Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Dexamethasone. It's a steroid that is taken orally twice a day, the day before chemo, and for 2-3 days after chemo. It helps relieve inflammation, decreases allergic reactions to the chemo, stimulates your appetite, helps prevent nausea associated with chemo drugs. It basically prepares your body for chemo.
Have you been prescribed something else?
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Erica...you are not overdoing the water drinking at all! I started my regimen a few days before chemo...tried to get 100 oz in me...and I continued the nest 5 days after chemo...it was hard to reach 100 oz but I was happy if I got up to about 80 after chemo...hydration really helps! Also, take the nausea meds before you start to feel really bad...take it at the first hint of nausea! Mention any side effect to your MO and don't think any question is a dumb one...they really know how to help you with side effects! Good luck to you! Rosie
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Side effects after 4th infusion was the worst! Started withhigh fever, and fatigue, nausea, then now rash! Rash is worse than last round. I'm on steroids and Benadryl again. At least this was the last one...
Hope everyone is doing well. Have a nice weekend.
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Hang In there HockeyCat. I just finished 2 of 4. Good to know that SEs might get worse or different as I go
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PoppyK, i was only prescribed phenergan and zofran, i was told I'd get the steroids the day of, I think through an IV. I will definitely ask about it especially for the 2-3 days after.
Rosie, thanks alot. I picked up my nausea meds today and am definitely gonna try to stay ahead of it. And with the water I bought a few ozarka 100 oz jugs wanna try to finish one a day.
Monday is my big day to start chemo. Keep me in your prayers.
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Hi Erica...I had my first T/C chemo on 11/13... just a few days ahead of you darlin'. Must say, I am pleasantly surprised how well I feel, but have been proactive taking the sage advice of these ladies here....taking ginger root caps 500mg 2x a day for week before/after....and pushing the 100 oz of water, but i've made it "flavored" by adding about 1/3 of bottle with POM juice. Ginger chews, ginger snaps, ginger tea. Keeping meals lite....but no nausua and very very mild bowel issuses. I thought Jesus and I had this all worked out, but my blood pressure was 198/110 when I sat in that infusion chair! So that issue had to be addressed with drugs before they could start the drips. Today is Neulasta shot day...also taking more than the dr recommended Clatitin day befor of/after. I started it 3 days ago and will take for week after....what will it hurt? Also am taking B6 and Magnisium to beat off neuropathy daily...will let you know how that works. We're all so different but this advive is working great for me, other than anxiety...but that too shall get better. Hugs to all...have a blessed weekend.
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Redhead01..duplicate post on the other thread :)Ginny thanks so much. .I'm so glad things are going good for you, gives me alot of hope
I started taking the B6 a few days ago, got a couple 100 oz jugs of water and I Love POM juice can definitely add that to the list along with the magnesium. I read that B6 helps with nausea as well so double the benefits! I got a ginger root tea recipe from Bonnied, that I plan on making tomorrow but will also add the ginger candy and snaps to the list. I got the Claritin too haven't started on it yet but it's ready to go! How are you doing with the metal taste or were you able to ward that off as well? Thanks again I really REALLY appreciate the tips I'm sure this will help me so much! And there's a chance i may need the Anxiety premeds as well lol!0 -
enlm20Erica- Your taste buds may go on vacation after your chemo rounds. If you have a metallic taste in your mouth when you use metal silverware, try using plasticware. Things that usually taste wonderful may not during the taste bud vacation. Try to stay away from favorite foods during this time period especially if you want those foods to stay favorite foods. You may find foods not tasting like much and you may have an adversion to some things. I couldn't eat butter or salt while in chemoland which probably wasn't a bad thing. I kept a daily food diary while in chemoland which helped me figure out what I could or couldn't eat and what tasted okay. My taste buds would always return from vacation during the 3rd week post chemo ( aka my really good week when everything was fine-- felt good and food tasted normal). If you are searching for some help with food, check out these two books that I received during chemo--- Eating Well Through Cancer by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD and The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz. The first book is divided into sections about what to eat before chemo, what to eat when you have certain side effects and has recipes, shopping lists and helpful tips. It was my go to book when I didn't feel like getting on the computer and researching what to do. The second book has wonderful pictures and some good recipes. I also found that I lost my appetite while in chemoland which meant I had to make sure I ate and ate enough food. I got some food/cooking magazines to look at in hopes of stimulating my appetite. Wishing you the best...... you can do this!!!!
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Thanks Sjacobs. You are half way done! Hope you won't get too many different SEs. Steroid and Benadryl are keeping the rash under control, but I have trouble sleeping.
Melrose, I have the same books too! I highly recommend Cancer-fighting Kitchen that has good smoothie recipe. I learned to use Flaxseed in my smoothie. Also one chapter dedicated for dollops, like chutney, dressing, vinaigrette recipes. I didn't get metallic taste but lost most of taste buds during chemo. I couldn't taste much so these additional flavors helped.
enlm20Erica, good luck with your first infusion on Monday.
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Thanks for the info Melrose, haven't gotten cookbooks yet but I did make Rebecca Katz Magic Mineral Broth today. I'll be sipping that tomorrow and after infusion Monday. Hopefully it will give me a good boost. I've been on edge still get pretty overwhelmed at times even tho I've been dealing with this for months. Just something you Never get used to.
Hockeycat, thanks so much, I believe that I will be fine. . Just got to do it.
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enlm20Erica- We will be with you on Monday..... giving you support through your first infusion. I definitely understand the anxiety. My onco offered me Ativan ( anti- anxiety med) which was added to my pre-chemo IV cocktail. I'm not one for taking meds but readily said yes to the addition fo the Ativan. The Ativan was administered with every round and seemed to help take the edge off for me. If you think you need some anti-anxiety meds, do not be afraid to have that dicussion with your onco. I know you mentioned that you did not receive a prescription for steroids. Some oncos give the patient a prescription for those after the first round of chemo and give those steroids as a part of the pre-chemo IV cocktail for the first round of chemo. So try not to fret because you have read on the discussion boards that some take Decadron ( steroid) the day before chemo and for a day or two post chemo.
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Hockeycat- Sorry about the lingering rash and the lack of sleep. Hope everything calms down soon and you get some good rest.
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Erica, Just wanted to check in and let you know I will be thinking about you and praying for you tomorrow. Once the first one is down, I think it gets easier because you know what to expect. I hope you have an easy first infusion and minimal SE. You sound like you are well prepared... so I know you have this!
Poppy
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Also thinking of you, Erica....I cannot fathom having to face this being a young mother like you are....I have the luxery of being somewhat selfish now....please accept the help from all who offer....it blesses them too. I asked for, and received the Neulasta shot in my belly....first time they did it that way there, but it was OKd by dr and was recommended on this site to at least not have to deal with site pain too. Claritin and ibuprofin are helping to keep this feel just flu-like achey....but if you can cuddle and watch football, not too bad to deal with so far. No nauseau....minor bowel issuses....heading into day 4 is better than expected. Hoping to try going to work tomorrow.... will be thinking of all here facing another adventure in chemo-land.
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Redhead, Glad your SE are manageable! No nausea is a blessing. Those bowel issues just sneak up and hit me when I least expect it... I hope your achey-ness improves!
Erica, I forgot to mention that one of the reasons my protocol is different from yours (steroids/dex day before and 3 days after) is because I have severe problems with nausea. Many, many people do just fine with only the steroids on day of infusion.
Poppy
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Erica, best of luck tomorrow! Once you know what you're in for, it does get better. Definitely accept help from any and all who offer, this is not the time to be a hero
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Erica...thinking of you! Once you get it done, it helps to kind of know what to expect...nurses are right there with you and very attentive! Sounds like you are doing all the precautionary things...drinking, Claritin, etc...soups also count as fluids!! Bring your ice water with you during infusion.
I did get a nutribullet to make quick smoothies or ice cream shakes with peanut butter and frozen bananas ...it's fast when you need something ...I tried to eat and didn't have too much nausea...crackers, chocolate pudding...ignored the eating only healthy things!
Well, good luck and thoughts are with you dear! Rosie
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I have a question: ended chemo TAC June 2....have some neuropathy but my elbows and forearms are so achy...I am on tamoxifen...today after my walk on the beach I felt like fluey aches too...anyone else still have achiness...back hurts too...could be age...but damn this is getting annoying! Rosie
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Thanks so much ladies the support from all of you brings tears to my eyes. I really appreciate you all. I'm preparing things for tomorrow, deep from top to bottom, not sure if it's my nerves that have me cleaning like this or because I know chemo affects your immunity, maybe both. I'm struggling trying to get 100oz of water in a day but putting a good effort. Lord help me Jesus, I know I'm going to be okay, I just need to caaaaalm doooown😦
Melrose, I will definitely ask for the anti-anxiety meds if I need them. They gave me some before I had my bilateral mx and the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery, and that was fine with me!
Poppy, thanks so much for your prayers, that's priceless gift that I definitely need. As far as the nausea, I didn't have any nausea after the breast surgery, but when I had the twins I had really bad nausea after my c section so ask about it just in case cause it can go either way.
Redhead01, you're having two 1 yr olds is very hard during a time like this. But it's kind of a blessing and a curse. .blessing because they make me smile even when I'm down and they give me a reason to push thru this and a curse because every min I'm sick from treatment or in pain from surgery I feel like I let them down and my baby girl I just pray to God that this BRCA2 gene skips pass her. It's alot but God will see me and all of us thru this. Thanks the well wishes and I will keep in mind the info about the neulasta shot when I go tomorrow.
Sjacobs, I am officially sending my superwoman costume to the cleaners for a week. .No hero here. .help please! Lol.
Rosieride, I definitely got my "chemo kit" lol. That way at least I know I did ALL I can do to help myself. And I actually just got a NutriBullet myself only made one smoothie and it was disgusting (my own "whatever I had in the kitchen" recipe) been a little discouraged since then, but bananas and peanut butter sounds good, I'll try it!
Again thanks everyone for your prayers and thoughts. I will keep you posted on how things go. Lord help me lol. Much love to you all💗
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Erica, my turn to let you know I too will be praying!!!!! I am on a thread for older Christian women which I love
Lots of prayer warriors here, and you have received all the advice anyone could think of!
We are all behind you.....thinking of all the others, sending gentil hugs and strong prayers
Kath. PS my twins are 20
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ThanksToby, I do appreciate your prayers, if you happen to post on the Christian thread if you can mention me to the other ladies I would be very grateful for their prayers as well.
Question. . So the night before chemo and I all of a sudden have a runny nose not sure if this is due to the flu shot or what, but will it affect the chemo?
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Can I or should I take anything for this tonight?
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enlm - Oh what an unwelcome thing. Do you feel like a cold is coming on? If not, you should be OK taking a Claritin - not a "D", just the regular kind that everyone uses with the Neulasta. Or make sure they give you Benedryl tomorrow before the infusion - which they probably will anyway. Good Luck.
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Minus, it could be a cold coming I feel a little congested but I'm about to take the Claritin now, hopefully it will help. Thanks.
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prayer request sent! How did ya do?
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Erica, Praying for you today! Hope your first infusion went smoothly.
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Well ladies all went very well today, thanks for your well wishes. I woke up with a surprising peace, wasn't nervous at all, All Thanks to God. I did videos of it all I'm planning on posting a vlog on YouTube. I will keep you guys posted. I was there 6 hours, didn't seem long to. I had ice in my mouth letting it melt the entire time I was being treated. I took my nausea meds 2 hours after I left chemo and I plan to take them consistently for the next maybe 5 or 7 days. I am still drinking ALOT of water , I've rinsed my mouth with baking soda and salt twice so far today i follow the baking soda/salt with Biotene mouthwash and will do once more before I go to sleep... we'll see how it goes the days to come. .I'll keep you posted. .oh by the way, I didn't Any side effects Today.
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Thanks for the update Erica! So glad it went well. Hope the SE stay away!
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Erica, glad everything went well during the treatment. Be prepared, you may get fatigued in a few days, I found that I felt pretty good right after treatment, but a few days in I hit a wall (or the wall hit me). Are you getting the Neulasta shot? I find it ironic that the shot that is supposed to boost our immune system contributes to fatigue. As long as I keep up on the ibuprofen, I'm ok though.
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Good Morning Ladies-in-Waiting (for this to be over). I'm Day 5 since 1st T/C....and the big D is hitting this morning....waiting for the anti-D's to kick in before heading into day-2 of work.
The first day is the best....get your meds set up, stock the frig, vacuum or clean if it'll make you feel better. All the pre-prep the Ladies suggest really do help ALOT. I wasn't having any major bowl issues...until today
I had the Neulasta shot on Saturday....got it in my belly (heard that reduces site soreness....I had ZERO there). Take Claritin a fews days longer than dr's say. Last nite was the only time that ibuprofen wasn't helping...and you can only take 6 in 24 hrs, so I crawled into bed with a heating pad...that helped. I think I will space out the pain killers today....would rather be able to sleep, than not be uncomfortable during the day.
Soups and ice cream seem to feel the best.... been forcing bananas and yogurt. Having a protein shake now with crushed ice....
Re: Port cream...... was told to cover with a piece of Saran Wrap after you apply (usually 1 hr before chemo). Might work better than a Band-Aid. I didn't have the cream yet for C#1, but was given a bag of ice for the area before the stick...not bad.
Running on Faith! Keep sharing your hints, highs and lows...... a huge help to each other!!
Hugs to all....Ginny
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