Starting Chemo May 2017

NCBeachGirl

HapB, They just automatically sent me home wearing the Neulasta cartridge after my first chemo. They did a blood draw before the infusion, and I know my ferritin was low, so they gave me an iron infusion, and I think I was low on red cells and tending toward anemia...i can't remember exactly...but some cell count or another was on the low side, so they gave me the Neulasta. Or maybe it's just automatic. I don't remember. But it's a good thing they gave it to me, or heaven knows just how low my counts would have gone.

Tomorrow (Monday) is chemo #2. We'll find out what's up (or down) with my blood before they'll do the infusion.

MomAngel

I have acupuncture tomorrow for the first time. I'm hoping with that, the seabands, nausea meds and zolfran im covered and won't be nauseous or vomit.

notanisland

Good Luck tomorrow, NCBeachGirl!

You too, MomAngel

msrobin58

Good Monday morning ladies! I'm doing well today, day 13 from AC #2. Food is no longer my mortal enemy. When I completely lost my appetite after the first treatment, we assumed it was the infection. But even though I have no infection this time, just a very low blood count, I had the same complete loss of appetite. Now we believe that the neutropenia itself does it, and as my count begins to climb again, my appetite slowly returns. At least I know what to expect next time. And now that insurance has approved use of better nausea meds for my next infusion, maybe it won't be such an issue. All this talk about Neulasta, and while it's obvious that I'm a good candidate for it, it sure doesn't seem to work one bit on me!

I wouldn't say I was constipated, but I am fighting with a fun new SE, hemorrhoids. Ugh. Anyone else? It's been hard to eat properly with my appetite issues, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Maybe a daily prune will help? So embarrassing!

I lost my hair starting on day 13 from my first treatment, which I had read was the norm. It's 99% gone, but these last wisps make me look like a baby bird. Hubby keeps threatening to shave them off, but I keep assuming that any day now I'll have another round of hair loss to finish the job, including my lashes and brows. I'm not sure when to expect this next step. The hair came out in large quantities, then simply stopped. Honestly, I wish it would just get on with it. I want to know that the evil Red Devil has touched every cell in my body, and this tells me it hasn't yet!

Brneyegrl6608

I'm day five out from second AC and it went better this time with no vomiting. I started taking compazine and zofran on a schedule as soon as I got home. Bone pain was worse this time around so I think I will take ibuprofen on a schedule too. Claritin by itself was no good. Today is the first day I started shedding hair. I thought I might get away without losing hair after I shaved it all off! Not to be i guess. Since my scalp is so itchy it will probably fall out a lot tomorrow.

lrwells50

My hair started shedding day 13, and it's now day 17, and I've maybe lost 50% of my hair. I wish the rest would come out, because the itching is driving me crazy

sisco99

I had my first chemo treatment on 5/31/17. So far so good, not many side effects yet except for the metallic taste in my mouth and tingling, tender scalp. I s this an indicator that my hair is about to fall out?

Moderators

Hi Sisco-

We want to welcome you to BCO! We hope you find these boards to be a source of support as you continue your treatment. We have an active thread all about chemo and hair where you might find the answer to your question: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics.... Lots of great info there, feel free to post in that forum as well to get some insight!

The Mods

Upheld

Hello ladies. I am at the end of day 6 after my first round of TCHP. Today, on top of the intestinal issues I've been having, I suddenly felt as if I've been hit by a mack truck. Like I have the flu or something. Have not felt like this up until this point. What has week two been like for you? I receive my treatments once every 3 weeks.

NCBeachGirl

Hi Ladies,

I just had my second chemo yesterday. It went very smoothly and much faster than #1. But UGH, unlike last time (when I was just tired and a little headachey and nauseous for the first few days before the rest of my numerous SEs hit), this morning I woke up with a sore throat, stuffy nose and head, I'm sore all over, and I feel terrible. Everything hurts. (No fever.) I toughed it out as long as I could, and finally took Tylenol. Hope it doesn't cause my stomach to be upset.

Yesterday I was fine--mom and I got pizza for dinner--oh it was so good!--then about 5 hours later the nausea hit. Two compazine, then early bedtime.

GROAN. This is not fun. Not fun at all.

MSRobin--I think there's another drug besides Neulasta. Sorry, I don't know what it is tho.

Castigame

NCbeachgirl,

Sorry to hear you are having a rough time. This is a long and torturous mean game fell upon us and we had no choice in that.

GI issue, I hate it. I think Oncos and RNs comment about take this when you have this SE is so uncaring. Yeah. And my stomach does not like any nee meds at all. I have no appetite. Few of the times I had, I almost had accident on our way home from.MILs. DH thought it was bc MIL stress. It was not but I did not bother to tell him. One other time, fresh fish taco caused similar troible within an hr.

Oh pain, I cried non stop for three days for #5. I was even semi suicidal. Onco gave me low dose percocet for #6 which prevented me from crying. per treatment plan, I will be getting morphine for #7and 8.

Neulasta is my best friend enough I have been seriously thinking of ditching it as soon as I get home. I habe to take obscene amount of steroid for the two left for me. WBC were 6.35 7.25 9.45 9.04 14.93 (w steroid) 24.48(w steroid again)

Whatelse can I say, it is a bitch. If I could I want to pulverize BC w every fiber of my being. I think I will probably will make a BC effigy and beat it after I complete treatments. The torture will and better end.

Mimi.

MomAngel

hi everyone! I have my first round of chemo tomorrow 6/7. Very nervous and terrified. I did acupuncture yesterday and I'm doing it again today for help with my anxieties and nausea and vomiting side effects from chemo. I'm more scared now hearing about all the pain and how rough some are having it. I'm praying for you all.

NCBeachGirl

MomAngel,

Try not to be scared...you will just not know what your body is going to do until it does it!

Even tho you may hear some pretty scary stuff online, I am very glad I have been on this community so I am at least prepared for the weird variety of things that may or may not happen. And everyone is so supportive! it is so great to know you can get on here and complain about bad days or be happy about good ones.

If you are not on other forums besides this one, check some out and see if there are others you might enjoy, too. Haha, "enjoy?" I don't know if that's exactly the right word! Many people follow more than one. You can search for topics and stuff. It can take a long time to scroll around through all the forums and topics, so doing searches can be faster.

Even tho I had tons of side effects from Chemo #1, emotionally I felt really good. This time is different tho--chemo #2 has knocked me on my butt. And this is right after the MO's nurse assistant told me the first chemo is usually the hardest! Hah, oh well.

So I'm stuck here in bed. Waiting on Chinese food and watching senate hearings on C-Span and wanting to throw things at the TV. Do I think I should get out of my nightshirt and put on some clothes before Mom gets home with my soup? Nah, I think not!!!

Try to keep your sense of humor, if you can. It helps a lot. And have people told you these two things I've heard them tell all the newbies? Keep a journal of treatments, side effects, medications, how you feel, etc. And what's the other thing? Hmmm... chemo brain so soon? LOL. I'm sorry...I can't remember!!! This isn't it, but this is very important: drink TONS of water!!! All the time. Tons! You want to flush out those toxins.

Take care, and good luck Wednesday!

lrwells50

MomAngel,

Don't borrow trouble, you may be one of the lucky ones. I haven't had one moment of nausea. I took a Compazine like they told me when I went to bed after the first chemo, but I didn't need it, and I haven't taken any more. I had the weird abdominal pain sans diarrhea or constipation that someone else mentioned, but it certainly was bearable, just very odd. The Neulasta pain I had I treated with ibuprofen, except two nights that I took a hydrocodone before bed. I found moving around actually hurt less than just laying in bed.

The second day the tip of my tongue felt funny, and I thought maybe that was the start of a SE, but I think I'd just burned it drinking some too hot coffee, because it was gone the next day.

Drink lots of water. I hadn't really paid a lot of attention to the fact that they gave me saline with my premeds AND the chemo, and everyone had been pushing me to drink a lot of water. Got up to go pee about 6 times the first night.

Friday is my 2nd treatment - I hope I get off as lightly as I did after #1.

Lynn

MomAngel

irwells50, thank you! I have been having pain in my shoulder I saw the chiropractor today too and she said the tissue and muscles in my left shoulder around the shoulder blade/rotator cuff down my arm so I'm hoping it helps.

I am hoping tomorrow is smooth sailing for me (knock on wood.

I'll keep you all posted about how it's going and how I'm feeling when I get home.

MomAngel

NCBeachGirl

I will be yelling at The Young and The Restless, ER and Gilmore Girls. But I'll also have my puppy, my 19 year old and my 12 year old next to me. They are determined to not leave me in my room alone.

I am going to sit in my pajamas now and watch tv and flip on Netflix and Hulu. I'm doing the Relay for Life on Friday night hopefully I will feel up to it.

I will keep you posted on how I'm doing.

Thanks

BJI

MomAngel

I would agree with Irwells50, my first treatment last Wednesday went good, better than I expected. I had very little nausea, did take the compazine at bedtime like they told me, but otherwise fine. Been eating small meals or snacks every 3 hrs, feel better with something in my stomach. I did have bone pain on Day 3 & 4, took claritin and ibuprofin, was much better Day 5. Day 6 & 7 feel like normal, did some errands and shopping today (did try on some wigs). Treatment 2 tomorrow, hoping its goes as well as first one. At least I know what to expect, think that is the worst, you really don't have any idea how your body is going to handle things. Stay positive, everyone is so supportive and encouraging on this site.

BJI

MomAngel

See you are from Woodbury, MN, I am about 3 hrs north of you.

MomAngel

I was told to take a Claritin tonight but why is that? My onc never told me to. She said they will give me nausea meds steroids and saline.

BJI

I used Claritin on Day 3-5 for bone pain, not before my treatment. I got benedryl, anti nausea, steroids and pepcid along with saline in my IV

DodgersGirl

momangel- the Claritin is to help with Neulasta so you take it the night before chemo and a few days after chemo.

rdsm

MomAngel: the anticipation of all the side effects is completely overwhelming. I was a wreck before my first treatment too. I just had my second treatment and have learned how to manage many of my side effects better this time. The steroids gave me terrible heartburn so I took Prilosec before , during and after. They also kept me up at night, so I took something to help me sleep. The neulasta was hard for me last time. Joint pain in knees and hips. My MO told me to double up on Aleve starting the day before and for about 5 days. I already take Claritan for seasonal allergies so I had that too. I gave myself the shot last night so we'll see if that does the trick. Keep a journal of questions, suggestions etc. These forums are full of great information but can certainly be more than you need. I find it great to be prepared but try not to personalize.

Good luck. You can do this!!

sbelizabeth

The Claritin worked wonders for me. I bought the cheap kind (loratadine) at Costco and took it for a couple of weeks after the Neulasta shot. For the third round of chemo I wanted to see if it made a difference, so I didn't take it. Owwww.....I felt like I had toothache pain in my back, my sternum, my nose. I went back to the Claritin!

I did pretty well through chemo, no nausea and worked full time. I had a couple of days of fatigue and flu-like achiness each round but it didn't last long. I truly believe what made the difference was getting out for a walk or a bike ride every day. Keeping my body moving kept the side effects at bay.

lrwells50

MomAngel, my worst problem the last two weeks are occasional neck pain and headache, but it doesn't have anything to do with the chemo. I've had the problem for a couple of years, and the PT gave me excercises for it, but it's hard to remember to do them if it doesn't hurt, but it hurts to much to do them when I do have pain. Guess I'll have to set an alarm on my phone as a reminder. He said the problem was that my shoulder muscles weren't strong enough, and that's where the problem really is, not the neck. Wish I still had my rowing machine!

NCBeachGirl

Hello everyone,

Apologies for this being "all about me" tonight. I'm a bit scared about this latest side effect. I have developed fluid bloating in my abdomen. Looked it up and it's called ascites. It's the first time I've felt scared about a side effect. Will even call the cancer center in the morning. I guess I'm not freaked out enuf to call tonight. Frankly, I just don't feel like taking a trip to the ER with dirty hair. And I already took my evening meds and I'll be asleep in half an hour anyway.

Ugh, it's like the worst case of PMS bloating you've ever had. I look like I swallowed a giant, semi-filled water balloon. Man, I don't want to go to the ER. Maybe they can clear it up with diuretics. Waaaahhh!!!

MsLin

rdsm - you said you take Claritin, but still had the bone pain. Do you happen to take the regular Claritin or the ClaritinD? I talked with my oncologist about it and she said the Claritin D doesn't work the same as the plain. Might explain still having some pain. Hopefully this round goes better for you. I

Sca

Started Taxol and Herceptin May 24, 12 weekly then followed by Herceptin every 3 weeks through May 2018. Just had my 3rd infusion today. I had port placed May 22, first week after infusions were tough, very sore throat, now think associated to oxygen given during port placement messed with sinuses and dripping in throat. I use Biotene faithfully now and throat and mouth much better. Usual side effects as others, not much sleep first couple nights, taking naps in afternoons, sleeping more by 3rd day. 3rd day has been my worst so far, achy, flu like, nauseous. Some headaches at night. Today my white and red counts dropped below, still was able to receive.my infusion. I worry about how week 3 will treat me. I get anxious before infusion day.

Hope1970

MomAngel- I too had been worried about starting Chemo and I have had no serious/debilitating side effects. The most pronounced SE I had was fatigue. I also had red cheeks and swelling from the Cortisone for a couple of days. Although it was way better than anticipated, I was not 100% myself for 7 days after the treatment. I had been told that day 2 and 3 would be the worst but I didn't didn't notice a difference in the 7 days following Chemo. Has anyone else had this experience? My typical day started with a 45 min walk in the morning followed by a scaled back version of my usual activities. After lunch the fatigue hit and couldn't be ignored.....I couldn't function and needed to nap!! By the time my daughter got home from school I was able to rouse myself and get through the afternoon/evening and take another walk. After day 7 energy levels and sleep patterns returned to normal. I have a few little side effects( dripping nose, last night I had a sore throat and mouth but it's gone today). The suggestion to drink lots of water is a good one- I was told to drink 3L on Chemo day and I ended up drinking more and like to think it helped because it's easy to do. Also, in Germany and fresh air and exercise are stressed during chemo. I was very careful about what I ate initially (eliminated sugar and alcohol, reduced caffeine and sodium, increased protein (cottage cheese, eggs, fish, chicken etc.) Then I had such an overwhelming craving for Indian food, which I pigged out on for 2 days!

Now that I'm feeling good again, I wish I didn't have my second infusion in a few days. It seems silly to dread it given that my 1st treatment went better than expected, but that's how I feel. I want to cherish each moment of normalcy while it lasts! Also, I really admire the ladies who are continuing to work during treatment because I am not sure how I would be able to manage a full schedule with my afternoon fatigue.

NCBeachGirl, Sorry to hear about your SE. I hope you wake up feeling better and don't need an emergency room visit.

msrobin58, glad to hear you are feeling well! There had been mention of an alternative to Neulasta. I am taking it. It's G-CFS. My schedule started 5 days after the 1st EC (AC in the USA) infusion. It needed to be injected at approximately the same time for 5 days, which is not convenient. I'd looked up a comparison between the 2 drugs and the molecules in Neulasta have been modified ( I'm a little fuzzy on this now, but I believe enlarged for slow release). FYI-A comparison of SE's on a chart I found online showed less bone pain with G-CSF. I didn't have any bone pain, but got a slight rash on my upper arms. But who knows which drug caused this.

Hair- My Dr. said I should expect it to fall out after the 1st treatment. On day 11 I am not seeing any signs of this happening. In fact I have gray roots showing through and hairy legs and armpits so it seems to be growing. Did others have this and then did it suddenly fall out?

Emotions- I had my 1st melt down over the weekend (at least since my surgery,subsequent emergency surgery and 3rd surgery). It was brought on by something small....like my husband speaking in a slightly irritable tone . Clearly I needed an excuse to break down and cry and get it out of my system. Funny thing- my tears really burnt my eyes and face, which made me cry all the harder(lol). It was worth it because I felt better afterwards.

Reconstructed breasts/ possible side effect- I had an immediate reconstruction using silicone implants following my double mastectomy. The lymph node involvement was not anticipated so going into surgery I didn't think I'd be needing chemo/radiation. Would have delayed reconstruction had I known. Does anyone else have reconstructed breasts? Have you noticed changes since starting chemo? I have noticed changes in the one breast over the last couple of days...2 small pea- sized bumps, lumpiness and discoloration. I have sent pics to Dr and am waiting to hear back. It's very frustrating to try and get in to see him!

Wishing everyone the best moving forward. Something occurred to me yesterday and made me chuckle. One positive about going through Chemo is it sets the bar really low regarding people's expectations..... people say you look great just for showing up!

Moderators

Sca - Welcome to Breastcancer.org. You're in good company here and we're sure you'll find this a helpful place!

Wishing you the best with chemo and side effects. If you need something from us, Mods, please let us know. We are here for you!

Best,

The Mods

rdsm

MsLin: i take the regular claritan. This time around I took two Aleve the morning of my Neulasta shot (which is done at night) and have been taking Aleve every 12 hours. So far, no joint pain! Such a good feeling to figure out how to overcome the SE of this poison!! Glad to be a part of this group getting and giving helpful tips and words of encouragement.