Round 2 A/C Chemo and FATIGUE!!!

LCH033

I had Round 2 last Thursday and was constipated for 5 days; actually stopped taking my at home prescribed nausea pills 2 days early to try and help as I was Miserable!!! That has finally resolved however I can't seem to sleep without tossing and turning even after taking Xanax, Trazadone, and valium. Now the fatigue is killing me; I can't put together a straight thought; everything is a fog and I feel completely brain dead! I have walked outside every day for the last 3 days to get sunshine and exercise; my calves are sore like I did lunges for an hour!

Does Anyone have a trick or tip to overcome the fog and fatigue any easier or quicker? I have 2 more of these before they switch me to Taxol and it's just kicking my butt!!

Any help or suggestions is welcome!

Thank you,

Lara

tangandchris

I know your pain!! I don't really have any advice, other than maybe your MO could reduce the amount of steroids? The fog and fatigue are just a part of it I think. I remember being so worn out and laying down, but not being able to sleep, but not being able to think straight enough to read or watch tv.

((hugs))

ruthbru

Ask for a prescription sleeping pill!

LCH033

Thank you for the responses; I swear I feel like I have rat poison running through my veins!! The Trazadone is for sleep and you would think the Zanax and Valium would help however maybe it's time to ask for Lunesta or something. I can't take Ambien, I sleepwalk...Bad!!

I keep thinking, after this I've only got 2 to go....however, then does Taxol have a whole other side effects list? One day at a time, right? Or right now;one minute at a time!

Thank you Ladies,

Lara

ruthbru

I told friends that chemo made me appreciate how Russian defectors feel when they are being slowly poisoned by the KGB.

LCH033

No joke!!

ElaineTherese

A/C definitely gave me chemo brain and had me walking around in a fog. I remember just trying to slow down. I would get one thing done (pack the kids' lunch boxes)....and then go lie down. I would put away the wash....and then go lie down. I would change a bed....and then go lie down.

I definitely felt more mentally alert on Taxol than A/C. Taxol did give me mild diarrhea, but I found it more bearable then A/C.

Good luck!

ruthbru

Well, get a good sleeping pill (I would have dropped dead from the fatigue alone if I hadn't), and keep up with your walking. I don't know if exercise helps one get through chemo better but it will definitely help you bounce back faster once you are done. Just get it over with, that's all you can do.......there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and you can come out on the other side & be really, really okay. Hang in there!

Denise-G

OH gosh, I remember it well.  You never forget.  I had overwhelming fatigue.  I agree with kayb - more protein.  Peanut butter helped me. It was a protein I could tolerate.  So was cottage cheese.  I missed it in with mashed potatoes and pancakes (I craved white foods) so I could up my protein.  Also, a friend made me cottage cheese muffins.  She made up with some great recipe. I will never forget her kindness.  It all helped!   Protein plus a stool softener.  I had bleeding hemorrhoids which many women do have.

As for the fog - I could never find any help for the fog for me.  It was just making it through a few hours at a time.

I write a breast cancer blog and literally have heard from hundreds if not thousands of women going through AC.  One woman said it best:   "Legalized torture."

You will get there!!  You never think you will when in the midst of it.  Sending encouragement!

 

 

Mommato3

The steroids caused me terrible insomnia. I only took half the steroids after my last treatment. Boy, I wish I had done that with all of them. For me, AC and THP were like night and day! Just keep thinking only 2 more to go!

Holeinone

Lara,

A/C is nicknamed "the red devil". I have described it as legal torture. Could not eat, sleep, think or carry on a conversation.

Taxol was a walk in the park. Felt so much better. I did have some bone pain & fatigue, but it was tolerable.

I took a leave of absence from work, but many ladies continue working thru A/C. Try Aleve PM for sleep. One day at a time....

Moderators

Hi Lara,

There's a section on tips to manage fatigue during chemo on our main site including; complementary, holistic, exercise, food, and medication.

Ways to Manage Fatigue

You might also like to connect with the ladies in the Weekly Taxol Group

We hope you feel better soon!

Good luck with the last two rounds xoxo

The mods

catlady44

My experience was like holeinone. I didn't work, but the Taxol was easier than AC by far. During the AC I was told to take the nausea med as often as allowed whether I needed it or not (that meant Compazine every 6 hours) and that really helped. They also told me that it's easier to treat nausea by preventing it than trying to get it under control once it's really set in. Same goes for pain. You could ask your doc about it.

Hang in there!