My radiation ended Nov. 30th, my chemo a month before. During chemo it was nothing for me go gain 12 lbs of fluid the day after treatment and then loose about 9 of it before the next treatment. I am allergic to Benedryl so I had to take extra doses of Decadron the night before treatment as well as an IV during treatment. After chemo was finished the fluid retention was up and down. In Nov. I began radiation. My ankles began to swell again but this time was accompanied with intense itching. At first burning, stinging and then itching. (This itching was the same as twice during chemo treatments but was very short lived.) This time however, it was unbelievable itching. There wasn't any red in the area that itched but inside of the area it itched like itching powder under the skin. I could also feel the fluid build up in the area that itched. About a week later the calves were holding extra fluid and itching too. Lasix did not help, support stockings did not help and may have caused the inital reaction as I am allergic to latex. Testing showed no Hepatitis & Thyroid normal.
Many nights I was up scratching and soaking in the tub with Aveeno. I ended up at a Derm. He gave me some topical cream. I returned to him one more time. This time he gave me Clobetasol Propionate and said he had never seen anything like this. I next went to an Allergist. She took me off Claritan and put me on Allegra and prescription Pepcid.
Both the Derm. and Allergist said they believed the rash was from the radiation. The chemo nurses explained to me that chemo messes around with your immune system and allergies and what you WEREN'T allergic to before treatment you might be allergic to now and what you WERE allergic to before you might not be now. The Derm. and Allergist explained that radiation can rash you out anywhere on your body while you receive treatment somewhere else on your body. Radiation compromises your immune system as well.
If anyone out there is familiar with what I have shared here, please write back. The doctor said to give it 3-6 months and the fluid should adjust. I am still holding fluid and my weight goes up and down.
Thank you.