Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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This cracked me up!
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Hi Ladies
I don't post too much but I would like to ask if anyone can give me some ideas how to stay ahead of constipation. I had a tx on the 29th. On Saturday my constipation was over the top. Could not get it out. What a horrible feeling. Then hemmoroids. Now taking milk of magnesium, but now not feeling too good. I do read a lot of things to do but stool softeners etc just don't cut it. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Rosieo
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Ok my fellow bunk mates. I signed up for AC #3 even though I am not doing well with AC#2. The nausea just hasn't stopped, even with a boat load of anti-nausea meds. I am not sure I can make it through another AC but I am trying. Just pray for me,as I do for each and everyone of you every day.
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here2win -- I had my second weekly round Taxol (of possibly 12) this morning and my final AC was 3 weeks ago. See my post from last night on page 125. SEs have been much better so far.
My only real issues are fatigue and runny eyes. (My nose runs all the time also, but that's more a result of no nose hairs.) The nurse I had this morning said that exercise would actually help the fatigue so I will try to do a bit more than I did this past week. My "big" activity is walking my dogs down and back up my semi-short, but steep, driveway. I live in the woods so there are plenty of leaves to rake! I've also managed to work about 3 or 4 hours each day. I work at home anyway, so can take breaks as needed.
Don't have much appetite, but things taste OK. I really need to try to take in more fluids.
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Just finishing #4 of AC. Keeping you all in my thoughts this week! We can do it!
Octogirl - Magnesium Malate is the best and I take two every night. My chiropractor recommended it for joint and muscle pain and it works beautifully. I have been taking it for a few years. Iasked my MO (actually the PA who is very in tune with natural remedies) and she said it was a great thing to take. I got it at Sprouts (organic food store) and also ordered some online. I hope you feel better.
My nurse today said Taxol causes some joint and muscle pain. Oh goody! But not as much nausea, so that's good.
Always a new challenge. I'm quietly celebrating that I'm halfway thru chemo as of today!
Hugs to all of you and positive thoughts that it's a good week!
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So tomorrow is the day per onc for AC! Ah! Did any of you feel like taking a shower afterwards? How quickly do you go down on your first day? Thanks!
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Sailorgirl, several of us will be celebrating the halfway point tomorrow. I am ready to see my last red syringe.
Lindy and Southern, my 70+ pound dog is glued to me after chemo. Sometimes with the cat. I'm not sure I've been alone in bed since I was diagnosed.
Luzeelu, the runny eyes are driving me mad. My husband and I walked up the street for breakfast this weekend, and everyone thought I was crying.
Rosieo: drink more fluids (advice I need to heed, too). Whatever else you try, that should help
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Arista, I had several hours after the first one before I dropped like a stone. Others have had a couple of days of steroid-induced Wonder Woman before they crashed. Fingers crossed for you tomorrow
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Thanks Scotland. I'll be sure to shower and do whatever as soon as I get home, in case time's ticking for later in the day. As for steroids, I assume it's a pre med? I don't have rx at home for steroids. Said I don't need it at home.
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I am on a different regiment, but after infusion #2 I went out for dinner and drink with my support group. I have infusions on Wednesdays and it's the following Saturday and Sunday when I basically just sleep and rest the entire day.
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Yes, steroids area pre med, and most of us take it for a few days after.
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Rosie, see the post about constipation by Annie on page 124. Hopefully you find some relief.
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thanks for your prayers, thoughts, and hugs! I got my chemo! AC #3 in the books! And my throat even feels a little better.
Grey- I'm happy you are going for number 3. I said a prayer for you.
Southern- sorry for your loss. And on the hair topic, I would love curls like Little orphan Anni
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Hi, I was diagnosed for triple negative cancer in August. I started with the cold caps on my first round of treatment. I didn't think I could di it a 3 Rd time but with the help of some anti anxiety drugs have now finished my 5 th treatment of 16 and think I can do it. It isn't easy and it's expensive but worth it to me to keep my hair since I have such a long journey. I should be finished with chemo by the end of February and then hopefully having the newest double mastectomy procedure where yout muscles , tissue and nipples are spared. Please get back to me if you have any questions. Xoxo
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I am on a different regiment (TCH) but there have been two times where I didn't take Miralax and I had the most horrible constipation. It woke me in the night and hurt like birthing pains. I have found that two glasses with a large capful of miralax two times daily makes a huge difference. It is really drinkable in Gatorade or tang. Also I am to where water is tough so I have been drinking dillute gatorade, lemonade, lemon water whatever to get three quarts of water a day. More if you can. It makes a huge difference. I find laxatives to be very hard to take but if I stay in front with two to three doses of miralax I would far rather have diarhea than the the other.
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Rosieo - In addition to others' good advice on taking laxatives, drink lots of water (waaaay more than you want to drink) and eat high fiber foods. Bran flakes, oatmeal, apples, beans, peas and corn have been my friends. I also drink a dose of psyllium (generic for Miralax?) daily. Constipation is dreadful with chemo, I really have to fight it every day.
Artista - Each round has been different for me. I don't typicallly get hit by fatigue on day 1 of AC chemo, but 2 out of 3 rounds I had nausea (which surprised the doc) on day 1. Fatigue has been a day 2-3-4 SE for me. Wishing you minimal SEs!
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Yesterday I got the worst cramps randomly around my back and ribs and hips. It was like spasms that bent me in different directions, so painful. My BP also dipped low and I had a vomiting bout. My husband, who had some medic training in the Marines, instantly recognized this as electrolyte imbalance. I drank 2 big 32 oz Gatorade and ate a sandwich and within an hour it all stopped. This is an abject lesson about NOT SKIPPING BREAKFAST because you're too tired and cranky during chemo.
Chemo knocks us out to begin with. Skipping food just makes it worse.
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Mira lax or generic which is what use, is not psyllium. Psyllium gives me awful cramps. Mira lax is an osmotic laxative meaning it makes water go into your poop. It's the best thing I've added to my routine.
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Do you start Miralax on day of chemo and follow the directions religiously? Or how do you guys use this to prevent constipation? I also have prunes. Does it have a bad taste or is in water fine?
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I hope all goes well with everyone's infusions this week! I'll be in that chair on Friday
Last AC No more Red Jello Shots for me after that
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hi ladies,
I haven't been been around much. Had my 3rd round of TCHP last Thursday.
My parents came into town to "help" and did anything but be helpful. On Saturday night I found myself making dinner for them! Then they up and left first thing yesterday morning - the worst day of my cycle. So I was alone at home all day crying through the worst constipation I've ever had in my life. Bleeding into the toilet. Then they call me when they get home and say, "Oh I guess we should have stayed to help you."
Anyway, feeling a bit better today but terrified to have to go to the bathroom again. I just want to sleep the day away.
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Guys I am in the middle of this big debate about surgeries and trying to see an end in site. I didn't want to clog up our chemo mojo but I started a thread in the surgery forum. I would deeply appreciate your advice over there or here I am ovewhelmed about what to do and how to make these decisions.
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Thank you Ladies one and all
This constipation has to be the worst side effect in my book. I was afraid I was going to have to go to
the ER. The fear of being so blocked up has me a nervous wreck. I am going to start the Miralax twice a day starting today and more water. Thanks again everyone. Let's hope we can all get it out! LOL
Rosieo
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Miralax says no more than once a day for 7 days max. I guess do the am and see about the pm? Anyone going out further than 7 days??
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I think you can ask your MO about the Miralax. When you have a colonoscopy they have you drink like 6-9 doses if miralax mixed in gatorade for 24 hours before.
My daughter has to have a large capful everyday because she has kidney issues and can't get constipated or she gets UTI's
I can't speak for the AT chemo but if I do a capful and a lot of gatorade I can keep things moving. I don't have to to twice a day very often in my chemo cycle.
also I don't want to freak anyone out but my girlie area down there just peels and stings. I have been coating that area with aquaphor and trying to spray her with a shower wand a few times a day to keep that from hurting.
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CONSTIPATION. I am now an expert. Lol
Day before chemo - AM 1 nexium, 1 dose Mira lax in hot beverage (you cannot taste it), something fiber for breakfastt. I eat Irish steal cut oats. PM 2 PeriColace (the one with the stimulant laxative in it) Repeat this process for 3 days then stop taking the PeriColace. If on day 5 you think it's getting backed up, meaning you poop every morning and now it's late afternoon, add the 2 PeriColace back in the mix. Do this until the constipation starts to lean past normal and into a bit looser. If you are more on the C side and need more help at anytime then add a lunchtime hot beverage with a dollop of coconut oil in it. You can't taste that either. If you do the coconut oil all along with everything it quickly becomes the big D so that's an add if you need it. DO NOT TAKE MIRA LAX 2 TIMES A DAY. OMG the worst diarrhea I've ever had!!!
Drink you 8 glasses of non caffeine liquid like it's a religion!!!
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I have girlie area issues too. I fill a plastic bottle with warm water and rinse everything everytime I'm in the bathroom.
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