More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo

Bumping for the May 2011 chemo starters.

Bumping for the May starters!

Shout out to Nico and Rock!

Jean

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Hey rock, Hey JeanH,  It's so great to see these threads so active 'cuz there's so much good info here!

Bump for mcrimmon324

Bumping!

I am on TC 

My arsonal:

Decadron

Prilosec

Phazime

clairiton

zofran

imodium

Naproxyn 500

biotene

maylox

atavan at night for sleep

compazine on hand if needed

senicot if needed

eye drops for dry eyes

lots of flavored water- drink!

massage therapy

counseling for the mental health

coconut oil for moisture

wax machine for dry hands and feet

gold bond moistusrizing sanitizer for the purse

Prep H if neeeded

Desitin if needed

I write down every thing I do because my brain goes to mush for a few days so I keep a little journal of how I am doing and what time I have taken meds.

oh and one more thing- Fresh flowers  good for the "I love you/me" feeling

Hi all!  I am starting my chemo in a couple of weeks.  Anyone out there a contact lense wearer?  I noticed that dry eyes is a SE, and wondered if I will have problems with my contacts. If so, I need to get my glasses prescription updated asap!  lol.

Good luck, neecee, on your start of chemo, and God bless. I wear contacts and have not had many issues with them during chemo.  I keep eye drops around in case eyes get too dry, seems like I used them a little more during the beginning of my treatment, not so much now (just finished #5 of 6).

A few things I've learned since starting chemo in Feb: 

*Phillips Milk of Magnesia Stool Softner gel tabs were much easier and more efffective on my system then the Senakot S I used when i first started chemo.  The Phillips stuff gave me much less gas and they were FAR more economical! I ate Actvia yogurt sometimes but it didn't always taste good, but I also ate fruit and veggies and whole grain bread to prevent constipation. That's one SE I deal with each time.  

I never needed the flushable wipes, tho i did purchase some, and I never needed the spray bottle for burning urination......I think that has to do with possibly the types of chemotherapy medicines your body receives, so I think my chemo must not have produced the burning effect....glad about that! 

There were many SEs listed on these tips I didn't encounter, tho I was happy to be prepared for anything, so I'm grateful for the list.  But I never had mouth sores, used Biotene toothpaste but never had to use the mouthwash, and changed out my super soft toothbrush about once a month.  

I recently found using generic Pepcid was extrememly helpful eliminating sour stomach after chemo...Started taking it in the morning with my dr. perscribed nausea meds.  It took me weeks to learn to do that, I just put up with what i thought was nausea the pills weren't helping.

Also, some of us take dr. perscribed steroids the day before, day of and day after chemo to prevent nausea.  Then experience a type of crashing effect for several days, and a lot of anxiety. I found using my dr. perscribed Ativan during that weekend helped.  Of course, I did mention it to my onc, who says it can be habit forming.  So I only use it to get thru that phase of the 'after-chemo'.

Hope some of these tips can help any newbies...... 

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Bumping for the June '11 chemo starters.

Bump for gigix4

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