Starting Chemo July 2025? Gather here for support!
Join together to share experiences. Discuss your chemo regimen, how to prep, what to expect, how you're feeling, side effects you're having and tips to alleviate them.
We're all here to support you - you've got this!
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I'm starting TC chemo on July 1st - looking for others who are starting soon, too. The anxiety in these last few days is quite BAD, but I know I'll feel much better once I have the first infusion done and start to see how my body handles it. Really grateful for this space and everyone here who is looking for support and community in this. <3
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@alliec1068 I posted here, too, but looks like it’s you just and me right now! 😂
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I start TC chemo on 7/10. I'm anxious how well I'll tolerate chemo and how bad side effects may be.
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Welcome @mo0208! We're so sorry for the reasons that bring you here, but we're really glad you've found us. You're sure to find our community a wonderful source of advice, information, encouragement, and support — we're all here for you!
You and @iambecoming are doing the same chemo regimen, TC, so you might both benefit from this thread to get by!
Tiffany's Twenty Terrific Tips for TC Chemo
Also @iambecoming how are you handling your first week after starting chemo? Any advice for @mo0208?
We hope this helps!
—The Mods
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@mo0208 we are here for you! Just had my first round on 6/30.
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@mo0208 Hello & welcome! I feel you on the anxiety leading up to starting chemo. I felt it ramping up beforehand, too. I am also doing TC chemo, had my first infusion on July 1. I'm doing 4 rounds with 21 days in between, give or take, depending on how things go. Everyone kept telling me to hydrate really well the day before, and then day of and thereafter throughout chemo to flush it from my body. I decided to fill a water bottle that is marked 800 ml on the side and am trying to get 3-4 of those in each day!
I felt a lot of relief to get the first infusion done, but in the days after that, I felt the new anxiety of watching and waiting to see how my body handles things. I keep saying, "I know what to expect in terms of side effects (bc they give you the whole list!!), but I have no idea how MY body will respond to any of this."
I used ice socks and ice mittens to hopefully prevent neuropathic pain in my hands and feet. My hands were painfully uncomfortable from the cold at a few points, but it eventually lessened and so far, my hands and feet feel good, so I'm hoping it's worth it! One could also use ice packs with towels, just bring a small cooler with several ice packs to change out while the chemo drugs are infused. I didn't ice during the steroid or any of the other preliminary things given via IV, only the chemo drugs and while I had to sit for an additional hour with my cold cap on after the chemo drugs were infused.
The first day after infusion, I felt quite energized from the steroids - they gave me dexamethasone and it amps me up and prevents me from sleeping :( I had to go back the afternoon after for a shot (Fulphila, aka Neulasta or pegfilgrastim) to stimulate WBC) and I honestly think that has been worse than the after-effects of the chemo. I had very bad bone pain/aches and muscle aches — felt flu-like for 3 days or so after. They told me to take Claritin to help, and it helped, but I think for this next round, I'm going to refuse getting the shot so long as my blood work and WBC counts are good, so that I can see how my body handles things without the bone pain and body aches.
I'll be thinking of you as you approach 7/10 & sending positive vibes for a smooth experience. Do you have someone going with you for support? My sister-in-law went with me and that helped so much. If you have other questions, don't hesitate to tag me!
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Starting TC x 4 this week.
Scared and anxious. About all of it. Glad to know there are others who are with me.
I'm going to try the ice mittens and booties. Hope i can get it all coordinated.
Thanks for posting.
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Hey @pershing, welcome!! If you're willing to share, tell us what part of the world you're in.
You are definitely not alone in being scared and anxious leading up to starting chemo. 💜 I think it's actually such a normal human response to something that is NEW, scary, and that one has never experienced before. I keep reminding myself, "All of this is new." Do you have someone to go with you, at least for this first one?
Great to hear you're going to try the ice mittens and booties! That first infusion felt like a lot to coordinate to me, too. All we can do is the best we can in any given moment. Let that be enough.
My infusion center had crushed ice which they brought to me in a cup and I had my sister-in-law help feed them to me throughout the chemo drugs being infused to hopefully help cut down on mouth sores. I could sort of pick the cup up with the mittens on, but was pretty clumsy, lol. It continues to be humbling and challenging for me to ask for help in this, as I've always been very independent and live alone. I am grateful for the opportunity to practice. :)
Sending positive vibes your way and hope you'll come back and share an update once you're through the first one and have a chance to let things settle a bit in the days after. ✌️
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Welcome @pershing! You've found the best group right here! We're sorry for the reasons that bring you here, but really glad you've found us.
Here's some good info on using cold gloves and socks to prevent neuropathy:
We hope this helps!
Please, all, continue to let us know here how you're doing as you navigate your care. We're all here for you!
—The Mods
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Hi everyone, the spring threads aren't very active and I have five rounds to go. Hope it's ok to join you here.
I did dose dense A/C in March and April, then started weekly taxol x12 in May. This is my second time doing chemo so I thought I knew what to expect - NOPE! It's been a strange course, with all kinds of random and unexpected side effects: shingles (too young for shingles vaccine, nobody thought to suggest it), pneumonia requiring IV antibiotics (4 days in the hospital, 2 weeks' chemo deferred), a weird yeast infection in the creases of my underarms, and an atypical kind of mucositis. I'm a tough cookie, but this has been the most difficult thing I've ever done. I don't say that to scare any of you, it's more of a reminder for all of us to extend ourselves a lot of grace because this shit is hard.
That said, I've got tons of experience and would be happy to answer any questions if that's helpful. I've been doing the ice mittens and booties since the beginning and so far no neuropathy…
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Hey @kks_rd Welcome here! I'm so sorry that you're having such a rough go of it this time around — let alone that you are having to do chemo a second time. Your regimen is a long road, what is it like to have weekly treatments? I'm not on the same regimen as you - I'm doing TC x 4 with 21 days in between. Just had my second infusion yesterday. But I had a rash in my underarms that I thought might be yeast-based after my first round. And I got oral thrush, so yeast was definitely hangin' around! 😒 Please know you're not alone and I hope perhaps others on the same treatment as you will chime in. Keeping fingers crossed for you that the ice mittens & booties keep the neuropathy away! I am using them, too, and so far, so good!
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Hey Y'all! MotherFun here to join in the fun. Had my 1st AC 24Jul2025 and will be having my 2nd AC tomorrow, 07Aug2025. I slept all day after the 1st AC and all day the next day after hydration. I felt like Sleeping Beauty! My husband set an alarm and alternated my antiemetics for me. I hydrated really well the 2 days prior to chemo and sucked on a queasy drop from when I got in the car to go to get chemo until I got home. I also wore pressure point bands. I brought out all the Ju-Ju to ward off the nausea!! I tend to get motion sick and sick after anesthesia, so I wasn't playing. I perked up days 3 & 4, then the slow downhill of bone pain and fatigue set in. My mouth was doing weird things like it felt sandy or gritty. No visible sores or ulcers. By Wednesday I was having difficulty eating so it was popsicles and pudding. Friday I started using magic mouthwash and talk about a game changer!! Like clockwork today, day 14, a chunk of hair beautifully came out with my wide tooth comb. I was shocked at first, then remembered - DUH, I have cancer, took chemo and this IS supposed to happen. My scalp and skin has been sensitive and painful for days as a constant reminder of what was about to happen. Talk about a dose of reality. How do you forget that is going to happen??! I have long curly hair past my shoulders. Oh well, on the bright side it will make getting ready for work so much easier! I hope everyone has a super fun week and weekend! I’ll be practicing my Sleeping Beauty gig. 🩷
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Hi Everyone, Thinking of you All!! 💗
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@motherfun Magic mouthwash is fantastic! On the go, you could consider cepacol extra strength lozenges (assuming your team okays them). I'm sorry you've had to contend with this through.
I got Taxol #11 of 12 today. Next week is hopefully my last one. I'm fucking exhausted. It also occurs to me that in my lifetime I'll have had 24 rounds of chemo and while I'm sure that's not a record or anything, it's a lot. Ugh.
Not to scare anyone, but I've gained something like 15 lbs while in treatment (thank you steroids). I was heavier than was probably healthy for me to begin with. Thinking about reclaiming this part of my life is just..... overwhelming.
I'm sorry. I'm just not in a great place these days. Trying my best to stay positive but it's hard when things like pain enter the chat.
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@kks_rd You are so right!! Cepacol extra strength lozenges were a life save after surgery for my throat pain from the tube. I had not even thought about it for on to go. Thank you so much for the suggestion! Very happy you are about to conquer #12! I’m so sorry to bring pain in the chat 😬 Stay positive and laugh often!! Just watch some fainting goat videos and get a good belly laugh. 😊
I needed up shaving my head 08Aug2025. It was amazing because the scalp pain instantly was gone. Had I known that I may have done it sooner! 😂Cycle 2 went just as expected, same as the first. I am working every day that I can trying my best to keep as normal of my old routine as possible.
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@motherfun I'm so glad the cepacol suggestion was a winner! We all learn from one another 🫂
Oh yes, the relief after shaving your head is a strange silver lining, but a silver lining nonetheless. It's also nice not to have as much to clean out of the drain....
I'm currently getting the pre-meds for #12. Let's do this! Next I'll transition to radiation.
100% agree with trying to live life as normally as possible!! It's a simple strategy and mindset, though not always easy.
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@iambecoming So please tell me if you did get the g-csf injection after your 2nd cycle and if your bone pain was worse. I am getting AC every other week and the g-csf the next day every other week. After my 2nd cycle my bone pain has been debilitating over the weekend and today. I have notified my team to see if possibly I could dose reduce the g-csf after 3rd cycle coming this week, but they said no. Based on my counts I still need the full dose. I am hoping someone may chime in with some ideas for pain relief besides sleeping 😂. I am really trying to work every day I can. I just wanted to see how you are doing. Have a great day!
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@motherfun 14 years ago (my first time on AC/T) I did daily (days 6-13 of the side dense cycle) neupogen injections rather than neulasta. I definitely had more severe bone pain on neulasta. I don't know if neupogen is even a thing anymore. It was mail-ordered to my house and I had to handle needles, etc so it's not for everyone. The Claritin trick never worked for me.
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The one I am getting is called Nyvepria.
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I guess it's the same thing, at least AI says so:
Nyvepria is also known by its generic name pegfilgrastim. Other brand names for pegfilgrastim include Neulasta, Fulphila, Fylnetra, Stimufend, Udenyca, and Ziextenzo.
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UGH! Well, I am trying the name brand Claritin to see if it makes any difference. I had been taking generic. I have a heating pad on my lap and that helps. I did speak to my treatment team yesterday. If my WBC is high they will dose reduce the shot this cycle so we will see. I appreciate everyone posting suggestions and their experiences, it is so helpful!
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@motherfun my onc suggested trying other drugs in the same family, like zyrtec. It never made a difference to me but maybe it'll help others. Those bone aches are truly awful! I hope you can find relief. Keep talking with your team, and keep us posted. 🫂
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@motherfun Hey! I did get the injection (mine is Fulphila) after my 2nd (and now 3rd) cycles. I'm starting to distinguish better between bone pain and muscle aches. After 1st cycle, I definitely had bone pain. 2nd cycle, it seemed more like muscle aches — I was sore all up and down either side of my spine, and on the sides and back of my neck. It felt like I was coming down with the flu. My nurse at my 3rd infusion said to me if I wasn't having so much bone pain, that it may actually have been the chemo drugs causing the muscle aches once the steroids started to wear off. That made a lot of sense to me. I'm doing 4 rounds of TC chemo with 21 days in between each, but also get the injection the day after my infusion.
I'm so sorry you're experiencing it — debilitating is absolutely the word for it and I agree, sleeping (or some form of trying to) was really the only thing that helped. They wouldn't let me skip the injection either, said that with my type of chemo, folks often wind up in the ER with serious infection if they don't get it, and I didn't want that, so took their word for it.
Could they reduce your AC chemo doses at all? My understanding is they start with the highest possible dose and reduce if they see the body isn't tolerating it (rather than starting lower and building up a tolerance) Maybe that will give your body a little more to help manage the injection, especially since your infusions are every other week / less time for the body to recover? Oh, I'll mention this, just in case — the injection isn't supposed to be given until 24 hours after the chemo drugs. They had initially booked my injection for 8am the next morning — but the nurse rescheduled it when my infusion started later and it wouldn't have been 24 hours yet, so wondering if you're getting that space with yours?
I didn't really feel that the brand name Claritin did much for me, either. For what it's worth, I'm not working right now and am on leave from my job as a yoga teacher. It has been really hard financially, but has allowed me more time to rest when I really feel I need to, instead of forcing myself to push through.
Sending all the positive, pain-free vibes your way! 😎 How are you feeling now?
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@iambecoming I received cycle 3 chemo today, AC. Tomorrow I return for IV fluids and the shot. I will get the same shot, not dose reduced because my counts don’t warrant it. They do schedule it 24hrs from the infusion the day prior. Thanks for that tidbit! Good info to know. There are so many nuances to all this. Every time I get on a message board I learn something new.
I did read a small study about adding Pepcid with the Claritin. It had a good success rate. Although it’s anecdotal I am happy to give it a try. I took it the past couple of days and my pain was better. In all fairness I won’t attribute it to the Pepcid/Claritin combo since I am at the tail end of the shot’s effect.
But I will continue the Pepcid and see if I notice a difference this week. My NP prescribed me Toradol pills in case it got really bad again.
Take care and thank you for the information! 🩷 It’s time to be Sleeping Beauty again.
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@motherfun Congrats on cycle 3 being under your belt and hope the IV fluids and shot went smoothly today. You are right about all of the nuances and all that I've learned from others here. Grateful for this resource and all those who contribute to it!
Pepcid helps with the bone pain from the shot?! There are definitely some interesting things that get discovered and work. I remember my nurse at my first infusion emphasizing "Be sure to get the brand name Claritin, as opposed to generic. Something about the brand name just works for this." So, if it seems to have helped you, that's all that matters and I hope it helps you this week.
Great to connect with you here! We're going to get through this! xo
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Well it took the bone pain 5 days later to jump on me this cycle so possibly the brand name Claritin and Pepcid held it off a bit? Who knows? But the fatigue and malaise is relentless. Had to swallow my pride and take a step back at work to medical leave. I just hate it. I wanted to keep my regular work schedule minus the chemo days, but finally made the realization that is not the healthiest option for me right now. I started leave today and have rested all day. The bone pain is ridiculous. Heating pads provide a little relief. What I thought was toradol was really tramadol and it does not touch the pain. I keep reading to see what has brought others relief and have about decided that I’m just going to have to tough this out. I keep reminding myself this is temporary and will be a blip in time. I will get my last dose dense AC on 03Sep so maybe some relief in 2-3 weeks? Then I start Taxol. I will be optimistic that I will feel better on Taxol. My perpetual optimism has to win out at some point. 😂 I appreciate the posts on here and the helpful information it provides. I hope everyone is hanging in there. 🩷
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@motherfun I'm glad you're prioritizing yourself 🤍 and can appreciate all the feelings that come along with that. I never got true relief from the bone pain while in active treatment, mostly I managed it by alternating periods of activity and rest, by distracting myself, and by complaining regularly 😉 it was the worst at night. Which then adds to the fatigue! I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. Could you go to a pain clinic?
Many find taxol easier overall BUT bone pain is a common side effect. Are you doing taxol dose dense or weekly or...?
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@kks_rd I think it will be dose dense since my AC was, but I really don’t know. I need to go back and read my notes. I was finally able to fall asleep last night and slept well. Minimal pain this morning. I do like taking shorts walks around our house. I find the sunshine, breeze, smells and hearing the insects to be very relaxing. Just got to put my feet in the grass and reground myself from time to time. Have a great day! 🩷
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Just to pass this tidbit on, my bone pain has held off 5 days before onset again this cycle. I am taking name brand Claritin and Pepcid morning and night everyday. I think it is either anecdotal or placebo effect. Which is fine with me to have it 5 days less.
I am looking forward to starting my first of 4 Taxol next week. I know it will have its own set of side effects, but hopeful it will be less than AC.
How is everyone else doing?
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@motherfun I'm genuinely glad the H2 blockers are working for you. I had bone pain with taxol too, and they suggested them for that too - if it works for you now hopefully it continues to in the future. I used Tylenol most of the time and that took the edge off.
I'm about four weeks PFC - post f'ing chemo - something I recall people saying the first time I was in treatment. Yesterday I met with my M.O. I was so pleased to see my labs -- my WBCs and Hgb have come back quite a bit. The body is pretty amazing. My energy level is returning too, probably in part because I'm not weighed down with anemia fatigue.
Started rads this week. Before I did, they ordered a baseline mammogram... that came back clean 🙏
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