Soreness after radiotherapy

Hi new to this!   I am now 9 days after finishing 28 days of chemoradiation for anal cancer.  On the whole I seemed to cope well with the treatment so feel very lucky.

I had a couple of bad days this week supposed to be what happens as the radiotherapy is still working and my body needs to adjust to coming off the Capecitibine tablets.

Main problem is the soreness of skin all around my bikini line (not that I wear bikinis) but the whole area is very red and sore making underwear uncomfortable.   Cannot not wear any as I have a little leakage in the anal area still.

Have used the Diprobase prescribed religiously plus Flamazine where the skin had broken down.  District Nurse said yes it is very sore but clean and not infected

Today I have tried Sudocrem on a couple of small areas and wow I have some relief!

After going to the toilet it is usually sore for a while and I am using lots of pads to make me feel more comfortable.   Also sitting on a plastic blow up ring!

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated thanks.

 

 

  •  

    Hi Beryl,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat.

    Sorry to learn of your discomfort following treatment and hope that the Sudocrem will continue to give you more ease. If you remain sore you might find one of the latex rubber rings a little kinder, as they are much softer. I am sure that your district nurse or cancer care team could arrange to get you one.

    I have had two bouts of breast cancer, so cannot really give you any helpful advice. Hopefully someone who has had chemoradiation will come along to offer advice.

    I hope that everything heals quickly for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how things go.

    There is always someone here to talk to whenever you feel like it.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • I've heard that sitting on a ring may not be beneficial and could even make things worse as it gives no support to the peri-anal area and could lead to prolapse.

    This may not be true for your specific situation but were I you, I'd seek medical opinion about it.

     

    Best Regards

    Taff

  • Good idea Taff.

    I've never heard of this; so best to ask the nurses first.

    Thanks for pointing this out.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine 

  • Thanks for your replies. Seeing District Nurse again tomorrow so will ask for further advice!
  • Any luck? What is Sudocrem and where could I get it? 

  •  

    Hi Km25.

    Sudocrem is an antiseptic cream, used for nappy rash,  surface wounds and eczema. You can get it in most pharmacies.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  •  

    Hi Beryl,

    Did the District Nurse have any useful advice for you when you saw her?

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Sorry not to have replied but thank you to all of you.   Had some difficulty accessing the site but am back again!

    I was eventually put back on Flamazine mixed with FiftyFifty a moisturiser/lanolin ointment from Lloyds pharmacy at just over £3.   This has seemed to work well and the District Nurse has been checking my skin weekly.   I am now 5 weeks post radiation and just have one still sore area slightly blistered at the opening to the anus.   This is not helped by going to the toilet but I am battling on.

    The worst problem is what to wear and trying to go for a walk can be uncomfortable as everything rubs together!   Hopefully another week will help and I will be back to having normal skin?

  •  

    Hi Beryl,

    I am sorry to hear that you continue to suffer with your skin 5 weeks after radiation, but glad to hear that it is almost healed at last. Clothing must be difficult and, not having undergone radiotherapy, I fear that I am unable to help you here. Which do you find the most comfortable – loose clothing or close fit clothing?

    Let’s hope that you will be back to normal by next week.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx