Help! Does it get easier?

Mary85 · November 2013

Just had my first round of chemo on wed 11/20 (ACT) and will receive it every two weeks. I know some people experience the side effects of chemo days later but for me it was literally a few hours after I had the infusion. I was fine during the infusion; talking, eating, watching tv. But a few hours after the infusion I felt terrible, and even worse the day after. The symptoms are slowly subsiding but they haven't completely left. I was taking Zofran/Decadron/Ativan the first 3 days following chemo then just Zofran and Ativan (which is what I was advised to do). Onc gave me Compazine too which I just started using yesterday but it makes me so drowsy/groggy and I dont know how much it's really helping the nausea.

I just lay in bed and ask God to please continue to give me strength to endure this. At times, I feel like this is a nightmare. My faith hasn't wavered, but emotionally, I am feeling sad and exhausted. I hate this! I don't know what else to say. I just hate waking up every morning feeling SICK. I'm stuck in bed because any little movement makes me dizzy and nauseous. I barely eat, I can't sleep, my port is aching. I feel delirious...I feel crazy and trapped in my own body.

Will it get easier? Will the next round of chemo make me even sicker than this round?

Melrosemelrose · November 2013

Mary85--- Hang in there. I know it's not easy but you will get through this. You may want to call your onco to chat about your side effects and the continual nausea. If that nausea/dizziness is not getting better, call today. It's okay; there should be an on call onco that you can talk to. Unless you let the onco know that you are having issues, he/she can't help you. It is the onco's job to help you get through chemoland. You can anytime, 24/7; don't feel like just because it's the weekend or after hours that you can't call/contact the doctor. You may need to have your anti-nausea meds adjusted. If you are taking any of those meds on an empty stomach, I want you to know that those drugs when taken without food can cause that nausea on their own. Are you trying to eat 5-6 small meals a day? Having something in your tummy helps..... a fed tummy is a happy tummy. I'm sure the idea of eating seems rather the farthest thing on your mind right now but if you can get some broth/soup or some crackers or mashed potatoes down, you may feel a little better.

Here is the name of a cookbook that was given to me that helped me a lot .... Eating Well through Cancer by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello , MD. The books is divided into chapters on what to eat before a chemo round, what to eat if one is having certain side effects ( constipation, diarrhea, mouth issues, absent taste buds, etc.) I found it easier to read when I wasn't in the mood to get on the computer and look up what to eat on the main BCO.org website.

If you just got your port placed, yes.... that site will be sore. You may want to check to see if it is red or inflamed. If so, let your onco know asap so that it can be looked at. Also, ask if you ice the area ( ziploc bag of ice inside a face towel/ sock).

The first infusion can be very overwhelming.... it's because you don't know what to expect, don't know how to immediately deal with what is happening and plus you may just be plain frightened and scared. I know that feeling. I have to tell you that for me, things got better after the first round. I know that I had a different chemo regimen than you but you will find your rhythm in the chemo infusions and figure out what works the best for me.

Holding your hand here and trying to let you know that you are not alone and it will be okay.....

HUGS and sending positive calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy.

AmyQ · November 2013

I'm terribly sorry to hear your side effects are so debilitating. I agree call your onc asap for adjustment in anti-nausea drugs. Once the nausea and dizziness go away, try to force yourself to get out of bed and do something - take a walk, do small chores, do any kind of physical activity. Trust me you will not feel like do anything but once you do, you will feel better. So many of us have been there and can relate but even a little physical activity will make you feel better. Good luck and hang in there. You are one more treatment closer to the end.

planetbananas · November 2013

YES! because of a reaction to the Taxotere I became so ill and debilitated that not only was i unble to walk I needed fluids and medication 3 times a week for several months. I thought I would never get better at one point, but hang in there you will, its just hard to see from the vantage point where you are at the moment. Sending you good healing thoughts.

annika12 · November 2013

I am so sorry and yes it does get better , it takes time but it does. I was so so sick through AC but it did what it was suppose to do....my tumor shrunk by 40% with the first infusion. I had my infusions on Mondays then had to ho back Tue,wed and Thur for steroids and fluids. Though I was sick through all 4 it didn't get worse. Hang on to your faith with all you got, let people help you and know soon it will be passed you and you will be able to encourage someone else who is starting there journey. I just finished my chemo and I feel great , life is returning , hair is growing and so is my hope of a "normal" life again. Hang in there , prayers and thoughts go to you !!

ziggypop · November 2013

Hey Mary,

So sorry it's hard - I remember that dizziness..yuck. Everybody is different, some people sail through it & some of us have a much harder time. For sure talk to your onc, and also talk to the nurses who administer your chemo, they often have really helpful suggestions. There are many different drugs for nausea & they should be able to find one to help get it under control. Also, my onc had me take anti anxiety/anti nausea prior to treatments always. Sometimes all you can do is be as still as possible. You WILL get through it and when you are done you will realize that you are a much stronger person than you ever knew you were. Many hugs.

Katthy22 · November 2013

I had a bad time after each treatment of A/C. My oncologist prescribed Protonix for acid reflux, which did help in the days after the treatment. I found that not eating any solid food the day of treatment helped with the throwing up and nausea. Drink tons of water (96 ounces a day). That helps to wash out the toxins.

My tumor shrunk to half it's size after the 4 treatments of A/C. I was so happy that I could get surgery and not go thru 12 treatments of Taxol. I ended up with Peripheral Neuropathy in my hands and feet, making it difficult to do normal tasks. My hands and feet tingle and burn from the damaged nerves. Lyrica and Cymbalta are my prescribed medicines for the CIPN.

Melrosemelrose · November 2013

Mary: My apologies to you and hope you don't think I've highjacked your thread here but something caught my eye that someone else had posted. Hope you are feeling better!!!

Katthy22- I see that you are taking Tamoxifen. Are you currently taking Lyrica and Cymbalta for your chemo induced peripheral Neuropathy? The reason I ask is because Cymbalta is considered a moderate inhibitor and should be avoided if taking Tamoxifen. Here is the link to the main BCO.org website section on Tamoxifen which lists some of the known inhbitors. http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/serms/tamoxifen. Here is a link to drugs.com that has a more extensive list of drugs that interact with Tamoxifen. http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/tamoxifen-index.html?filter=3&generic_only=

KBeee · November 2013

mary85, if you have not already done so, jump in on. one of the chemo threads...the starting in november one, or December one. I was on the September thread and a thread for my med types, and to say that those ladies were a lifesaver and helped me through the darkest days is a huge understatement. You will get tips on side effects, and see that you are not alone in your feelings.

I hope you feel better and better each day. there will be good days interspersed with the bad, even though it does not seem that way yet.

Mary85 · November 2013

Hi ladies! Thank you all so much for your support. It seems so crazy, but no sooner than I posted my message did I start feeling better. By the next day, my nausea was very tolerable and my fatigue wasn't so bad either. I'm so thankful to God for that! I talked to my onc and she is going to readjust my nausea meds. For light nausea, I'm finding that just .5mg of ativan is doing the trick. I take it as needed and I feel its working well. I will definitely need new meds for the heavier nausea because the regimen I received did not help. I learned to start keeping a snack on my nightstand so when I wake up in the middle of the night, I can snack real quick and keep some food on my stomach. I've been drinking fruit/veggie smoothies which I really enjoy, and they're easy to stomach. I've been leaning towards colder foods since they tend to make me less nauseous (with the exception of broth which I eat piping hot).

I'm definitely going to join the Nov chemo board! Would love to talk with other ladies going through treatment at this time. I know this journey is not going to be easy, but it's only temporary. Thank goodness! And there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I've heard that Taxol is easier; I have treatment for my second half. Any one have any taxol advice?

Thanks again for all the helpful info and advice!

Oncearunneralwaysarunner · November 2013

Hi Mary85,

I just finished chemo a little less than a month ago and know that you can get through it and that it is temporary. I had to keep reminding myself of that. I kept looking forward to the days between treatments where I was feeling pretty good. I was on FEC-D with a treatment every 3 weeks for 6 treatments.

As everyone else has said, speak with your oncologist about the nausea. I had my anti-nausea meds adjusted three times before it was fully controlled. Smoothies were a life saver for me too. I found that chewing gum and eating sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds in shells helped as well. I found it was a bit of a trial and error routine but once you find something that works for you it helps.

Hang in there!

NorthwindsGS · November 2013

Hi Mary!

I am on the same regimen as you are. Had my first AC last Wednesady and spent Saturday in bed. Sunday was better and Monday much better. It sucks but we can do it.

Please join us on the November Chemo Board! The ladies are so helpful and I find myself looking forward to checking in with everyone each night before bed. Strength in numbers my friend!

Pam

Help! Does it get easier?

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