Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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Twiggy, you're doing just fine.
I had my first chemo session yesterday and it went much easier than I thought it would. The nurse started the IV with no difficulty and infused directly into my vein for about 15 minutes while we chatted. Then I had the IV bag for awhile and then to flush and I was done in just over an hour. I felt weak and wobbly but overall ok. The nausea was minimal too. All those drugs work! I slept ok despite it all. Today its mostly a slight headache and overall yucky feeling..chemo hangover?
Tomorrow I give myself the Neulasta injection. I took a Claritin today and will tomorrow and the next day, as well as Ranitidine for tummy issues. I'm preparing for the worst but hoping for the best with this bad boy. Achy bones isn't anything new to me. One day at a time, my friends.
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you are lucky lindyc. I was there from 9:00 until 4:00. I am getting for drugs. They give them one at a time and each one takes 30 to 90 minutes. They said it would be faster next time. I have to go back Sunday morning for the neulasta shot but i think i will try the onbody injector yhe next time.
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Hi twiggyOR I used the neulesta on body injector after my chemo last week. My infusion nurse injected the dose into the back of the injector then applied it to my stomach. She had me watch a video on an iPad and explained the process. I was told beforehand to take Claritin the day of infusion and for the days after. The injector dispensed the medicine the next nite. It was painless. The next day I had bone pain which eventually did get better after 2-3 days with a lot of Tylenol. It hurt but I figured it was doing its job to rebuild my white cells.
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Twiggy, I know I was fortunate. Being HER2- makes my treatment a little less complicated than yours. I will have Taxol for the final 4 sessions and that is to take about 3 hours. Not looking forward to the Neulasta. I haven't heard from anyone who claimed it was ok. Just variations of how horrible it can be. I'm hoping to be on the lighter end of horrible. If positive attitude counts for anything, then I'll be fine. I am determined to stay positive and not lose my sense of humour through this. I firmly believe it helps in recovery so I say lets do this!
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yes LindyC positive attitude helps a lot. I have a cancer buddy that I work with that is going thru treatment for stage 4 colon cancer reoccurrence. He has been a great positive support. If he can have a good outlook then I better have one also.
The bone pain is tough on neulesta, don't get me wrong, but I sucked it up and managed thru the best I could. I only hope it's better the next time. Or maybe I will get used to it? Ugh!
I also see you are getting the same treatment as me. Are you on dose dense?
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I injected my Neulasta yesterday evening as instructed, also took a Clarityn (per you ladies' recommendations --- not believed to help here). I slept poorly, and woke up feeling like crap. The "sunburn" skin is gone, but feel exhausted, muscles ache, felt freezing but luckily temperature normal. And headache. I'm not sure whether this is Thursday's Herceptin/Taxotere or yesterday's Neulasta.
This is the first day I can remember that it's almost noon, but I haven't yet left the house. Poor dog had to go out with husband, reluctantly. I ALWAYS take her out
Husband did treat me: washed the bedroom (triple-pane) window, so I can see the backyard clearly
Oh well, the weather is cool but glorious. Waiting for husband to return from grocery store to try to get myself outside, at least into the yard, so the day will feel more "normal" for both Misty-dog and me.
No bone pain yet; I guess that's on the menu for later?
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Tessu I had my nuelasta on Wednesday morning. About 15 hours later the bone pain woke me screaming. I can honestly say this morning was the first time it was manageable with the pain meds. Nothing has touched it all week. I too have the sunburn feel skin. That's from nuelasta too I was told. Hang in there. Not everyone gets the bad bone pain.
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Twiggy I just noticed you're from Brookings. We just moved here last Nov from Grants Pass. What a small small world! My parents spent every summer in Brookings the last couple years.
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Shopgal2, yes I am on dose dense. Every 2 weeks and thankfully I live within 15 minute drive of the cancer center. One of the best too so much to be grateful for in spite of this nasty disease.
I'm to give myself the Neulasta today and wasn't told specifics on timing. Any advice on when to give it to avoid middle of the night pain. I'd like to get a good nights sleep before tackling the side effects in full.
Tessu..you and I have the same dog. My girl refuses to get out of her crate for hubby to walk in the morning. I have to call her out and make it look like I'm taking her. She just won't leave my side. Love her dearly
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Lindy they told me nuelasta side effects could be starting at 6 hours or later after dose.
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Report as of day three for me: I had lots of trouble sleeping. Debating asking for a cut in steroid dose next time since I don't seem to have any nausea issues, and it is really pumping me up a bit too much. OTOH, what if it is keeping me from feeling nauseated? Why mess with something that works? Not sure....
I am on the neuprogen shots and taking in the evening, mostly because it feels like too much to face in the am. Hubby is giving it to me, first one hurt, second one not, so either he picked a better spot or is getting more in practice :-) I AM starting to feel some pain. NOTHING like you describe AnnieB43, so sorry to hear that. But still, achy in the same places I already have arthritis (knees, thumbs) plus some aches in my lower back and groin, which is more uncomfortable. Taking claritin regularly, just added an Aleve, which MO recommended. Hope that helps.
Other than that, knock on wood, it has been easier than I expected. Put in a full day at work yesterday although things seem to take longer than usual to do and I lost track of time. I expect that is lack of sleep...I do think exercise (I walked a mile and a half yesterday, plus from the parking lot to office and back, which is a ways...) helps.
No sign of hair loss yet, but I SWEAR it is starting to turn grey overnight! Has that happened to anyone?
Hugs to all, hope everyone feels good today. XOXO.
Octogirl
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Annie, i also lived in GP for a couple years in 98-99. My two oldest boys went to Licoln Elementary. Brookings is a beautiful place to live but it's really inconvenient when something like this comes up.
Lindy the neulasta cannot be given before 24 hours after you finished chemo. The nurse said between 24 and 72 hours was the time period. They also want you to be near medical care for an hour after in case you have an allergic reaction. Thst doesnt nean right there but just not in the middle of nowhere.
Tessu, my mom was born in Finland and still has a lot of family there.
i went there when i was nine but unfortunately i don't remember much of it. As for dogs, my poor little dog does not know what to think of me when i put my wig on. She puts her ears back and comes me reluctanty when i call her.
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LindyC- I get my shots in the cancer center. I am instructed to take Claritin and 1000 mg tylenol right before the shot and repeat tylenol every 6 hours as needed. The pain was mild so I ended up just taking one 500mg tylenol and claritin. My clinic offered the shots between 8-9 am or between 3-4pm. I chose the afternoon slot because I would take one more tylenol that night and sleep it off.
Just wanted to mention a new se from the shot. My shots are day 2-6. On day 6 which fell on a tuesday(weekend break) I felt an intense pain on my chest like a heartburn for about a few minutes. I am so glad a fellow cancer patient warned me about it. I also developed a raised rash on the injection site.And on my stomach and behind measle type rash(not raised). I took one benadryl daily and iced the rash and symptoms went away. No bone pain this time too.
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Octogirl - we're both on tc and I only took dexamethasone night before and morning before chemo. I had another dose mixed in with my cocktail of benadryl, aloxi, and pepcid. I hardly had any nausea.
And I am with you on the walking anf exercise. I have been taking daily 30 minute walks and has made huge difference.
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Thanks for the info on Neulasta. I have one dose only to take on day 3. Since I was an RN, I can give it to myself. No time slot was given to me to take so just wondering best time to get it so I can get through tonight. I took Claritin about an hour ago as well as Zantac and my usual steroid and other anti-nauseant. I'm a rookie so I guess it will be trial and error for a bit. Other than feeling flushed this morning (temp was ok) I'm still woozy and a bit unsettled but still doing ok. If it hits anytime after 6 hours, I might as well take it now and see how it goes. Sooner it happens, sooner its over. Wish me luck
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It's interesting. I'd read about Claritin and it seems like most of y'all are on it for the Neulasta pain. Our center recommends Benadryl. My MO nurse said I could take Claritin if I preferred but that they find people do well with Benadryl. I thought that was interesting. I wonder if those of you who are having major SE issues would have better responses with Benadryl (diphenhydramine)?
And the only pain meds I'm given are 400mg ibuprofen.
I went ahead and shaved my head Thursday (day 8). It was not an unpleasant experience; I wonder if I should post my Facebook entry about it along with the pictures. The way I handled it helped *for me* and maybe it would be an option for other ladies who are wondering how to do this in the least traumatic way.
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Not sure if I need to be worried: Although I injected my Neulasta 25 hrs ago, I have had no bone pain --- does the lack of bone pain mean I screwed up the injection, or that it isn't working for me?
I feel so much worse than yesterday --- overwhelming fatigue, mild annoying headache, foggy thinking --- and almost overwhelming fatigue. Try to get up at least walking around inside the house, but mostly have just been in chair or bed
Difficult change for a normally active person Husband has been gone most of the day; about an hour ago, Misty-dog had to "go", and although I took a walking stick, I almost collapsed a block from our house. Luckily someone from the neighborhood helped me and Misty safely home. Yes, I have been pushing fluids to pee out these poisons, yes I have been drinking protein drinks...0 -
Tessu- day 1-3 for me were the hardest. Slept and rested a lot and took just 5 minute walks outside. Don't be too hard on yourself. Listen to your body. Glad that neighbor was there to help you.
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Tessu, I am encouraged by your Neulasta report. You're doing great with that. In general, I'm feeling the same as you. Just not up to doing anything. I pushed a vacuum for a few minutes (damn dog hair out of control) but only for a minute or two to get the worst of it. The mild annoying headache that you speak of is the same with me. That can contribute to the fogginess and slight nausea too. It just sucks. As for the doggie, shorter frequent walks would do best for both of you if you have to do it yourself. I know I'm drinking enough as I'm up a couple of times at night to pee
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thanks, AG3 and Lindy
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tessu, I don't think everyone gets the bone pain and I wouldn't worry that it means you screwed up the shot...just listen to your body and do what you can. You can do this. Thinking of you today and glad you have glorious weather to enjoy, even if just from the window!
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Tessu, jumping in from March chemo group, I had zero bone pain with Neulasta. I did Claritin at least an hour before the shot and for five days after. My white counts stayed high all through chemo and I was never on any restrictions. So I don't think everybody gets the bone pain
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Italychick..I'm from 100% Italian decent. Maybe there is a lucky gene in there? Here's hoping I have the same non-reaction. I just gave myself the shot a half hour ago. Will add my 2 cents worth later.
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LindyC fingers crossed for no bone pain. Are you also taking Claritin? I don't know if it did the trick or not, but I had five Neulasta shots and never any bone pain
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alright I'm gonna try the benedryl tonight when I go to bed.
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I am starting four rounds of TC on 9/22. Don't know why but my biggest fear is the mouth sores. Good luck everyone!
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mid day on day two and I'm still doing fine. My eyes, nose and mouth are dry but that's it for the time being. I'm still waiting for the heavy sure to hit. Drinking lots and lots of fluids in the hopes it will help
How's everyone else doing?
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Hi Mommadigs. I started TC on Tuesday. So far no mouth sores. I've been swishing baking soda water morning and night and Biotene everyday.
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Italychick..yes to taking Claritin. One yesterday, one today and will continue tomorrow and next. It can't hurt.
Mouth has been dry. I have rinsed with baking soda/water mix several times a day. Keep mason jar mix in bathroom for easy use. Also have biotene on hand. It really helps. Preventative is the key here. Drinking lots of water, keeping a full jug by my side. I have a slight metallic taste to everything now but I'm getting used to it.
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LindyC you are doing it the exact way I did lol. Guess Italians think alike. Only other thing to consider is rubbing coconut oil on tongue and gums, it is anti fungal, etc. I did that too.
As for water tasting metallic, try a little bit of lemon juice in there. That helped me.
Best of luck to all!
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