Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
Comments
-
Southern, with any drug that works on your brain, it's common to have to try more than one before you find one that works for you. Don't give up
0 -
I'm on celexa for anxiety and depression. It does not help with hot flashes. Effexor is the one tooted as the one that helps with it. I was on it long ago. Getting off of it even slowly was a bitch. Felt like I had the flu for a long while. There are threads here I've read on the topic of hot flashes and how to deal with them. Check those out. I forget what it is but there are some other otc stuff people are tooting to help.
ADs when starting anew on them take average 4-6 weeks to build in your system. Now I don't know if it's the time frame needed to work with hot flash, if it does, but it is to take effect on anxiety/depression issues. Been on ADs since '95.
0 -
Scotland, I am so freaked out about not being able to wash my right hand! I live in the country in a dusty house and I have dogs and a cat who like to go outside and get dirty. I normally wash my hands frequently throughout the day, especially right now while I'm doing chemo. Washing just one hand and the fingertips on the other one just seems so wrong!
I just got back from the thrift store where I went to look for shirts with extra large, loose sleeves since most of my shirts won't fit over this bulky bandage on my hand and arm. Also got some extra large vinyl gloves at the hardware store (I'm normally a Small) so I can wash a few dishes when necessary.
I see the PT again on the 29th. I hope the swelling had gone down enough by then so she can go ahead and measure me and order the sleeve. I sure do hope you're right about this getting more manageable.
It just goes on & on... all the adjustments we have to make because of this damn disease!
0 -
Cajun - I was looking at the trial you are going to do and I may be on a form of Aromatase inhibitors as well (Arimidex). I was wondering what the trial part is? They don't use Exemestane (Aromasin) now for premenopausal (ovarian suppressed) women only post meno? Just curious we will be going over the after rads plan with our Onc. Happy you got on a trial since they usually cover $$ of he meds
0 -
Hi Tiger. Let me pull the study paperwork and take a look. I'm blessed to have excellent Rx insurance, so it's not a money thing, I just really want to contribute to research, especially since I oppose so much of animal testing.
0 -
has anyone else lost interest in food? I'm not nauseous or sick. I'm not in much pain. I still taste things and only have one mouth sore. I'm just not interested. I do get hungry sometimes but most everything sounds awful. I feel like I force feed myself just to barely hold on to my low weight. I don't get it.:(
0 -
Cajun - I get that. I'm not nauseous just not interested in eating. It's not everyday but once or twice a week. I do smoothies for those times. Other days I can't stop eating so it all balances out.
0 -
Cajun - Me too. Not hungry on Taxol and I have to remind myself to eat. Food tastes marginal - not as good as it normally does, but not horrid either.
During eight weeks of A/C I had to eat well over 3000 calories / day just to maintain my weight. Now I can easily lose or gain up to two pounds per day. So tracking calories is now another chemo chore.
0 -
cajun --- me too with the weird food issues. My taste buds have taken a bad hit from this FEC part of chemo, so a lot of foods just taste like cardboard. Bleh. And about one week mid-cycle my mouth is dry and tastes awful, so eating is gross. A lot of days I "just eat" to keep up energy and get enough fiber in to keep The Poop Fairy satisfied. Then all of a sudden a day comes when I feel like a bottomless pit, and I want to Eat All Things --- so I do. I just wish I had more energy --- I'm craving my home-made lasagne, but am too worn down for such a massive project
0 -
Luzeelu, trying to find sleeves to fit over that bulky compression wrapping was awful. I finally told everyone at work that they had better get used to my black sweater because it was all I had to wear until the bandaging came off. Not washing my hands drove me crazy.
I'm generally not so interested in food when I can't taste it. Right now things taste almost normal. I get Taxol #3 on Tuesday, so food will be cardboard again by Wednesday.
0 -
if you have a whole foods near you, their lasagna is quite good
0 -
boo! If I could send you a homemade lasagna, I would
0 -
Jclc - I don't post a lot, but I read & care what everyone has to say. I hope you will consider sharing & receiving support here.
0 -
luzeelu - sorry, I had to edit because suggesting the cast cover for the shower was an incredibly bad idea since it is basically a super huge tight rubber band. Sorry about that - had to remove the bad idea
I am wondering why you can't be fitted for a sleeve now, wear the sleeve and get a smaller one later when the swelling is reduced. I had some swelling and was fitted for a sleeve, but I ended up being able to resolve the swelling before I got it. I've been doing PT and acupuncture (no needles in the arms or hands)
0 -
Hang in the Southerncharm. I too am totally wiped out. Thank goodness "only" one more to go. Out of all the crappy side effects this overwhelming fatigue is by far the worst for me. I miss my energy and feel like Im turning into miserable cow. The sound of laughter particularly pisses me off I can't wait to laugh again. Hoping Santa brings me eyebows for Xmas.
0 -
Cinque, I don't think we can know if lymphedema will affect flying until we try it. I've not tried. I am dying to go somewhere far, far away, but it will have to wait until I'm done with treatment.
We went on our neighborhood tour of homes tonight. I had to walk my bike up a couple of hills because my knees and lungs just couldn't do it. I am so ready to be myself again.
0 -
Good morning. Between prunes for The Poop Fairy and yesterday's craving for junk food (hot dogs!), I'm farting like a champ. That is all; carry on
0 -
luzelee and anyone else dealing with LYMPHEDEMA: This site has scads of extremely helpful information on its Lymfedema threads ---
Top left side of this page, under the dark blue menus, in the yellowish area, use the tiny search box to select Lymphedema and click "Go!".
Also, this site, set up by some of the wonderful women here is fantastic:
0 -
Tessu - LOL - farts awaaaaaaay!
0 -
the girls have new bikes and I was able to walk 2 miles with them while they rode.:)
I threw caution to the wind last night and ate fried shrimp, blue cheese, and regular bread!
I don't know what to do with the 10% of my hair still growing. Is it def going to fall out? It looks so odd!
0 -
Cajun - I have some % of my hair remaining (husband says maybe 5% at most). I'm four weeks into twelve weeks of Taxol (which is supposed to kill hair), so take that for what it's worth.
Also FWIW, I have had a high energy week! I'm at about 70% of mental sharpness and physical energy compared to my low on A/C. I'm chalking it up to the A/C finally exiting my body plus the Taxol SEs (said to be cumulative) not having built up yet.
But I don't care if it's temporary - I'll take it. Made this tonight and it was amazing: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017226-chicken...
File it away for a better day!
0 -
I'm going to hold out hope for this little bit that is growing and for my tiny eyebrow! Food looks,good! Maybe my appetite is on the rebound!
I realized I miscalculated my final Chemo date. It should be1/14 or 1/15 ONE MORE MONTH!!!!
0 -
Sorry I haven't posted for a few days. I have been hiding in a Bitchy mood corner for a few days. I had to hand Christmas off to the husband I am trying to just smile and be as positive for my kids and DH but I am cooked. I can't face Christmas parties in a Wig just too tired and I only have enough good stuff in me to give a bit of goodness to my peeps here and to my family. I sort of wish I had a transfusion now but hopefully my counts will come up soon.
Also remember that scary overwhelmed first month of finding out you have cancer? Well I feel like I am thrown back into that starting this new phase of my treatment. I was not ready when the OBGYN MO said he thought I should have my ovaries out. I just am petrified over this new phase. I am scared of Arimidex and the permanent changes that this decision is going to bring about. I feel like the fear I felt with starting Chemo all over again. I am worried I am going to lose more of myself and I have already ( like everyone here) given up so much of myself to fight through this. I didn't really bounce back post Chemo yet as my counts still dropped. I have one more Herceptin on Chritmas eve before surgery.
Cajun: Its seems like you are having a tough couple weeks? Mine was bad but I found out my RBC were like 8.2 and I was tired. Hoping you can rejuvenate a bit and enjoy the holidays. You will have your last Chemo when I have my first Herceptin after Surgery. I felt like I could start a countdown when I got one month out. Oh and how cute please post a picture of the little girls on their bikes. I have sweet memories of my little one on her bike while I jogged and walked with her. Now she is old enough that we ride together.
Minnesota Wow that looks yummy yahoo for having energy and being able to concentrate.
Tessu: your posts are so witty sometimes ( yes someone who cam make farting witty) Hurray I got a good laugh.
Scotland: You are riding your bike in December? Wow lady yahoo for you and who cares if you had to walk your bike up a few hills. I have done that on normal days without Chemo. So glad you could get out and have a nice time.
Cinque: I really limped to the end and I actually really understood and smiled when you said "The sound of laughter particularly pisses me off I can't wait to laugh again. " I know exactly that feeling. Energy comes back but its been slow for me and I have had some bumps of depression on this road.
Skittlegirl: Yah for being home from the hospital. I hear ya on the appts. I spend way to much time at the hospital where all my specialists are. I even had a saturday appt this week with my sleep doctor.
Southern: Hurray for facing another day. sometimes we have to crawl and then get up and walk some more to the finish line. There is a lot of dignity in picking oneself up in hard times. BTW I went through a whole month of weird Psycho dreams. No fun at all. Hope youare getting some sleep
Artista: Thank you for the information on Antidepressants. I have a hysterectomy scheduled so defninately menopause symptoms worse than I have now so I might post what they prescribe me. Scary to hear how sucky Effexor was for you.
Do you know about Triazalone? They want to put me on that on a low dose just so I can sleep at night. I want to get off of Ativan but I have terrible insomnia also I tend to have more depression than I have anxiety these days.
Is there a decent Antidepressant that a person can lose weight on rather than gain weight?
Jabe: Thanks for your Humor its nice to have a pick me up.
luzeelu: Thank you so much to you and the other gals on here that talk about Lymphodema. I am going to take extra precautions with this information going into my surgery.
El Tigre: I haven't been doing any supplements. I did order Broccoli sprouts but I can't stand the smell of anything like that right now. How are you doing?
edwsmom: How are you? What did they decide about your surgery? Did I miss your update?
mom2boo_and… I hope you can find a good plastic surgeon. My BS is good but I get the idea he is a little titty guy and I am worried now that I am halfway through. I have a wide chest so I am hoping he doesn't put flat hamburger buns in there. I think it is good to ask them to be clear in what they can deliver and ask for pictures and clear explanations BEFORE surgery. I have been running around with Kid concerts so fun but tiring.
F* Cancer is not going to win. It can knock us down at times but we get back up.
0 -
phew Exercise Guru, I am impressed with your personal comments to everyone! I need your energy😊
For a mild anti-depressant I take Celexa aka Citalopram which was originally prescribed to help with menopausal symptoms. It does help me sleep too. No eight gain either.
Has any one had trouble with not being able to wear contacts? Mine irritated my eyes so much I've had to resort to wearing my glasses. I read on the MD Anderson web site that it's recommended not to wear contacts during chemo. My MO agreed when I told her. Sure wish I would have known in advance.
Here's to a better week for everyone
0 -
I haven't had a problem with my contacts. Eyes watering so it looks like I am crying, yes.
This morning I was in Bible study before church. A little boy (just under 4) came and found his grandma. He saw me wearing my scarf and told Grandma, "That's what pirates wear!!" Too cute.
I hope that this week is kind to everyone.
0 -
Where do I begin catching up?? I'm alive but have been through hell the last month and a half or so since I checked in. I'm so sorry for that and for the friends I worried. I got so far behind that the idea of catching up completely overwhelmed me.
But I need and miss y'all, so I will do my best to get caught up and jump back in. Because of two hospitalizations that were one and two weeks long, I'm way off my original chemo schedule. I am now heading into Taxol #4 this week. I'll tell more about that later when I'm on a real keyboard.
Oh, I have really missed this group!!. 💚
0 -
Triazalone is a benzodiazepine which is like a tranquilizer. Xanax and valium fall in that class too. It depresses your central nervous system making you drowsy so you can sleep. Seems like this would be better because it deals with anxiety issues too where Ambien does not. It's not meant to be long terms like Ambien isn't but hopefully it will help you.
When I had insomnia nothing worked. I was on high dose Ativan too and I was wired. Eventually I was hospitalized from generalized anxiety and eventually after so long and with meds I managed to snap back ok.
Hope it works for you. Sleep is very important in the healing process of anything really.
0 -
Welcome back Amy! We were very worried about you so it's great to see your post. I'm sorry you've had such a rough time and wish you an easier road from here on out.
0 -
Hey everyone. I realize everyone is probably sleeping right now, but I have to rant. I've had a terrible weekend. I feel so drained and I'm just not looking forward to chemo #5 tomorrow. I so envy those of you with a good support system. I have fought with my husband all weekend. I am really seeing how cold he can be. He looked dead in my eyes and told me my cancer shouldn't determine how he treats me. He says his days are just fine, nothing is different for him. He says he will continue go on with his life no matter how crappy I feel. He says he doesn't get why I'm so tired because he knows I sleep for at least 7 hours at night. I was crying so hard Sunday morning and he just walked out telling me he was going out to have a nice breakfast. He is giving my daughter the cold shoulder because she takes care of me. I just don't know if I have the strength to fight both him and cancer. I just feel like giving up. I am exhausted. It just feels so sad to be up at 2:30 am crying my eyes out alone. So sorry to be this way when I know so many are going through hard times. I just feel like giving up.
0 -
CAmy so good to see you post. I was really worried about those that hadn't checked in awhile and posted about it a few pages back.
Fidget hugs to you. I wish I had the words to heal you.
0
