hi yvette, Id just re-iterate what mary said about considering the cost of any products you use,Im almost 6weeks after finishing rads, Im still slapping stuff on night and morning,must have shares in E45factory by now. I agree that aloe is most cooling but it is very drying,hydro-cortisone from horpital is best for stopping itchiness and dont underestimate how red you might get,I got worse 2 weeks after they ended. On that happy note, Ill wish you good luck,maybe I reacted badly cos I always get prickly heat rash in summer.
Love Mags x
ask for Allevyn non-adhesive dressings to stick in your bra between the band under your breast and your skin - works a treat !
I read on another thread a tip from Horace about using sanitary towels which contain silk on the rub-able areas of your bra - I’m going to try that out while I wait for some breast pads I’ve ordered to arrive.
Still going strong with my radiance gel, but getting worried about how much longer the pot’s going to last. I’ve ordered reinforcements, but there’s a postal strike, so I don’t know when that will be delivered.
yes i used sanitary towels too especially on the under bust/chestwall area, the rad staff laughed their socks off as they hadn’t seen it before, watch out though i was on the train home one day and looked down and a sanitary towel was worming its way out through the top of my neckline
I didn’t chance bio oil whilst under treatment and not even for a few weeks after, Those eye cooling pads chilled in the fridge were nice at the end of a long hot day as was thinly sliced cucumber or chilled cabbage leaves…yes ladies i really tried just about everything ha ha
Fig leaves.com do a great maternity bra that has cotton lining
xxx
ps another great dressing though a bit expensive unless you can get it on prescription is Mepilex transfer dressings, they are thin sheets of a foam type material that are slightly sticky on one side and it sticks to the skin but is oh so gentle i used it on my last week of rads and then for a couple of weeks after the skin can breath and heals really well.
I’ll bear that in mind, if I get going with sanitary pads, Rhian. It made me laugh about the ‘escape bid’. Must have been a bit embarrassing at the time though. I remember how mortified I was leaving a trail of tampons from my skirt pocket as I left school assembly (those self-conscious days when anything embarrassed me), especially as they were being picked up by tittering classmates who thought it was hilarious.
Since one of the RT staff suggested maternity breast pads to me yesterday, a light’s gone off in my head, and I’m wondering about the benefits of all sorts of maternity products not aimed at us, but likely to be good - cooling gel pads, cooling nipple pads, maternity sleep bras, and nursing bras (the drop-down cups would be ideal for ‘annointing’ the suffering flesh with a bit more of whatever you are using, whilst keeping support going for the other boob).
Hi everybody!
Thank you all for your detailed comments. They are really helpful to me! I have been smothering aqueous cream on and have also been thinking about some of the other things you have all mentioned. I have really been so very grateful for all of your advice. Hugs to everyone for helping me 
BIG NEWS!! Had my first radiotherapy session today. The team were really lovely. I have 24 sessions in total, which includes a boost treatment to the tumour bed. Was surprised that my breast didn’t fall off (I guess, I was a little scared of the treatment…).
It has been a lot to take in today.
It’s almost a relief when the zapping/cooking starts, isn’t it, Yvette? I’ve got 15 general and 5 booster to the tumour site.
The weirdest thing is that you don’t actually feel the rays going through - it’s afterwards.
Even if the staff don’t ask you (but I’m sure they will) tell them about any symptoms you are experiencing. They will have tips, recommendations or items then can provide for you to help you out. Although they may never have had radiotherapy, they’ll have seen hundreds if not thousands of people and will know from feedback things that work and things that don’t. Great if the aqueous cream works for you - it’s so much cheaper than any other option you can really slap it on with a heavy hand (not so much actual slapping though, of course!).
I was on another website today (one which does lingerie etc, called amoena - easy to find if you google it) where they had a product under accessories called ‘therapy lotion’ which contains all natural ingredients including aloe vera gel and vitamin e. Not one for those who are allergic to lanolin, but for those who are, it could be an option.
Hello all,
I am on day ten with bolus and skin still looks and feels fine. I am still using aqueous cream to wash with and radiance gel three/four times a day rubbed in. I have no boob, rads are to that area and neck so i have to wear a bra. Fortunately i am not going back to work until September so can whip it off the minute i get in. I am too lopsided and really dont want to be stared at on tube.
Skin hasnt felt hot at all, the most uncomfortable part is under arm and that is not unbearable. I am hoping it stays like this but will keep you updated.
All the best
Linda
Hi all
This is a thread that I wish I had read earlier! When I was having radiotherapy I was told only to use E45 or Aqueous cream. I really don’t like either. However a friend gave me a present of the Forever Aloe Vera gel which I tried out gingerely on the non-treated breast first. I used a little once a day throughout the treatment of nearly 7 weeks and also for 2 weeks after and although my skin was red it never blistered and recovered very quickly. I would definately say aloe vera gel - the really pure stuff (Forever) is worth a try.
Bra wise I had heaps of problems and ended up miserable in M&S - that was over 2 years ago and I have since researchd bras and fabrics really thoroughly and have just opened a website specially for ladies undergoing radiotherapy. You might like to look at it. I would love to hear your oppinions if you have time to loook at it. I am trying to help people through a horrid time. See what you think.
annettedesigns.co.uk
Nippon
Hi Linda - glad to hear your treatment is going ok, and skin still holding up well.
My underarm area is feeling the strain a bit now, and that’s even though there’s no radiotherapy aimed at the area. My main problem is that the burning means there is major fluid retention in my boob (something I’m prone to anyway) which is amplifying everything - sensitivity included.
Thank goodness for a weekend to cool down a bit and have some recovery.
Nippon - it’s always important to share what worked or didn’t work for you. Helps others realise there might be other options for skin care if the usual suspects don’t suit them.
Bras and radiotherapy really does seem to be a bit of a nightmare, especially if you’ve got a larger bust. I almost want my boob set in concrete so it doesn’t move at all in any direction as that’s the only time the discomfort seems controllable. M&S is no good for me for bras (I once went for a fitting, and they were ludicrously inaccurate, so I’d not go back even if they did bras which would fit me). Everyone has to go with their own experience, though, and I know others have had better bra-fitting experiences at M&S than I had. I always used to use John Lewis, and now that my bust is the size it is, I’m a Bravissimo girl. There are loads of great resources out there, and lots of pretty bras for all shapes and sizes, thank goodness.
Hi Mary and all,
Just an update on my rads. I have had twenty one now and 13 of them with a bolus. I had 3field so under arm, breast area (where the breast was) and neck were zapped.
The breast area is a dark reddy/brown and not painful as is the neck.
The underarm however is very dark brown in parts and can be a little sore. All in all, skin seems to have held up well. I am moisturising with radiance gel up to 5 times a day. It has done its job with me but i have nothing to compare it with. All the same, the radiographers are impressed with it so it must be good stuff.
I finish this Friday and cant wait. I have not suffered any real fatigue, not like i did with chemo so i am pleased about that.
All the best
Linda
Hi Linda,
Thanks for sharing regarding your rads experience. I am really happy for you that everything has gone as well as can be expected… if not better!
I have 3 more rads to the whole breast and then 8 boost to the tumour bed to go.
My breast has been a little bit swollen… so has the aerola and the nipple. Slightly darker than the other breast, too. Have just been using aqueous cream.
I am really looking forward to finishing and giving my body time to recover from everything!
Have to focus on how the rads are increasing my chance of not having a local recurrence… gotta be worth it, right? They say there is 70% improvement with rads. I am trying so hard to keep focussed on that as I go through the unpleasant side effects.
love and hugs,
Yvette
hi all
I’ve just had my 7th session and all going well, no soreness or reddness, feeling a bit tired but can cope with that,
I’m slapping on the cream they gave me so sticking to that for now.
I have got some forever aleo vera cream so will keep that if I get sore.
Another 6 and 3 booster to go.
Good luck all you who are suffering
sunset xx
Hi nippon
Ive just been on the link for bras that you posted i wish i had seen it before trailing round local shops trying to find a comfy bra,i havnt had radiotherapy but did has mastectomy with recon and find that a lot of the bras are very uncomfortable.I will definately consider buying a sleep bra as it looks so comfortable. thanks for doind that julie x
Hello all,
Just to let you know i have finished my rads now. Only two areas of split and soreness; underarm and one on neck. I have been given flamazine to clear it up so hopefully i will be right as rain in a couple of weeks.
I bought a bra on Nippons site, its lovely (although it costs more than i would usually pay). Its soft and was great up until my skin split. Only gripe would have liked a black one as most of my clothes are dark.
The last few rads i have been wearing one of two crop tops i bought in bhs for 12 pounds. They dont give great support but they do not rub so have been almost as comfortable as nothing at all. I couldnt wear a proper bra because i had split underarm.
All in all, radiance cream was pretty good but i dont know if it was worth the money? I suppose i will have to see how quickly it heals etc now… Good luck to all of you still having rads.
Linda
I finished Thursday. My skin survived intact until yesterday. I seem to have developed a few blisters, and careful as I’ve been, they’ve popped - giving me some raw patches of skin. Keeping on the antihistamines to stop itching, and also taking painkillers. I’m not looking forward to work tomorrow, as I’m not sure what’s going to be suitable. I’ll be ringing the RT dept to get some advice, though, and my BCN.
Given how many treatments you’ve had, Linda, it sounds as if you’ve done brilliantly skin-wise.
I’ve stuck with radiance gel as well throughout. And I think the fact my skin survived so well was impressing all the RT nurses, as they kept asking me what I was using!
Not sure anyone has already mentioned this, but aloe vera gel is ace when you get to the looking quite sun burnt stage. I used it after radiotherapy had finished and it worked for me. Take any cream you want to use into the radiotherapy department and they will check it out for you.
good luck all Wizz
bumped for OAL
wow what a great thread. I have ordered some emu oil, but now it seems a bit cheap and the site was a bit over the top, perhaps i will try and get another supply. I realy do not like aloe vera, it seems to do nothing for my skin. Oils seem better so this emu oil that is good for burns might suit me better. If they recommend it for rads in australia it should be ok
OAL- have PM-ed you re bio oil and xenoestragens.
Just read your last post- they recommend aloe vera gel during and after rads in Sydney.