Breast Radiation--Positions, Advantages/Disadvantages - Care To Share?

I just finished 25 proton radiation treatments in my breast and armpit. I laid on my back with my arms over my head. It was hard to lay still as my shoulder hurt in that position. I took Advil an hour before each treatment. I eventually got used to it and music they played helped keep my mind off the discomfort.

I had 33 treatments face down. It is to protect your heart etc from radiation. I did develop a stricture in my esophagus about 6 months later and was hard to swallow food. Not sure if this was from the radiation but guessing so. Had it stretched and omeprazole helped. Good luck and use your ointment post treatments.

@marannolson - Thanks for the information! So sorry you experienced a stricture in your esophagus. How do you feel now?

My plan is for 20 treatments and I re-confirmed it with the Radiation Oncologist on Tue. He said that the face down position will, as you mentioned, protect the heart and lungs. He also mentioned that there is very minimal exposure affecting any other part of my body. I hope that is so! I am using the "CeraVe Lotion", numerous times per day. It does not seem to really stay on the skin; not dense enough. Maybe I should buy the cream, which should be thicker. Any thoughts on that? Thanks again

--Dee

@danielad, @marannolson
I use the CeraVe cream that is in the tub and it works wonders! I use it in the morning and evening. For radiation though, the calendula cream worked well and when the burns got worse, the doctor prescribed me Silvadene burn dressing which did the trick on those nasty burns.

Interesting about facedown treatment. That is how they did my MRIs but was not an option for my radiation treatments. Did you have a lumpectomy? Think I had face up treatments because my lymph nodes were involved so I had radiation on my entire chest wall and armpit area after a double mastectomy (no reconstruction) and lymph node dissection.

Are you doing traditional radiation? I was lucky to be approved for newer proton radiation treatment, which is safer for the heart and lungs. Got approval because treatment on my left side by my heart and my husband works for Mayo so our insurance is through third party affiliate of theirs.

I used Mepitel film covering purchased at the Mayo Clinic store to minimize burn damage to my skin. Even with the Mepitel, the week following my last treatment my skin is now red, sore, and itchy. Radiation nurse told me to use a water and vinegar soak on my armpit, then use Aquaphor on the entire burned area. This works very well. I also use Vanicream (thick lotion) and hydrocortisone anti-itch cream.

@trixie1313 - Thanks! By chance, do you have a "brand name" for the Calendula cream? I do have Silvadene cream. I use it on the other breast for a problem with the healing following the reconstruction surgeries (3-mos ago), but with little results.
--Dee

@danielad
Yes, I do - the radiation doctor had Calendula cream by Boiron--First Aid. I went through a lot of that and found it at Walmart and also Vitamin Shoppe. I found the CeraVe cream (in a round pot) was least expensive at Walmart and since then, I am seeing it at Costco. The aloe vera I got was 100% gel by Fruit of the Earth, but as long as its all gel and no fragrance, and pure 100% gel, you're good. Hoping things get better for you!

@melissa1979 -- Thanks for your information.
I believe all Breast MRIs are done face down, and so are the biopsies following the findings via MRI. However, as I understand it, Radiation treatments' "position" depends on a number of elements including the type and size of the cancer; involvement of nodes; type of surgery; etc..

In my case, I had a lumpectomy for a multi-focal cancer, with no nodes involvement, and reconstruction. I also told my Radiation Oncologist that I wouldn't consider radiation because of the potential damage of radiation to healthy tissue, particularly the heart and lungs. So I am "face down" (traditional radiation) on a 20-treatment plan. I sure hope the position does help!!

--Dee

@trixie1313 -- Thanks for the information! I will go tomorrow to buy them!!! Dee

@danielad Hoping you get relief soon.