I can't recall if there was fatigue. I don't think so. But my best wishes for your recovery. I used Aloe plant on red places (my chest, mastectomy area). When it dried, I used Lubriderm extra formula so the Aloe didn't dry out my skin.

[PJBinMI]

I've not had rads to my breast, but had a 10 day course of rads for cancer cells in lymph nodes that were putting pressure on the nerves down my right arm and causing coordination problems, and also one stereotactic rad treatment for two tiny spots on my right frontal cerebellum. The treatments were not painful and I found the whole process very interesting, plus all the techs and nurses were wonderfully kind and helpful. I did get mild "radiation burns on my upper chest and some recommended OTC cream helped heal that up The burn was only uncomfortable when I touched it. I would not be nervous if radiattion was recommended again.

[Bettybuckets in reply to PJBinMI]

Hi PJB- I saw a rad onc recently for my growing lymph node in my neck. My med onc was fine if I radiated but says I lose the opportunity to feel if this new treatment is working( Verzenio) so I put off making the mask. I worry that I will have more spread form this lymph node which is def MBC but he said just as likely to spread via my bones. What did you med onc say about radiating to help you decide to radiate or not?

[PJBinMI in reply to Bettybuckets]

My med onc was the person who referred me to the rad onc. I've been on third line treatment with Exemestane for nearly four years (also on Xgeva every 3-4 months for bone mets).

[Bettybuckets in reply to PJBinMI]

Wow! I am on exemestane with Verzenio for only 5 weeks after kind of starting to fail on Ibrance…I am doing with a bit of diarrhea…some people really suffer but I don’t find it too bad…but I wish my cancer would stay at bay for 4 years with just one little pill! I was a pharma sales person for Exemestane (aromasin) for the Oncologists…so it is funny to be on a drug I used to sell.

[PJBinMI in reply to Bettybuckets]

Your career as a drug company rep probably gives you some perspective on having cancer, communicating with oncs, and other aspects of this journey with cancer, that the rest of us don't! Has it felt like an advantage? I've felt that my experience as a therapist, hospital chaplain and parish clergy really has helped my emotional health and understanding of the health care system, I still have dark days when i just want to hide under the covers or sit in my rocking chair with a purring cat on my lap and drink hot chocolate and listen to classical music!

[DDIL1 in reply to PJBinMI]

I am seeing a radiologist oncologist tomorrow about 3 bone Mets and I wondered about my Axilla getting radiation. Saw you had your lymph radiated . Did it kill the cancer in that node any side effects?

[1stgradeteach1]

I had radiation on a lump on my chest about a year and a half ago. There was no pain. I had a small rash after the 10 sessions that I used some prescription cream on. Now I have pain when I cough or sneeze. If I lift anything heavy I also experience some pain. The area can sometimes be tender to the touch. I'm told this is all from the radiation and will just be the way it is now.

[Spettis7 in reply to 1stgradeteach1]

So did the lump on your chest diminish after the radiation?

[1stgradeteach1 in reply to Spettis7]

Yes, it is gone 😀

[Spettis7 in reply to 1stgradeteach1]

Thank you! I hope that it does the same for me.

[Rbeth]

I Had radiation 13 years ago. Have the radiologist give you special radiagel and start putting it on now. After your treatment put it on then get a powder puff and put cornstarch in a small plastic container and put it on the gel so your bra stays dry. I got a soft cotton bra from the Blue Canoe catalog and it worked perfectly. I went in the morning for 6 weeks. My husband took me then we went out to Dunkin donuts. It was our fun routine. As the weeks went on I got more tired.

I put radiagel on at night too. Don’t wait. At the end my skin peeled but wasn’t too painful.

If you have an aloe plant, use the juice to moisturize too. Or buy one.

When the treatment was over I was exhausted and it took weeks to feel normal again.

Now I have Metastatic Breast Cancer and I thought I was clear.

So keep on pushing through.

Self care is the only advice. Exercise and keep your arms moving too. Stretch them. Restorative yoga is great. I still go and enjoy it.

Best Wishes every day. Reenie

[Justme153]

No pain no fatigue for me. The radiation department gave me a cream that I was to put on right after treatment. Probably about the last 3 or four treatments I started to blister but it didn't hurt and I could shower and it didn't hurt. Looked nasty though!!

[Gingerann1]

Hi Spettis! I had 36 daily radiation treatments on both breasts with my original b/c diagnosis. I was not tired at all other than having to trudge to the hospital every morning in the dead of a very cold (8 degree days) winter. Getting the radiation itself did not hurt. For mine, the object was to have as much as my body could take until my skin started breaking down. The “sun burned” feeling started kicking in around day 13. From there it did get progressively worse until my skin was as dark red as a plum and very sore. There are creams that helped. In particular one called Silverdene (not sure of spelling but they will know what you’re taking about if you ask) and the saving grace for me was the Mepolex (again…spelling) pads which you can only get at the hospital. I believe they are used for burn victims. They come in sheets that are like a big cushy bandaid that does not stick to your skin. I would cut to fit across my chest. I could barely stand to put on clothing but I was working at the time so this was a life saver! Hope these tips are helpful. Wishing you the best!

[Spettis7]

Thank you to everyone for the great advice!!

[Aquadog]

I had radiation on my left breast in 2008 - 36 doses. I had no trouble at all with fatigue and, since I used really good cream on my skin afterward, no burns, no pain. I've had other radiation since then (sternum, shoulder, femur) and while I've had a little bit of burning (my own fault - didn't put enough cream ) I've got to say radiation has been the easiest part of the journey for me. I hope it goes well for you.

[RLN-overcomer]

Greetings : Sister/Warrior I don't remember any fatigue,because I was sooooo happy to be done with the aggressive chemotherapy . I did have a quarter size burn on my breast that took years to completely go away . I remember using, at the time prescription. Aquaphor, and eventually I added Aloe Vera gel to the burned area👍, and you can't see the area that was radiated, and the scar also is barely visible I hope/pray you will have no adverse side effects from your radiation treatment Amen! . 😇🙏