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gunnie
gunnie Member Posts: 24
edited October 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hi just joined so I hope some replies;).  I'm in the Uk so hope it is ok to join here.

just done second round of chemo and felt dreadful on the first night, bit better yesterday and so tired and teary today.  I can't stop crying ...... and I feel like no one understands....

Does anyone have any tips for a dry mouth, I'm finding ginger ale helps a bit but water is hopeless.

Thank you

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2014

    Hi gunnie,

    Sorry to hear about what you're going through and that you've found yourself here. You will find that there are lots of members here who are from the UK so you are very welcome. 

    There is a special thread for members who just started chemotherapy in September you might like to check out Here. You will find lots of information and buckets of emotional support from the kind and compassionate women and men in this community.

    There is a few tips on the main site here on how to manage a Dry mouth during therapy. 

    We hope this helps,

    Hugs from the moderators

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  • Agent99
    Agent99 Member Posts: 118
    edited October 2014

    Dear Gunnie,

    This is the perfect place for support, information and people who really understand.  I have finished 6 rounds of chemo and have begun radiation.  Chemo is hard, even though your friends and family will try hard to help sometimes going through treatment feels very lonely.  The good news is you are about 1/3 done with chemo?  I don't know how many treatments you are scheduled for but it helped me to count it off in percentages after #2 I was 30% done!  It also helped to find the board on here that was the group of women who started treatments the same month as me. They were going through the same experiences as me and it helped to know I was not alone,!  It's ok to cry, have a good one and then look for something positive to focus on.  I am just now , one month after my last chemo starting to feel like myself but I will never be the same as I was before cancer, I hope to be better, but not the same. Cancer alters everything, but you will survive and thrive.  You hang in there and don't hesitate to ask me anything I will be here if you need me.  You are stronger than you realize.

    Jeannine

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited October 2014

    Gunnie, 

    I want to echo Jeannine's statement, you ARE stronger than you realize.  Not until family and friends are in your shoes can they begin to understand the ups and downs of chemo, let alone your BC diagnosis. Of course you are teary.  I still burst into tears, sometimes for practically no reason and I finished chemo in July, 2013. If you think you need an anti-anxiety medication, ask your onc.  Mine asked me if I was depressed and before I could answer, my husband said YES! I was so startled at his quick response but I have to admit, I was. My onc prescribed Lorazepam, which I only take occasionally. I agree joining the chemo group September, 2014 is a great idea.  My chemo buds February/March 2013 were a God send. Good luck to you.  Please check back and let us know how you are doing.  I'll be thinking of you.

    Amy

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  • gunnie
    gunnie Member Posts: 24
    edited October 2014

    Wow you have all just made me cry again!  In a nice way.  I didn't think I would get a response and look at your kindness.

    Thank you for the tips.  I have loads of help from family and friends but have never felt so alone - isn't that strange?  Before I had found out that I had BC, can't even say the words out loud still,  I was undergoing therapy for an anxiety disorder I have.  I score 21 out of 21, highest on the scale - lucky me, so had just started Cog. Behavioural Therapy.  My disorder which is manifesting itself in OCD is all about losing people and dying, which to be honest wasn't a good time to find out about this.

    Everyone keeps saying be positive, that is how you will get through it.   But how can I get through when my heads in a mess.  I'm on sertraline now which is helping.. oh god roll on this time next year.

    I'm sorry to hear you have all been / are going through it - it is just awful and I keep thinking why me, what have I done?

    I have 6 sessions and have just finished 2nd, last Thursday so am a third of the way there. 4 more to go in 3 weeks intervals, followed by a radiation chaser at the end in February next year.  I was looking froward, in a funny, to the last two chemo cycles because I just thought one less to go, but the way I feel today I never want to go again, does that make sense?  Does it get worse everytime you go?  Do the symptoms and tired accumulate?

    Love to you all 

    Ailsa xxxx

    have I done this right?  Do you get this message to all or do you get a notification that I have posted? thanks again.  If I can help any of you I will, but not sure how at the moment but will read posts and see if I can x :)

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited October 2014

    I found my last chemo to be the hardest as far as fatigue was concerned so yes, I believe it gets more difficult, not easier.  I guess this makes sense since chemo is supposedly cumulative. When your next one is down you will be HALF WAY THERE!!! so that's great news.  Pretty soon it will all be an unpleasant memory.  Hang in there Ailsa. I think you are doing everything right.

    Amy

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  • gunnie
    gunnie Member Posts: 24
    edited October 2014

    Thank you Amy x

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited October 2014

    Alisa, 

    Chemo is difficult, I hated it ! I had eight infusions.  The last couple infusions my fatigue was overwhelming. I was not sicker ( in fact my 2nd chemo drug was easier ), just really tired, all the time. 

    Be kind to yourself, know that this too shall pass. Radiation, for me was easy. 

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited October 2014

    (((Alisa))) hang in there…we're all here for you…I hated chemo and it was all I could do to go in every 2 weeks for my infusions but as others have said it will pass...you asked about what to do for a dry mouth so I thought I would share what worked for me. I used Biotin mouthwash and gum, it also protects the gums and teeth. And Jolly Rancher hard candy was just the right blend of tart flavor to make my mouth feel better. A couple time during chemo I got sores in my throat and mouth and my MO prescribed "miracle mouthwash" - it's a blend of medicine and local anesthetic. Good luck (((Hugs))) Maureen

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  • gunnie
    gunnie Member Posts: 24
    edited October 2014

    Thank you Maureen, I haven't heard of those over here as Im in the UK but will have a look.  Water just doesn't do anything does it?  I suffer badly from ulcers anyway so had a bad dose after first cycle.  Ive never had a mouth sore though, are they similar.  It doesn't sound very nice, and hope you are doing ok now!

    Hugs Ailsa

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