Split, weeping skin after rads.

[Island_gal]

Hi Katy, thank you for your response. I have taken on board that the post rad onc visit is nothing to worry about. Yes, we do seem to have taken much the same journey! I am on Tamoxifen as my wretched thing was oestrogen receptive. Been taking it since my last WLE. Hot flushes tick dry flakey skin tick emotional swing stick ( although this is prober ably not the Tamoxifen) and the worst bit is that my hair has thinned considerably. Just had several inches off, and am hoping it will recover. My worst fear is the dreaded mammo annually. My lesion was discovered in a routine mammo, so I am dreading the next one.!
I am happy to hear that the lung problem will settle in time. That must be very reassuring. Thanks again Katy, look after yourself, Jenny x

[Katykookabura]

Hi Jenny just a quick response. The post rad appointment is nothing really as they just check how you are generally and you will probably be discharged as I was and then you just see your GP for any ongoing problems. It is a bit bizarre after everything you would of been through. You should then get called for mammogram check one year after your diagnosis. I have one booked for the next seven years!!!
You have had same treatment plan as myself but you don't mention if you are on Tamoxifen or Anastrozole or similar. I am on Anastrozole which is I think not helping my mood as well as unpleasant hot flushes and aches and pains.
The lung thing should settle in time my GP says but could not say how long.
If I can I will try and link into the live chat tomorrow as never done this and it might be helpful. Take care, Katy

[Island_gal]

Thank you for that Sam, I will check out the live session
Kind regards
Jenny

[Island_gal]

Hi Katy, thank you for your reply. We sound as though we are going through exactly the same emotions, highs and mostly lows! It doesn't help that I still feel so uncomfortable and sore- hate having to dress and wear a bra! I am we'll endowed, so I don't feel I can go about without one. I am due to see the oncologist next week for my post rad appointment- I am feeling quite anxious about it. I have been hit with so much over the past few months- 2xWlE's, SNB, guided wire, 3 weeks of rads- time has flown by in a round of hospital visits, long round trips to Rad unit, and the awful fatigue. Trying to cope with running a home, seeing family and endlessly explaining to friends and getting the same reaction of shock and dismay- I am so grateful for the support, but I am still me, I don't want to be defined by cancer- most of my waking thoughts are about my condition, hard to think about anything ese. I realise it is early days and I have a long way to go. Like you Katy, I am terrified that 'it will come back'- I feel completely out of my depth. The odd thing is I also feel I am very lucky to have been diagnosed early and not had to have the dreade d Chemo . I am so mixed up about everything at present, my brain is all over the place!
I am so sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your lungs, what can they do about it? I have read somewhere that that will improve given time. I do hope so. I have read a number of your posts,I think you are also someone who will try to find out as much as you can - I know I have become a bit obsessive about reading everything I can about breast cancer, and overloading myself with information-good and bad!
Thank you again for posting Katy, I wish you well and I'm sure we will talk again. It's good to know we all have each other, and we all feel the same. God bless, and take care, Jenny xx

[Sam_BCC]

Hi there,

The feelings you are experiencing are understandable and very common.  I just wanted to mention to you about the live chat sessions we run on a Thursday evening from 8.30 to 9.30pm. 

The session gives you the chance to talk to other women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and may be feeling similar emotions and  have many of the concerns you are experiencing. 

The live chat is facilitated by a moderator and a breast cancer specialist nurse.   To join just log in to the forums and click on the link on the right hand side of the page. 

I hope you find this helpful.

Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator 

[Katykookabura]

Hi Island girl, I have been feeling exactly the same so are not alone. My GP is concerned I might be getting depressed but I know it is a delayed reaction to what I have been through.
At the beginning everything moves so fast and I just wanted to get the cancer and any cells out as quickly as possible. The shock of what I had been through in a relatively short period from start to when I was ' discharged' by the oncologist has caught up with me.
My family also think I am relatively back to normal but besides having an infection and trouble with my lungs since rad treatment they think the cancer has gone and I should be back to how I was before.
Fact is I think no one is ever is back to how they were before they got their cancer . Some how I have to try and live with it and that is hard so don't think you are any different. I expect others reading this will know it is a tough thing to adjust to.
It is a week by week process and I just hope it gets better . I keep reassuring my self that I am getting best care and my GP has been brilliant but the effects both physical and emotionally are still there. I think the milestone will be getting the first year over.
My fear is will it come back? . No one can answer that I know but at least I know I am going to be checked every year. I can't believe we are in September already as the year has just flown by. My first mammogram is in January to check if all is OK.
Take care and try and keep busy as that seems to help. I have to force myself sometimes to do things but also I know I have to not overdo things. It's about getting a balance I suppose. Call the nurses here and chat to them how you are feeling. I have not yet but think I will as I cannot really talk to anyone else except my hubby about how i really feel but he has also been living with the strain of this year, so I try now to to talk too much about how I am feeling as do not want to worry him.
Keep posting and hopefully some of the other ladies will respond . Katy.

[Island_gal]

Hi everyone, sorry, me again! 2 weeks post rads now, but still in a bit of a state! My breast is really sore and swollen still . Prescribed Intrasite gel for the split skin, underneath the breast, which is better. Having some sharp shooting pains, and the area around the nipple is very hard and lumpy. I thought things might improve a little by now, but each day is about the same- if not slightly worse. I am feeling so down and scared about the future. I have managed to keep p with all my day to day things but I feel this indescribable sadness which I can't share with anyone.
The feeling of isolation is sometimes overwhelming- I wish I could cry and let it all go....my family thinks that I am cured now and want me to be the way I was before. I am trying, putting on a brave act, but inside I still feel so scared and lonely. Please help with your thoughts- did or does anyone else feel like this.? I am coping with the physical side of this, but as for the rest- just not so well.
Jenny x

[Island_gal]

Thank you everyone. Phoning my rad department this morning to ask about burn plasters(?)
used some aloe Vera jel, covered by gaslight strip of dressing- made it slightly more comfortable.
Dreading getting dressed today- dentist this morning!
jenny x

[horsie5050]

Morning! sorry you are in such discomfort, i know how horrid it can be. However - the skin heals well and fairly quickly. Only thing I can recommend is to lie on the sofa or your bed and lift your boob up letting air get to it. I sat like this for days reading good books! xxx

[Morwenna]

Just be very careful applying cold packs, as it is very easy to get ice-burn on skin that is already damaged and fragile. We're instructed not to use ice! Cool the cream you use and/or some wet facecloths in the fridge is good though.

[Katykookabura]

Hi Darzet_Dumplin, I had same which my GP practice nurse said was a burn. I thought it was just a split. Like broomstick lady I had Mepliex plasters which my GP nurse prescribed for me. The chemist had to order them in so not a usual stock item. They are burn plasters and worked a treat healing the split up in five days. Comfortable to wear and stopped the skin rubbing against the chest wall.
Are you taking a Vit supplement ? I have since my op and think it helps to give a boost to healing the skin even though I eat reasonably healthy.
As all the cells in your breast have been 'killed' off the good cells are working overtime repairing themselves. Unfortunately I had a side effect from the rad treatment called symtomatic lung fibrosis. I developed a wheeze about a month after treatment finished and it got worse. I had a high course of steroids for ten days which helped but in a month I was back as before. Seems I had a sinus infection which was also going onto my chest so now on antibiotics for three weeks! GP said my immune system is low due to the cancer and treatment so just be careful you do not get any infections .
I have 'big boobs' well did have as one noticeably smaller now! I went without a bra and used vest tops with support tops in which I originally bought for my rad treatment.
I found after rad treatment Aloe Vera gel very soothing and cooling . I had used aqueous cream during treatment. I also have a couple of those gel packs you can put in the freezer forputting on aching joints , etc, which I put a thin cloth between and used that also to cool my breast down.
I finished rad treatment in the middle of April and my boob is still warmer than than the other one though it is only slightly warmer but I can tell the difference. I have sharp pains every so often in the breast and that is normal it seems with all the changes and healing going on inside.
Get yourself an urgent appointment with your GP practice nurse and ask her to prescribe the Meliplex. Hope you get on OK. I am sure other ladies will give you some useful tips, best wishes, Katy.

[Island_gal]

Hi
finished rads (15 sessions) on Friday, and hoped that my skin would bear up. Today however, the underside is red and angry, and seems to be splitting where the breast meets the rib cage. As it is Sunday, nobody seems to be available to help- can't get to GP or chemist till Monday. Any ideas will be gratefully accepted. Thanks ladies
Jenny

[Guest user]

Thank you for your support ladies
I tried the hairdryer & it did help.
This morning there is hardly any weeping & it looks a lot better! Not so much red either just a very tanned boob! lol

Thank you again xx

[Guest user]

My sympathies - I suffered in same manner back in 09 when I had my rads. Mepilex was my friend - your GP's nurses will supply it on prescription. It's self adhesive which sounds awful but isn't - it's very soft and pliable and seemed to help healing and make things more comfortable. Sorry I can't remember how long it took to heal but do strongly recommend you ask for this miracle dressing!!
Nina

[Maryland]

Hi...I finished rads 2 months ago -15 sessions + 8 boosters- and my skin didn't heal properly until at least 4 weeks afterwards. The skin underneath was very sore and weepy and I was given intrasite gel. Once the split skin colour changes from dark pink to light pink it seems to heal quite miraculously quickly. What also helped was the very old fashioned bathing the 'wound' in warm salt water and patting dry with a soft, cotton cloth. I bought some 'dressing pads' meant to cover burns from a well known shop where everything costs a pound and they worked a treat as they didn't stick to the wound. Hope some of that helps....it does get better...take care 🙂

[Guest user]

Hello Darzet Dumpling.
Sorry to hear that you are having problems after your rads. I've just started mine - have had 2 out of 15. Skin issues can last up to four weeks after finishing rads. Fucibet should help prevent any infection whilst the skin heals. Wash the area gently and pat dry. A hair dryer set on cool setting is soothing and drys the area. Soft cotton squares under the breast to seperate the skin surfaces should also help. Hope you are feeling better soon. Great that you have finished your rads. x

[Guest user]

Hi Darzet Dumpling, I know what you mean. I had rads 7 years ago and my skin completely broke down with weeping and skin peeling and generally very sore and nasty. I can't remember what the cream was that Dr gave me but I had dressings on aswell and it actually healed very well. Can't remember exactly how long it took but I'm sure it wasn't too long. I did get left with a big square patch of broken veins for some reason though. Hope you are soon feeling much more comfortable.
Regards Beryl x

[Sam_BCC]

Hi Darzet Dumpling

Welcome to the forums, I’m sorry to read that you are having a pretty tough time at the moment. I’m sure the users of this site will be along to support you soon.

In the meantime maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.

Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator

[Guest user]

Hi Ladies,
I finished rads last Friday (3 weeks, 15 sessions) and about 4 days before my last treatment, the skin started spliting under my breast. The radiographers gave me Fucibet cream to use twice a day & I've been told to use this until the skin heals, it's red raw & very weepy at the moment.
I'm guessing I'm not the only one to suffer this, but how long does it normally take to heal? It doesn't help having big boobs which makes it awkward to let the air get to it. It's going to get worse before it gets better I know, but if anyone has any tips, I'd be grateful.
TIA