AC - Any non-horror stories? Tips?

I found it relatively easy too. I was also young and in good shape and had no other health problems. After the first treatment I felt horrible and couldn't even get out of bed, but after doubling the anti-nausea meds I was fine. And then I made sure to take them in advance, right after chemo was over on my way home. Take them BEFORE you feel sick! I don't think there's any escaping the fatigue and general "blah" feeling. But I was only really useless for a few days and then I went back to work and stuff. (but I worked from home so that was easy too)

If you have long hair like I did, I'd recommend getting it cut short in advance. I never had short hair and it was a fun and new thing to do. And then have somebody shave it off for you when it starts falling out so you're not shedding all over the house, bed, and clothes like a dog. Ha.

Everyone reacts differently to each of the treatments. We are all different. I didn't have a problem with 4 rounds of AC, every 2 weeks, other than fatigue that hit worst a couple of weeks after my last treatment cycle.

PLEASE don't continue with the red devil thing. It's truly unfortunate that it got that nickname.

I had 4 rounds of dose-dense AC and I found it pretty manageable. Like scaredme, I was 48 and in excellent shape. I worked full time through all of it -but I have an office job. I also worked out (in moderation) during those weeks: light swimming, jogging/walking, this was very helpful to me. Each round was a bit tougher. First round, I was back to normal in a couple of days, second round three days, third and four rounds four days to a week. The bad days, I was way more tired than normal, but still doing more or less normal life, including dressing up and going to the office to work. Nausea: there is nausea medication, this will be the time to use it. Going for walks and getting fresh air helped me -if you are being nauseous, staying inside a small apartment full of smells is bad. Cooking, staying inside your kitchen: bad. Walking by the water, being out and about: good. My hair fell off two weeks after the first AC treatment. But, as I used to observe at the time, during my subway trips to and from work, while wearing a woolly beanie over my bald head: most people around you don't have beautiful hair; they, too, could definitely use a reset, and get themselves some new hair. I also enjoyed showers and the feeling of hot water over my bald head.

We are talking a few weeks of slow down. If you start today, in 6 weeks you will have your last AC. You can totally do this. It will be a very small blip on your life.

Good luck, and pls take any horror stories with a grain of salt.

LaughingGull

Doxorubicin (adriamycin) was derived from a bacterium found in a soil sample in France in the 1950's. The bacterium produced a natural red pigment, like beets are naturally colored. It was found to be a powerful treatment against tumors, and even today, it's one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agent ever developed. A gift from nature, whose purpose is to kill cancer.

I had six round of TAC chemo (taxotere, adrimycin, cyclophosphamide). I tolerated it well. A couple of days after each round, I started feeling achy and tired, and my head felt like it was stuffed with wet cotton. Like having the flu, without the cough and fever. This lasted just a few days, and then I was fine to go back to work at my administrative desk job. What I believe helped me get through chemo with relative ease was being determined to stay active. Every day, I walked or rode my bicycle. Getting out in fresh air and moving your body is like a prescription for feeling better.

I had zero nausea. None. I was given a couple of IV drugs during chemo that prevented nausea, and I had a boatload of Zofran pills at home. That first round I took my Zofran round the clock, but I found that I didn't really need it much during subsequent rounds.

Some people notice their nails turn dark. I didn't notice this, but I was surprised to find a couple of dark spots on my backside where my bicycle saddle hits. I was warned, fortunately, that adriamycin will turn urine kinda red for a couple of days. Don't wear your favorite panties until the color clears. It's not blood.

I agree with all here who urge you to not just suffer through side effects. If you're uncomfortable in any way, call your oncologist. There's an army of chemo nurses who can help you work through whatever you find to be distressing.

Doxorubicin is a powerful weapon in our arsenal to slay the cancer beast. It sucks that any of us found ourselves in need of it, but I'm grateful it's there.

Red Devil ....Toro! I was told I'd never like red again. I wore red shirts and ate red popsicles to preserve my taste buds at each infusion. Aside from the crazy depressing voices in my head and a one nighter hospital stay in between #1 & #2 treatments...I did very well. My father in law and my aunt gave me their colds. No joke...keep everyone at arms length. But get out and walk. Take all the meds they give you and get er done. You got this!

I did 4 rounds of done dense AC every 2 weeks. The day of infusion (Thursdays) I was ready to run a marathon thanks to the steroids. The next day I would wake up feeling good, by evening time I could tell I was slowing down and by nighttime I was tired and a little weak. Saturday I was laid out which lasted me about a week. I'd have several decent days and felt really good by the time the next infusion came along.

I do have other health issues that probably attributed to the week long tiredness and weakness. I was still able to get some exercise in as it was summer and I was able to go to the pool daily. The days I did not go to the pool, I found that I was even more tired and weak. Days where the weather did not allow for the pool, I'd take a walk. She exercise definitely helps.

Like others have said drink a lot of water and take the anti-nausea meds.

Everyone responds differently. Some days were better than others, but I don't feel it was a terrible experience. To be honest, the worst part for me was losing my hair, but it comes back.

Good luck and I hope everything goes well for you.

ARJal,

I had dose dense AC once every two weeks for four cycles before taxol. Before treatment, I was expecting the worst and I placed buckets in every room just in case I needed to vomit. Fortunately, there was no vomiting and minimal nausea. I got through AC without any severe side effects. I was very tired the day after the infusion, but all the other days I was able to walk every day. The exercise really helped me. As many have said, people react differently to these drug but there are many who tolerate it well

I had a horrible time with AC and it will always and forever be "the Red Devil" in my book. I'm glad that others didn't suffer much, but the best thing I can say about it is that I made it through. I still have a visceral response if I see an IV stand, and I finished AC last July.

For years afterwards, my stomach would flip over if I had to even drive down the street past the cancer center. No matter how 'doable'; the whole thing is a tough, tough experience.