Starting Chemo Next Week and Sick with Anxiety

shellbell1963

I am starting chemo next Tuesday and have myself sick with anxiety that I am literally shaking, crying and muscle spasms really bad. I am so scared of chemo because I have strong allergies to a lot of meds. I am 51 years old had a lumpectomy in March and due to the fact I was ER, PR and HER2 Positive I need the chemo and radiation. I know no one wants chemo but I really don't want it as I think I will die from it. This has me so upset. Also I have read the material given to me by my dr that I won't be able to eat and go anywhere. I might as well crawl under a rock and only come out for treatment.

Wilsie2

I don't know what treatment you are having, but maybe if you think of the name, someone here can tell you about their experience.  My  last chemo treatment was Abraxane, and the worst of it was losing my hair. There will be a whole lot of medical people there to take care of you and watch for reactions. Hoping you do well, try not to stress and ask your doctor for something for anxiety. This site is wonderful for getting answers and support, the people here really care and we are all here to support you. Don't go under a rock!

Wilsie

Moonflwr912

shellbell. You'll get through it. Sorry I can't post links on my phone. But look up your med program by name there will be threads for every chemo agent. There is also a thread for people starting in April. There is a thread for triple positive BC. Any one of those will help. There is a thread about getting ready for chemo about what to take with you. You can do this! Much love

belleb

I was in the same boat when I was starting chemo - I couldn't sleep or eat thinking about it. I don't have the allergy problem, but I was terrified at the thought of willingly poisoning myself. All I really had to go on was the way they portray it in the movies and I pictured myself surrounded by people moaning and getting sick to their stomachs and crying. Thankfully (lol), it was not like that at all. The nurses are used to dealing with people's reactions to the drugs and they will quickly handle any situation that arises. They are seriously amazing, those onc nurses. I am in awe of nurses in general, but these ladies are a different breed of special. They are caring, compassionate, and highly skilled. As far as the not eating or going anywhere, do you mean that they told you the side effects will be so bad you won't WANT to or that you really shouldn't be eating certain things or going anywhere? In my experience, I was able to eat despite being mildly nauseous for days on end with my first chemo drugs (Adriamycin/Cytoxan). There were days where I was so fatigued that I stayed in bed most of the day, but as soon as my good days hit (usually the second week after infusion) I made sure to get out and about and do things I would normally do, whether it was hit up TJ Maxx, grocery shop or meet friends for coffee. You don't need to isolate yourself if your bloodwork stays within healthy ranges. I use cart wipes and wash my hands constantly, and that seems to help. Now that I have moved on to the next drug (Taxol) I'm feeling more normal than I did on the A/C and it's not limiting my getting out and about or making me need naps. I try not to overdo it when I'm feeling good, because it's tempting! The couple of times I have, though, I pay the price with the fatigue that follows. Make sure you explain all your feelings to your doc/nurses because they will do everything they can to make you feel better. (((hugs))))

auntienance

I found that chemo was far more tolerable than I anticipated. I was so uptight at my first infusion that I burst into tears as soon as the chemo nurse started talking to me. But Belleb is right, chemo nurses are rock stars. They will take good care of you. Just be sure to tell them anything you're experiencing even if you think it's trivial.  Your allergies are certainly an area of concern but hopefully they can be managed.  I know it's hard, but try not to have too many preconceived notions about it, everybody is different and you may have few problems.  As Monica suggested, it helps to join a thread with people who are going through chemo at the same time. Good luck!

ruthbru

Chemo isn't fun, but with the good anti-nausea drugs they have now, it shouldn't knock you all the way off either. Everyone is different, but I felt better keeping as normal a schedule as possible. I worked full time, did everything I had to do, and most of the things I wanted to do too (including a family reunion out of state, exercising almost every day, and going to my high school son's sports & music events). I felt kind of like I had a mild case of the flu, food definitely tasted 'off', but I could eat. Are you doing Neulasta shots? If you are, you shouldn't have to worry about staying away from people because of germs. You will have to pace yourself and let little things go, and, for sure, if people offer to bring you meals or do other things for you, say YES, but you really can get through this. The very worst part is waiting for it to start, once you do, you just do it and get it over with. Best of luck!

Cjs47

I start chemo in a week or two Adriamycin for december and january every two weeks. Terrified about nausea and vomiting since i vomited for six months straight morning, noon, and night when pregnant. I have heard every horror story out there that anti nausea drugs are a joke! What can I really expect from the meds?!

tangandchris

Emend, Aloxi, and Ativan...those were all given to me in my cocktail prior to my tx. Also, and this is no joke...but you have access to cannabis, that was the best thing for my stomach at home after my tx's.

((hugs))

Bippy625

cj, emend is very expensive but worked best for me. I suffered terrible nausea and diarhea, but not each round. Know that you may not get sick at all! Or if you do, it can range and be minor. They can give great meds these days. My advice is use the them..if it does not work, try another. Honestly, some did not work well for me and i had to constantly switch them up. The seabands may help. Also if you do get ill, call your onco asap, do not wait. Tanagn is right, mary jane in leaf form works best of all. My onco said so and she was right!

Anti anxiety meds help you get thru the experience too. I found they were a godsend. Make sure you prep with the BRAT diet foods, though you may be able to eat whatever you want....best of luck sister, i just finished chemo so pm me is you have any questions.

CassieCat

For me sometimes the anxiety of what might happen has been worse than what ends up actually happening. That's not to say that I haven't had some bad days, but it's the fear of the unknown that would do such a number on my head. You've gotten some good advice already. Please talk openly with your MO and nurses about your side effects. If one thing isn't working, they can try something else, or tweak things. I'm done with 5 of 6 rounds and we're still tweaking things! But many SEs are much better now compared to the first or second round. I have also had a prescription of Ativan on hand for anxiety and to help me sleep since I was diagnosed. I don't take it even every day, as you can build up a tolerance, but it sure has helped.

You can do it. It isn't fun, and it will be hard, but you can do it. Have you found the triple positive board, or the group starting chemo around the same time as you? I don't know what I'd have done without having my August chemo group and the other boards that have offered advice and solace.

WinningSoFar

As far as nausea, using Emend as a premed I didn't have a single moment of nausea.