Vulvar cancer radiation: Helpful tricks & tips to manage pain?

@bobette1, good question to ask fellow members and get out in from of this. I'm tagging fellow vulvar cancer members @ljchicago @sillywabbit @jeanadair123 @shanbam @afrikachef to see if they've had radiation and/or chemo yet.

You may also be interested in this related discussion:
- What Kind of Radiation Did You Get for Your Gynecological Cancer? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/types-of-radiation-treatments-for-gynecological-cancers/

At your appointment on Monday, you might also ask to speak with a symptom management nurse for tips too.

@bobette1 I had radiation therapy for endometrial cancer so my experience will be different from yours. I wanted to share that before the radiation started I had an appointment with the radiation oncology nurse and the doctor. They both explained what would happen and what side effects, if any, I could have. They had suggestions for how to treat any side effects from radiation therapy and how to take care of myself while I was being treated.

Other members @ljchicago @sillywabbit @jeanadair123 @shanbam who have vulvar cancer who may have had radiation therapy or chemotherapy can hopefully provide you with more information on their personal experiences.

Is the appointment you have next Monday with the radiation oncologist? If yes, can you write down your questions before then and talk with them about what to expect?

I met with radiology Dr yesterday and he gave me some info. I was just looking for people that already went through it for advice. I am super worried about my skin. It seems sensitive already from the surgery I had intense itching that was driving me insane and to hear the doctor say it'll feel like my body is on fire just want to make sure I'm prepared for it

I had weeks of radiation for vaginal cuff cancer and breast cancer. I didn’t really have any side effects burning on fire on my skin, of all the drs that I had Sutter, Mayo and Stanford no one ever said that my skin would burn. Maybe it’s the chemotherapy that causes it.
I had brachytherapy which affected my anal area if you are having brachytherapy therapy I can help with that.
I thought the radiation was pretty basic just had to drink water before, my anxiety was caused by myself hoping that they put it in the right area. Tired yes but that comes with the radiation but not so tired that I couldn’t do anything. Remember drs have to tell you the worse scenarios, not everyone is effected the same. You will get through this as I said my area of concern was my anal area form the brachytherapy. Reach out if I can help.

@bobette1 It's so difficult to get yourself ready for treatments that you have decided on and yet without the actual experience you have worries about what it will be like. @jeanadair123 is so right. You get the worst case scenarios because I guess the doctors and nurses have to tell you this and then with the worries you already have it expands into even more when you hear all of that.

So here's the thing. You might have some of the side effects. And you might not. It's very good to know what to expect. When you know ahead of time what might happen and your cancer care team describes everything they will do before they do it, this can help a lot.

Will you reach out again and let us know how you are feeling?

I will be praying for you! I see my oncologist in February to have the surgery could you tell me how long your stay was at the hospital? I'm pretty scared ive had 21 people pass this last year most of different types of cancer. My dad and my3 grown kids are all thats left in my family My dad has prostate bladder and bone cancer he will be moving in with me next month. Does stress make it worse

I was only in the hospital 2 days. Do u have someone to help take care of you because you won't be able to do much for yourself the first couple weeks of recovery. I will be praying for you. Sorry to hear about all the people u have lost due to cancer. I believe stress makes everything worse. My best advice let people help u ...this was especially hard for me. I am used to taking care of everything myself. GOOD LUCK!!! Keep. Me posted on how your surgery goes. #warriormode. You got this!!!

Thank you for the encouragement! My daughter may or a friend my daughter is a nurse .she helped with my grandmother as much as she could. Im so glad you said 2 days my oncologist said his last patient stayed 3 months because she would not stop smoking i havent completely stopped hoping he gives me a patch my reg dr put me on wellbutin didn't even know i took it. I have so much anxiety its alot harder.ill keep you updated thank you again

I will be finishing external radiation next Monday, the following Monday and friday will have 2 brachy. I am worried because I have had issues with my intestinal issues inpast. And, chemo had affected it days 3 & 4 because became constipated from the chemo.
Any advise will be appreciated, I will be informing them of my past issues.

Everyone is different with Brachytherapy, I think it depends on whether one has had children so the vagina has stretched. Not having children that’s the only thing I can think of? I had excessive burning and bleeding when I had a bowel movement, Stanford gave me lots of creams etc none helped. When I got home my gastroenterologist gave me nifedipine cream what a lifesaver so I would recommend if you have any issues to ask for that immediately. As I said not everyone is the same. I don’t have any intestinal issues. Regular radiation was a breeze. Hard to say but what I find really helps with anxiety is breathing hold breath 4 seconds breathe out 4 seconds. I can lower my blood pressure in a couple of minutes it takes your mine off it because you have to concentrate on breathing. Good luck sounds like the worst is over. Stay in touch.