I've had radiation 5 times now for both breast and endometrial cancers. Every time at the 3 week point is when I started to really notice all the side effects. I get really tired and need to nap 1 or 2 times a day. I also had nausea issues. The tiredness and nausea always lasted for 2-3 months after I finished radiation and the length of time was shorter when having 1 week of radiation and longer when having 3 or 4 weeks of radiation. I've learned to listen to my body. When I'm tired I nap and rest. I would gradually get my energy back and need less naps when I reached the 2 and 3 month point after radiation was over.

With the nausea I took nausea pills 2 or 3 times a day during radiation and for 2-3 months after it was over. I also learned that it was easier on my stomach to eat 4-6 smaller meals/snacks per day instead of 3 normal size meals. Bland foods also helped when feeling nauseated like saltine crackers, sourdough bread, and that sort of thing. I would also get acid reflux and Famotidine helped with that.

The more radiation sessions I had the worse my skin would burn. It wasn't too bad if it was for a week, but when I had 3 or 4 weeks of radiation my skin would burn and peel and get itchy. I just kept applying lotion. The worst of the burned skin would heal up in about a month and not hurt, but my skin texture felt thicker and rougher than before radiation. It's been 4 months now since I finished radiation and the tiredness and nausea are gone now, but my skin still isn't back to normal.

I also got a sore throat because I had radiation to my neck and my doctor said it burned the inside of my throat and vocal cords. It helped to eat cool foods that were smooth in texture like ice cream, jello, pudding, yogurt, pasta, and mashed potatoes. Spicy foods burned and so did carbonated drinks like sodas and acidic drinks like orange juice. Water, milk, and apple or grape juice were the drinks that worked best for me. Crunchy foods like crackers and chips would scratch my throat and so did most meats, especially hamburger. It took about a month after radiation was done for my throat to stop hurting when I was eating and drinking. When my throat was finally feeling better my voice started to change from the damage to my vocal cords. My voice sounds raspy now and sometime froggy and if I talk a lot I lose my voice until my throat has a chance to rest for a while.

No matter what your side effects are, try to take it easy as much as you can and be gentle to yourself. Any side effects you are having should start easing up and go away for the most part during the few months after you finish the radiation. Good luck and I hope you're feeling better soon ❤️

I had 23 sessions of radiation 5 days a week
I was lucky. I had no side effects. I used what they told me to put on my breast so it didn't change color. The last session my skin turned a bit red. After putting on the Vaseline type med and it cleared up within days.

Good morning 🌅 BrendaSmith2. I agree with all the ladies that answered you. Radiation treatments is different for everyone. Have a regular sleep schedule and drink plenty of water 🌊 before you go and after too. Eat well balance meal. Stay active. If it becomes severe please let your health care team know immediately. Take care 🙏

It seems like each person responds to radiation in their own unique way, with certain symptoms more common than others. I was very fortunate to have had a fairly easy time of it. In fact, I had a really peculiar experience. Because I have had ME/CFS since mid 2023, I am frequently exhausted and dizzy/lightheaded. During four weeks of radiation, five days a week, I actually had more energy, no dizziness. It was very strange and unexplainable to be feeling better during radiation treatment than prior to receiving it. My fatigue and dizziness returned gradually, and now I am pretty much back to baseline. I had discoloration and puckering and a little discomfort as a result of radiation. Go figure 😜

I put on aquaphor recommended by the radiation oncologist. Use it 3 times per day. It worked until the very last session. But cleared up quickly. Now I put ceravae every day on my breasts but works.