Extreme headache after first chemo, advice?

Liven5

Hi,

I just received my first chemo Monday, from Tuesday on, I've had a headache, which is just getting worst.  I called the doctor yesterday, and she gave me a script for Ibuprofen, 800 mg., and to take Claritin.  Neither has helped.  I called yesterday after 2 hrs. from taking my first dose, telling them this, and she said after 3 doses should be better.  Well, it's not.  The pain is so great, by my temples, it's so bad I cry at times.  Today's Saturday, do I just get thru it as I have been, in great pain, or go to the ER?  They said it was from the cyclophosphamide, and next time they will slow it down.  Why did they take a chance this time?  Any help, recommendations? 

Thanks,

Kiks1

I always suffered from weekly migraines prior to my dx. My biggest fear was how to deal with headaches during chemo. I had posted on this forum to ask for help in preparing myself. I did get the worst headache/ migraine after my first chemo. Even with sumatriptan (a migraine med) nothing really helped. It lasted almost 6-7 days. The first 3-4 was the worse. However, that was the only time I did get a headache through chemo. I went through the next 3 treatments with nothing else. Since chemo, I rarely get migraines anymore, perhaps, one of the best things after dx. I am sorry I do not have better suggestions but I hope the rest of your treatments will be as uneventful as mine.

SpecialK

Were you given by IV, or orally, any Zofran to take for anti-nausea? One of the side effects of this drug is a brutal headache. Also, some people receive a loading dose of chemo, and it causes a headache on the first infusion, subsequent infusions don't come with the headache.

Moderators

It really sounds terrible. We strongly suggest staying in communication with your treatment team, letting them know that your meds are not effective. Have you tried ice or cool packs? SpecialK and kiks1 bring up some good points. But maybe your doctor can continue to help you!

buttonsmachine

I bet it's the premeds you're getting. Do you know what they are? I had a brutal headache from certain types of anti nausea meds - worst headache of my life. It was from Aloxi and that class of drugs.

There are other options for nausea medicine though. Talk to your MO. In my case we left off the Aloxi from subsequent infusions and it was much better. Best wishes to you.

NotVeryBrave

I also had an absolutely horrible headache after my first round, although it didn't happen until about a week later. I have a history of migraines, but it didn't feel like that and none of my usual meds worked. Vicodin helped the most while I was in the hospital with low WBC's.

I'm happy to say that it didn't happen with any further rounds and I rarely get bad headaches any more!

Liven5

Thanks!!

TWills

I had the worst headache of my life after my first round, it lasted 4 days and nothing helped. MO gave me meds in case it happened again but it didn’t and hopefully yours won’t either.