Just started TCH regimen, looking for input on your experience

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kelleyb
kelleyb Member Posts: 94
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hi,

I was diagnosed a month ago with IDC (left breast and lymph nodes) and had my first dose of TCH last week.  Since day 2 after chemo I have felt terrible - nausea, fuzzy head, fatigue, raging diarrhea, no appetite and have not been able to work as planned.  Even going up and down the stairs wears me out.  I had two bags of IV fluids yesterday which frankly didn't help much.  The only thing that seems to help is to sleep.

I'd love to hear from those who've done TCH and what your chemo experience was like with side effects, timing, and ultimate results.  I'm having neoadjuvent chemo for 6 rounds then likely a double mastectomy in early 2013.

Appreciate any helpful words and sharing!

Kelley

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  • dventi
    dventi Member Posts: 171
    edited September 2012

    Hi Kelley, Going for my 5th of 6 tx of TCH this week.  Has it been fun? - No.!. but I am finding doable.

    Did your MO give you a prescrip for compazine for nausea after treatment?  Did you get an infusion of Emend or Aloxi (anti nausea meds)?

    Lemon drops ,-ginger drops, peppermint drops helped me with nausea.. Carried them all the time and yes, I needed them.  You may get a metallic taste in your mouth as well.

    Rinse your mouth out with Biotene so you dont get mouth sores.  (I havent had one)

    Fatigue is normal. I get tx on Wednesday, work from home Thurs and Friday. Get Neulasta shot Friday.. Hang out on the couch on Sat and Sunday. Work from home Monday.. then Tuesday I am feeling about 80% and head back to work.

    Diarrhea and/or constipation are normal.. but if it continues to be raging call your MO. 

    Appetite - many of us have no appetite, or too much of an appetite ( I fell into this category - gained 10 lbs). Some foods that I really liked before chemo I cannot look at.  You have to eat something.. maybe mashed potatoes, protein shake..

    Hydration Hydration is very important to get the toxins out. I found that I could not drink plain water. So I tried with lemon or lime. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it did not. Then I would experiment with other drinks, coconut water, cranberry juice... again you need to see what drinks work for you.

    Hair loss - Didnt believe it when the MO said I would lose my thick by the 2nd tx.  Well he was right on the money..The anticipation was worse than not having it.. Bought some nice wigs -- People that dont know I have bc love my new hairdo's (lol)

    Keep asking questions. That is what we are here for... The ladies on this site gave me a"sanity check" on the side effects and timing of chemo 

    Diane

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2012

    Hi Kelley --

    You may also find it helpful to post in the Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After forum to meet others going through chemo while you are!

    Hope this helps!

    --The Mods

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  • kelleyb
    kelleyb Member Posts: 94
    edited September 2012

    This is great - thanks so much for sharing with me and I will keep your tips in my pocket.  I feel like I'm a wimp or something, since I'm reading and hearing that most ladies are down a couple days from chemo then pretty much back on a semi-normal routine with some fatigue, but nothing that seems major.  Guess I will need to toughen up!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2012

    kelleyb - Sorry you are going through this.  Here are some links to helpful info from BCO:

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/766964?page=2#post_2805396

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/578284?page=486#post_3205766

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topic/789217?page=13#post_3207721

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/706846?page=27#idx_787

    I would recommend joining the Sept. 2012 chemo group also.  My Feb. '11 ladies were such great support.

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  • melly1462
    melly1462 Member Posts: 84
    edited September 2012

    @kelleyb: You're not a wimp!  I had my last chemo 6/13 and like you I would hit the wall on day 2.  The whole feeling like crap (mild nausea, chronic fatigue, diarrhea, fuzzy head) would last about 10 days, each day feeling a little better. 

    My tastes seemed to change with each round.  After treatment #3 the only thing that tasted good was pickle juice.  I craved starches. I would go from no appetite at all to eating whatever wasn't moving!!  I also had chemo induced high blood pressure and chronic heartburn.  I compared it to being pregnant.  There are some foods I ate during chemo that now turn my stomach just thinking about them.  

    The thing to remember is everyone responds/reacts differently.  Don't feel guilty about the things you can't do, but celebrate the things you can.  Chemo is one tough b*tch.  And let your onc know about any unmanageable side effects.  Mine was extremely responsive, the last thing the doc wants is you dropping out of treatment (like I tried to do). 

    Excellent tips and links from the ladies above.  This site became my best friend and source of info. 

    Best wishes....you can do this!!!!

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited September 2012

    Kellyb, I think Specialk gave you some links and I bet one is to the TCH board. Lots of help. I could not work during chemo, ended up in the hospital once. They did have to change some meds, some dosing, some timing issues. But I made it through. Point is, it hit me hard. You are not a wimp. I would read of people running miles when I could barely get off my couch. Just keep plugging away. Talk to you onc, they can and will make changes so it works for you. Much love.

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  • kelleyb
    kelleyb Member Posts: 94
    edited September 2012

    Thank you so much!  I'm suspecting it's the neulasta and I'll talk to my onco about it before we do this again.  Hugs!

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  • kelleyb
    kelleyb Member Posts: 94
    edited September 2012

    Thanks, Melly!  I'm on day 9 post chemo and day 8 post Neulasta.  I'm suspicious it's the neulasta since it subsided and came back, which I've read has happened with others.  Big hug for your support!

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