Hi, today I had my radio planning session for radiotherapy to commence on 10 Jan. After having had chemo and full mascectomy I need radiotherapy to whole of chest wall. Any recommendations for cream? Or recommendations in general for radiotherapy (3 weeks of radio) xx
I am using R1 and R2 cream although some health authorities are apparently not allowing it now because of cost . X
Hi Emma, it all depends on your skin type of course but I used 100% Aloe Vera and also Diprobase at least three times a day before, during and for a long time after my 3 weeks of radio. I drank a lot of water to keep me hydrated and had warm rather than hot showers. Wearing soft cotton tops helped too. Wishing you all the best. Sue x
I was recommended Radiance skin care by my oncologist but you have to buy it. It’s £20 but with my skin healing problems I felt it was worth it and so far so good xx
Hi Emma I have had 8 of my 15 radio sessions now and so far not so bad
I fill a jug with 2 litres of water each morning and put a small glass next to it and I then drink it through the day. I drink it in addition to any other drinks I have as they said keeping well hydrated can really help with tiredness. I have also been using aqueous cream two to three times a day since before the treatment began. They also gave me a tube of aquamarine which is very good to. So far I haven’t had any skin reaction other than being a bit pink. I drive myself to and from the hospital which is only 10 minutes from.me and there is always someone to chat to once there. The radiographers are all really lovely and supportive there too. Good luck Emma xx
AQUAMAX not aquamarine!!
Thanks everyone for the advice … I will remember about the water also, didn’t realise it helped with the tiredness. X
Hi Emma
I’ve just finished 15 sessions and my skin has been fine all the way through. It’s slightly pink but not at all sore. I used E45 twice a day and that’s all.
My best advice is to be kind to yourself, rest if you need to, accept any offers of help and don’t stress if the house doesn’t get much done to it, you’re the one who matters. This is only three or four weeks, you’ve already done the hard bit to get to this point.
Everyone is different when it comes to rads, some seem to have problems early on and then improve, others are sore or tired all the way through, and others don’t have many side effects at all, seems to be just down to luck.
So keeping my fingers crossed for you, let us know how you get on!
Hi Emma, I looked at the “Ditch the junk” list on the website and totally changed all my toiletries, so I took myself down to Holland and Barrett and bought some 99.9% Aloe Vera Gel. I don’t seem to have suffered much with redness and it’s been brilliant (lively and cool). Good luck with your treatment and don’t worry about it. Have a lovely Christmas and I wish you lots of good health and happiness in 2017. X
Another vote for Holland & Barrett 99.9% Aloe Vera. I used it throughout and have had no skin trouble at all. Very cheap too!
Hi everyone, I have just started radiotherapy (3 sessions so far) and was told not to use any moisturiser at all. I have been given some aqueous cream to wash with, but nothing else. Having read all your posts I’m now getting worried that I’ve been misinformed and am going to wind up with horrendous burns. Has anyone else been given the same advice?
Thanks, Pookie x
Hi pookie
I have been told the same as you. No creams to be used. I am 1 week in and so far I am fine.
Nurse said they check you every day and if they notice any reaction they will then advise on what to use.
Vx
Thanks Vintage, that makes me feel a bit better. So strange that the advice differs so much depending on where you go!
Hope the rest of your treatment goes smoothly.
P x
Good luck everyone with their rads. My first this afternoon. Eek!! As regards cream, we will all have been given the correct advice for us individually x
Hi, it was told you use Sorbelene by the breast care nurse and received suggestion from friends if aloe, pawpaw, Moogoo (an Australian product I used) Abd QV cream. The less ingredients the better. Don’t use up to two hours before treatment but put on straight after. It took a couple of weeks to go red then at three weeks I got very very itchy and had lots of little bumps. I kept my lotion in the fridge and putting it on cold was lovely. Five days since my last treatment and my skin is starting to settle, light spots of bumps and dry peeling but the itch has gone. The best advice I received was to wear a soft singlet or tshirt under my crop bra to stop chaffing. All the best lovely, we are each individual so remember to ask lots of questions.
It is really strange that the advice they give depends on which hospital you go to, you’d think they’d do enough research to come to a conclusion they all follow.
It was the same after the operation, I got sent home after fairly major surgery and rearrangement of the tissue I had left, with internal stitches and skin glue. No dressing at all, and instruction to get the air to it as often as possible. But most people seem to have a dressing that stays on for a week.
And I had loads of problems with the wound not healing properly, so I think it would have been better with a dressing on.