I've recently begun using estradiol cream to help heal tissues after cervical-uterine cancer. I had both internal and external radiation (brachy), chemo to start, then chemo-rad combo therapy, then brachy. My doc prescribed estradiol cream 0.01% at 2gm 2x week for radiation fibrosis and vaginal shortening (5mths after the brachy finale). After seeing the side effects I decided to lower my dosage to 1gm 2x weekly, and this seemed to be the way to go for me given the side effects I did experience. I do see the benefit with the vaginal vault early on (4 wks treatment so far). But I've had some serious effects that I only had before my cancer diagnosis and treatment. The 1st chemo rid me of any pain whatsoever, be it pelvic or abdominal. The "return" symptoms are back pain mid left back, left flank pain, pain around what may be pancreas. I am chemically sensitive, though. The "pancreas" and flank pain started just yesterday after 1 week of left back pain. I do have other symptoms - many of the very common ones - but these are the ones that trouble me. Radiation damage was marked in my case, and I wonder if I have more systemic absorption of the estradiol and if this is the cause of the mimic pain? I told the doc and there may be another radiology order coming up due to symptoms. I do strongly suspect I have far more estradiol uptake - systemic - than normal. And the usual: breast swelling, recent bloating, dry throat and mouth, insomnia day of dosing. First use produced 1 fleeting episode of heart pain and was gone, along with some blurred vision while reading (new glasses, too). I think the estradiol also causes dry eye. Anyone have strong reactions to estradiol after pelvic radiation to treat radiation damage?