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Anxiety over radiation burns: What can I expect?

Posted by kathyoung @kathyoung, Oct 16 7:54pm

Can anyone give me an idea of what to expect from the effects of radiation on the breast skin. I don’t know why I m so anxious about this! I had no anxiety at all about the surgery. I only have to have
5 treatments but apparently the effects are the same as 15. I unfortunately saw some scary pictures when I was looking for moisturizer creams for radiation burn.

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sally484 | @sally484 | Nov 22 7:31am

My Dr. prescribed Silvadene for me and it helped alot! I went through about 30 treatments of radiation and needed something. The Silvadene helped tremendously!!

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annette3 | @annette3 | Nov 22 10:51pm
In reply to @kerynbookeraustralianoosaooooooo "Strata xrt you don't use much it gives you a film over the skin . yes..." + (show)
@kerynbookeraustralianoosaooooooo

Strata xrt

you don't use much it gives you a film over the skin .

yes the thought is usually a lot worse . but i found it easy . redness to skin for sure but no bad burns . it went roughly for 15 mins each time . and the skin darker brown after then now faded to natural colour.
yes it's all rather barbaric!! but i find not dwelling on is the best . too much info is bad too as half of it never happens . all the best !!! sending you a big hug . keryn

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Thanks for the name. So far I have been using an aloe gel in the daytime and then Vanicream at night. I don't feel any burns. I have only had 3 radiation treatments and only 2 more to go - Mon & Wed of next week - so I will be done before Thanksgiving. It is only taking about 10 min each time. Thankful I don't have any side effects yet. Yes - I know what you mean about having too much info and worrying. I've done plenty of that 🙂

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teresalyons1994 | @teresalyons1994 | Nov 24 7:37pm
In reply to @kathyoung "Thank you all for your help. I got Calendula Salve which is Calendula and olive oil...." + (show)
@kathyoung

Thank you all for your help. I got Calendula Salve which is Calendula and olive oil. I’m also going to use aloe straight from the plant. I’m going to ask the radiologist on Tuesday for input as well.
Again thank you all! All suggestions welcome. I will follow up as I go along to maybe help another newby:)

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Idk if it's the amount of radiation or just radiation? However I had 16 trmnts. Abt 5/10 min max ea visit for mine. Afterwards a lil burning, like sunburn, and cont after the treatments were done for abt a wk. It was very dark, I'm sure due to quantity? But now my skin is very thin in that area. Idk if I'll be able to fin my reconst yet? Be careful with the burn, let ur dr know any questions and concerns u hve. Ask the dr for the best cream. Good luck, I pray ethg goes well for you! God bless ❤️

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kaykerz | @kaykerz | Nov 25 8:21am

I also had 5 treatments total and was told to wait until the end to use a cream. So I did and had no burns at all. I used a radiation skin cream at the end anyway and it is called Jean’s Cream (aloe + vitamin E).

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teresalyons1994 | @teresalyons1994 | Nov 25 9:33am
In reply to @kathyoung "Thanks so much for replying. I start next Tuesday. Im happy to hear that you didn’t..." + (show)
@kathyoung

Thanks so much for replying. I start next Tuesday. Im happy to hear that you didn’t burn. That’s so good! I will be diligent for sure, maybe I’ll be the same.
I’ve had a few scary things in the last couple of years, a colon resection, then diagnosed in August with breast cancer. Why on earth this is bothering me so much, I don’t know! Thanks again, I will aloe and calendula. Best to have a few choices. 🙏🏻

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Ask questions, they didn't warn me about the burn, how it could damage my skin. They didn't tk any breaks, I wish I wld've known more. It was told to me that it was like a sunburn and mine got bad, I asked for a break, didn't get a break unless I clld off sick, which I did 2 times due to the burn, and they told me over the counter creams to use, never gve me athg. I'm thankful to be cancer free today. I'm alive and that's the most important thing. Be careful, strong and always ask questions. God bless you ❤️

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