January 2013 chemo group

Bryona ~ I agree that you need to consult with your MO about your heart pounding symptoms.  Did they do a MUGA scan (sp?) before you started chemo?  

I had my MO consult right before AC #3 this week and she was keenly interested in my description of being winded after a flight of stairs at home and noticing being winded a lot more after round #2 than in round #1.  I also have the same kind of heart pounding that you have.  I'm 45 and they didn't do a MUGA because they generally expect that "younger" women will tolerate AC just fine.  However, I left with strict instructions to call in if I have more symptoms this round, especially in the first 48 hours after treatment.  So far, so good, but I haven't done much except sit around.

I also use the support of a naturopath who has me taking CoQ10 and LCarnitine supplements to try to protect my heart from the adriamycin.  You can find quite a bit of information (from lab rat studies to naturapath web pages) about these supplements if you are inclined to research it ~ which you seem particularly good at doing.  

Well I came down with stomach bug last night. Thinking I should be good by my chemo treatment Monday afternoon.

Virginia, ciao bella! It's wonderful that you have a strong support system, and I'm glad you've decided to add us to it. So, because I'm the nosy-pants of our group, what kind of chemo are you getting, and what do you teach?

Nicole, I did tell my MO about the heart last Wednesday when we were going over bloodwork and talking about SEs. She wasn't too worried at that point, but if it hasn't eased up at all by Monday, I'll call and ask if this should be checked more carefully. I didn't have a MUGA before I began tx, but I did have a baseline echocardiogram to measure my LVEF (heart testing is standard before beginning chemo with Herceptin, even for us young pups!), so we know where we stand. I'm not due for the next one until March (I think).

skimommi, way to bright-side my tomato shortage! And this definitely gives me one more thing to look forward to...

Lauren, I wish you didn't have to be in the hospital, but I'm SO glad you're getting the care you need. Heal up soon, sister!

Sandra, wow that kale recipe looks yummy! Thanks for sharing. But if my computer craps out on me because I've been drooling on the keyboard, I'll blame you. Don't blame me for this, SeattleMama! I'm suffering right there with you!

kingboo, welcome back. Sweet news about the four rounds instead of six.

Colleen, ugh about that stomach bug! I had one the week after my dx, and I remember thinking the universe had had enough fun at my expense already! I hope your bug passes quickly (oh, dear lord. No pun intended, I swear!) and you're rested and raring to go Monday.

Welcome Virginia, KingBoo and laurie2025 - and chuckling at your nosy-pants comment, Bryona. 

"(heart testing is standard before beginning chemo with Herceptin, even for us young pups!)"

uhhhh, not I, said the 42 yr old pup. I had 4 herceptins, then surgery, now I am not on it till after taxol/adriamycin.  I asked onc, because someone brought it up on here, they denied my needing testing. 

Hi 3littleangels: My 6 yr old had a hard time with me NOT having a problem with losing my hair.  I told her we don't care about the hair, we care about stopping the cancer.  I had her cut my short do, before I buzzed it.  we also started calling the large balls of hair from one swipe of a brush, the irish setter pups. She did finally ask me "since you don't mind losing your hair, can I be upset for you?"  I said sure :P  She helped me buzz it off, too, when it was time.

Welcome to all the new ladies! It sucks to have to be here, but we will make it through together. Bryona, I had a Muga scan done last week for a baseline and I think we are the same age. Funny how things differ from state to state and Dr to Dr. Do you think the steroids may be causing the heart pounding? How fast has your heart rate been?

Welcome to the newcomers! Happy you found us...Bryona you said it so well in your prior post about how much this group has meant to you...right back at you, and all my other wonderful Bellas!



Lauren, I hope you have a speedy recovery, and am glad you sought care...we know our bodies best. Colleen, hope your bug goes away quickly!



I agree the differences in approach to our care is 'funny'...thankful we have this forum so we can be aware and raise questions. I do plan to find out more about my 9,000 shot. after my first tx, I think I've met my deductible and out of pocket for the year so future shots will be covered, but GEEZ!



King boo, great news on only 4 tx! I went thru the same thing...my 2nd opinion MO ran the Oncotype which showed no real benefit of the longer tx...so glad I found him.



My tacos last night were yummy, and today I microwaved a chimichanga for lunch...I am on some kind of Mexican kick! I think I am just so happy to have my taste back...I'm going to continue with the apple cider vinegar this round and see if it helps or if it was a coincidence...



A good evening to all!

Jubby, in the fog of my own post-treatment I failed to respond regarding Claritin.  From everything I've read here on the boards during the months since diagnosis Claritin is said to help abate some of the bone pain brought on by the Neulasta shot.  I did not have a Neulasta shot for round one but did have one for round two.  Something has thrown me for a bit of a loop but I don't think I can blame it completely on the Neulasta as my energy levels were significantly down for this round (day one and two) compared to round one.  

Anyway, I think the protocol is to start the Claritin at least a day before and continue for a few days afterwards.  And it's plain Claritin - not the Claritin D.  Of course, you should confirm all this with your medical oncologist and/or oncology nurse or if you'd like, you can do a quick search of Claritin here on the board and see what comes up and then decide if you're comfortable with taking it pre-post Neulasta.  I asked the nurse about it and she said "yes, take Claritin" but they didn't bring it up first but perhaps that's because I brought it up first...I don't know. 

The generic name for Claritin is Loratadine.  

p.s. I've heard that FEC is a rough one for nausea, Jubby.  Maybe someone else can weigh in on that.

_________

I just shaved some of my hair and it feels like a 10 pound weight has been lifted from the crown of my head/hair.  I was going to do all of it but got such relief from what I did do that I might wait a while to do the rest.  It's amazing to me that dead hair can feel so heavy/icky in closed up follicles.

I'm going to do what someone else suggested and take it (the fluff of hair) out for the birds to have fun with - perhaps it can serve a few hummingbirds well as they prepare for baby season. 

SeattleMama, I have some Braggs but don't know if I can stomach it during these post-chemo days (and I'm a vinegar lover). 

*waves back from the recliner in the bedroom*

Seattlemama, I was taking it regularly prior to surgery for the many benefits it has, but originally started it for post nasal drip. I had stopped for awhile and then read on one of the boards someone used it for mouth sores...I felt like I might be getting a little something so I had some one night and the next morning it was gone so I kept it up. Around that same time my dry mouth got better and my taste came back so not sure if the acv was what did that, but it is such a little cure all, who knows? We'll see how it goes this time as I am doing it daily now.



Re COQ10, that's one I was told I had to stop...bummed because it's shown to be so good for bc...will get back on that for sure PFC...I think it also enhances the effect of Tamoxifen so I'll be sharing that study with my MO.

Jubby, you are breaking Rule #1 of the Bella Code: No apologizing for feeling poopy! This is not a competition; we're in it together, and we've got your back. A lot of us thought we were doing fine on the first day post-tx, and then WHAM! So, you're not alone. I don't know if we have anyone else doing FEC on this thread, but the E (Ellence) is closely related to Adriamycin; I think the ladies who are doing AC or TAC probably feel a lot of what you're feeling. And, FWIW, I felt a whole lot crappier on day 3 after AC than I do today, even with the weird heart thing. It will get better. You can do this. One thing I discovered was that I confused heartburn with a lot of other SEs. My nurse said to take Prilosec twice a day instead of just once, and lots of things got better fast.

Shoshana (ablydec), you are exactly 100% right. Let's make that Rule #2.

Lauren, you and I have so much in common with this treatment. You would think we lived in the same area and used the same medical team. Remember I wound up in hospital with port/skin infected on IV antibiotics. I am so glad you went to ED before blood and port got infected. Keep us updated.

Hang tough, Sheryl

Jubby and 3littleangels. I asked my MO about enmed when I first saw her because I hadn't heard of it. She said it is given more for adriamycin rather than the TC I was getting since Adriamycin is a very stron emetogenic (make you puke or wish you could). I just get aloxi on day of chemo and have zofran and compazine for N/V. Please take all your meds prophylactically don't wait until you get quesy. I recommend popsicles they seem to sooth me and also jello.

Hang in there guys, I couldn't get the A because poorly controlled diabetic >20 years plus mom and brother both had open heart surgery and I had a heart attack when my mom died unexpectedly. I had a spasm in a coronary artery from stress my arteries where actually clean back then but with my hx and family hx to risky for the Big A

Sheryl

Bryona, aside from the whole bc thing you must be in great shape. Heart rate under 70 is great! I am worried because I get tachycardia sometimes and heart rate goes over 100. I feel like crap from this flu. if my stomach feel like this from chemo its gonna suck!

aha, ok, on the coq and the acv.
Bryona: I'm @ overlake, eastside {{wavin to ya over the lake}}
            and I'm sure you didn't lQQk sketchy, you are not the only one on here that has mentioned it.  I asked
            oncologist and told them I was surprised I hadn't heard anything about it.  They just said not needed.
            Go figure....