Starting chemo February 2018
Comments
-
Isn't it funny how different the protocols re vitamins are. It really makes me wonder how much of this is evidence based. I was told no large amounts of mega vitamins but a regular multi was fine as was my b12, iron, d, calcium, & magnesium. The only thing the oncology pharmacist asked me to discontinue was my vegan essential fatty acid supplement.
0 -
Moth- I wondered the same. I specifically asked about multivitamins after seeing some people here were told not to take them and my MO said they’re fine and only to avoid high levels of Vitamin C, such as Vit C supplements.
CBOK- I wore the ice booties for my last round and they were so much better than ice that I almost worried they weren’t doing enough and I forgot to take them off right away. I decided not to buy the gloves since I only have 2 more rounds and they cost so much- I just put on thin gloves and keep my hands in bags of ice. Hope your mitts and gloves help!!
0 -
I also asked my onc about vitamins before I started chemo. I was told B and D were ok, but no A, C, or E, and no probiotics. I didn’t ask about magnesium, calcium, iron, folate. I was taking magnesium but it can have a mild laxative effect which I don’t need right now (thanks to the perjeta already giving me substantial problems in that area) so I stopped.
0 -
LoveCanada & anyone else who is icing for the taxol portions - how many pairs of booties do you have/need?
I want to order these but I don't know how many pairs I should get. https://www.amazon.com/NatraCure-Cold-Therapy-Sock...0 -
Moth I just bought one pair that are similar to those. I didn’t have them my first round (just used ice) but got them before my second round and am planning to put them in the freezer again before next chemo. I only have 4 rounds so I don’t know if I would need more if it was longer, but they look like they will be fine to reused.
0 -
Thanks, LoveCanada. How long was your treatment? I think they're saying it's about 2-3 h for the taxol here & I wonder if I need to swap out for fresh cold ones? My flat gel ice packs only stay cold for about 30-45 mins...
0 -
My MO prescribed multivitamin, B12, Folic Acid , Calcium, Mafnesium, D3 and Iron daily. It seems to vary depending on doctor.
0 -
Oh yeah that’s a good point Moth. I use it during Taxotere which is about an hour, and 10 minutes before and after. So mine is shorter and I didn’t feel like they stayed real cold the whole time. So it probably would be good to have another pair.
0 -
Everything I read says no A,C, or E too. I think it's easier for most docs to say no multivitamin so they don't have to look at individual ingredient lists for every brand of vitamin under the sun and it's easier to say none at all. And my doc said probiotics were ok. I do wish there was more consensus but they can't even all agree on chemo let alone supplements.
My taxol treatment took a little less than 2hrs including premeds. Actual infusion was a bit over an hour, but it was longer the first time because they did a slow intro to make sure there wasn't a reaction.
I've ordered the booties/mitts but I've haven't got to use them yet. I got two sets of each, figured I could switch halfway.
0 -
Hi all, yes funny what different docs recommend supplement wise, mine said probiotics were fine but they scare me right now so I'm not taking them. I also haven't taken my vitamins d or b12 which I really need to take as I'm extra low but my stomach just can't take it right now ugh. Anyway I worked Tues and Thurs this week and it about killed me, I'm extra fatigued this time around and since I'm on my feet all day is been a rough week. I'm a hairdesigner and work on straight commission so if I don't work I don't get paid so I'm trying to work but it has been hard for sure. Hope you are all doing well with as little se's as possible
0 -
do any of you have any suggestions as to what to do about large sores appearing on your body? I developed a rash yesterday morning on both arms. I woke up today with a nickel-sized hard sore on my butt cheek and a dime size sore next to my mouth. They don't itch and they're not painful. The one on my face bothers me the most. I tried hydrocortisone cream on my rash with no change.
0 -
We have all know how important it is to drink water. I suspect water is not addressing my needs with this third AC treatment. Anyone receive advice from their doctor beyond “drink 8 glasses of water a day” ? I added fruit juice and a hydration drink (like pedialite” to my intake and it seemed to help with fatigue. Maybe because it included potassium? I’ve just been guessing on what to do, so curious what doctors might be advising.
0 -
Hi everyone.
Completed round 3 of AC on Wednesday. Felt good yesterday and got lots done. Feeling a little more tired today.
Last night I noticed a lot of skin flaking on my areola and extending to my lumpectomy scar. A little dry on my right side but not nearly as much. Called the nurse at my physician oncologist office and she checked with the doctor and didn't seem concerned. Anyone else experience this?
0 -
Mom of two,
Sorry I can’t comment on surgical scars, but I have noticed very dry skin to the point of having small abrasions in many different spots . My oncologist said that is normal. Try to find a good moisturizer and use it after every shower. I’m on third AC as well and the dry skin & eyes, is a constant battle. Sorry I can’t help more
0 -
Round four of AC is done which also means I am done with AC! Still using the picc line and this is the first infusion that I did not have to go someplace else and have a port or something replaced before they could do the infusion. It felt strange to be finished before noon. My MO and I also discussed that if they want to put the new port in my leg that I will decline and keep the picc line. If they use the leg that means the lines are in your groin area and she feels that is more of a risk for infection than the picc line can be. I hate the picc line but I think I would hate having a port in my upper thigh even more. It means having to wear shorts for infusions and I don't even own a pair of shorts. I am a red head and even my legs burn, even with sun screens so I do not wear shorts. In the summer if I am going to be out in the sun for longer than 15 minutes or so I use sun block and still wear long sleeves. Will have the first taxol infusion two weeks from today hope it is easier.
0 -
Hello,
I saw my MO today. I wanted to quit AC but he told me that my tumor has an amazing response to AC. He will decrease the dosage though for the last round and he told me that SE should be less. I'll see...It is really hard because you want to take a responsible decision but at the same time you really feel down. It is the last AC dose I won't die from it and I won't have a paper to finish to stress me out about being OK. I hope I'll manage. I am not a fighter and I quit easily when things get tough!
If you suffer from loss of appetite, my MO suggested to drink one can of Ensure or Boost per day on top of what you can eat. I tried one, strawberry flavor and it is OK. I guess I should eat strawberry yogurt :-) Walden, I guess you can count that as 1 cup of liquid. Also, I drink lipton style soup. Powdered soup to which you add hot water. I guess we can also count that as 1 glass of fluid.
Jo, I am sorry to hear about your sores. I cannot help you though. I would contact your MO for sound advice on how to treat them.
Have a good weekend everyone.
0 -
lottotte19,
Congrats on your great response! I’ve found AC hard as well and have one more to go. Its hard to muster the courage to keep going but we will get through it like all the brave ladies before us. do you mind if I ask how they your response. My doctor just observes in the office. Still feeling some odd pains in my breast
0 -
lolette19- thanks a lot. I took your advice and called my MOs office. They recommended Eucerin redness relief cleansing gel and. Eucerin redness relief day lotion. I'm eager to try it when I get home from work. My appetite is great. My problem is the food taste metallic. But I find the OrganicGatorade and Boost Plus protein helps.
Amburt- A picc line in the thigh sounds horrible. Congratulations on finishing round 4 AC.
0 -
congrats AmBurt for finishing AC. Good luck with your SEs.
Walden, when I started chemo, i had a 5 by 6 mass that could be measured with some kind of ruler. Today MO said he couldn't measure it anymore, like it almost disappeared. So the good response.
Cheers to all
0 -
Lolotte- that is an amazing response. Hang in there for the last AC round. It’s working!
0 -
Well girls, I was the first to start and I am happy to announce,I am finished
. I feel a little bit guilty about being done while many of you have much longer chemo journey's but I didn't want this day to go by without letting you all know I got to ring the bell today. Still got the SE's to get through and then on to RADS in a few weeks. Hope everyone is doing alright with their SE's this week. Debmisto, you amaze me working through the fatigue. Hope you're getting good tips,lol. Oh and can sinthetic hair be cut. I got a cute wig but it's too long for my age and I feel silly wearing it. I look like a 20 something with a 50 something face.
Lolette, sorry it's such a challenge and I want to send you some good no SE energy your way. When I am struggling I try to break it down and think of it one day/hour/min/ television episode etc, at a time? I know it's cliche but it really has worked for me. Also I know i've said it but Coconut water is a life saver when my food/drink tastes shitty.
Congrats CBOK and AMBURT for finishing you're AC. Docetaxal did not cause me any nausea so hopefully not for you either. I iced for all rounds and did not have much problem with feet and hands. Good luck!
0 -
Lolette - congrats on your disappearing tumor. That's so wonderful to hear! Stay in the fight with the AC and will be done before you know it. Remember, you will then be able to look back and say "I gave it 100%". Piece of mind!
Walden - same to you regarding the AC. Hold the line ladies. You can do it! Remember to drink LOTS & LOTS of water. I truly believe it helps. I have an RX for the nausea that my MO gave me. I used Biotene mouth wash and did not get any mouth sores. Claritin for the Neulasta and Advil for the bone pain. Yes, it's a drag and a struggle but it does not linger for long. After a coupld of days you bounce back.
As for me, today was TAXOL treatment #1! So far so good. No neuropathy yet and i did not do any icing etc, so I'll see if I regret it tomorrow. My WBC was normal (thanks to Neulasta) but my hemoglobin (red blood cells) was low hence i earned a shot of Procrit which was not exactly pleasant. BUT my MO told me Taxol is easier than AC for most patiens. I hope she is right!!
Hang in there ladies! Thinking of you.
0 -
Hi Again, I've been curious, did the ice capping work for the girls who used it?
0 -
indahood- congratulations on ringing that bell! It's the final recovery from side effects for you. Amazing. I've got three more rounds to go of TCH and now Perjeta. I have been coldcapping. I'm halfway done and probably have about 90% of my hair. It's thinning and my part is getting wider in spots but only I notice. I probably will lose quite a bit more so I can't get too happy about it yet. Capping makes infusion day very unpleasant and long. It's hard work for my husband and it makes me nauseous. I can't wash my hair as often or style it at all. It's been two months of a bad hair day😐. It's definitely not for everyone. Time will tell for me. My MO was very skeptical of capping. I would love to prove her wrong.
Keep in touch with us Feb ladies. We want to hear how you are doing!
0 -
Rock city. I'm happy to hear the cold capping is working for you. Sorry about the SE's it gives you though.
0 -
congrats Indahood! It must be such a relieved. I hope your SEs will be mild. I'll try to follow your advices in a week from now. I plan on buying a jigsaw puzzle, i have always liked them and I hope I can do it when I'll be at the worse, I'll try anything. Out of boredom, i have read the thread for the radiation part of the treatment. I hope that the last leg of your journey will look like a stroll in a park. Take care and give us some news from time to time.
Everyone else, may your SEs be minor or non existent. I know that some of us will have last AC dose next week. Mine will be on Friday, which means I have one week to finish my last paper and find a nice puzzle.
Have a great weekend!
0 -
Aanoliver- The SE impact different each time. I finished Thursday and Neulasta shot yesterday. The SE after treatment feel a little stronger this time. I know it will pass.
Today I am resting, I find when you try to be mobile people can mistake you for being at 100 percent ok, when you are barely at 20 percent.
0 -
insideout , I totally agree it differs every time.. today was my 10th day i had neulasta this time but doctor did my blood test today , and my counts were low which doc said should be normal by itself but to avoid risk they gave me to neupogen shots.. even i noticed my hemoglobin reducing .. it was 8.5 yesterday.. today its 9.2 .. i ate prunes,spinach,raisins,apricots
Hope all goes well for all of u
0 -
HI everyone! I managed an almost 5k walk in the forest yesterday. Very slow as my heart rate is still wonky from the adriamycin but it feels good to move & be out in nature.
0 -
Moth, I am admiring you. I am such a larvae sitting under my blanket on my computer all day long. No wonder my body needs only 4 to 5 hours of sleep by night...
0
