More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo

MinusTwo

Go for two days in a row? FIghtingMama found the surgery thread useful. So maybe this one too?

Melbo

Thanks for thinking of me with the bump MinusTwo -- I appreciate it. I am also active in the JulyChemo club and am part of the frequent diarrhea group. I don't think anything can prevent the diarrhea from starting, I just take Imodium after each round in the bathroom. Normally for me, the Imodium gets it under control between pills 2 and 3. My worst day I took 5 pills in about 4 hours, but it started working after that. That being said, after my second cycle of chemo I had exactly two days without any diarrhea. Every other day was at least one round and Imodium. I notice the days i don't take Imodium.

One other thing I will include on this list that I put on the July2020 chemo boards -- if you have frequent diarrhea, I really recommend drinking watered down pedialyte advanced. Watered down it tastes okay -- I do about 1/3 pedialyte and 2/3 water -- by itself it's WAY too sweet. It helps keep my electrolytes replenished and I stay hydrated that way since plain water usually tastes funny. I tried watered down gatorade as well, which does work for some people, but it agitated my stomach much more than the pedialyte did.

MinusTwo

Melbo - I did go back into the infusion center for an extra bag of saline solution. I went every time in the week between every single 3 week TCHP infusion. IT kept me from being dehydrated.

I also drank Carnation Instant Breakfast with the addition of Nestles Beneprotein - the supplement that MD Anderson recommends to many cancer patients.

MinusTwo

bumping for kdholt

MinusTwo

another week and another bump. Great information here.

MinusTwo

bumping for Marie

Nico1012

Bumping for Carol . . .

DeniseML

Claritin also helps with bone pain. no idea how, but, I can attest to that! didn't take it during 1st treatment and Neulasta. but have taken it ever since and I am not experiencing the bone pain from the first time.

MinusTwo

Thanks for posting Denise. No one really knows how it works, but it has been a life saver for many of us. Glad you've found relief.

MinusTwo

Bumping for Halloween. This thread was a lifesaver for me & many others. Take a look.

MinusTwo

Bumping for MAJOR.

MinusTwo

Sending to the top again

MinusTwo

Great info. Bumping for those just getting ready to start.

MinusTwo

bumping for the new year

MinusTwo

bumping for Christina

Nico1012

Bumping for BethAnn . . .

MinusTwo

Nico - Happy New Year !!! Thanks for joining me in bumping this thread.

MinusTwo

bumping for Recurrence

MinusTwo

bumping for LW

Nico1012

Bumping for Donna . . .

MinusTwo

Must be time to bump again since the Groundhog appeared.

Nico1012

Bumping for Sally . . .

Nico1012

Bumping for Latricia . . .

MinusTwo

Nico - wonder if we post in tandem if it's more visible than a week apart?

Nico1012

Bumping for Darlene . . .

MinusTwo ~ Just saw your question. The post is only visible for 24 hours. I think maybe if we post at least a day apart, it's more visible.

MinusTwo

OK - I'll post again tomorrow.

Nico1012

Bumping for Paige . . .

Nico1012

Bumping for Jocelyn . . .

LW422

Just curious, but isn't this thread pinned to the top? Why "bump?"

MinusTwo

I don't ever see the thread unless it comes up on my favorites. Maybe it's the equipment you're using? I'll keep bumping.