Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?
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Thanks Tipnas and GrandmaV! I think I'm going to try some Tylenol when I can. Interesting that Zofran can cause headaches too. I believe it is part of my pre-meds and the headache started about 3/4 of the way through the Cytoxin drip (right after the Adriamycin push). I don't recall having any headaches when I did Taxol though and I believe that Zofran was in my pre-meds then too. Hmmmm., I will definitely share this information with the onc in the morning.
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C-squared, I was given a prescription for Zofran, and it comes with a warning on the container that it can cause headaches. Since you've had it before and it didn't cause a headache it may be the Adriamycin or cytoxin and maybe you should do as Tipnas suggested and go ahead and give your onc a call if it's persistent.0
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c-squared - I experienced the same thing when I went through AC. My nurses and I fnally figured out I needed more fluids even though I would drink as much as I could before, during, and after the infusion. So, they gave me a bag a fluids at the end of the infusion and my headache would disappear. I just wish we had figured it out sooner! lol Good luck and I hope this helps.
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Hello fellow chemo ladies--
It's just nice to see your names on postings and know that you are all still out there. I miss you guys sometimes!
Nel, your chemo brain story was exactly what I have experienced too...it's so bizarre to feel so loopy sometimes!
Q, I don't know about cara cara oranges and interactions. Perhaps your pharma would know?
Beth, I don't like cancer either. It may help to know that stage IV in b.c. doesn't mean automatic death sentence. I've read so many women's stories who had stage IV and they beat it.
XXOO
Claire
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CSquared ~ I was told to expect (and I experienced) a whole sinus reaction during the Cytoxin drip. It has that effect. In addition to headaches, I had that weird feeling like when you get water up your nose in the pool...It was horrible! Let the nurses know that you are having headaches (maybe sinus headaches?) during the drip and see if they can give you something.
Blessings,
SAN
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CSquared ~ I forgot to ask....what Chicago suburb are you from? I lived in Villa Park (0-7), Naperville (7-12), and Wheaton (12-17). Then I left for Southern California where I went to college and lived there for about 16 years. In 2004, my daughter and I moved back to Naperville where I met my husband (who is originally from Oak Park) and then we moved to Arlington Heights for a year before finally settling back in Southern California! Haha!
SAN
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Hi Ladies,
Seems like I'm a bit behind because my doctor found a new study that he thought indicated good reasons for adding more rounds of chemo. So my final one is this coming Tuesday, Hallelujah! I am so over this! I haven't posted much in this forum, (mostly because quite frankly, the thread grew so quickly that I couldn't keep up) but learned a lot from all of you, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm going to start to go back and read about some of you being newbies on Tamoxifen.
Sandyland, I too did TAC (AND live in SoCal - Orange County - or behind the Orange curtain as some say
Would love to try to meet if there's a get together -- I know that there are several ladies up this way too.Rewayland, I'm so sorry that TAC was such an awful experience for you. I've had SE's, but nothing like that.
Best to all, Jenifer
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jenlee, 8 rounds, wow! We're so glad to hear you're about done. How are you doing?0
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GramdmaV, I'm Hanging in there! Swollen feet, indigestion, getting a bit tired, but I consider myself to have been blessed with nothing major.
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GrandmaV, I'm hanging in there! Swollen feet, heart-BURN, but mostly I consider myself to have been blessed with few SE's.
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Jenifer ~ Yes, let's get together once you are back on your feet after chemo! One of my sisters lives in Sunset Beach so I'm out in the OC often. Let me know when you are up for it
SAN
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Hi all. I have an issue and could use some advice. I just finished my chemo (started November 2011) and my side effects are still annoying me! Some of them have passed, like the weakness (thank goodness!), but now I've started losing toenails, while others are there, but the nail bed is now a thick tissue. Someone at the infusion center suggested tree oil, and I've been using it without knowing if it's helping or really doing anything at all. Does anyone have thoughts, experiences?
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wrkn, Congratulations on finishing chemo! So sorry to hear about your toenails. I also had TCH, but did not have the nail problem, but some of the ladies on the thread for TCH did. If you post your question there, I'm sure someone will have a suggestion:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/578284?page=452#idx_13552
I hope this resolves for you real soon.
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I don't know how all of u have been feeling, but last week Mon I just felt like I was imprisoned for 5 months, can't really go wherever I want or do whatever I want without worrying about my low immune system, fatigue. I think at the end of chemo they should provide each of us with an all expense paid weekend getaway to a tropical island with full spa service, anyone with me on this?
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Count me in!
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I have said it before and I will say again, I neeeed the ocean! I have been struggling with depression again. I wake up crying. I can't seem to get my excitement back.
My joints have been hurting. It reminds me of the days after my taxol treatments. Does anyone have some recommendations that has helped them with joint pain? I am finished with chemo and thought I would just snap back. I am normally an upbeat person but I can't seem to function too well.
Thanks!
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bethu77- I hear you on the pain....I am 2 1/2 weeks PFC and last night I could bearly walk. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis and am not on any meds right now. I am too a normally upbeat person but am struggling with pain. Seems I can't get away from it. Last week I found a lump in my groin and they think it is a nothing but want to take it out Wednesday. I just can't catch a break....had a staph infection...shingles....put up with a PICC line for 5 months....now 2 weeks before my TRAM I have to have this lump removed. UGH! I keep thinking that there has to be a quiet week one of these days.....now I just have to pray the doctor is right and this lump is a nothing....it isn't near lymph nodes....we shall see.....trying to not freak out with all this going on. Thank goodness for Lorazepam!
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naan, I'm with you!
Beth and Bonseye, It's quite a coincidence that you mentioned joint pain. I was just approached this morning, by a research nurse about a clinical trial about joint pain and stiffness caused by femara. I've only been on femara a month so didn't qualify (have to be on it 3 months) She mentioned that Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown in clinical trials to help people with joint pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis so they have begun to study it for other causes of joint pain. I asked her to send me the information on it just in case they're still recruiting in another couple of months. I don't know the dosage, but it might be worth some research to find out. Here's one site I've just started to read:
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GrandmaV-thank you sooooo much! I will read that article. I appreciate the info!0
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Naan, I'll go with you too. I think they should fly us all first class!
Beth and Bonseye, I'm suffering a lot with the joint pain too. I'm almost 4 months out from chemo and had Taxotere. I've heard the taxanes can cause joint pain. I'm so stiff and achey, they sent me to a rheumatologist. She said it wasn't RA and my joints were fine. She did say I needed to get my sleep sorted out, as I'm not sleeping well. She said lack of sleep causes us to feel depressed which makes us feel pain more acutely. She also told me to try Tylenol which doesn't do a thing. I don't feel depressed but I do have a lot of fatigue. I just started Weight Watchers last week and have been eating a lot less sweet stuff and I've noticed that my joints are a little less painful. I'm also stretching every day Hopefully it will continue as the pain does affect your QOL.
Beth have you had your thyroid levels checked recently? Low thyroid can cause fatigue, depression and joint aches. They checked mine but I haven't got the result yet. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Hang in there. Inspite of the aches I feel so much better than I did a couple of months ago.
Bonseye, I agree, the constant pain can start to wear you down. I hope all goes well with your lump removal and it turns out to be nothing. It sounds like you've been through a lot.
GrandmaV, thanks for the info on fish oil supplements. I'm going to read it now
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Joint pain ~ Hi All! The answer to your joint pain is a product called LubriSyn HU. It is all natural and it WORKS! I love it. You can buy it on their website at www.lubrisyn.com or else some supplement stores have it. FYI, I figured out the hard way that glucosamine chondroitin doesn't do squat.
SAN
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My thyroid is high and they are adjusting my meds. I thought the same thing about the depression. I took my temp this evening since I am so cold and achy. It is 99.5. My regular temp is 96.7 so I am sure this is why I don't feel well.
I work in a public library and the patrons have to use my phone because not everyone has a cell. I wipe down the phone but who can get everything? Also, my coworker was at lunch when I went in today and she is sick!!! She didn't wipe down the phone or leave me a note saying she was sick.
I also don't sleep well. I wake up crying or in pain. If I take a pain pill, I usually get 4 hours and then I am wide awake. I am definitely calling the oncologist tomorrow a.m or maybe tonight. I am home alone and don't feel like driving myself anywhere this evening. Tomorrow will be another day.
Bonseye-- I hope the lump is nothing. Hopefully, it will just go away.
Have a good evening my Friends!
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Hi All,
Naan, Name the island I am there. That sounds so good right now. After a few warm days it is now 50 degrees in Boston, ick.
So my paranoia is running rampant. My left underarm, opposite side from my surgery, has a sore itchy rash. I have IBC with often begins with a rash and itchy, tho on one's breast, I am going to worry anyway. And I feel like a bruise in my spine. I see my MO on Friday for my next chemo so I can wait, but anxious. For everyone else who has other "stuff" come up UGH, really do we need to put up with this.
And heard this the other day - Cancer Survivor - anyone of us who have survived hearing the cancer diagnosis. YES I say to that!
Thanks for letting me vent
Gentle evening
Nel
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I had my last chemo on January 28th, and I have lost all of my fingernails and so far 3 toenails. I am taking Biotin for nails and hair growth. I figured it can't hurt and may help. I have not heard of tree oil helping.
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My big toenails are coming off. All the others have come off and grown back. I called the onco last night and she said to take Aleve or Tylenol for the joint pain and fever. I slept under the electric blanket until I got warm. Tonight I have chills, joint pain but no fever. I have next month off from work since I have my exchange surgery on the 17th.
My pet peeve---People saying I should be over it by now! Some people we know worked through the chemo and rads. I worked during rads the first time. I feel so beaten down this time. I need to find my high. I feel better when I walk. I need to get into aqua zumba again. I loved it. I need to talk to the YMCA again.
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Beth, that's one of my pet peeves, too. The ones who say that have no idea what we've been through. Not only the physical stuff, but the mental and emotional, too. I know for myself, I will be dealing with the emotional side of this for a very long time. I've gotten so used to coming here and being understood by all of you, that when I go to events where my non cancer friends are, I'm almost shocked at some of the insensitive things said. That's why I keep checking in here. The support we give each other is truly unique. I'm amazed how we support each other. I have to say I have never experience this anywhere else. And to think we come from many different places and would never have crossed each others path, if it hadn't been for breast cancer and this web site.0
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Nel, We all understand about that paranoia. I go from one thing to another, worried it's something bad rearing it's ugly head again. I hope everything goes well Friday and your worries turn out to be just a rash and a bruise and nothing more.0
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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Ok I had to get that off my chest, I really need a vacation! I have yet another setback, my who knows what numbers r so dangerously low that they refuse to give me chemo this week, well tough cookies I'm not changing my surgery date. Even if I have to skip one chemo session, have chemo the same week as surgery, or have chemo week after surgery, I really don't care at this point! Ahhhhhh, I wish I was done already!!!!
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FINALLY had my last chemo today! TAC x 8 was challenging, but thank goodness it's finished.BMX on 5/23. Can't wait to say good-bye to these bad boobies.0
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naan1004 - Julie - So sorry you're having problems. Wishing you improved counts so you can finish soon!
Jenifer
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