Who is starting chemo in September 2016?
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So I've been lucky so far with manageable SE - except the insane headache the day after neulasta that keeps me in bed all day. I've been dealing now with what I'm guessing is heartburn (never really had it before) pain in the upper chest and throat and now difficulty swallowing which is my biggest complaint. It's not getting better and I should have called the office yesterday but didn't. I thought someone had mentioned similar issues and what they used weeks ago but I'm too lazy to go through 38 pages to find out! Any ideas? My morning coffee is seizing up again and I know I'll want to eat..
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CC, try Zantac. Or for a home remedy, put 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in 8 oz. of water and drink it. Articles state that it's actually the lack of acid that's the problem with heartburn not oo much. After chemo, it was likely killed off
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I'm glad that all you ladies moving into your Taxol infusions are faring well. ,
I keep telling myself this will all be over soon! Third infusion is going okay for me so far...pain SEs are here but the Ondasetron is keeping the diarrhea and for this I am eternally grateful. Let's hope it lasts and I can slug through the next 3 days of the other SEs. Surely my lifewill be better then.! Lol
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Beebs-Sleeping is such an issue while on steroids! I think I'll ask for a prescription next round. I took an OTC but was still up half the night tossing and turning
. Also, I am on a Rx for the Big D and it's the best thing ever! Zofran didn't help in that department for me... If it's bad enough, get a Rx! No need to suffer through. Docmama- that turkey is hilarious! Extra breasts for everyone!
SimpleLife - Thank you so much for stopping by with the words of encouragement!! I have read through some of the older chemo groups to prepare myself as I started this process, but having someone tale the time to post and let us know there is a light at the end of the tunnel is so incredibly helpful!
CC2016 - I was also scheduled for Fridays and my Infusion center is closed that day, so they scheduled my for the Wednesday before... I went ahead and scheduled #6 at the same time and I am happy that I will finish my "ugly" chemo 2 days earlier than originally planned! Now I just have to remember to get my labs 2 days earlier and that they are good to go for the day before Thanksgiving!
Seq24 - My Potassium was low too (first concern I've had with labs-knock on wood). I now have a Rx too. Glad they were able to include it in the IV, but make sure they don't try to speed it up too much. I was low once after a surgery and they have me a bag of Potassium and it was incredibly painful (the Infusion nurse said it was because they ran it too quickly)! I ended up using my morphine drip (which I hadn't used for the recovery) just to take the edge off of the Potassium drip!
Nadya- I completely understand your feelings. Sometimes you don't even realize how run down or discouraged you are feeling until you snap at someone and then you feel awful.
Have a wonderful weekend Everyone!
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Beachbaby--I'm glad I'm not alone in the potassium department. That's scary that it is painful if they run it too fast. I didn't know that.That explains why they said it would take 4 hours. I didn't expect 4 bags though in 4 hours! Had I known about this ahead of time I would have planned accordingly time wise. I made it through 3 bags and had to leave to get home for work in time. Nurse said 3 bags should be sufficient along with the supplement I am taking. A lot of my problem was that I felt so horrible after the last AC that I hardly ate for two weeks. NP said that could make all the difference in the world as it was in the normal range after the first two weeks on the supplement then it suddenly dropped off when I didn't eat much.
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hi ladies, hope you had a good weekend. I'm starting the good week before next (and last) infusion. Lingering SE is neuropathy in my fingers. It comes and goes, but when it is here it's mind-numbing. I'm taking L Glutamine but I guess wasn't as faithful about it last week as I should have been. Also, I took off the nail polish (did my nails before last chemo) and noticed dark stains covering half the nail of my thumbs. Now I think some of the neuropathy pain gets mixed with the dull nail pain ...Anyone else dealing with nail issues?
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The issue I've been having with my fingertips was much more noticeable this weekend. Maybe (?) just that I was home and doing things, and washing my hands that aggravated it I can hope. Otherwise not too many SEs after TCHP #4 last Thursday except fatigue and the stomach cramping-like thing.
Early on my MO thought he noticed darkening of my nails but it doesn't appear to have continued. I did notice last week they are growing out oddly in a different waay now -- very pale, not dark. I can definitely see that they are growing out indented on all fingers in a noticeable way. It looks like a pale oval pushing out/up on the rest of the nail.
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Misslil, are your fingers sensitive to hot water? I don't know if it's neuropathy or just the nails but my fingers hurt when hot water touches them, like uncomfortable to wash my hand
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My nails are ridged and break easily but no discoloration. My neuropathy has gotten slightly worse with each infusion. The NP told me she could prescribe some meds but warned me that they just treat the symptoms, not the cause. I declined; the pain isn't that bad...yet. I'm worried how bad it will get after my last infusion which is this coming Wednesday.
My worst symptom right now is chemo induced menopause. The hot flashes are manageable except for my big bald head. I've always sweated a lot from my scalp but without any hair to hold it, I look like a human water fountain.
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Smilethrupain. I have discoloration on both thumbs now moving over to both index fingers. I have some numbness in my feet not much on my fingers. Congrats on almost being done with this beast. I have 3 more to go. I'm on the TCHP regimen. Sweet Jesus this 3rd infusion is a rought ride.
Have a great week All!
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Yes, washing my hands tends to bring out the weird/painful sensation I've been having with my fingertips. Hot water more than cool, but any has some effect. I also notice it sometimes typing, opening bottles or envelopes, or flipping pages in a book, or -- random other things like that. Over the weekend the sensation was extending more to the pads of my fingers, not just the tips, and I was feeling it at times when there wasn't anything aggravating it. Where before, if I was not doing anything in particular, I didn't have any unusual feeling.
So far as it bothers me so far, it's not a huge deal. But it's concerning as this was the question that caused one of the MOs to delay my treatment a week this past round.
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Bagsharon - I though my period stopped too, then had a surprise 6 days later, and it was so bad (TMI) I was afraid to go to bed that night because I needed to change every 2 hrs. And it lasted almost 10 days which has never been the case for me. Neuropathy is constant these past 3 days - just more or less uncomfortable depending on the activity. I'm also concerned what would happen after last chemo - I don't think my MO would postpone unless I start pestering her about it this week. Typing is slightly uncomfortable misslil. Hahlyn, 3rd one almost broke me...
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I had my third round on November 1st and I am just beginning to feel ok. This round took me for a ride...I keep telling myself 3 more to go...like that makes me feel better! I went from feeling great on Halloween to hell by Friday. I am on fluids every other day and they are helping. I hope everyone is having a good week
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Dennyj I Still Feel like hell! You and I are on the same regimen TCHP. I had my 3rd infusion on November 2 right after you. I try and tell myself 3 more but this one is a pretty rough. Barely able to stand, I have ringing in my ears almost fainted twice minor chest pains, been crying since Friday...I too get fluids but I believe with this treatment I needed more. I only get fluids twice the week after the treatment. I'm going to ask MO for more fluids also for potassium drip feels like my muscles are spasming out.
For those who are on TCHP did it get a little better after 3 or is this what I have to look forward to for the remaining 3 rounds.
Apologize for the rambling, I'm just in bad shape!
Hahlyn
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smilethrupain, I'm 52 and was probably perimenopausal already. That would suck if my period came back after all these drenching hot flashes.
My toes were aching last night to the point that I had trouble falling asleep. I ran my first (and last) marathon earlier this year. I have to say it really prepared me for chemo: the aching joints, the pain in my toes, the black and eventually loss of toenails. I even signed up for a half marathon for next year so I have a goal and something to look forward to. I'll be damned if I'm going to let this ish get me down.
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My fourth treatment with TCHP was last Thursday. Not counting any chickens as it's still early but so far surprisingly I have not had any nausea or D issues which were pretty troublesome the past two rounds and had me hanging at home the whole the workweek after treatment. Surprised myself today and did go into work this afternoon for a half-day.
Have been feeling tired but not super-sleepy. Lost about 5 lbs since last week and feeling a little shaky from time to time - probably from not eating a lot. Was feeling some of the stomach/chest-cramp-y sort of thing, the nurse yesterday suggested I try Pepcid to see if it was some form of indigestion / heartburn. Which it could be, I've not typically had that in the past so not sure what it feels like. Too soon to say if that nips the issue off or not but I'm trying it. The weird/touchy feeling with my fingers continued today, definitely seems a little worse than after round 3.
Hoping the nausea and other worse SEs don't materialize, best wishes to all wherever you are in your treatment programs.
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Woke up today with a pretty bad head cold that is working it's way down to my chest. Worried, because I am supposed to start Taxol/Herceptin/Perjeta on Thursday. I let my onc know I was sick, and they said they would still do it unless I had a fever. I can feel the heaviness in my chest and worry with my low red count (and everything else all jacked up from my final AC) it could develop into something else. I took Echinacea last night - but worry it will interfere with Taxol? Any other OTC things I can/should do for this? My head/ears are all plugged and my voice is about 80 octaves lower anticipating infection/coughing.
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I had TCHP #4 on Friday. A little nausea and just the start of Big D (but have an Rx to alleviate both). All was well until I was out today - went out to vote and to register the car and got very light-headed waiting (a very long line, unfortunately and the temperature is in the 90's). Of course there was no where convenient to sit...Next thing I knew I was on my knees! Thank goodness I had someone there with me! I could feel it coming on and had warned my son that I wasn't feeling well. Please take care and don't overdo it! I'll take my errands one at a time for the next couple of days
.Be well Everyone!
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Hi everyone,
Funny story not a recommendation. I also have very sore and raw fingertips. Last week I was working on my sons Halloween costume and got some super glue on my fingertips. Wow was that nice, turned out to be 2 days of pain free hand washing and cooking. lol
As for a head cold, I had one over the weekend got to the point I could not swallow as my head was so stuffed up. Again not a recommendation but I took some children's Robitussin. Man did that help!!! I live in a small town with not much choice for supplies. Went with that due to it was alcohol free, would not make me drowsy and did not have any other harsh drugs.
Gods speed!!
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Boondock, as tempted as I am to use your accidental home remedy, I think I'll pass. With my luck I'll glue myself to the dog.
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Yes, I forgot to say.... DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME!!! ha ha
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wow..anyone scared about health insurance..now that Trump is the president??
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Reacted to Taxol!
Went for my second infusion of Taxol today. I had zero reaction during the first infusion but within the first couple minutes of the Taxol hitting my system with the second infusion, I waved the nurse over (she was keeping an eagle eye on me) and told her I was having trouble breathing. Wow! You should have seen everyone jump. I was never scared because I knew that they would take good care of me but I was surprised by how long it took to start feeling better once they stopped the Taxol and pumped extra Benedryl and steroids into my system.
I don't want to scare anyone still facing Taxol so I won't share the blow by blow description of my reaction. I did finally feel better so that's the main thing. Treatment was scrapped for today.
The new plan is to switch me from Taxol to Abraxane. Both have paclitaxel as their active ingredient but Taxol is in a solvent, which is what folks can have an allergic reaction to. Abraxane doesn't use a solvent but is bound to a protein, or something like that. I still need to research this, just going off of what my oncologist told me as I was recovering so brain function wasn't 100%. They will need to get insurance approval because Abraxane is much more expensive than Taxol. They told me this is why they don't start with Abraxane. . .they can't get approval for it until you've had a severe reaction to Taxol. Ugh! I hate that medical decisions are made this way.
Assuming the approval comes through, I'll start Abraxane on Friday and treatments will be every 3 weeks instead of every 2. This will delay my finish date which is disappointing but so happy there is a viable alternative to the Taxol.
Hoping everyone else is doing well and your treatments continue uneventfully!
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Today was my last chemo infusion. I met with my MO for the first time since the initial consult. We discussed my hot flashes and he's certain it is menopause. He wants me to start hormone therapy as soon as I'm done with radiation and it is to be an AI and not Tamoxifen. He took a look at my incision and told me that my nipple is probably permanently inverted and may get worse during radiation. Ugh.
Speaking of hot flashes, I had one during the infusion today at the end of the Taxotere. The nurse came running over and stopped the drip, I told her it was just a hot flash but no, she had to consult with the doctor. They decided to give me more Benedryl and then saline for 10 minutes before they started the Taxotere at a slower pace. I was there FOREVER. I had another hot flash during the Cytoxan and hid my flush face so the nurse wouldn't see me. This same nurse put my Neulasta pod on the muscle of my arm instead of the fat in the back. It hurt when it the needle when it and now I'm worried it wont inject properly tomorrow. She admitted this was the first time she put one on. I'm so glad I'm done with this crap.
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Today was my last, too, Sharon! Still have a way to go, but at least this nonsense is over. After this week of fun SEs. Good luck with radiation. Hope that flies by for us
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Hahlyn, Yes, it was pretty bad. I had a wicked cold which has led into this week...I lost my voice for 2 days. I had a potassium drip last Friday but had no problems with it....After reading everyone's SE's, I guess I am lucky. My doctor has me doing fluids every other day because of the awful D. I am really hoping that #4 goes better than 3. My nurse moved it to Nov. 22nd so I might be able to enjoy Thanksgiving a little bit.
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Bagsharon and Jiffrig, glad you are done!!! I know you must feel ill now, but what a milestone! Can't wait for my last one Monday.
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Emily completed her 4th treatment yesterday. She has felt pretty good for the last week, just like previous rounds.
They added a 2-hour infusion of magnesium because they said her numbers were slightly off from her labs the day before. They also gave her a prescription for it for the remainder of her treatments. I looked up the effects of having low magnesium levels and two of the SEs are muscle twitching and cramps in the feet and toes, both of which she has had. Her Dr said one of the possible SE's of adding magnesium supplements is the big D, so we'll be watching that closely this round.
Hahlyn - Emily's 3d round followed the same pattern as the first two. Some D & C between days 5-10, and issues with neuropathy, but overall, pretty manageable.
Today is a great day. Our daughter and two granddaughters arrived from Colorado earlier. We met our newest granddaughter for the first time. She is the mellowest baby you could ever ask for!
Congrats to all of you who are finishing the first segment in your treatment. Let's hope the the hardest part is behind you!
Stay strong and have a wonderful Veterans Day weekend. I know we will!
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I'm stilldealing with a pretty bad head/chest cold, with some fevers. But went for chemo yesterday anyway. Taxol #1 went well, but I wound up with a rare 'Rigers' reaction to Herceptin, which brought on sudden chills & shaking that I couldn't control. They quickly treated with Demoral...which got rid of the shakes in about 5 minutes, but did initially make me vomit/dry heave. However, I was fine after 10-15 minutes. Very thankful that was my only bad thing that happened (& I didn't wind up in hospital like I did with every AC treatment due to severe hyponatremia...also a very rare SE! I should play the lotto or something with my 'rare' chances!)
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Hi everyone, Happy Veteran's Day! So glad to see all the updates from all of you brave women (and men - Sam13 that's you, lol).
I had my fourth TCHP treatment a week ago today and I must say, this one really took a hit on me. Everything tastes awful, even water. The only thing that I can tolerate, I'm embarrassed to say, is a McDonald's Cheeseburger Happy Meal. Wouldn't you know it, they taste just absolutely delicious to me! I also love the little Trolls dolls in them right now; as a matter of fact I've been enjoying the soundtrack album from the movie immensely as well. The song "True Colors" just brings me to tears and reminds me of my husband and all of the loving gestures and sacrifices he's made for me since my diagnosis. His True Colors are shining bright and that's why I love him so!!
Best of luck to all in your upcoming phases of treatment. I find solace and advice here that I would never have found elsewhere and for that I am truly grateful to you all.
Angie
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