Starting Chemotherapy March 2018
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Day 17 here. Feeling pretty much normal. Taste has returned to normal, nosebleeds have stopped, energy level is good during the day, but I am no longer the night owl I once was. Hair falling out the past couple days, visibly thinning, receding hairline. I have a pixie cut, but I am tempted just to clip it. Going with the #3 guard per advice on this page. I am just tired of shedding like I have mange. My scalp feels a little sore - like I just took my hair out of a tight ponytail. Will get round #2 on the 4th.
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Day 5 of round 2, and feeling almost human again. DH and I had lunch with a man who has endured 2 years of chemo so far. I'd do anything for his cheerful, positive attitude. When I marveled at his, he asked me, "Have you ever experienced this before?" No! "Well then, this is a new experience for you!" Personally, I'd prefer my new experiences to come from trying a new recipe or something else on that level. But his attitude has helped him get through years of of treatments with a smile on his face.
Anyone here able to find any kind of enjoyment in your chemo experience?
I guess I do enjoy the relief that comes on day 5 thru 7.
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round 2 day 3 on TC. Filgrastim shot starts. So far so good. Familiar feelings of dry mouth, stomach discomfort, esophagus discomfort.
Was able Sticking to my daily walks 4-8k so far. Woke up from big nap and I was walking faster than my hubby and two Doberman, so I felt good for staying ahead of them.
Downdoggie
My hairs started to go on day 16, but it’s going gradually. I shaved it before chemo. First 3-5 days a lot of them are coming off. I kept a sleeping cap on day and night to catch them so it doesn’t fall all over. :-) then use IKEA rollers to clean off the hairs.
Today is 9 days after hairs started falling, still have some stubborn ones hanging around. Looked like Kiwi fruit now. I am laughing at it after initial weird out moment.
Bought bamboo and cotton hats form Headcovers and they are comfy.
May07
Cool you get to participate exercise trial. Free and assmbelled treadmill and exercise group, I like! :-) quite cool. Hope that give you the boost and feel better everyday.
Bec-ky
Glad you feel better today. Wildcloniagirl is right, counting down to the second half, where we will be back to normal once Filgrastim stops.
MLghtn
Hope your feel better. I use Salt and baking soda water mixture to rinse a lot for mouth sore, advices from here. Also feel icky with throat and stuffed down the throats or somewhere. Finding ways to burp a bit has made it better. I am going to try gargling with salt water for the throat as well.
I am trying to get up on liquids, so lemon water warm water and juice whatever I feel is manageable.
Everyone
Hope tomorrow is an better feeling for all. We will get thru this!!
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I went downhill big time yesterday and still am as of 3am this morning. I feel like every organ in my torso hurts. So very miserable. But hey, I’m hanging in here. I wouldn’t doubt I would be at ER if I didn’t have pain pills to get through this. I’m hoping it eases up today. I’m guessing it’s the shots doing it. I have two more shots then just maybe I’ll start feeling better.
Is everyone icing their hands and feet or not. Was just wondering if I should do that next time.
Does anyone know what the regular dose of Taxotere usually is? I’m getting 117 milligrams. Just wondering again lol.
I’m happy to see that most of you are doing well. Boy has this been an experience. It may not be nothing nice but by George I’ll get through it. Hang in there everyone.
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My first post since starting TC Wed, so today is Day 4. I am trying my best to have a positive attitude but admit I am really having a hard time doing that. My mental and physical strength is lacking. I was not not going to post unless I could be positive as I like to be on that road........but I guess I need some encouragement from those of you who understand. It’s pretty hard to explain how this feels to those who have not experienced. I’m Weak, tired and really having a hard time drinking, eating because everything tastes weird and my stomach, etc are not happy. I am encouraged by all of you feeling better and continue to learn and be grateful to read your experience and feel your strength.
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Yeah... I started with feeling so much etter yesterday--to oh my God my back... My legs... I took a hot as heck Epsom salt bath... And ended up taking an oxycodone (from my lumpectomy) before bed which helped.
I also woke up and my back is still killing me and my lower legs.... Neck.. Head... Ankles.... You name it!
I thought it was Getting better?
I wonder if my bone pain is from chemo and not the nulasta shot?
We'll it still isn't as bad as that one day, but it's still Hard, and I just don't want to take another pain pill because I hate the "feeling"... But it's starting to seem like the best choice, otherwise I'm miserable.
I could try ibuprofen.... But then if it doesn't work, I'd have to take oxycodone... And the idea of popping so many pills makes me nervous.
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Loki - I am with you. Trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel. ❤️
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Loki and Becky- sorry y’all are not doing good either. Hang in there, it’s going to get better. I bet in a day or two we will feel much better. Loki can your doc prescribe something for the pain if it gets to bad? Today is Day 5 for me and i really thought the pain would have eased up by now.
Honestly though, if I hurt this long next time, I may have them up my pain medication.
I really hope y’all get to feeling better today. I’m praying for everyone.
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I feel like there are bad days and there are good days....last night out of nowhere I felt really bad...clammy hands, Super fatigue, like I was going to pass out...then I went to lay down and it went away. I am not diabetic but I can imagine it felt like a blood sugar drop. I thought I was in the clear from side effects....guess not.
Loki - I have learned that it’s ok to feel discouraged at times and I also learned that it’s ok not to always have a positive attitude.....we are human....
I have good days and bad days...I have good hours and bad hours....our bodies are changing by the minute and we don’t know what to expect next...it’s a difficult and sacry time. Allow yourself to feel whatever it is you are feeling mentally, good or bad.
It’s easy for someone who isn’t going through something like this to say...stay positive...we do what we can....but remember this too shall pass.
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Should I take another Claritin today again just in case? I mean.... How long should I take it?
I took it the day of the nulasta shot(Thursday) ...and 2 days after.
I suppose it doesn't hurt right?
My next chemo I'm going to take it the day of Chemo..so I get it in my system before the shot.
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Good morning brave ladies..and Happy Easter. Day 7 for me. Well I thought I was coming out on the other side yesterday... felt pretty much back to normal all day. But then literally out of the blue last night got intense lower back pain, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. On top of that I was alternating between freezing and sweating all night. I was sure I had a fever but surprisingly my temp was normal. This went on all night so needless to say I’m exhausted today! I took some Immodium so I’m hoping that will help. I’m supposed to go back to work tomorrow after being off for the past week so I’m feeling a bit discouraged today.
Moth—I know you had mentioned chemopause so maybe that’s what all this sweating is about! I am due to get my period this week (though I’d be surprised if it showed up) so maybe the hormones have something to do with it. I have my follow up tomorrow with my MO so I will definitely ask her about it.
Quiltingnut, Becky, Loki and everyone else not feeling so hot—take it easy today and be kind to yourself. We will all get through this together! I too am wondering if a lot of this pain and discomfort I’m having is from the Neulasta and not the actual chemo. I’ve heard a lot of people say the chemo side effects were manageable but the Neulasta is no joke. Either way it’s no fun! I did the whole Claritin thing but not sure if it even helped at all at this point.
ere’s hoping for a better week coming up for all of us! xo
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Ladies - Happy Easter and Passover! Bec-Ky and Steph74 - if you can take the Claritin I would recommend doing it for at least a week post Neulasta. Steph74 - I had the terrible lower back pain with spasms first time also Day 7 - and this time I stayed on Claritin for 10 days and had minor discomfort. At least for me, the Claritin has made a huge difference in the pain department, but it needs to be daily because the first time I did only 3 days and it didn't stop the back issues. Bec-ky I start the Claritin day of chemo as well, one day before the shot.
Sympathize with those having chemopause!! I am not in that group as I went through surgical menopause at 36 12 years ago due to hysterectomy and oophorectomy (ovary removal). Hit me like a freight train and I would turn beet red when the flashes came.
Hope today turns the tide for many! Loki - we all will have down moments, I know I certainly do. It happens and that is why we are here for each other. Remember you have sisters in support all over.
Blessings to each of you with a prayer and a hug.
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Steph - I'm so afraid to NOT take Claritin next time because what if it's helping tremendously, and we don't even know it? I'm too chicken to try and compare. Because then there's no turning back...right?
I hope everyone feels better. I just ended up taking another oxycodone this morning... And 1 excedrine migraine. I just decided I can't tough this out... and why try?! Ugh!
I better take some mirilax too.
Quiltingnut - not sure what my taxatore dose is... I was under the impression it's a standard dose.
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Steph74,
We started same day and I also felt like I was in the clear until last night! I felt terrible all of a sudden out of nowhere and it was hard to express what was wrong! This morning I woke up with some back spasms but they went away quickly...I don’t trust it though...every day something new comes along...I’m hoping this is the end of it for this cycle.
Bec-ky i took the Claritin the day of chemo and 3 days after...I felt 1 shooting pain into my elbow the night I took the neulesta and that was it really. I think the back spasms I experienced this morning may be due to the chemo, it affects our nervous system to some degree and most people are predisposed to back pain as it is...and we are spending more time lying down and sedentary in general while going through all this.
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Hi, sorry for everyone who is not feeling good, I can totally commiserate . I am day 8 today after AC, I know most of you are on TC, but timeline for SE's and general feeling seems to be about the same. I had that day of feeling good and then yesterday was just a really bad day. I really think its the anti-inflammatory effects of the steroids wearing off in addition to that fake energy the steroids give. I was exhausted and achy, could only do bare minimum yesterday as far as taking care of kids/house/dogs etc, and spent most of time in bed. The sensation that it hurts to swallow from my throat through my chest is extremely unpleasant--I guess the Adriamycin is known for this...Drank icey water and ate ice cubes and smoothies a lot which definitely provides some relief. Also got the Big D from the milk of mag, so yesterday was a whole lot of things at once. I didn't have that bone pain anymore, it was more of a generalized body ache, and I stopped taking the Claritin on Friday. I'm happy I have some percocet (would be pretty hard to tough it out without) because it definitely has helped a lot, took a benadryl with it last night and slept 10 hrs! Today I think I feel a little better. I think rest and sleep is the most important to recover and if that means taking more medication at times that is OK. I just try to make sure I always take pills with food and a lot of water.
Quiltingnut I wanted to mention most of the chemo doses are per kg of body weight so in case you compare with someone else you have to note that if their dose seems higher or lower it has to be adjusted per body weight and then you may have the same dose.
Hoping everyone feels better soon
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@mlghtn and all other AC+T gals, I've started a topic for all of us AC+T gals who started chemo in March. You can find it here: All Topics → Forum: Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After → Topic: Starting AC+T in March 2018. While I think there is some overlap in experience with all the different regimens, I prefer to connect with those on the same regimen. I invite all AC+T gals to join in.
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Thanks to all who have posted today with encouraging words and sharing. I was having a really down moment - thanks to those who said THATS OK! So nice to not feel alone. I have been able to drink some water and had some white rice. Lol. Seems huge. Feel a bit Better. For me it’s not pain - believe me I have that too but - as much as being wiped out at least right now. I am just laying around as I can’t do much more. As for meds, I was told claritin for 5 days starting day before neulasta. The infusion nurse told me days 3-5 arehard..... for me that’s tomorrow too but im hoping not. I am walking ( slowly!) a few miles a day as I have an 11 mo old dog. thinking of all of you.
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Loki - hope you feel better! I heard the same thing...(day 3-5) Im just hoping not to have to call in tomorrow. Ugh.
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Day 5 of round 1 for me and I am taking Claritin for all the 5 Zarxio shots. Mostly I nowam just very tired - and very constipated (sorry for the TMI). We went to church this morning and afterwards I promptly konked out on the couch for almost an hour. Just got back from a little walk and let’s all hope for a good week for the lot of us.
Quiltingnut, I too am a big time quilter. What do you like to make?
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Hi All,
I'm sorry to hear how many are struggling right now. The ups and downs and unknowns of chemo are so challenging. I had tears streaming down my face during infusion the other day. I was just sad and overwhelmed that this is my life right now. But we are all fighting for our lives so we will do what we have to and comfort and support each other as best we can in this cyber space. I think hearing the bad and the good is helpful, since we are all experiencing the range and we can surely relate to different things at different times.
Re: tummy issues, I was told to take Metamucil every day to help balance the diarrhea and constipation. It has really helped this week.
I felt better today than the last 2 Sundays, so got excited and started doing stuff. My body said, nope! I got light headed and blurry, so a nap is the new plan. Wishing you all strength and peace today
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Hi all, sorry to hear some of you are doing it really tough. I do remember reading somewhere: when on chemo feeling unwell is par for the course. Whilst treatment has come along way side effects are still a huge hurdle plus sometimes we get side effects from the meds we take for the chemo side effects! Day 2 & 3 I take a drug called Kytril (anti nausea specifically for chemo) and it can give you headaches.
As I am on a FEC - D regime (which does not appear to be used so much in USA) I can't relate to all that is posted. Even the routines are quite different. I take no meds in preparation. Anti nausea is given orally and steroids IV on the day plus one shot of neulasta 24 hours after end of chemo (plus meds for days 2 & 3). No anti histamines. Although this may change when I get to the D part of the treatment. My three week cycle is broadly a week of being cytotoxic, a week of low white blood cells and a week of recovery. At this stage all treatment is IV, no port (not prescribed for 6 rounds only), can have a PICC line if chemo gets too much for my veins and must say second dose really upset the vien all the way to my elbow. Will change to other arm for dose 3 of FEC.
I too have found that first week post dose quite debilitating then the second week some side effects and the third week feeling much better. My SE have been minimal by comparison although I did end up at hospital last week with indigestion. I actually thought I was having a cardiac event! Numb jaw and all. Thank goodness I wasn't but for those of you with heartburn stay on top of it. Mine too started out with what I thought was a sore throat. But I now think that was actually reflux irritating my throat. I am now on 40mg if nexuim a day. I can still "feel" my GI but no severe pain. I have also struggled with constipation (always had a sluggish bowel) and have given up trying to get it right with medications so have added Metamucil to my diet and refuse to stress about not being "regular" unless I get other symptoms of concern. My hair is still stubbly. I went a zero buzz and it was a mistake cause the stubble catches on everything. I agree with the 3 cut. Funny I thought it would all come out instantly once it started to drop but no I still have a shadow of hair, more like a patchy kiwi fruit
! I agree with all that have said it: this is a GREAT support network!! The opportunity to share my experience and gain from others battling breast cancer is such a relief. So thank you one and all and good luck.
Happy holidays!Be safe, enjoy loved ones and be kind to yourself.
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May07 I’m with you! Now I don’t want to get my hopes up when I start to feel good as it seems something icky is always lurking around the corner!
I am feeling better tonight, back pain seems to be gone and one dose of Imodium this morning stopped the big D. I am completely exhausted though from not sleeping much last night. Hopefully tonight will be a better night for everyone!
I’m back at work this week so hopefully I’ll get through it ok. Sending positive vibes out to all. It sucks we’re all going through this but it’s easier when you know you’re not alone!
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Quiltingnut
Thank for the response. I will post tomorrow while I'm on the hospital wishing all ladies here of good day . I don't know what to expect but all of you're advice's and response help me learn a lot it might be hard for me to look for some products that will help with side effects because most of them are not available in my country.
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Yesterday was a really bad day. I can’t take Claritin as it causes heart palpitations. I can take Benadryl so I started that yesterday and it did seem to help the pain and helps me to sleep a bit. I have not had a good sleep for a week.
This weekend the pain was so great that you can’t sleep either so I sat and worked on the binding of a quilt I was making for my sister. I finished that last night through my pain and tears.
I feel a bit better today, slight headache and tired, but like everyone else, you never know when the other shoe will drop. Lol. I take my last shot today so I’m hoping I turn that corner tomorrow.
Good Luck on your 1st round, yangsaints. I’m sure you will do just fine. The unknown is always the worst.
Jstarling, always good to meet another quilter! I have decided my reward for getting through this will be the new sewing machine I’ve been wanting. Not exactly sure if it will be a babylock or Pfaff.
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quiltingnut, a new machine? Wowsers. Me, i’m A Viking gal. My DH gave me my first Viking when I was still in college in 1976 and the Designer 2 for our 25th anniversary a dozen years ago. I finished a nine patch baby quilt a couple of weeks ago and have a hankering to start something else, sewing and knitting has always been a huge part of my life. I’ve made a few headcovers for the inevitable hair loss. Lots of stash to use up
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Hi Ladies,
I've been keeping an eye on the posts this weekend, I'm sorry some of you have had a rough time. I hope everyone is feeling much better this week.
I saw my Oncologist last Thursday and he told me that the heart palpitations and chest pain I went to the ER with on about Day 6 of my first cycle was actually caused by the Neulasta shot and he gave me some pain medicine for next round. I couldn't believe it could really cause that much pain, I thought I was having a heart attack! I took Claritin for a full week starting the day before my infusion and I didn't really feel like it helped at all.
My second infusion is this Thursday and I feel like knowing what is going to happen is both empowering and frightening. It takes so much courage to stay positive and remember that I am fighting for my life and I'm lucky to have access to medical care that can help me win this fight and be here for my girls.
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I survived work today with basically a horrible lower back ache. But I made it. ♥️
How is everyone else doing this fine Monday?
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Bec-Ky - I'm so glad you were able to survive work and make it thru the day. Sorry about your lower back pain!
Today has been a good day for me. I feel more myself today and not so achy and tired like I have the past 3 days. I have had some horrible heartburn today which is a new symptom. Hopefully I will feel good again tomorrow and then it's off to my 2nd round of chemo and start the cycle all over again. I guess this is my new normal!
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Becky and Kanona—so glad you both are feeling better!
I’m on Day 8 and think I’m finally out of the woods myself. Other than things still tasting “off” and a bit of dry mouth I feel completely like my old self again. Got through my first day back at work with tons of energy and no issues. Saw my dr. this afternoon and she suggested Biotene mouthwash for the dry mouth so we’ll see if that works. I asked her if the side effects of TC chemo tend to be cumulative and she said everyone is different but it would probably be par for the course for the next 3..and also that in some ways it might be easier now that I know what to expect. Here’s hoping!
My next treatment will be on April 19...delayed 3 days so my “bad” days will fall on the weekend and I won’t have to miss as much work.
Hope everyone else is feeling better today too! xo
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Steph74 - my second round is also on april 19!! basically for work reasons and well. I have been doing the biotene mouthwash and it works...I’ve been doing it since day one after every meal as my nurse recommended and I haven’t had any mouth sores or dry mouth issues ...just dry lips which I put on lip balm religiously for.
Saw my PS today and he wants to wait 2 months after chemo to do the exchange...I was hoping to do it one month out but I guess better safe then sorry.
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