Hi, I’m just wondering how everyone felt 2 months after radiotherapy. I have good days and bad. Some days I wake up exhausted and that’s me for the day. Then the next I can be ok. Over the last week my breast has become very sore where I have lumps so tender and my armpit is achy too. Maybe it’s all to do with the after effects of radiotherapy. I’m supposed to be going back to work on 27th but I’m feeling worried because how my breast is feeling. I’ve had 5 months off already . Look forward to hearing about your experiences after radiotherapy 
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Hi @molly-me
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with exhaustion and soreness.
Fatigue is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment and may affect you physically and emotionally. If you think you have fatigue, tell your GP or treatment team. They can assess you and offer advice on how to manage your energy levels.
You can also get in touch with our specialist nurses to talk over your energy levels and soreness - here on the forum on the Ask our Nurses your questions board or on our helpline 0808 800 6000 which is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and 9am-1pm Saturday.
You may also find this page on our website useful: Side effects of radiotherapy | Breast Cancer Now.
Sending our warmest,
Lucy
Hi . I still get aches and soreness 2 years on. I’m beginning to think that will always be the case now. I had 4 months off but went back on reduced hours. Has anyone spoken to you about that ? Going back is tiring in itself so your employer needs to be aware of that. I didn’t realise until I returned to work that you are covered by the disability act so there has to be allowances made for that. I hope it all goes well on your return to work
Hi @molly-me
Two months after radiotherapy I was pretty much the same as you - good days and bad days and though it wasn’t sore I had a red swollen breast and later developed a pesky painful oil cyst . Thanks to an initial failed procedure then rotator cuff injury then COVID I ended up having about 8 months off . I must say I was a bit worried as thanks to having a chunk of time off after my Mum died the previous year this meant I was coming to the end of my half pay.
I would say first thing ; contact your BCN and have a chat with them. If possible get them to take a look at your breast / axilla and make sure that they’re happy with it. When I was seen re my oil cyst she wasn’t bothered about that but she was worried that my breast was still red and swollen - it did settle on its own. Yours may well be normal for the stage you’re at but there’s no way to know without being seen. I’m a Nurse and I didn’t realise that my breast was more swollen than it should be . She may be able to suggest something to help you . Keep doing the post - op exercises ( I still do them ) and I was told to wear a good supportive bra . I still get odd twinges now and then coming up to 3 years later and from talking to others I think that’s normal.
Contact your GP if you’re still experiencing fatigue and make sure that work know what’s going on . My job now that I’m semi- retired is all shop floor physical . If I had been able to work from home I might have been able to get back sooner. Cancer and cancer treatments come under the Disabilities Act and you are entitled to reasonable adjustments. This is easier to get in some lines of work than others. If you are allowed to reclaim any leave that you missed through being off sick you may be able to use that to extend a phased return - if you’re able to have a phased return .
It’s a complete pain but if you aren’t ready then you aren’t and you will know best whether you will be able to manage . I’m currently off work with some sort of post - viral thing which feels very like radiotherapy induced fatigue and feeling guilty but there’s no way I can do a full day at work right now. Take care and hope we both feel better soon xx
Well I got worse symptoms about 4 months after radiotherapy than I had just after it. It can stike any time. By which time I was knee deep, back in work and knackered, as the symptoms increased, so did the tiredness. Then NY got a virus that lasted nearly 2 weeks, and work got busier. Times I was close to tears at work.
Sure you can request to work less under disability measures, however, that results in less pay too. If you can afford it, drop the hours. Unfortunately, if on the breadline and single, its not an option. Somehow I muddled through it until the virus ended and my symptoms improved along with being less tired. Work has been easier this week, its swings and roundabouts.
I hope Im on the up now and another dip doesnt come along in the future.
Lots of stretches help. Try to keep your shoulder and ribs supple before restriction sets in as, while breaking through a cord to release tension and aid mobility works, it does cause some pain at the time so best avoided. I’ve ended up doing twice daily bust massages with bio oil, seems to be helping with odd lumpy striations that appeared under the bust, along with orange-peel effect skin. In between wear a tight supportive bra or sports bra. I think I went slightly pinker for a time, but Im very pale, it was subtle and I think has improved too. I understand the difficulties, its tough when you hear of people trouping through radiotherapy while still working, but that doesn’t happen for everyone and it doesn’t mean you are unusual to find ot hard.