Have you used this stuff? My neck is a mess. This is some kind of cortisone cream to help the itch. I just got the script today and it seems to be working no longer than the over the counter stuff.

My pharmacist said any type of "cream" will dry out your skin. Ever heard of that one?

God bless,
Barb~

Maybe someone else can add to this or u can ask at radiation tommorow. I remember toward the end of radiation my mom was complaining of the same thing. I do remember she was using some sort of cream, Aquafor i Think she had some sort of blue gel pads that were refrigerated and then placed on her neck. That she could hardly stand because it was too cold. But she used washclothes instead and laid on the couch and napped with them on. The rad nurses reccomened this, but i cant remember why. maybe someone else has some good ideas.

Read through this post http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/ubb/get_topic/f/7/t/000317.html#000000

Barb,

My dermatologist prescribed fluocinonide cream for me a few years ago when I had an annoying dermatitis problem on my hands. It seemed to work reasonably well on that -- however, I'm quite sure the condition I was dealing with was nowhere near the level of severity of radiation burns, so I don't know how effective it would be for the skin on your neck (unless maybe it comes in different strengths).

Cathy

Barb-Aquaphor helped relieve the burning and itching on John's neck also.Amy

Well I am using the Biafine cream and the Fluoconide too but yuck. Tonight I just mixed some milk with the Biafine and it seems to be working fine. Milk is an excellent moisturizer. My pharmacist said today that any type of "creams" will dry your skin unless it has oil in it and that an ointment is better to keep in the moisture. I am asking my rad nurse about this tomorrow.This is barbaric to have to deal with this. UGH!

I will check that link.
Thanks all and God bless,
Barb~

Today the nurse gave me two sheets of Vigilon. Oh man she peeled the plastic off one side and slapped that on my neck and though the cold was uncomfortable for a minute what a relief it was. It was too big so she said cut it in half when I got home. Its chilling in the fridge right now. I am so happy. I wonder how long each one lasts before they dry up. Anyone know off hand?
Thank you and God bless you,
Barb~

Barb, I'm sorry you are having to go through this ordeal!

Be strong, you are an inspiration to me, and I'm right behind you.

One thing I might mention, is that I've noticed some talk about Aloe Vera on here and other boards.

I'm drinking it right now, and plan to make a mouth rinse with it, and some Vitamin E for topical swish only.

It might work for external use too?

Ask around...Does your CCC have an Integrative Medicine dept that can help with alternatives such as accupuncture, herbal remedies, etc..?

You're so brave...keep up the fight!!!!!!!

Hugs,
- Michael

Before any of you start home remedies for things clear it with your doctor first! Vitamin E has recently had studies done to suggest it can cause cancer or exacerbate it.

Well the Fluoconide is out since it set me on fire and not for the Lord. They gave me a whole brown bag full of the Vigilon gel pads. Enough to last me for a month so I am sticking with that.
Vit.E is not a hot idea Michael. They are talking bout it everywhere and how it may promote rather than help cancer. Be careful.

Blessings,
Barb~

There are no studies that I am aware of that say that Vitamin E causes cancer. In fact, yesterday I read an article that said that SCC is associated with dietary deficiency of anti-oxidants (such as Vitamin E), which is a particular problem with smokers.

The study to which several of you may be referring (J. Nat. Cancer Inst. 97:481) is the one where the patients also received for a time beta-carotene (which has been shown to increase lung cancer risk in smokers in a large NCI trial.) The reviewer felt this compromised the Vit. E findings. However, the hypothesis that anti-oxidants taken during radiotherapy may scavenge free radicals (produced by the radiation) and thus reduce their effectiveness at killing the cancer cells (which are particularly vulnerable to radiation -induced free radical damage) probably has validity and for that reason, the current advice is to stop taking these supplements during radiation therapy. It's not only Vitamin E, but also C and some others. (The double-edged sword is that your healthy cells are also getting a lot of unprotected free radical damage at the same time.)

Btw, there is huge evidence that worldwide, diets high in anti-oxidants, especially those derived from FOOD and not from a pill, are associated with lower rates of cancer. Vitamin E itself has been shown in trials to be associated with significantly reduced rates of prostate cancer.

Our nutritionist at Hopkins emphasized the importance of continuing to eat foods containing naturally-occuring antioxidants, such as colored fruits and vegetables, as long as you are able during treatment. In fact this is good advice for anyone...Fruit shakes would be a good option (I am not too sure about those broccoli smoothies, though...<gr>)

Gail

Sorry to sidetrack your posts Barb, but about the VitE controversy, I thought it is shown in those studies for people taking it orally, but that topically it helps reduce mucositis?

Anyway, anytime I mention any suggestion, I try to remind you to check with a Dr first. (Like they know everything!?! :-)

Gail, I guess I can always try to squeeze the broccoli smoothies into the 'G' tube :~) (just kidding btw)

I don't make this stuff up go to "Adjunctive Therapy" topic and click on "Vitamin E may increase risk". The study was done in Quebeck. Check the "Oral Cancer in the News" link on the home page as well. "Cause" was a bad choice of words - but I'll stick with exacerbate.

There is another article, published om 7/13/05, that states that it has no chemopreventive benefit either.

I haven't seen any articles in regards to skin repair or reduction of mucositus so if anyone is aware of any scientific double blind studies let me know - save the testimonials from the health food store.

I had one doctor suggest to me to take that colloidial silver stuff for mouth sores (that will permanently change your skin color - to grey) and is listed on Quackwatch as a bogus "nutritional supplement".

But you should run everything by the oncologist first - they deal more with the body chemistry issues and coordination of all your meds.

Hi Gary ,

Two studies I found right off:

Pace et al. 2003. Neuroprotective effect of vitamin E supplementation in patients treated with cisplatin chemotherapy, J. Clin. Oncolog. 21 (5):927-931. Found neurotoxicity from cisplatin significantly lower in patients receiving 300 mg/d alpha-tocopherol. More importantly, no differences were observed in tumor weight inhibition, tumor growth delay or life span in two groups.

Ferriera, P. 2002 ASCO Conference presentation (this is probably the reference Michael mentions). Protective effect of Vitamin E (VE) in head and neck cancer radiation induced mucositis: A double-blind randomized trial. Treatment consisted of 2x daily 5-minute oral rinse and swallow of either 400 mg VE or placebo. Patients received 50-70 Gy 5x week. Used RTOG toxicity scale for evaluating mucositis, also collected mucosal cells for micronuclei assay. Found incidence of severe mucositis (grades 3-4) 36% less in VE-treated arm. Pain was also reduced, but not duration of condition. Reviewer said chief problem with this study was the small size of the study cohorts, and he also had some protocol issues.

Certainly a lot of the alleged benefits of Vitamin E (in heart etc.) have not panned out. The benefit for prostate cancer is, however, well-founded. Many of these studies have found benefit to be associated with gamma-E isomer, not alpha.Some have found E benefit only if in given in conjunction with selenium; the latter is vital to proper immune system function.

So, not such a clear picture...however, best to err on side of caution and stop anti-oxidant supplements during radiation.Just try to take in a good diet as long as you can...

Gail

Thats okay Michael. I feel lost with all the scientific facts anyway. LOL My best friend, who lives in Denmark, is a nutritional science professor and she gets on a roll about stuff and I just lay the phone down and go fix me a sandwich. haahahahahaa

I just got cancer and I wanna get rid of it. To bad all this knowledge can't cure us aint it? My brother-in-law is in surgery today. Kidney with mets to the bones and colon. I doubt if any article in the world could give him more than 3 months right now any more than it gave his daughter who died two months ago.

May the Great Physician hear our prayers.