Starting Chemo in October 2015

jclc...you're not the only one here! I've been reading all the posted comments, but I just haven't had the time/energy to post anything this week since I've been trying to play catch-up at work. I was also bloated really bad this past week, along with diarrhea. When I went to my MO this week, I had lost 6 lbs in 7 days, which I'm not concerned about since I've gained 20 lbs when I was diagnosed in July and started stress eating! Does anyone else really have issues with food right now? It seems that sweet things are now too sweet, and I have to be really careful cooking and using spices! Since my taste is off, I seem to either over-season or not season enough! My poor husband has been wonderful and only complained once! Too much garlic he said!

Livingthis...I do have the bone pain from the Neulasta shots. That's part of the reason I haven't been on this week. My shot last Friday just did me in on Sunday/Monday! Well, that and the fatigue was really bad this treatment. All my joints/thigh bones/shin bones felt like I had the flu or growing pains! They just ached and, of course, the weather really didn't help either. It's been gray and rainy here in Georgia the last few days.

Artista...I start taking Claritin 24 hrs before the shot and all the way through for at least 3-4 days, but the pain still gets me!

Quick question...has anyone developed folliculitis on your scalp? Mine just made its appearance this morning. It's just red bumps that are kind of sore, but not itchy, which itchy seems to be the major point of folliculitis.

I had very severe bone pain with the first neupogen shot, but none since. I take Zyrtec every day for allergies and my MO says that is why I don't have the pain. Could be.

Food is a real problem. Nothing tastes good. I have the very strong metallic taste in my mouth. I use plastic utensils most of the time to try to fight that. I've had issues with mouth sores that has prevented me from eating much of anything, but I think I've finally moved past that. I try to eat small meals all day, that way I don't get too discouraged that it doesn't taste good. I had a chocolate shake from Chic Fil A the other day and it was awesome!! Sometimes I just hit on something that tastes good!

I was a little bloated this week also, but I figure that is probably due to the steroids and it will drop back off next week when I am too tired to eat. My off weeks are my bad weeks. My white count drops and I find it hard to get off the couch. I make myself eat and drink and that is about it. The neupogen shots eventually get me back up to where I can get my next treatment, but it is a week long process.

Hang in there everyone!!!

This morning has definitely been my worst since starting chemo.

Food is really a problem for me too ncsue927. I have been trying to "graze" all day and not get hungry but I couldn't manage any dinner last night. Even water doesn't want to go down.

My mouth has not been too sore. I have been making my own mouthwash using a "recipe" my breast nurse gave me.

Seems to be working.

Feeling very fatigued this morning. Have to have my bloods checked on Wednesday. Suppose I will be given Neulasta if it's too low.

I notice everyone says they take Claratyn/Bendryl type mixtures to help with bone pain but for those who take meds for High Blood Pressure; what do you do? I take BP meds and cold and flu type meds and antihistamines are not recommended.

Had my second Neulasta shot on Wednesday. I start taking Tylenol the day before and then twice a day, for a few days after the shot, and I am tolerating the injection well. The only thing I couldn't tolerate was seeing my insurance's EOB for my first Neulasta shot, which came in the mail today. The insurance company was being charged darn near $12,000.00 for one injection!!

Thanks for the info Jclc83. Will have to ask my Dr about it. I prefer Ibuprofen but nurse says Paracetamol is better for me.

Every professional seems to have a different opinion. Sigh. The steroids mess with my blood sugars.

OMG biscuits; that's criminal. The greed of the big Pharma's sickens me. It's all about $$$ not people.

So glad I don't get to see accounts like that here in Australia. Just go to the Cancer Centre or hospital, have the shot and sign a Medicare form. The insurance, billing side of it is a stress I don't need.

My MO prescribed Claritin D. I wonder why some say the D version and others say the other? I didn't have bone pain from the Neulasta shot on my first round of AC.

On another note, my hair started falling out in clumps today. (Day 16) Between clients, I would pull as much hair as possible off my cardigan lol By evening it was looking much thinner. I put a hat on when running errands this evening.

So girls, tomorrow started my second chemo. Yesterday hat my husband my hair cutted. My long hair- end . It is cold on my head.

Let's see how tomorrow will. Many greetings to all and remains strong.

My hair came out by the handful yesterday (day 10 after 2nd round of AC) so I went to the salon and had it buzzed. I didn't look as bad as I thought! It made me laugh. Maybe I should join the military now that my head is ready. Pity I am too old! 

  I put on my wig with a fedora hat over it and it felt secure and did not look half bad! I have a wonderful crocheted cap made by a family member and lots of sleep caps. Today I will try wig #2 - different style and color....just for fun! I might as well enjoy this phase...it is temporary...

Lots of love and prayers to everyone in the group who is having a tough day. May tomorrow be better!

Well let me explain Andraxo. I know we all have our lives and treatment to deal with. Living takes time. Surviving and fighting takes time.
Personally, I come here for support , discussion and friendship. Sometimes it's twelve or 24 hours between posts. This October group is slower than other rooms I have seen. Often, when I post something, no one even responds. I feel like I am the only here most of the time. I guess it's just the way things are. I'm not complaining, just my observation.

Just got notice from my insurance company that I have a new claim. I went online to see that my MO just submitted a claim for 10/1 to 10/31/15 for $69,132.00! Geez, could you imagine NOT having insurance and having to fight this dreaded disease!? I can't view just yet exactly what he's charging for, but you can bet I'll keep an eye out on it! Besides regular office visits, I had only 1 chemo treatment and 1 shot of Neulasta. Can't wait to see what he's exactly charging for!

I won't argue BUT anyone can look up Tylenol and its effects onthe liver. Plus the added injury of chemo drugs and hepatotoxicity. I know all about the ALT and the AST and a CMP. And I' d rather take Ibuprofen.

I am half way thru my chemo. Taxol weekly has certainly been more gentle than the regimes that most of you are on but it is beginning to catch up with me. My kidney function is falling rapidly. I am now afraid I may wind up on dialysis before I finish the taxol. I don't know if herceptine affects the kidneys but I will be on it for a year. My red cells are showing the effect of the renal failure and I feel really crappy.

On the positive side, I attended one of the American Cancer Society's "Look Good/ Feel Better" make-up classes. I am still amazed at the wonderful department store cosmetics I was given along with a class on how to apply it.

Mamabexar, did you have any issues with your kidneys before this at all? Now I'm scared of taxol! Herceptin shouldn't affect yur kidneys, just your heart. Are they talking about stopping the taxol?

I did the look good feel better class as well, it truly was over 400 dollars of makeup!

jclc83 - I also on here for the same...support, discussion, and friendship. I live alone (thankfully with 2 dogs) and my entire family lives on east coast (I live in the SW for past 18 years). I'm in a loving and supportive relationship, but he lives five hours away. My coworkers are really great (they leave every few years since this is a duty station so it's hard to have any local lasting friendships), but you are the only people who really understand what I am going through. I am so thankful! I tend to keep to myself and do most things solo to begin with, but I still need to know I'm not alone in this. You are the only ones who quiet the little voices in my head that are trying to tell me that this will kill me.

I notice sometimes there is a flurry of activity on the blog and then quiet for a couple of days. Seems normal to me and follows life patterns, but I'm not on other boards aside from occasionally chiming in on an exercise thread (because I sometimes feel bad posting my exercise here when many are struggling to have energy for day to day tasks) and I posted on a thread on cold capping (since I failed cold capping and hoping someone would learn from my failure).

MamaBexar - happy you are halfway, but the kidney issues are very concerning. I hope they have a solution for you!

I also went to a Look good/Feel better class last month. I was disappointed that most of the cosmetics, though high end, are pretty toxic. The instructor discouraged people from using false eyelashes or brows because the glue is toxic. Uh...most make up is made with toxic substances too. That is just as significant, but wasn't acknowledged. I don't usually wear any make up anyway, but I am touching up my thinning brows some days.

Today's my last day to spend time with my mom and sister. Hopefully I'll get to see them again within 6 months, and not a year.

Feeling pretty well, hope you all are too!

Xoxo