Feeling like its a side effect a day....

Sawyer

HI there; I have invasive ductal. 3 surgeries so far since diagnosis 10/8/15 and I started AC chemo the day before Thanksgiving and my next one is next week. I was "lucky" to get side effects right away. I was never a medicine taker so I think that is why...between the chemo, the 3 days of steroids after treatment and the shot to boost the white cells I feel like i am on a side effects roller coaster. Its been a challange for me to schedule all the as needed meds as I am caught between, will the symptom subside or do I just take the meds. I have been suffering from heartburn, nausea, constipation and bone pain. Wondering if anyone out there is feeling the same or if anyone has gotten through this and can offer some advice on how to manage the meds and side effects...the only advice I have gotten so far is to just take all the meds they offer and that is ok but its difficult for me to be finding the fine line between say... too much laxatives and not enough. Hoping for some insight.

Mamiya

Sawyer, managing the side effects is definitely key to getting through this (and you will). The meds you can't fudge on are the steroids, you definitely have to take those exactly as they tell you - except - I have asked and got the OK to take half of my steroids an hour after I get up and eat something (have to take with food) and the other half two hours after that with another bit of food - and that has helped me with some of those side effects that happen right away.

The nausea meds I had at first (zofran) actually gave me headaches and didn't really cut the nausea - if that is the case for you ask for something different. I got a new med and I am doing MUCH better with nausea.

I keep an over the counter antiacid by my bed (like tums) for the sudden reflux I get occasionally, especially during week one.

Aleve helps bone pain (a tip from someone here) better than anything I've tried, including narcotics (I get neulasta, which is probably what you are getting in the shot).

You should take claritin a few days before you get neulasta and keep taking it - I missed a day at 6 days after and boy did I pay. My nurse said some people just take it every day throughout treatment so they don't forget, and that is what I am now doing.

I take miralax every morning with my coffee (or juice or gatorade) and that seems to keep me from having to take much other laxative that can be more harsh - I take a second dose on days when things aren't moving, again usually during week one.

Ativan helps during the steroid week both with nausea and as a sleep aid - I take one every night if I've had steroids that day.

What else? I am sure other people will have more tips for you. Good luck and good healing. Remember to be kind to yourself, this is hard on your body!

Sawyer

This is so helpful!!!! Thank you so much. I think the best advice I got was to look into an online forum and I am so glad I did! Last week the nurse told me "you know you don't get a trophy for not taking meds"...... So I will take them

Mamiya

Good advice to join an online forum - I have found SO mush good info here! Glad you found this space, it's a good one.

I forgot to say that during week two, for me, there are usually a few days I skip miralax (after I stop taking the anti nausea meds every 12 hours things seem to work better and sometimes too well), I just play that by ear (I'd much rather have a little d than any c so I try to monitor pretty carefully). I do keep immodium on hand just in case and did have to take it once but usually I don't have that problem.

MM2221

I can so relate! Just got thru my first chemo treatment and the info sheet that the doctor gave me for side effects seems like a checklist for me. I have hit everyone of them! I am in week two now and things have gotten easier (except dealing with hair loss) but I do believe the Claratin was a big help for the bone pain and my doctor had me come back in two days after the Neulasta injection for IV fluids and that definitely made my bones and energy much better

Sawyer

I am now approaching week 8; treatment #4 (next Wednesday ). The side effects continue but the Mirolax has been a life saver and that "issue" is no longer a problem! Yeah! The subtle nausea is my biggest complaint; I am taking the zofran and the compazine and some ativan at night to keep it at bay..... its not like I am throwing up....its just a constant feeling that my mouth tastes weird....I decided to just try to ignore it if its what its going to be like. I will take the meds and hope for the best.

I was hoping side effects might be better after the AC when I start the TAxol but the nurses at chemo last week said Taxol is tough too....any comments on this?