What is breast radiation like and what side effects should I expect?

@noligmueller Thank you for sharing your experience. My last treatment was Friday, I saw mild redness so I'm obsessively applying the cream. God bless you, and thank you for the support

Anytime!

My radiation was set to be the 1 week treatment 2x per day for a week. One meligant and 1 being lump was removed.
It was interrupted by a winter storm and fluid buildup that required aspiration (2 liter) that required remapping of the program. So total number of days was lengthened to about 10 days or so due to all the interruptions. I think that was a blessing. No skin burns and no skin treatment was required.
I didn't feel anything during the radiation sessions. No side effects were experienced. It's been 13 years and mammograms are good.

@healthquestions111 , thank you for sharing your experience. Glad to hear that everything is good, make me hopeful.

I had 6 weeks of radiation once a week
I developed a rash almost as bad as singles. Finally my dermatologist gave me a regimen of three antihistamines
To finally clear it up. After the rash became almost unbearable a radiologist gave me a cream i should have begun at first sign of rash

I had fifteen treatment this last time, and 30 treatments in 2004. I had fewer treatments this time b/c they began with higher does than 2004 and I tolerated them well.

You go 5 days/week. Must be sure to be perfectly still on the table. Moving could change where the beam goes. The second time, it was on the left side so I had to hold my breath for the treatment b/c of my heart being on that side. You are tested before starting and must be able to hold your breath for at least 30 seconds for the left sided treatment b/c it moves the heart out of the way of the beam. Radiation to the heart can cause problems.
I really had no problems at all except some fatique toward the end of the treatments. tiredness was much worse the first time.
For me, radiation was the easiest part of my treatment for breast cancer, while five years of arimdex(first time) , and infusions of Faslidex(b/c I refused to take arimdex again), were a living hell.

I sgree. The meds long term have multiple symptoms. I look forward to stopping them after the required time.
The mental confusion and painful joints are the most worrisome, but I prefer over my cancer returning

@katie816 - I'm sorry to hear that the medications were awful. Sending hugs. I'm on day 6 since my last radiation, feeling the fatigue.

@green1 , hope you're stopping your meds soon and that the side effects stop. Sending hugs and prayers

This message may not apply to you as you described your DCIS as being in the upper parts of your breast. But it is very relevant to all large-breasted women getting radiotherapy on the underside of their breasts. I wore a ComfortSling from the day I began radiation, wearing it as many hours of the day as possible, especially at night while I slept. Several times during the day I lay on my back and applied colorless, odorless gel to my entire breast, including the underside. I remained in position until the gel was fully absorbed (it took seconds), then immediately tucked the ComfortSling beneath my breast. When I was out and about, I tucked a strapless cushion inside my bra. The slings and the cushions virtually eliminated the accumulation of moisture beneath my breast and protected my skin from the rubbing and abrasion of skin-to-skin contact. By my treatment’s end, my skin had darkened slightly at the radiation site, but was otherwise unchanged. I had no pain, no broken skin. I can’t recommend the ComfortSlings products enough! http://www.comfortslings.com