Will Radiation Side Effects Worsen During Treatment?

I’ve been told to use the cream after every treatment.

Even though I moisturized constantly I also got a terrible itch on my chest at about the same time. My doctor said that’s a common reaction and prescribed Triamcinolone 0.1% cream. It has worked great. I’m getting my last treatment today, #21. The rash did spread but the itch stayed under control. My biggest problem has been fatigue 😩

When I went through radiation they had me spraying my chest area with green tea made very strong with several tea bags. I also applied aloe directly from an aloe stem bought at the grocery. Kept everything in good shape!

The fatigue - is that all day or a few hours?

It comes on when I do anything strenuous. Unfortunately what counts as strenuous isn’t what it used to be. Sometimes it’s just going up a lot of stairs or carrying one of my grandchildren. I have learned to pace myself and sit down for a while more often. It’s not exactly being tired like I need to sleep it’s more my energy is sapped

Ask if they can do hyperfractionated radiation. Increase in dosage/shorter number of treatments. I had 16 treatments and skin did well

Radiation side effects can vary from person to person, and it's great that the cream is helping with healing. Many patients experience skin changes during radiation treatment, and these effects can sometimes continue to develop even after treatments are finished. The radiation oncology team is the best resource for understanding what to expect for the remaining treatments and how to manage any skin reactions that may occur. Keep communicating with the medical team about any changes - they can provide the most personalized guidance for the situation.