Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Hi all!
I just started first round today.
Of course, no major side effects yet, and did not expect any that early in the process. Except that I am unusually tired, just want to lay down, by it might also be a psychological effect.
I am getting the neulasta shot tomorrow and wanted to ask: does it hurt?
Thanks
Colette0 -
Colett. My experience with the shot, a little prick when the needle is inserted and stinging when it goes in but not a lot of pain. The first time I received it the nurse heated it up and told me that helped decreased the pain. Honestly I do not know if I could tell the difference. It goes quickly.
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Colette- When I had the Neulasta shots, the nurse would have me hold the shot in my hand to warm it up. She asked me where I wanted the shot--- in my arm or my tummy. I opted for the tummy because I have some tummy fat and figured it might be less painful and sore there after I had the shot. The nurse did take a little time to administer the shot so it would be less painful. Yes.... it is a little prick since the needle is very slender. I started my regular 24 hour Claritin the morning that I received my afternoon shot of Neulasta and continued to take the Claritin for 7 more days. I never had any bone marrow pain from the Neulasta shot but I did on occasion have joint pain and muscle aches from the chemo. Good luck....
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Thanks melrosemelrose, elkhato,
I will opt for the belly, since I just had a DIEP FLAP, and most of my abdomen is till numb, that might lessen the pain. I hate shots.
Did you take anything for the muscle and joint pain from chemo itself?
Colette.0 -
I was proactive and took Aleve everyday to avoid pain. I opted for Aleve because it can last for 12 hours.
I also took claritin to avoid joint pain from shot. The first round I stopped after 5 days and had pain so the next rounds I took it for at least 7 days. I have allergy issues so it also helped with eliminating some of those issues.0 -
Has anyone tried a relief band for nausea? I just read about this. Not sure
if they are available anymore.0 -
Hi,
I have a question. Why do we opt to take Claritin, Aleve, Biotin, stool softner, etc. if you are not experiencing any symptoms or SEs? My opinion is that you should feel a little pain before you numb it. Many of you may be taking things that you don't need.
The first go round I had little to no SEs. I had baking soda and mineral + sea salts, Tylenol, a heating pad, etc. at home. The only thing I did was ocassionally gargle with salt walter + baking soda. I had a minor sore throat (allergies/conjestion) and a little bone pain (from the Nuelasta shot I guess) I took the tylenol, and a nap when I felt sleepy. I felt better when I woke up.
I just think we should take less meds; unless we need them . . .then by all means.
Tomorrow is my 2nd infusion . . . I'm expecting more of the same from the 1st infusion.
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Not everyone has minimal side effects with chemo and the anti-nausea drugs. Some oncologists tell their patients to take OTC medications for different side effects. Everyone's body reacts differently to the chemo. Likewise, each person emotionally handles chemo differently to as well as the breast cancer diagnosis and overall treatment plan. Some of the OTC medications may be taken to hedge off or prevent certain side effects. Once some of these side effects hit, it may be difficult to get them under control. It is a decision between the oncologist and patient as to how to handle possible side effects and what kinds of OTC medications that the patient can take. One always hopes to have minimal side effects from the chemo and the anti-nausea drugs but that does not always happen. If you are one of the lucky ones to have minimal side effects, just be glad that you haven't experienced what some are having to go through with chemo.
Good luck with your chemo round #2.
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Vyonnie- Those relief bands ( seasickness bracelet bands) can be purchased at Walgreens. I had one but never really needed to use it. Supposedly ginger chews/ ginger tea helps with the nausea. You can get ginger chews at Walgreens or a health food store.
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ForMyGranddaughter, everyone is different! I tried going the minimal-medication route and I suffered a lot because of it. Chemo would have been much easier on me (not just physically but mentally too) if I hadn't been so resistant to treating the side effects. Everyone needs to do what they can to get through this hell (and yes, it is hell for some of us!!) Unfortunately, my side effects got worse/different with each round, but I hope your #2 goes as easy as the first round and you can sail through chemo!
Good luck!0 -
Everyone, thanks for your input and wisdom about preventing the possible effects of SEs with OTC . . . preventing being the key word! This is very smart strategy.
Make it a great day!
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ForMyGranddaughter- Hope you have an easy time in the BGC aka the Big Girl Chair today!!! Glad you understand the need for meds and things to do to minimize/prevent the chemo side effects.
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Hello girls !! I have been reading a lot of this gruoup, you help a lot really !!
Today is my first chemo TC x 4 and i am really freaked out !!! i have been drinking a lot of water but nothing else apart from that !
Should I buy icecream ? I live in Chile and some of your words I do not undertand , what is popsicle ? Should I paint my nails ??
Thanksssssss
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A popsicle is a frozen treat... like frozen fruit juices/ frescas on a stick.
Yes, you can paint your nails with a clear nail polish to help protect your nails.
Wishing you the best on your first round of chemo!!!!
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Thanks a lot Melrose !!!
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Just finished my 2nd infusion. Blood work was excellent + therapy went well!
I noticed that 4 of my nail beds are getting dark at the cuticle. The nurse said it was due to the chemo and should return to normal when it's complete.
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Day 10 post rnd 3. My nail beds still all good. I think it is my black nail polish worn religiously since day 1 round 1
Eye Brows starting to thin !!!!!
Formygrand- I hear you.))0 -
My oncologist told me to take the antinausua meds the whole week of chemo rather I thought I needed them or not. Her reasoning was that if you start to throw up, it is very hard to get it back under control. I didn't mind being "over medicated" for a week. My SE were bad enough with the meds.
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Today while having my 2nd infusion, I noticed that the bottom of 4 of my nail beds are getting dark at the cuticle. Also that a few of my veins are getting dark, too. The nurse both are a result of chemo and should clear up after my last treatment.
Has anyone else experienced the darkening of the nails or veins?
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My PS did exchane 2 months after last infusion..I am now 2 weeks post exchange. I got a little cough and fever after surgery but it cleared up thanks goodness..and I am OK now. Left fooob is a bit tighter than rt so I need to massage...but so far so good and I like how thye look.
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Runnermom=Awesome! I am so happy that you are pleased and that all has gone well!
Melrose-You still are a wealth of info that is invaluable as it has always been correct...and I, once again, thank you for taking the time to share. I hope you are doing well, also.
Formygrand-I'm not usually big into meds or over the counter meds..however, the whole preventative aspect is what I have been doing. Mainly, on what issues I have anyway... like I do get heartburn and acid reflux time to time..so when I saw post after post on different boards that this was a issue..I knew it would be one for me..so I take prilosec 2-3 days before chemo and continue until last day of SE. I seriously hope your 2nd one goes well. My first was easy..2nd kicked butt! However, from what I can see in here..is different for all. I have a friend that has just finished her 6th round of chemo..She was on AC..and now they've switched her to Taxol. She breezed through the red devil..just a little tired..but Taxol has reallly knocked her down..however, through all this..hasn't lost one strand of hair. And she doesn't do the cold caps or anything. Me, I've got the prescribed meds for nausea, but haven't had to use them at all. Haven't felt any nausea at all..course I eat very light (although constantly it feels like) Everyone is different.
Floruchag-Welcome! I hope that your first infusion went well for you! In ref to the nails..I use Sally Hansens Hard as Nails..haven't had issue with nails yet. I've heard the black polish does work..not sure how though. Sending wishes for easy chemo your way!
Collette-I think this is day 3 for you. Are you feeling ok?
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
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Vyonnie-
Google quezy-pops for nausea. I don't like taking too many meds, so I tried these. Work pretty well for nausea.
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Hi all. I had 6 rounds of TC and most of my fingernails turned dark like they were bruised, a few toenails too. My thumbnails on both hands turned a dark grey, almost black. I used a clear base coat for my nails and covered with a dark grey nail polish to cover. I had always had French tips so it seemed a little gothic when I switched to the dark grey, almost black polish but started to really like it and still use it some now that my nails are back to normal color. I'm 3 months out from my last treatment and still have ridges on all of my nails but never lost any.
As for hair...I lost almost all of mine before the second round of chemo. It's hard...so hard and I feel for you all for having to go through it. Now, 3 months out I have about 2" of hair and it is really thick, you can't see even a tiny bit of scalp anywhere. You'll be where I am now before you know it! You will walk away feeling empowered and with a great sense of accomplishment at the obstacles you've had to overcome. My heart goes out to you all and I wish you all the very best.0 -
LW0919, thank you so much for the encouragement. It's so nice to hear that we will make it through. I've been wondering about the transition from chemo to radiation and whether I'll be able to work through the rads. Would you mind sharing your experience?
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Going through chemo will make rads seem like a walk in the park. Granted there can be some pain with rads, my underarm area turned purple and black and was so tight BUT I didn't miss a single day of work. The fatigue, if any was disguised by the residual fatigue left over from chemo. You do have to get creative with all the lotions, ointments, and how you wear your bra if you wear one. I am a DD on the left and now a D on the right after lumpectomy so going without a bra while working was not an option. I still wore an underwire bra but would either cut up a cotton tshirt and slide a piece under my bra between it and my skin or would wear a bra over a cami top. It looked ridiculous but no one could see it. I had 33 rads of which I have done 32 and have only 1 left it is very do-able! The hardest part with rads for me was being tied down and committed to go there Monday - Friday for 6 1/2 weeks. Just focus on counting down every day...and it too will be over before you know it!
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It's been just over 4 weeks since my last infusion. I had my mastectomy last week. I got on the scale and I'm down the 10 pounds I gained while on chemo. Yay! Nice to know I was hanging on to fluids and that I've gotten rid of the bloat.
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LW0919, thanks for the info on darkening nails. Four of my nails are getting gray. It's good to know that they may not come off and just grow out.
I will keep them short, clean + covered with that dark polish, too!
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LW0919-
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have TC #3 in 2 days. (I am having 4 total). Then 6 wks of rads.
Can't wait for this all to be behind us (as much as it can be).
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Nocompromises-
I am a little behind you on treatments. Get #3 in 2 days. How are the SE's this time for you? Any more tired?
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Bikergirl, I have my 3rd TC of 4 tomorrow, then rads. Getting ready to head out for my pre-chemo shopping trip. Even though I am getting closer to the end of chemo, I still dread this treatment knowing that I have 9-10 days of feeling crappy ahead of me. Do you know how long it will be before you start rads after your last chemo?
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