TC side effects

1carly

TC side effects

1carly

My Mom is 73yo and on her 2nd TC chemo tx. I am a nurse, and looking for any info. on the chemo side effects. She tolerates the tx. ok, but the 4th day becomes exhausted, has insomnia for 48hrs, becomes disoriented, and this lasts 48hrs or more. Is it her age? The steroid? The chemo? Does anyone have a similar story with some helpful hints. I will do anything and go anywhere to help her thru this. Thanks.

concernedsis

HI carly - havent heard the story exactly but I hear you as dar as doing whatever you can [ sis is 40's and chemo was hell - cant imagine my mom - my prayers to you!  What kinda premeds does she get - sis had really bad insomnia due to the high dose steroids - with mom's age maybe she doesnt clear it as well and then the lack of sleep she decompensates?  Ask your onco - when sis' nausea was bad on AC - she needed hydration the 1st few times - doc gave her ativan to sleep - said better to sleep for 2 days then vomit. She used to hit the wall - flulike symptoms - 2-4 days after chemo so maybe 4 days is your mom's time? If that doesnt pan out - research chemobrain - not sure elderly get it more but worth checking. Good luck!!

1carly

Thanks for the info. Currently, we are going to try to get her to not take anymore chemo. Her quality of life is awful. Hallucinations, motor skill issues, inability to care for herself 3/4 of the time between txs. It is hard to watch her struggle. Don't mind caring for her if it is to better her instead of deteriorate her. I am guessing she is toxic and her age is a problem for clearing. It scares me that she won't come back from these times of dementia/delusions. Wish us luck and thanks again...... on to hormone txs and radiation.

suzettemary

Hi Carly, I was on 6 treatments of TC which ended 18 months ago. I experienced what I felt was chemo brain after the 4th tx, (and frankly I don't feel like I have recovered completely from this a year and a half later). I describe it as not being able to "find my words". My thought process was no longer fluid and my focus was way off. This was in addition to many other side effects: flu like symptons, body aches, head aches, permanent neuropathy... I know there are studies out there on the effects of chemo on the brain -- it is an issue.