Recently was diagnosed with DCIS/ high grade. Had two lumpectomy’s , first one came back with not so clear margins . Had reincision second time and the scar is taking awhile to heal due to 2 saromas . 6 weeks now and going to have first meeting with radiation therapist in Jan . Supposedly I will have 3 weeks of radiation . Any suggestions on what to help with treatments . I have heard aloe fresh off leaf and Aveeno lotions , keeping breast well moisturized . A few said they took Claritin as an antihistamine or Asprin for stinging at night . Any suggestions would be helpful . Thank you
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Hi @loulou321
I had high dose radiation on both naughty boobs over 5 days. You will be bare from the waist up and the room can be cold. I cut off the ends of long socks to wear on my arms, it helped to keep me warmer. Cut off old long sleeved tshirt arms work well.
Most teams don’t recommend moisturising on the morning of your treatment but afterwards they usually recommend something you are used to. You will be more sensitive and they don’t want you to have any skin reactions. Any eczema type cream will be good, fragranced free. Aveeno, Epaderm, Diprobase. I was gifted/won Radiaderm R1 R2 specially designed for post radiotherapy. I dint have any rashes, warmth or redness. One was a cooling gel the other a cream. Some recommend Flamigel RT, some hospitals give it to you, some only recommend if you go red or show signs of skin reactions.
Your first meeting, is likely a planning to mark you up for your radiotherapy. I had 3 small dot tattoos so they could line up the equipment exactly each day. Some centres don’t tattoo but a lot do. I had about 5 people in the room, including male health workers. I was ok with this but I know some are not. Let the team know if you prefer female only. But it could delay your treatment if they isn’t enough staff on the rota.
I had 3 sessions then a weekend break, by the Monday, fatigue had really kicked in and I needed paracetamol to do the breath hold ( for left sided treatment to move the heart away from the area). I also had a lift on the first day so y husband could see where I was going and on the final two days. 5 days are supposedly slightly higher dose than 15, but please check with your team about your treatment as it will be individualised for you. We are all different and I had just finished chemotherapy and continued with Herceptin ( targeted therapy).
I hope this helps.
Thank you so much for your reply. Lots of good info for me . I will pick up some creams beforehand . I am thinking I should just the fresh aloe for the cooling first , then moisturize afterwards . Hopefully, the first visit will give me more info . Have a wonderful holiday !
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