Did radiation boosts to the breast make anyone else feel terrible?

Hi my name is Mary and I feel like that everyday. I kinda think the older u are it seems to hit u worse. My journey started 13 yrs ago. I too had breast cancer and went through 4 curling infusions of chemo. I was in the hospital twice. Than after that came radiation for 6 weeks everyday. I don’t remember being too tired cause my husband and I treated a lot. I was also 13 yrs. younger. I was in remission for 8 yrs. Than 5 yrs ago they found a tumor on my spine T7. So again back to the radiation. It burned my esophagus so bad that it took almost 2 mons before I could swallow. I too felt like a Mack- truck hit me I still do. Now I’m back in chemo infusions and of course I have no energy and my husband and I are trying to move. I do hope u feel better . I told u all of this cause I just want u know u’re not alone. That’s the beauty of this site. We all share something in common and understand what each of us are going through. Keep in touch and let me know how u’re doing. Mary❤️

Radiation boosts can definitely cause intense fatigue and make people feel completely drained - this is a common experience that many in the community have shared. The exhaustion from targeted radiation treatments often feels overwhelming, but connecting with others who understand what this feels like can provide comfort and practical tips for managing these tough days.

I finished my 20 radiation treatments with the last 5 being boost (left breast) on Dec 18th. Like you, it kicked my butt. by New Years Eve I felt better….was on my way to the breast healing from the radiation treatments. I saw my oncologist on 24th Dec (prescribed Letrozole) , then saw my breast surgeon on 30th Dec (diagnosed with post-op seroma most likely exacerbated by the radiation). I took a pause from ALL treatment for the last week of 2025 just to calm my soul , clear my mind and take a breath. Started taking Letrozole on New Years Eve and seroma is slowly shrinking.

Hi I started on Letrozole and was on it for 5 mons. It shrank the tumors enough to be able to have surgery. After that a had 4 huge rounds of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation. Than he was on the Letrozole. I was that for quite a while until my tumor markers started going up. So I was which to Iberance . And here a am back in chemo infusions. Hope by now u’re feeling alittle better. Please keep in touch and let me know how u are doing. Mary❤️

My sister advised me to visualize feeling good 🤦‍♀️. I see that I cannot rely on her for support. So thankful for this community. I ordered groceries in as I was too tired to go out. Sleeping a lot the body pain is better but my boob rash is growing some. Glad today is playoff football Sunday (GOHAWKS) Plan to rest and hydrate and snack all day.

Hi u ought to talk to the Dr. about that. Unfortunately there are a lot people u can count on when ure not well or going through something like this. My girls live in Ca. and I haven’t spoken them in 6 yrs. That’s their misfortune literally! Anyway I hope u feel better and that u keep in touch to let me know how u’re doing. Mary ❤️

I was literally told by my oncology surgeon radiation was "Just a little sunburn" lol Imagine my surprise when I started feeling awful right away! For me it was worse than chemo and I had a lot of chemo 2 different kinds. They wanted to boost me as well. I researched it and found no benefit whatsoever from the boost! When I started questioning the radiologist about it he was also aware there were no proven benefits to getting the boost! HE admitted it! I was looking for numbers like 10% less chance reoccurrence.... something...there was NOTHING! My advice is ALWAYS do your own research and make informed decisions! No one was going to offer up that information had I not found it myself! Good luck

Hi I want u to know I never heard of half of what I read on here. Lines of treatments and. Boasts I don’t even know what all that means. I had to go back on immunotherapy because the cancer spread to my bones in the back. Now Im going into my 6th one day and I have pain accept when I on my feet too. I couldn’t move before. Believe me knowing medicine the way. I do l(I’m on the medical field) common senses and the little I know no one takes an advantage of me .! I know too much. There’s one instance in particular and if u’re interested I’ll tell u But a particular Dr. was pushing for surgery but I refused and it was a good thing I did cause it turned out that I didn’t need it . Right I have to get up to go for another infusion. But like I said if u’re interested I’ll tell u next time. Maybe it will help u to weight and measure everything they say and listen really to what they are staying. Mine I was lucky that I figured it out before. Right when u a chance and I’ll tell u that rest. Good luck and feel better. Hope to hear from u soon. Mary❤️

I'd love to hear it Mary! I too have fought with them as well! At the end of the day they are being told what to do! "Standard of care" ...if I would ask them "Why" are we doing this instead of that or "Why" this dose/medication instead of that dose/medication..they would look at me like I had two heads! Lol They do NOT know "Why" ...they just do what they're told! I'm not shocked anymore but in the beginning I was mortified! How can these cancer specialists have no idea "Why" they are doing anything!!! I read the Lancet as well...I would bring in articles from there to show them! They wanted me on CDK4's because now EVERYONE is approved to take them even stage 0! Specifically Verzenio got approval for everyone! What they don't tell people is if you abruptly stop taking them the cancer can come back more vicious than the first time! To quote a surgeon from the Lancet ..."We all know when a patient stops taking CDK4'S the cancer returns sometimes more aggressively than the 1st time" That sealed the deal for me and I refused to take them. I could go on and on! Lol Unfortunately we HAVE to be active participants in this mess! I treat anything they tell me as if a stranger on the street suggests it! You know the old saying...would you jump off a bridge if someone told you too? Lol I don't do anything without thorough research!!

No side effects at all I had 5 also

I had 5 too for stage 1 bc and had no reaction to any I was 83 years

Yes I also feel I’ve been getting my butt kicked. I’m on day 11 straight. I’ve developed mouth sores & I am getting very burnt. Cancer sure sucks

Well as it turns out it wasn’t radiation boosts kicking my ass it was my gallbladder. I was attributing my symptoms to radiation and suffered for two days after the boosts were done before I 911’ed myself for severe upper right abdominal pain. Had an emergency surgery to remove a necrotic gangrenous gallbladder. Now I’m really exhausted between surgery and radiation. Lord have mercy.

Good grief Angela. So sorry to hear about the gallbladder surgery. Rest and take care of yourself.