Starting Chemo in April 2014

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  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2014

    My MO's nurse called back and said he is going to check my thyroid when I go in for chemo this week. I guess since the hives are in different places at different times, he thinks it could be the thyroid. I guess it is possible for chemo to damage the thyroid. 

    They also moved my chemo up a day from Thursday to Wednesday....it is my last chemo so I am glad to get it over with sooner...but round #3 was so tough on me I kind of felt like I needed an extra day to be ready. Oh well. 

    For supplements, I take Vitamin D, Vitamin B6 & B12, and also L-glutamine powder. 

    Today I started taking prilosec because now I have new GERD issues. :(   Anyone else have new GERD or heartburn issues? 

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited June 2014

    Hey all,

    FInally got a call from my MO about my CT results and Hep blood tests. CT was clear - nothing on liver and abdominal cavity looks fine. Bloods test neg for all types of hepatitis. So he is almost 100 percent certain that my elevated liver tests are just chemo related.

    Relieved!!

    Thanks for all your well wishes!!

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  • Lakegirl1
    Lakegirl1 Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2014

    Linda505...congrats to you on your GOOD NEWS!!!!

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited June 2014

    I was told that the twitchiness and restless leg syndrome was a side effect of benedryl.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited June 2014

    Thank God Linda

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  • SharonDe
    SharonDe Member Posts: 222
    edited June 2014

    excellent news, Linda!!!  

    No new GERD issues here, just the same ones I've had since beginning tx.  I take a Prilosec every day to keep it at bay.

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited June 2014

    Linda that's great news !!

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  • brigadoonbenson
    brigadoonbenson Member Posts: 412
    edited June 2014

    Linda - I am celebrating with everyone else.  Great news.

    Timbuktu - I get RLS when they give me Benadryl but I have had it often without the Benadryl.  Guess it's an equal opportunity occurrence.

    I have taken Protonix for GERD for years.  Maybe that is why I haven't had any stomach issues.

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  • EverForward
    EverForward Member Posts: 242
    edited June 2014

    So happy for you, Linda!

    I'm still dealing with residual stomach issues (approaching two weeks post infusion). It feels like hunger, acid reflux, bloated gas, and a general funny feeling all at once. I take Zantac every day starting on chemo day, and Tums once in a while. Has anyone found something that works for this?

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  • Lakegirl1
    Lakegirl1 Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2014

    Everforward ...I have GERD even when I'm not on chemo. You may want to try a diff med, like Prilosec or Nexium that is now OTC in the 20mg dose.  I typically take Rx protonix, but MO bumped me up to 40mg Nexium, which is still Rx. it is helping tons, but I still have chemo cough from irritated esophagus and a nice raspy voice to go with it, which is another se of the irritation and acid.  May also want to continue taking something all the time, while still getting chemo.  That way, not playing catch up. 

    I have a lovely steroid rash, like a teenager.  MO gave me Rx for that too, like you would use for acne!  NICE!!!

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  • Blueberry4
    Blueberry4 Member Posts: 98
    edited June 2014

    Yay, Linda!

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited June 2014

    Somehow even though it shouldn't, it feels better knowing I'm not alone with the relentless D.  As far as supplements go, I take B6, B12, D3 and a multi.  All ok'd by MO.  Jhodro, I feel exactly the same as you.  The healthy diet takes a complete 180 during SE time.  Sux.  Pasta, crackers, cheese, bread, cake... ugh.  Oh well.  We do what we have to in order to get through. 

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited June 2014

    Linda  Woot!  Woot!   I've been actually thinking of you today and waiting to hear you got the all-clear.   I got mine 2 weeks ago and know too well that hellish waiting.  

    CELEBRATE!

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  • nancybel
    nancybel Member Posts: 81
    edited June 2014

    Congratulations Linda 505.   That is indeed great news!

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  • MameMe
    MameMe Member Posts: 425
    edited June 2014

    LBN, I had never taken a GERD med in my life, and the number of times I'd had pepto bismol or the like, you could count on one hand. Enter Taxol, and man, did I get a wake up call! I recently resolved to take a Pepcid AC rx daily, whether I thought I needed it or not, because the heartburn is SO bad, I thought I was dying! It got worse as the infusions mounted up, and maybe that happens with all the chemo mixtures. 

    I take a Natrol one daily multi, calcium with magnesium, a baby aspirin and a vit D3.

    I am excited because I walked three miles down thru the woods and thru our tiny town, to a friend's house with DH tonight. It felt like hiking, was almost all downhill, and I made it! There's hope for me yet! The YMCA has a Livestrong program for cancer pts that costs nothing and involves trainers and some former can cer pts. I am looking into that tomorrow.

    Linda that news was really good to hear. Thanks for sharing that. Phew, huh?!

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  • nancybel
    nancybel Member Posts: 81
    edited June 2014

    My MO called back and doesn't feel the hives/rash is from the Taxotere because it was delayed for 10 days, but says he can't completely rule it out.  Either way he prescribed Prednisone and told me to continue taking the Benadryl. Hopefully this clears up soon.

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  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2014

    Thanks MameMe - I do think the prilosec is helping…hopefully it will get better when chemo is finished.

    Nancybel - that is pretty much what my MO said but he didn't give me prednisone yet. I am taking benadryl and steroid cream. It's so annoying!!! I hope you feel better soon!!

    Linda I am so happy to hear your news!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!

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  • MomMom
    MomMom Member Posts: 523
    edited June 2014

    Congrats Linda!!!  Wonderful news!!

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  • MommyQ
    MommyQ Member Posts: 117
    edited June 2014

    Congrats, Linda, on the wonderful news! Time to celebrate!

    Footballnut: I did the gene testing too, and fortunately am negative for any markers for cancer (good news for my 2 daughters). If I had been BRCA positive, they would have recommended removing my ovaries and possibly a prophylactic mastectomy on the non-cancer breast to reduce reoccurrence. I went ahead and had a BMX anyway. Looks like we'll be chair buddies July 2!

    Sorry to hear a bunch of y'all have the digestive issues. I've been hit by the big D on prior infusions around day 8 so I'm expecting it tomorrow. :S My biggest issue today is my TEs are super uncomfortable and I am out of breath as of day 5. I can't sit comfortably and after a short walk across the room, I have to rest! My heart rate is about 105 resting. Anyone else?

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  • brigadoonbenson
    brigadoonbenson Member Posts: 412
    edited June 2014

    MommyQ-I have always had a high heart rate so guess I probably wouldn't be able to tell.

    Does anyone have hemorrhoids?  I had a terrible case after a bout with the D that put me in the hospital.  Now every time I get D or C it comes back.  I did make it recede by doing toe touches 3 times a day.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited June 2014

    I had tremendous pain in my rectum.  Still do from time to time but it seems to be receding.

    Is there anything that doesn't hurt during chemo?  I think it would be easier to list those!

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  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2014

    Brigadoone - I have had hemorrhoids for years but it flared worse than ever after round 2. I didn't have to be hospitalized but it was extremely painful. :(  

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  • brigadoonbenson
    brigadoonbenson Member Posts: 412
    edited June 2014

    Timbuktu & LovebeingNana - I know. Between  UTI's, C,D,H, e t c. A roll of toilet paper would not be long enough to list our daily reminders.

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  • SharonDe
    SharonDe Member Posts: 222
    edited June 2014

    Oh, brigadoon - your last comment made me laugh out loud.  So true.  Yes, I have had the H problem as well.  I find using medicated wipes helps, and a tub soak every few days.  This is one of the reasons I try to keep on top of the C & D roller coaster.

    I never expected "normal issues" - hemorrhoids, constipation, heartburn, and the like - to be some of the worst Chemo side effects.  I dunno what I expected, but I thought we'd be hit by more exotic problems (not complaining!).

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  • lilyrose53
    lilyrose53 Member Posts: 216
    edited June 2014

    Hi all,

    Linda-great news!  Yay!

    MommyQ- my heart rate has been high ever since I started chemo.  Just normal housework tires me out.  My MO is keeping an eye on it.  He told me to worry if it becomes erratic.  But I also have times when it feels like my heart is going to jump out of my chest!

    Brigadoon- I never had hemorrhoids or any bathroom issues until chemo.  My poor system swings between the big C and the big D.  Going to the bathroom is just painful!  To top it off I'm on my second UTI.  

    The good news is that my gene testing came back BRCA negative!  

    Also taking Prilosec has been wonderful.  No more heartburn!

    Wishing you all well,  hugs,  lilyrose

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  • jhodro
    jhodro Member Posts: 240
    edited June 2014

    For the H issue: my husband has dealt with this for several years. So we purchased an add on to our toilet that is a heated seat, like a bidet - the seat is heated, the water is heated. He had lived in Japan for a couple years where he first got hooked on them. I never bothered with it before this…but it has been a God send. Highly recommend if you can swing it. He no longer has H problems and it has really helped me avoid it with all the problems rotating from C to D to C again. 

    Sorry about SE's…hope you're all feeling better. I just woke up from today's cocktail. Now I'll be up for a day or two from the steroids. :)

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  • Sunshine36
    Sunshine36 Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2014

    Omg girls, I am apologize for being so MIA - been trying to get through each round,  go back to work in between rounds, and try to have as normal as possible home life with the hubs and kiddies :-)

    Last week I finished round 4/6 - finally seeing the se's subside (except for those pesky mouth sores and hot flashes which last a bit longer grrr!). I have my bilateral masectomy surgery date - 8/20! Eeek. Ive met w my plastic surgeon and I think have settled on just saline implants (although I have spent time considering the diep flap and latissmus dorsi too)

    Now that I see the light at the end of the chemo tunnel approaching,  I will admit ive let myself worry and get caught up in alot of "what it's" for the future (ie/reoccurring, etc) and sometimes those worries really get the best of my mood - I assume this may always be a lifelong worry or struggle, and that scares me a bit more than I realized it would. 

    Whew - sorry for the mini vent!!!

    love and hugs to all!!! You girls amaze ;)

    Jen 

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  • brigadoonbenson
    brigadoonbenson Member Posts: 412
    edited June 2014

    Since we are discussing bathroom issues let me refer you to a solution for the big C that I think will entertain you -

    http://www.amazon.com/Haribo-SUGAR-Classic-Gummi-Bears/product-reviews/B006J1FBLM/ref=dpx_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1


     

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  • LovieLovie
    LovieLovie Member Posts: 68
    edited June 2014

    I think I mentioned this before but when my nails started to lift I put tea tree oil on them every night to avoid getting nail fungus.  I am not aware of anything to keep them from lifting once they start.  This was probably my worst side effect because I kept bumping them.  Your brain tells you they are right where they always have been and even a nano higher you constantly bump them.  I'm so sorry any of you have to get this 'gift'.

    Footballnut - I'm BRCA1+ and had my ovaries removed as a precaution. 

    It sure is nice to hear good news on here too!

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  • lilyrose53
    lilyrose53 Member Posts: 216
    edited June 2014

    Hi Jen!  Nice to see you again!  I hope you have had some good family time!

    Football nut-  my BRCA just came back negative. Yay!  My MO told me that if I was positive he would recommend a double mastectomy and removal of my one remaining ovary.  I had a hysterectomy a few years ago.  But I am Triple Negative and he said for my type of BC that would be recommended, as there is no targeted therapy for it.  I'm not sure what they would tell you.

    Hope you are doing better!  Hugs,  lilyrose

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