CMF Question
Comments
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Thanks golfer grandma. I'm so glad you had such good results. Very encouraging.
Had anyone had backaches? I had terrible backaches last night and as my kidneys are a little goofy it got me worried. I guess everything gets me worried at this point, but last night was pretty bad.
Today is much better.
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Timbuktu -- I had very severe backaches from my neulasta shots, but not from CMF. I always said that the neulasta shots were worse than the tx!
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Timbuktu: I don't remember if I ached in the back but I did have this feeling as if I had flu--you know those aches you get with flu--for a good part of my CMF. However, even I was easily able to travel two months after my chemo. And I say "even I" because I did suffer from more side effects than most. And by travel, I went to Paris and London and walked my feet off...
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Thanks so much for the encouragement! I didn't think of the neulasta shot.
I think i did have a backache like this once before though, without the neulasta.
Thank Gd it's pretty much passed by now.
I guess I'll wait a month or so and then go in for some more chemistries.
London and Paris sound fantastic! lol
Of course all of this is well worth it if it works!
Thanks again. It helps to know that others have survived this!
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Thanks so much for the encouragement! I didn't think of the neulasta shot.
I think i did have a backache like this once before though, without the neulasta.
Thank Gd it's pretty much passed by now.
I guess I'll wait a month or so and then go in for some more chemistries.
London and Paris sound fantastic! lol
Of course all of this is well worth it if it works!
Thanks again. It helps to know that others have survived this!
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I just had my first "CMF lite" treatment last week. I feel like I faired well with just some mild nausea and tiredness for a few days afterwards. I am doing 8 treatments, each 3 weeks apart. I would love to hear from those who are either done or farther along than I am regarding side effects with this particular treatment. Did they intensify with subsequent treatments? What about hair thinning and/or loss?
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I think there is alot of information in these pages fad60, maybe it would be a good thing to read back...just to let you know I did CMF eleven years ago now..it was difficult for me but I did it..andI know you will too, Myhair thinned for me about 50 percent according to my hairdresser, it became more tired as the treatments extended...the shots for low white blood counts were not pleasant but it helped to lower the dosage of them...
Lots of support here...hugs
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Welcome, fad60. I finished CMF in January. Side effects seemed to be a bit different each round, some better, some worse but doable. I lost about 25% of my hair. No one really noticed. It's starting to come back now. Lots of baby hairs! Since then I completed six weeks of radiation. I had another biopsy which I just found out today was negative. Just scar tissue. I feel normal
. Lots of nice people here who will help you. Take care!
Denise0 -
Hi gals,
The weather in IL has been phenomenal for this time of year and I have been out enjoying it. We've also been working on renovating a house so I've kept very busy.
Welcome to our thread, fad60. This is a great group of ladies who can help you get through your treatments and answer most of your questions. I think you will find that CMF chemo is very doable. Just drink plenty of fluids to help wash those nasty chemicals out of your body. Rest when your body tells you to rest, and try to lead as "normal" a life as possible while going through the journey. The side effects vary from person to person but are all manageable. You will get this through this!
Timbuktu...glad you're a chemo grad!
I'm off to enjoy this weather!
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fad60: welcome to the place no one wants to be. Everything Ritajean has said is true-just follow her words and you will be fine. And come back here often--if you have a question or a complaint or just want to tell us how you are feeling. The gals here are wonderful and will help you get through chemo.
Mandy
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Thank you ladies, for all your words of encouragement! It seems that this CMF treatment plan is very "doable." My plan is to just power through. Although cancer has become a part of my life, it is not my whole life - lol! I recently bought the Biotene mouthwash, as my mouth seems a little more sensitive, although no sores. Maybe I should be also using the Biotene toothpaste? One week out of my first treatment, I feel great, thankfully!
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I'm done now, had the last infusion 2 weeks ago. I had one nurse tell me that the effects get worse, not because they build in your body but because your body is kind of worn out from all of the infusions. But I did not always find that to be true. Sometimes the infusions barely effected me. Take those anti-nausea pills, they really work! When I mentioned to the onco that I thought the effects were cumulative she very strongly said "they are not!" I guess everyone is different. But dont' get discouraged if you do have one bad cycle, it doesn't mean the next will be worse.
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Upstate, can ask about the scar tissue? I have a long hard lump on one side of my scar and it's making me so nervous! The drs say not to worry, scar tissue, fat necrosis, common. But I think I want a biopsy. Did you insist on one? What was your lump like?
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Thanks Ritajean. It's great to be done with the treatments but now I have to figure out how to re-enter normal (the new normal) life.
And you know, the whole world bloomed with flowers when I was done! What a celebration.
you are so right about drinking. So important to drink. Not so easy when you are nauseous.
I've taken to filling 4 16 ounce cups of spring water and sipping throughout the day.
When I'm done I know I've had enough. And i can feel the difference, I think at times I got dehydrated. Ididn't feel thirsty. A nurse told me not to go by thirst. If you are thirsty you've waited too long. Just keep sipping all day long.
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What type of anti-nausea did your doctor recommend? I was given a prescription for Compazine which I filled, but opted not to take. It just seems too strong with so many possible side effects. Is there a milder anti-nausea medicine to take for the couple of days after treatment? Also, I have never drank so much water, but feel it is so important to keep hydrated and flushed. Congrats on finishing treatment Timbuktu! It must be a great feeling!
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Hi, Fad60.
I was given Compazine and Ativan for nausea and told to try the Compazine first and then take the Ativan if I still felt bad. I never had to take the Ativan. I had no side effects from the Compazine. My onc nurse said think of nausea as any "off" feeling, not just feeling like you are about to be sick. I think it really helped. Hang in there!
Denise0 -
I had comapzine too
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I also had compazine. I found that it worked better if I took it before I had.the nauseathan using it to get rid of the nausea.
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O.K. the consensus seems to be Compazine. I will try it next time. Thank you!
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I tried a bunch of anti nauseas that did not work. The combo that finally worked for me was kytril and emend. But I agree--dont wait until you are nauseous; take the meds to keep the nausea away.
The best thing for mouth sores was acupuncture. At the end of my 8 tx, my onc examined my very dry mouth and expressed surprise that I did not have mouth sores at all. I told her that I had used acupuncture for the side effects. And my onc said that there were some studies showing that acupuncture actually did work and prevented mouth sores and reduced side effects. I got the name of the acupuncturist from one of my doctors...I did not just go and pick a name from the phone book. One of the gals on this thread told me that acupuncture had worked for her and I so I tried it.
Have a nice weekend.
Mandy
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The anti nausea drugs were reglan and...memory gone. I'll have to check. My son is a psychiatrist and told me not to take the reglan as it effects dopamine in the brain. The other drug effects, and blocks, I think, serotonin, and he said that was safer. But like you I hate drugs and stayed away from them for the first few cycles. I think that was a mistake though. When I started taking them I felt so, so much better! and then i could drink more and generally function better. I didn't have any bad side effects that I could pinpoint... so much was going on anyway.
Today is day 16 after the last infusion and I'm not feeling great. I'm short of breath and very very tired. Also worried about the lump on my chest which they"think" is scar tissue. I think it's hard not to be doing anything to fight the cancer. I'm sort of betwixt and between and I'm afraid. Every ache and pain, every odd feeling, makes me think of the cancer. Maybe if i had more energy I could fight the feelings but the way i feel, i can't do too much. We went shopping and even myhusband was concerned, he said I seemed so wiped out. I think it's going to take awhile for my body to bounce back. Six months is a long time to be on chemo. Sorry I'm not as "up" today.
Some days are better than others.
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Zofran was the other anti-nausea drug.
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Timbuktu: Don't be discouraged. When I finished chemo, I was so exhausted I could not walk around the block. My internist said to get a pedometer and to begin by walking arund the block and every day to add a few steps. I did that--very gradually--and within two months I was alot better (for that trip I took to Europe). I also had shortness of breath and something that seemed almost asthma like--my internist treated that. I still was on some medication for the breath shortness, but it did not interfere with my trip. And there were some positive sides--I called the hotel in Paris ahead of time and explained that I had been on chemo and absolutely needed a non smoking floor. Well they gave me gifts from the manager when I checked in--a fruit basket, some sweets plus flowers....and a free daily buffet breakfast to boot (plus a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower)! In England I always stay with friends so I did not get a manager's gift--just the gift of friendship. You might check in with your onc or your internal medical doctor about your symptoms and then very gradually try to do a little more. And, don't get discouraged--you will feel alot better very soon!!!!!
Hugs, Mandy
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Thanks so much Mandy! Today is the 20th day after the last infusion and I do feel my strength returning. What an amazing feeling it is! And thanks for telling me about the shortness of breath. I do have asthma when I'm around dogs/cats, feathers. I didn't expect this symptom so it kind of scared me but knowing that you had it too is so reassuring. It's a beautiful day today and I am absolutely determined to get out there and walk.
What you describe, about the kindness extended, is so true. It has made me determined to do the same for others. It's what makes this thing bearable vs unbearable. I thank you for your kindness and encouragement! Here's to health!
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@fad60: I just had my 4th infusion of CMF .. WBC was low 2 weeks after 3x and had shot of Nupogen .. WBC was 10.5 after 6 days so good to go for 4x .. terrible heartburn from the Decadron pills taken before the chemo. No cramps so far this round, problem in past. Hair loss is about 30% but not noticeable because of my curly hair. Not happy about not coloring it so the grey is starting to show. Using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner ritajean recommended. Otherwise, I feel really good. CMF is certainly an easier chemo than many others. Hope you do well with your next treatment. Keep us posted.
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Hi, smva. Thank you for your input - I really like hearing from someone who is further along in the treatment than I am. I will be going for #2 next week. You must be happy to be half way done at this point! I am glad to hear you are feeling well and am reasurred about the hair loss with you thinking you have only lost about 30%. Having hypothroidism, I go through periods when I shed quite a bit when my numbers are off a little. I will get some of the Nioxin products too. Keep me posted on your progress as you head to tx #5.
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I had no idea that the wbc could rebound like that. I only had one neulasta shot, after the last infusion 3 weeks ago. I had assumed it would take awhile for me to be able to get my dental work done but now I think I'll go and get the blood work done. I want a biopsy on my scar too. Thanks for letting us know how strong those shots are!
BTW, shortness of breath is gone, energy is returning and the terrible constant hunger that made me gain over 30 pounds is letting up!
That heartburn was annoying, i didn't know where it was coming from. I just knew that eating made it go away! ;-)
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Timbuktu: so glad that you are feeling better!
Everyone have a wonderful holiday weekend (which ever of the holidays you celebrate).
Mandy
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Well, had my second of eight treatments today of "CMF lite" today. I found out that my wbc was a little low, so tomorrow, I have to go back for a Neulasta shot. I think I am more nervous about the side effects from this more than the CMF. It sounds like I will most likely need this after the remaining 6 treatments. I am also wondering if I should be taking a 2 hr. flight, back and forth for a little getaway I have planned with my husband? I would be leaving 4/22 which is 10 days after my shot. I will obviously check with my MO for her opinion, but was just wondering if anyone else has had similar circumstances?
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fad60: Your MO will have the best idea about the flight. My counts were reasonably good though I did spike fevers a few times--once just a few days before a trip--my onc gave me antibiotics and said I could go. Hope your MO will find a way for you to do the trip
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