CMF Question

Hi guys. I had my first infusion a week ago yesterday. Had some minor SEs during the first few days, but nothing since til today, when I'm a bit nauseous, headachy and have a sore in the corner of my mouth. Could these be delayed SEs, or do you think I'm just having a bad day.

Thanks!

So you don't think it's wierd I'm experiencing them today after several days with nothing? What a bummer...

had 1st cmf this morning. went pretty easily. got intense sinus headache about 25 mins into Cytoxan followed by intense drowsiness. Been really drowsy since - not sure if it's the cmf or anti-nausea drugs I received . mind you, I get super sleepy from dramamine. nothing else to report - so went pretty well. going to sleep super early and took tomorrow off from work. so glad to have this group.

A

A - I'm told that sinus headaches often result when Cytoxin is administered too quickly. My eyes felt weird primarily. I'm going to ask them to slow the drip from 30 mins to maybe 45 mins. I wonder if that's still why I have headaches. I don't see headaches as a side effect from any of the drugs I received (C, M or F).

I've had a nice sinus headache that started during the Cytoxan administration yesterday. Because I'm on a blood thinner, I'm supposed to only use Tylenol as a pain reliever. It does nothing! I decided to take Aleve today. I'm such a rebel!

I didn't mention the headache until after we were done. The nurse said to remind them next time and they'll slow it down.

Laura

Ask for ice chips and suck on them during the infusions. That will help keep the mouth sores away.

Amy, glad your first infusion went well!

Sue, everyone is different. If I had any side effects they appeared usually on the 3rd or 4th day and then I did pretty good until the next infusion. Be sure that you do eat and continue to drink plenty of fluids to wash the chemicals throuh your body.

The first time, I started the day with a headache so that didn't help with knowing how it would be and how much was the original headache. I'm still battling it today, but it's much better.

Tomorrow is Day 4. That's when my more difficult side effects will hit. It's going to be a lousy day and then Monday will be better.

HI Sue. I also worried about hair loss and this is an individual thing. I had a tx every 3 weeks by IV--I mention that because I do not know if that changes things. In any event, I had hair thinning but not enough loss to need a wig or even a scarf to cover my hair. After my 4th TX I had scalp tingling ( a sign of hair loss apparantly) and even my onc did not know if I would lose my hair. But while I had most of my shedding that tx, it was not enough to make a real difference and while I was going crazy with worry about it, even my hairdresser could not tell. Hopefully you will be lucky like I was. One thing i did was to treat my hair gently. Usually I wash my hair once a day and while on CMF, I only washed every 3rd day. I did not blow dry my hair and I used the shampoo that Ritajean suggested--I think it was called Nioxin. My hair got greyer and curlier on the CMF but it was still my hair and it was nicely on my head. :-)

I hope you gals in treatment have had a nice Mother's Day--for those who are mothers and those who are not mothers it still is a special day. Happy Mother's Day to all my friends old and new on this CMF thread.

Hugs to all

Mandy

Sue - I did not lose my hair while on CMF, but it did thin.  I noticed it, but no one else really did except my hair stylist.  I started shedding after my second treatment and kept shedding until about 3 weeks after my last.  I did get much greyer during chemo but still stayed straight as a pin.

i thought i had gotten past the worst of thursday treatment. Last night was miserable. Leg aches, horrrible upset stomach, jittery and couldnt sleep. Todays going to b a long day!

My treatment was also on Thursday. The first week it was Day 4 (Sunday) that did me in...horrible bathroom issues, tongue & mouth issues, etc. This time it started on Day 3 (Saturday) and has continued. Yesterday I was so nauseated, my tongue was driving me nuts, I was exhausted and in pain. I made it through the whole 8 hours of work, but only because I kept pushing myself. Today the tongue is much better, so far no bathroom issues, much less nausea...Every day it's something new, right up until the next treatment!

It's certainly not horrible, by any means. My dad had it so much worse when he had treatment for stomach/esophageal cancer. I know it might get worse but I know it'll never be as bad as his, so I can do this.

I'm trying to be very careful with my FMLA so I get the maximum coverage for my time off, though my employer has assured me I wouldn't lose my job if I didn't abuse the privilege. I make every effort to miss very little work.

Thanks. I'll try the lemon drops. Having a problem with nausea today, though I AM at work. This is how bad it is...I had to throw away my Starbucks still half full because I just couldn't drink it any more!!! That has never happened... I'm hitting the peppermint teabags pretty hard. Already on my second 16 oz of making hot tea!

Vanmama, what are you taking for nausea?

If they dont work, please take the compazine: really no need to be nauseated!!!!

Sue, you are so right. Chemo is challenging enough without the additional challenge of being bald.

Vanmamma: try your anti nausea drugs. They will change your life for the better. My onc actually gave the first doses of the anti nausea med that I took just before the chemo. And for mouth and tongue sores some people find that sucking on ice or an ice pop during the chemo helps keep them away. I used acupuncture and it helped with many of my side effects. I hope that you soon will be able to enjoy your favorite Starbucks but must say that my sense of taste changed quite a bit while I was on chemo--I craved creamy everything-mac and cheese, tuna noodle casseroles etc and could not drink water or ice without being nauseated from them--so I used ginger candies and ginger beer (which is strong ginger ale) and did not make me nauseous. And once the chemo ended my usual tastes returned.

all the best to all of you gals in treatment.

Hugs

Mandy.