Starting Chemo February 2015

Anyone have any issues with the neulasta shot? I just took it a couple hours ago.

maybe its a good sign - its making those white blood cells we need

first cycle, I had neulasta on Tuesday. I had the worst back pain ever that Saturday night. Had a painful massage in my massage chair and took hydrocodone I already had around the house. Got a new hydrocodone Rx from my MO for the second cycle. Taking Claritan (as I did the first time) but also started midol today, even before any pain. I went into this diagnosis with lingering back pain. That has seemingly gone away so I amwaiting to see what happens this time around.

Hi all, I am in bed with a bad back. I had the worst back pain this morning, so bad that my dog was worried about me. The thing is that I am nearly 3 weeks out from my Neulasta shot and will get another Tues. after my second round of TCH chemo on Monday. Prior to this back pain, I was able to control weird pains in my ribs, back, and legs with advil. Has anyone else had pain from the shot 2 1/2 weeks out?

Biotene mouthwash has been really good in alleviating beginnings of mouth sores and dry mouth.

I am anxious about chemo round 2. I felt so awful day3-8 that I wondered if I could take one more round let alone 5 more! But then I came out of it mostly and felt pretty good until back pain.

Thanks for being there and reading my laments. Good luck to all of you!

malimoh, sorry you are having a rough time! Have you tried drinking more water? I usually drink 4 to 6 bottles a day. I had terrible pain from the Neulasta, but it hit the morning after the injection. It usually stuck around for 4 to 5 days. The Claritin helped a little, but I used Tylenol #3 with codeine to cut the pain.

The Biotene worked well, but I carry Brach's Lemon Drops every place I go. The tart flavors seems to work well. I always have bottles of water with me also.

Oh the Big C is a big pain, in more ways than one. I always had a nice dinner the night before chemo and took Sennokot-S the morning before I went to chemo. I would take it for two or three days, just in case. I always tried to eat enough fruit etc. to keep things in the middle of the side effects.

jaejk5---I sleep well last night, but I've been taking a Tylenol pm. It's been helping. Off to my 1st chemo in just a few hours. My coworkers had a lunch for me yesterday, a few went and had their hair dyed pink, they are a wonderful group to work with:). I'm in the light shirt, that's my boss next to me, holding a yellow ducky with pink hair!

I'm another lurker who is finally taking the plunge and joining in. I got a port put in today and I'm scheduled to start chemo tomorrow. Most of you already seem like experts to me. I'm also waiting for the results of my PET scan so this has been one stressful week!

Kris

I've had drinks. My MO said anything in moderation. I like cucumber infused vodka with OJ

I was instructed to start the anti-nausea Rx 1/2 hour before chemo infusion and stay on them for several days. I'd pop one now.

Hello Ladies.

 My 1st chemo infusion yesterday and neulasta shot today were uneventful. I have not had any SE's except for some facial flushing. I am expecting some flu like symptoms or something this weekend.

The real news was I had to fire my MO. It seems any question I ask him is a threat to ego. He actually told me to stop attacking him. My questions were reasonable and calmly stated, Such as how he monitors for heart problems with Adramycin since Echo shows some problems in valves and aorta that are part of my family history? Does he do tumor markers? Will he do a PET scan or something when we finish chemo? He says he does not do any of these things because they are not necessary Even though the radiologist can not rule out a nodule in my lung or explain the inflammed nodes around my pancreas. The rad recommends restest of these areas. He says he  is on the board and writes the guidelines for this protocol. He says he can't guarantee anything. I told him I was not asking for guarantees but he can't ask me to assume I am cured after finishing the treatment plan with out some kind of final screening. If he couldn't agree to that then I would have to find someone else.

The social worker came up during my infusion and was basically supporting the doctor. She actually said because of  my education I can be one of the worst patients. That was just insulting and stressful on my first day of chemo. I think knowledge is power and it is essential to be able to discuss anything with my doctor with out worrying about hurting his feelings. She said I could get other doctors to order the scans. I said how do you thing I got the PET/CT scan in the first place...the BS agreed to it. This MO  may be the smartest guy in the room but I am not a statistic and it is essential to me to have a good repoire with my doctor. I no longer have confidence in him and made the decision today to continue the treatment with another doctor.

I guess I should tell you I spent over half my adult life in the medical field including Pharmacy mixing these same chemo drugs 25 years ago. I was also one semester shy of graduating from nursing school. Hardly makes me a threat for an award winning MO.

Hope everyone has better days ahead.

PJ

I start adriamycin and cytoxan tomorrow. I feel equal parts dread and eagerness to get on with it. Before I go to chemo the breast surgeon wants me to do an ultrasound of what I believe is a swollen lymph node near my tumor site. Another eventful day. My friends are surprised I'm not binge watching Netflix, but my testing, phys therapy, and doctor appointments keep me hopping all day long.

Bikerbabe, I didn't mean to ignore you, I fell asleep. Bedtime comes on very suddenly now, usually when I'm ready to watch my sitcoms. Since you are on CT and I am on AC, the nausea issue may be different for each of us. And the SE of our SE meds may vary, too.

I am full of anti-nausea meds. Right before the infusion I get a shot of them for immediate use, then I get an IV drip of them to kick in the second week, and I start that first day on an Rx of Zofran for daytime and Phenergan for night. I was told if nausea broke through to add the other Rx. And like pain pills, I need to stay ahead of the problem.

Needless to say, the Big C was a real problem until I drank a lot more water. These meds and pain meds draw water out of my intestines and turn my stools to rocks! Sorry for that, but I want you to avoid this SE.

I don't want you to ignore your MO's instructions. I just wanted you to know why I said to take one. Do you have a nurse navigator? Or someone's number from MO's office to answer questions at weird hours? Because that is a good question, especially since you were told to wait.

Hope you are SE free. And BTW your office crew pictures were cute except that cake looked too pretty to eat.

What great coworkers you have Bikerbabe! That is awesome!