Starting Chemo February 2015

Ldavidson17, I had AC/T but have you tried Tums for the heartburn? Or my MO said that Prilosec may help. My scalp was tingling after the first infusion but I had my hair shaved before any started to fall out. I wanted the control so I went to the wig before I didn't have a choice. My hairdresser clips hair for free for cancer patients. I was happy I did it first. My little power play I guess. If you have bone pain from the Neulasta try Claritin 24 hour and see if that helps. Drink a lot of water it helps to hydrate 3 days before and after as well. I still drink about 2 liters a day. Coffee tasted yucky, and I can't drink anything carbonated, bye Pepsi! Maybe the CT group will have some other ideas for you. I hope you feel better!

Ldavidson, I use a stretchy cap under my wig, keeps my head warm and is very soft. Some ladies use the silky pillowcases also. I shop at Sally's a lot for all of the nail, and wig supplies. Keep track of what you eat that may be causing the heartburn, and try changing your diet. The heartburn is no fun, and we have enough to worry about. If all the water is too much, try adding Jell-O and popsicles they count as liquids! But water will help you more than you think. Have a good day.

Hi Bikerbabe, Try to rest a little so the port settles in. Mine was fine and I worked the day after. I just felt the neck area pulling but I hardly notice it any more. Glad I have it for chemo. Water is my go to to stay hydrated. I eat Jello and popsicles too. My nurses pushed water and it really does make a difference. I still drink 4 to 5 bottles of water a day. But helpful for rads also. It keeps the internal systems flushing the drugs.

My Neulasta shot was billed to my insurance at $4,780 per shot times 8. I received a letter from them stating that I have to pre-approval from here on for the injections at the Clinic. Mind numbing amount for the 8 injections. But all of the treatments are so expensive. I should be priceless when I'm done.

Stay warm, in Cleveland today our low is -9 before the windchill. And coming in off Lake Erie, it is record breaking cold! But we have had little snow on the West side compared to other years. Spring will be so welcome this year!

Davidson, I had severe heartburn on day of 1st chemo as well & it looks like we have the same regimen of THCP. I tried a number of things for the heartburn & I think the overall combo helped although none worked on their own. I used Tums first without success for more than a few minutes. Then I used Apple cider vinegar mixed with water & honey- that usually always works for me but this time only worked for very short period.

I keep trying to post & for some reason half of it keeps getting cut off. I Usually copy / paste & that works but I forgot this time so here I am trying again for the 3rd time! I'm also trying this on a new phone I just got today so maybe that's the problem.

LDavidson17, I I had severe heartburn on day of 1st chemo as well & it looks like we have similar diagnoses as well as chemo regimens except I'm also getting Perjeta.

I tried a number of things for the heartburn & I think the overall combo helped although none worked on their own. I used Tums first, several times, without success for more than a few minutes. Then I used Apple cider vinegar mixed with water & honey- that usually always works for me but this time only worked for a few minutes as well. I also kept my head elevated, used a heating pad on my back & took Omeprazole (Prilosec) 20 mg. After taking the Omeprazole I finally got relief & was able to sleep flat without sitting up! Huge relief!

So sorry you are in this club as no one chooses to join. I do hope you have relief from heartburn & any other SEs you may be having. I have my 2nd chemo next Tues & am hoping it goes better than last time, but I shall soon find out!

I really appreciate this forum with all the helpful tips from others. We all get through this one day at a time which is what I have to keep reminding myself of every day.

Re: the heartburn - I had it too and eventually went on Prilosec daily. That really helped. My MO was OK with it.

I started TC on February 10. My chemo schedule was designed so that I will feel my best for my daughters wedding a week from today. After a rough first week I am feeling good now. Just waiting for my hair to go. I so appreciate everyone sharing their stories. Just when I think I am going crazy with a weird SE I read that one of you has had a similar experience. It makes it easier to cope. At my first chemo infusion they had difficulty finding a vein. That is very unusual for me. One of the nurses said that steroids can mess with your veins. Finally the fourth nurse was able to get access. It made me regret my decision not to get a port. After three breast surgeries I just did not want more surgery. I see now that there are pros and cons to each way. I will just hope for easier access next time. Thanks again for sharing

Good evening,everyone! Today has been rough. Haven't gotten out of my pjs all day. Chemo was Wednesday and I am fighting a terrible cold and cough, which makes things worse. The only thing that tastes good is Popsicles. I did eat a big bowl of Mac and cheese, but it didn't have much taste. :-/ feeling a little down tonight. I know this too shall pass and it could be a lot worse, but I sure am feeling sorry for myself tonight. Thanks for letting me vent.

Hey Beachbum!

Supposed to get my wig on Thursday. Going with human hair. I got my hair cut short last weekend (4 inches off) and I actually like it so now I can't decide what to do with the wig. Also, felt good that I was able to donate my cut hair to Locks of Love. I can't really see myself wearing scarves but hats work!

We had a beautiful day in Pittsburgh today. Lots of snow but felt good and went out with my dog and shoveled with my daughters. So nice to have a break from the bitter cold!

Can heartburn feel just like chest pain and even cause back pain? I can't say I have ever had that before and it was so painful, I thought I might be having a heart attack( of course Red Devil is always on my mind) I had a miserable night last night. Heating pad on my back helped and I finally fell asleep. Woke up this am just fine.

Did your hair start to grow back after A/C was done? My MO said that it might while on Taxol.

Hi Jaejk5- Welcome. You will find lots of support here!

There is a Penguin Cold Caps discussion too. I'm not using them myself but I wish you the best and I hope they work and you can keep your hair throughout treatment!

Hi everyone!

Jaejk5 and VR423 -- good luck on Thursday. I was pretty nervous for my first infusion, especially thinking about the laundry list of symptoms that seemed to be waiting for me, but it was pretty anticlimactic for me. Sat in the chair, chatted with the nurses and drank drank drank while they hooked various things up to me. The did give me something to relax me so I was pretty out of it that afternoon, but knock on wood I haven't had any serious effects yet. I'm drinking a ridiculous amount, exercising when I can and sleeping when I need to, thanks to a wonderful family and being unable to work at my job while going through this. I would say hope for the best, hydrate and rest, and deal with the SE if and when they come. I hope you both sail through it no problems!

I got my first infusion on the 16th, and knock on wood have just had a little tiredness, a slightly sore throat, and a tendency to forget absolutely everything. Still have my hair, not really hungry much of the time, but I think that may be because of all the water. I'm sure I'll be back to rant about something in the future, but I'm loving every day that is comfortable!

Gentle, germ-free hugs for all!

I start chemo tomorrow. First of 4 rounds of TC. So nervous

good luck Cher, hope the following days are easy for you. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow

I have had hair everywhere for the past few days so I shaved my head today. I feel so powerful...I took my hair before the chemo did.

I'm ready for round two of AC on Tuesday. I feel like I finally gained my mind back and near pre-chemo energy this weekend. I hope I can get this back each time. If not, it will be over next month before moving on to Taxol.

I have had horrible heartburn the past two weeks. CarolAnne, gas and heartburn can both feel like that but it's worth mentioning to your MO because of the Adriamycin. I can't really even read about the side effects without panicking so I am going to be one of those patients that calls a lot I'm sure.

Anybody else getting burning/stabbing pains to their cancer site(s)? I get stabbing pains for 10-15 seconds at a time. The good news is that I can feel both my lump and lymph node have shrunk. I hope it continues to do well..