Chemo update

Rhiannon061

So I had my first chemo on Tuesday Sept.11th, and am surprised that I feel pretty good. No nausea but I’m really tired. Exhausted really. I’m wondering if I can work like this when the time comes to return to work in a couple weeks. I’m an overnight stocker/Cashier. I guess my question is: Does chemo get easier or harder every time I go back? How can I keep up my energy level? I was addicted to energy drinks while working too, are those off limits now? Any info is appreciated. Thanks

WC3

Everyone will be affected a little differently. My first chemo was rougher than the others in terms of oral symptoms and stomach cramping mid cycle. My second chemo was worse in terms of muscle fatigue. My third chemo I switched IV nausea meds and had more nausea but less bad taste which enabled me to eat more. I had a few particularly bad days of weakness due to heat.

By my 4th chemo I had my acid reflux under control and had a dose reduction because my blood labs weren't keeping up and my dose was too high due to weight loss. I had increasing muscle weakness but less stomach cramping. My 5th chemo I just had yesterday. I don't know if they decreased the dose again because my blood labs still plummeted after infusion 4 or it's too soon for the side effects to hit me but I don't really feel it right now other than the fact that water tastes bad from the IV Zofran and to some extent" tge dexamethasone, and I am hungry but my blood sugar is too high to eat due to the dexamethasone. By tomorrow I will be in dexamethasone withdrawal and my throat/esophagus will get very tender as result, making it difficult to eat. By day 7 that will abate and between day 7 and 10 the stomach cramping will start and I will start to lose my sense of taste due to the chemo, but it will return quickly.

My fatigue is cumulative but I start to feel better by the end of my cycle. But I can have random bad days where I think I am fine and suddenly I am not, and I have not been in good enough condition to work.

beeline

Hi Rhiannon - I don't start until next week so don't have any advice to offer, but there is a thread called Chemo Starting September 2018 with lots of us who are starting/have started this month. You may get some good feedback there. I'll try to link it below:

Chemo Starting September 2018 on 2 hours ago (213 total posts)

keepthefaith

Rhiannon, You didn't mention your chemo regimen, but as others have said, we all react differently. I had very manageable side effects, for the most part. Thrush, heartburn, fatigue, constipation. I never experienced nausea. The side effects are cumulative. I am self-employed, so I was able to schedule work when I wanted to, for the most part. I managed to work, babysit grandkids, grocery shop, etc. By the last round, my blood counts were low and I had "heavy legs"...wore me out, but that didn't last very long. Drink a LOT of water (even if it doesn't taste appealing), walk when you feel like it, rest when you need to. Be mindful of being in crowds during your NADIR period. Make sure you notify your MO if you experience even the smallest of side effects. Best wishes to all of you. Pretty soon you will be looking at it in your rear-view mirror!

Rhiannon061

Sorry I forgot to add that I am on TAC and just completed 1 of 6 rounds with a 21 day rest period. Also, when I reach my nadir, does that mean I may or may not feel more tired than I am now

keepthefaith

R, the NADIR is the period between chemos, when your white blood counts drop and your immune system can be compromised. That in itself, probably won't make you real tired. You may get a Neulasta injection to help curb that. When your red blood cells drop, and can't carry enough oxygen to your body is when you get tired...not really a sleep tired...more of a fatigued and worn out.feeling. They can happen at the same time, I'm sure. Your MO will do a blood draw before your infusions, to check. I had 4 TC's only, so, your experience will be different than mine. Best wishes!

WC3

As far as water goes, I can only tolerate carbonated water in quantity for most of my cycle.

When I was given IV Aloxi for nausea, water had a bad sweet taste and I could only tolerate lime flavored La Croix, which I normally hate. After I was switched to IV Zofran and Emend, regular water still tasted bad but the lime La Croix was too bitter, Perrier was too sweet until the end of my cycle but Pelligrino seems to be about right.