Starting Chemo in September 2017

OCDAmy

Kiwi, I'm on TC as well. I'm having joint pain but the second round wasn't as bad. My other issue is horrible heartburn/reflux. Have to be really careful what I eat.

Hope, I was a a craft fair and met a woman selling oils she makes herself. She is also a cancer survivor. I got some body butter that's fabulous and lavender soap. I'm going to start using it in my head too, it's so itchy.

Milkweed93

Hi All!

What an amazing group!

Kiwi - sounds like we have a similar tx. I was told to take Claritin for the Neulasta bone pain, if you want to try it next time. Although I didn't end up getting Neulasta on my second round. Thank goodness! That bone pain knocked me on my keester!

Hopebrings - the only thing that helps with my dry lips (and nostrils) is Vaseline. I use Aveeno daily moisturizing lotion on my face at night. It might feel a bit thick, but my skin feels good in the morning. I use Neutrogena daily face moisture in the day and it seems pretty good, but my skin is definitely drier these days. I'm trying to add more good fats into diet too to help - olive oil, avocados, nuts.

Iced - I'm so glad you were able to hold on to your home!

TravelGirl - I'm like you - slipping on the menu this cycle. And goals are similar too - meditation, eat well, exercise (yoga, walking). I have had acupuncture on about day 4 after treatment and maybe it has helped with SE's this time. They do seem more mild.

his wife - we are here for you and your hubs!

Mspriss - welcome back! Glad you were able to do your trip and you are managing the D.

So far, my SE's for this round have been manageable. I am getting mouth sores, but I'm trying to keep up with the brushing and rinsing after eating. If anything I'm a little more constipated. And I made it to see Hamilton in LA today, so that was a big accomplishment!

PauletteK

Milkweed - have you try smooth move tea for constipation? It works for me. Mouth sores can be so painful baking soda and salt will help a lots.

Kiwi-in-Thailand

Hope: On the dry skin stuff, I've started using night creams for daytime.. seems to be working with no increase in blocked pores etc... I've also found that coconut water (with ice of course) goes a long way to both rehydration and tummy soothing... it also tastes decent when water starts tasting yuk

Good Luck!

PauletteK

I haven't try coconut water, will give it a try. I begin to use Eucerin and my MO suggested to use Udderly Smooth for body lotions.

Kiwi-in-Thailand

milkweed... thanks on the Claritin tip for the bone pain... my MO was keener for me to use Tylenol for some reason... seems to work as well... I'm thinking that there's no chance I won't have the Neulasta next time as I need to travel a lot, I can live in hope though!

Castigame

Neulasta👹 but then again it is the reason why my WBC is good, I threw tantrum for every single one. I got all 8 of them.

I remembered that rubbing olive oil on joint helps for bone pain.

Sisters, I know it is brutal both physically and psychologically. At least relief on physical end will come for all of you. I had BMX, 8 DD chemos and 30 zappings. Last zapping was Sep 14th. I got up this morning and 95% of swelling I had until yesterday is gone. Both of my feet are quite even. I will go run a marathon as soon as sun is up. Nah about 3 mile walk which about 50% more than my average distance.

MzPriss

My skin does seem drier, like it soaks up the moisturizer better. For me this is a win, because I have been so oily most my life. However, my scalp is flakey. I'm using body oil on it and it seems to be helping. I have a friend who is also a survivor who is an aesthetician. She has taken some specialized classes in skin care for oncology patients. She said to treat my scalp like I would the rest of my skin.

So far I'm a bit nauseous (popped on a scopolamine patch) and that's it from round 2. Had it on Saturday. If all works well this week which was a bad week the last cycle I am returning to work next week! If not, no pressure.

The big D has stopped....hoping it stays away!

I had the onbody Neulasta shot this round. It was easy and didn't feel much. Wish I had it last time. Started with Claritin, have the heating pad ready if I need it. I just had about an hour of bone pain last time 2 days after the shot that the heating pad took care of. Hoping for the same or better this round.

The nutritionist recommended coconut water for hydration...but I really don't like the taste of it. I'll drink it, but It tastes weird. I'm still okay with water. I've made an infusion with ginger, cucumber, mint and lemon that is quite tasty as well.

Things taste weird now. Ranch dressing is certainly out, so is coffee.

Have a great Monday!

ewu

Hi all, constipation bothers me a lot these days. I have otc medicine for three days and it doesn't work. Any tips?

Mojojennijo

I’m joining this thread late. But I start Wednesday with my first dd ac treatment. Odly my biggest fear is pain from neulasta. I can’t take ibuprofen and Claritin causes me to have a racing heart. But I may take it anyway. My dr hasn’t mentioned taking it but I went to Costco and bought some

PauletteK

ewu - what did you take? I used stools softener then drink smooth move tea and it worked well. Once I have used Miralax it worked really well. Drink a lot of water.

Mojojennijo

I bought doculax I’m not wondering if I should take it back and get miralax

PauletteK

mojo - can you take Advil? Take Claritin before the shot for five days it helps.

ewu

PauletteK, I took stool softer, clearlax and senokot, all the standard med prescribed by my doctors, once a day. What is smooth move tea? I'll ask for Miralax if that works better.

Mojojennijo

Paulette, I can't take any kind of nsaid. I have aterial veinous malformations in my Gi tract that bleed badly when I take any kind anti inflammatory. It's super lame cause they are the best. I've done it anyways before and always paid for it. Either vomiting blood or bloody diarrhea. I don't quite understand how this causes bleeding but I'm assuming I don't have very sturdy lining.

I will definitely start the Claritin and see how it goes. Maybe this time in my life I can catch a break and it won't cause a rapid heart rate!

If it’s severe regardless of the Claritin is this something drs will prescribe something for? Or are we supposed to just tough it out? I’m super curious about that? I always like to have a plan b in mind just in case. It’s comforting to m

ewu

Mojo, I took Claritin for bone pain, it's quite effective. But I am experiencing shortness of breath when walking. I wonder if Claritin is affecting my heart also? Today will be my last dose, I'll see if my breathing gets better.

OCDAmy

I haven't had constipation with chemo but had it bad with surgery and pain meds. Took miralax and after two days it worked. The stool softeners did nothing for me.

ewu

Thank you Amy, I'll need to try miralax. Constipation is really worrying me.

Soccermom22

Just had my first AC treatment on Thursday the 21st. I was able to go to work on Friday but the tiredness set in by the end of the work day. Nausea started in the wee hours on saturday. I immediately took Zofran but the nausea continued. I didn't have any vomiting but I layed in bed all day, couldn't eat and could barely drink. Sunday I was able to move to the couch for 1/2 the day. Still nauseated and no appetite. Today I stayed home from work. Nausea is subsiding but still no appetite. I had to force myself to eat toast.

Anyone have tips to help the nausea? I can deal with the fatigue and bone pain from Neulasta but not the nausea.

ewu

Soccermom, I found it's helpful to take the medicine ahead of time, even I do not feel nausea at all, I still take the medicine and the nausea never come to me, yet. Hope it's helpful to you.

Soccermom22

What medicine are you taking for the nausea

Mumzy3

Take all the meds as prescribed. I also took Ginger Gravol when the prescriptions weren't quite enough

Castigame

Soccermom,

Zofran and Compazine are popular anti nausea drugs, i hated SEs however. I got by with Ativan, and ginger tea. If you could take some sleepiness, Ativan is the best because it helps w anxiety, sleep and mild nausea. You have got to eat. Chemo depletes everything,

Mojo, I hated Neulasta. I got 8 of them despite all the kicking and screaming I did. Strictly based on my experience, spliting Claritin helped. I took 1/2 at 6 am and 2nd half at 6pm. I was able to minimize its SE this way. SEs are fatigue, headache and blurred vision. I found out Epsom Salt is really good for muscle ache and many more benefits. Arnicare gel is another I like. Honestly, I was out of my elements when Neulasta was in my system. I feel your pain.

Sisters, I know it is brutal. Please do everything to make it less taxing on your body.

Milkweed93

Make sure you take the Claritin a few days before you start Neulasta and make sure it is just Claritin and not Claritin-D. The D is decongestant and it could make your heart race. I like the idea of taking half of Claritin in am and half in pm. Also, this round I have felt a little more out of breath and dizzy and heart racy, and I'm just on Zofran for nausea. I have been using magnesium for constipation, but I'll try the Smooth Move tea also.Also what has helped me big time with the nausea besides the Zofran is CBD Mendo. I'm not sure everyone can get access to it because it is a cannibus product, but with no psychoactive component. It works immediately for me when I have a wave of nausea come on. It is a tincture with some peppermint in it also that you just put on your tongue.Thanks for all the tips ladies! Have a beautiful day

Meg101

Hi ladies. I went from the big "D" (kept it in check with Immodium) to constipation. For the constipation I'm taking Senakot and a Magnesium pill (400 mgs), as well as eating lots of fruit and drinking fruit smoothies. Hopefully later today it will work.

Bone pains are quite annoying. It's amazing how well Claritin works for that. Who knew an antihistimine would help bone pain?

My taste buds are off, and my mouth is sensitive, but the salt/soda water is keeping sores away.

Has anyone experienced dizzyness with TC? I'm taking Zofran to combat it. I agree with everyone here that taking the meds BEFORE symptoms start is crucial.

I, too, am starting to notice extreme skin dryness. I'm using Udderly Smooth and Aveeno. It seems to be working well except on my feet. Nothing works for my feet.

Castigame: I think I'll try Arnicare gel. I've have good luck with that before. Thanks for mentioning it.

OCDAmy

I don't know what the weather is like where you are but here in the Midwest it is hot as hell. I have discovered that a wig is also hot as hell and I hate mine! I decided that my wig and I will only appear together for special occasions and important meetings. Otherwise, I am wearing hats. I did get a baseball hat with hair attached that is cute and more comfortable, but still a bit hot. I will probably wear that quite a bit as everyone says it looks good on me (my daughter says I look younger). I really wanted to like this wig, but I hate it. I have fake boobs and fake hair.

Plus, I told them to fill my expander up more today because 60 cc has been no problem. They put in 90 cc today and now my arm pit is sore.

I want this to be over.

Travel_Girl

soccermom -- you should have at least 3 meds for nausea, NEVER let them wear off, just take them - I set my alarm and take them -- 8 hours zofran, 8 hours compezine, ativan for sleep the first few days. So it would be like 8am Zofran, Noon Compaizane, 4pm Zophran, 8 pm Compezine, then an hour later Zophran (now, I set my alarm and get up to take Zophran, etc.) ... cause I don't want it to hit --

I take my first one the night after Day 2. cause my chemo (TC) has some long acting stuff in it for Day 1, 2 --

I have not had any nausea with this approach (2 rounds so far) -- and the approach was recommended by chemo team. They said alternate and if you slip up on your alternating schedule, just make sure an hour in between different kinds.

They warned, very difficult to manage the nausea when it hits, so - best thing to do is prevent it.

Now .... I do have to carefully monitor C and D -- however, no N. And i am ok with C and D over N. Thats me.

If you followed the approach, ask your chemo team they may have other meds up their sleeve for you -- they can help you -- if you didn't, strongly suggest it for next round.

OCDAmy -- 1/2 way through chemo, half way, only 2 more rounds to go - I had a moment this past week too - I am 'over this!' ... the heat will pass and it will be better -- it is unusually hot, soon enough it will be normal fall like and that hat will be good and cute.

Milkweed93

I just found out I have like 2 white blood cells in my body, "profoundly low" is how they put it. Maybe that is why I am also profoundly tired and incredibly dizzy. I couldn't even get out and walk much today. So the MO is trying to get me approved for either Neulasta or Zarxio. I just popped a Claritin. I hope I can get get through this round of Neulasta/Zarxio without too much pain! And we are heating up here in Cali, and that just sucked with my bone pain last time. Breathe! It will work out I need to keep telling myself.

Teese

soccer mom, as others have said take the nausea meds on time and set the alarm to take them during the night for the first 3days. Even though I received long acting nausea meds as Pre meds in my IV I was instructed to start them that first night.

Also don't let your stomach get empty, it'll then become nauseated. So have some crackers around and eat a few if you've had something to eat already, but your tummy starts to say it's empty anyway. Even at night, I frequently woke with my tummy empty, ate 2-4 saltines and things settled. However the crackers then made my mouth have a nasty aftertaste so I kept a bottle of water at the bedside. I'd poor a little in a small bathroom size cup, swish and swallow, then use the biodene spray to freshen and moisturize. (Don't get in the habit of drinking from the bottle and leaving it on the bedside table during the night. The backwash will allow bacteria into the bottle and you need to be careful)

I also had steroids prescribed that helped me tremendously with nausea. I couldn't have compazine because it interacted with another med I take so I used Zophran, Ativan, steroids. Plus you HAVE to stay hydrated. Fluids have to get in. Try popsicles, ice chips, broths, smoothies, ensure shakes, Gatorade.

I had a fierce time with it, it took trial an error, keep notes of what worked and what didn't, you'll forget come the next round and you don't want to be constantly reinventing the wheel.

Good luck, prayers that your tummy settles,

Theresa

Teese

mojo I couldn't take Claritin either because of it possibly making my heart race. I didn't take anything and had no bone pain. So you may not have bone pain, it's not a given. Good luck.

Prayers and hugs,

Theresa