Swimming during radiotherapy?

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1

Hi there!
Does anyone know whether swimming is ok during radiotherapy? I suspect the replies will depend on where your swimming pools are around the country ;o)
Cheers
x

2

Hi Lynnietom

I swam during radiotherapy. I made sure i used a lot of aqueous cream as my skin did get quite dry. I had no problems with it and the water was definitely chlorinated. I also went in the jecuzzi and saunt that was fine too.

Ruby x

3

Oh, thanks for that, Ruby, encouraging news!
x

4

I swam too during rads. The nurses said that I would probably have to stop when my skin got too sore, but it never did. I was warned to wash the chlorine off as soon as I got out of the pool.

5

Thanks RoadRunner - your name suggests you could be a tri-athlete if you swim as well ;o)
x

6

Hi

I was told at the beginning definately not to swim during rads and for 4-6 weeks afterwards -goes to show we all get told different things! I don’t want to risk it as my skin broke down half way through rads and has now healed but would hate it if it broke down again, horrible.

Hannah

7

lynnietom - no because I don’t like cycling! Also because I have an irresistible urge to head for a hot shower when I get out of the pool, not climb, dripping, onto a bike. I know a lot about the world of triathlons as my husband does them. Mad fool.

hannah - my onc said to wait till the end of rads too, but the nurses who do the rads said it was Ok. As I was desperate to get back into the pool I decided to believe the nurses.

8

Thanks for that Hannah - as I suspected - it depends where are swimming pools are! ;o)

I think I’m with you RoadRunner - I’ll ask the nurses on Monday (day 1/16). I’ve done 1 triathlon - it was an experience I have to say. As I’ve only done one you can tell it wasn’t an experience I wanted to repeat too often!

x

9

Probably fine down at the beach… Lovely bit of salt in the water should help the healing process no end… 8-o

I was told not to go swimming at a pool until well after rads, once I’d managed to get back to my usual shower soaps etc without getting sore.

mousy

10

Thanks for your replies.
I think, for my sanity, I’ll risk it and slap on the aqueous afterwards.
x