How to deal with the foul odour during Radiotherapy

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed in August 2014 with Medullary Thyroid Cancer. I have had 3 operations, but it was decided that I should have radiotherapy to try to blitz any remaining cancer cells.

I'm now 4 days into the Radiotherapy Treatment but have been really suffering because of the foul odour (it smells a bit like chlorine... only much worse). The odour has been making me feel very nausious and im finding it very difficult to cope with the treatment because of it. I have tried holding my breath, but i still smell the odour even whilst not breathing in. This morning they put Vicks Vapo Rub under my nose and on the mask to try to conceal the smell, but it only lasted about a minute before wearing off.

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this? And if they had anything that might help make it easier to deal with?

Thank you xxx

Offline kimchoson over 8 years ago

I read your post a couple of days ago and gave it some thought. Can anyone else smell the chlorine smell or just you? I had radiotherapy to my neck, face, tongue, ear canal it also affected my smell and taste, everything tasted odd and foul, but the smell I got was of rotten meat, I thought it was me smelling bad as the radiotherapy killed off the cells and my flesh rotted. But no one else could smell it. It was less noticable at weekends when I had a break from the treatment. The smell made me feel sick too on top of already having constant nausea. I used body deodorant on my chest and clothes to disguise the smell but it didnt do much. When I stopped the treatment the smell subsided in about 10 days.
Cancel
Join to reply Sign in to reply

Cancel
Offline Bate4678 over 2 years ago

Hi I am currently having radiotherapy , after breast cancer surgery , and yes i can smell both chlorine and excramemt smells ,
Cancel
Join to reply Sign in to reply

Cancel

All Categories

How to deal with the foul odour during Radiotherapy

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us