CervCa: brachytherapy painful? ? ?

I have to do 5 brachytherapy treatments when I get done with the chemo and rad. And I was wondering what its like painful ? Has anyone on here had these?

Brachy isn't painful in itself, but sometimes the side effects can be irritating. Are you having it done as an out-patient? My brachy (or HDR) was no longer than 15 minutes each time. But I've been reading some women are having brachy done as in-patient over a longer period of time.

If its being done like mine was, the treatment wasn't painful at all. Afterwards I felt "crispy" down there and peeing burned a bit. It only lasted a day or two after the treatment though. Drinking more fluids helped ease the burning feeling, even though it made me go more.

Thank you for replying so fast I'm very anxious about those. Do they sedate you my doc said they would and yes mine is out patient .

I have this coming up in a couple of weeks (the quick high dose version). Everything I've read says the delivery device can be a little uncomfortable, but that everything else is easy.

I'm pretty sure the embarrassment will be the worst part for me. I was fine with the lack of modesty in the hospital because I was sick/in pain, but now that I'm mostly recovered...

If you are anxious, you might want to ask about conscious sedation... maybe they'll give you something to help you relax They didn't sedate me and I was really really scared about the pain and then it hurt so the rad onc gave up on me right away and didn't even try to get me called down (he has the bedside manner of a schizophrenic cactus). The rectal probe hurt because my hemorrhoids were very swollen and very inflamed from external rads, so if you don't have this issue, the rectal probe should be no problem. I found out that I can't get the small dilator "up there," so that explains why the manual exam and probe for the pellets hurt. Since you didn't have external rads, you shouldn't have the vagina issue, either, so you should be fine, there, too.

The treatment, itself, only takes a few minutes, but the appointment takes 2-3 hours because they scan you first, then do the calculations and planning, then do the treatment.

God's blessings and good luck!

Hi Secretariat,

Wishing you a trouble-free brachytherapy!

Definitely ask about sedation. I was given a shot of demerol during my first (of 3) HDR treatments. The first session involved taking measurements to ensure that the HDR was delivered to a very focused area of my vaginal cuff--and avoiding the other pelvic organs.

I felt no pain but did feel uncomfortable in the position I had to hold. But it was over fast. Each dosage lasted about 10-12 minutes. For my last 2 treatments, I took a valium.

Let us know how it goes--we're here for you!

Karen-

I'm curious why you're needing brachytherapy since I see you were Stage 1A, Grade 1. Is it because of the size of your tumor?

Inquiring minds . . . .

Good luck to you and to Secretariat. Looks like you'll be going through this together.

Suzanne

Yep, it's the size of the tumor that's driving it.

Thanks for the good wishes.

Good luck everyone embarking on the brachy treatments. Mine were done differently under general and all the tubes left in over 2 days so treatments could be given with 8 hr gaps. I was given a morphine pump but did not need it - had no pain. The treatments themselves were 15 mins and painless. My biggest side effect was extreme fatigue after, but am seeing more effects the further out from treatment I get. I get regular massages to break down the scar tissue around my hips. Good luck!

I had 1 outpatient brachy treatment. I was anxious about it, and my doctor prescribed some Valium and painkiller. I brought along a video to watch on my iPod -- like others have said, there's a lot of waiting around involved. It was really fine. I understand your worry, but you'll be fine too!