Which days are the worst?

Hi...are you doing TC? Or ACT? I've been doing TC x 4. I've been very lucky and have had VERY MILD side effects. Days 1-3 are usually good because you're on steroids. Side effects usually come days 4 -6. So, you might want to plan your schedule so you have an infusion on Friday. That way you'll have three good days with your kids. Make sure you get the thread from the site on what you'll need during Chemo. I bought every single item on the list and was really well prepared. MOST IMPORTANT....DRINK, DRINK, DRINK. Water..,not wine

I would agree with Cathytoo above. The first couple of days I do not find hard at all really, the crash from the steroids usually make 4-6 more difficult and getting a chance to sleep while your kids are in school will be very helpful to you. Hope this helps and all the best

I do the AC treatment every other Friday. I find day 1-5 are the worst for me. I feel nauseous on the Friday Saturday I get the neulasta which once it kicks in I feel worse until day 5. I wake up on day 5 and feel 80% better. I feel like I have the flu nausea, achy, tired, pasty mouth,not much of an appetite. Once I get over those 5 days I'm back to normal

I am currently on day 5 of my first TC treatment (of 4). I have read all of the stuff I could about what to expect, but it isn't what I expected😳. For me, day 1 was rough. My infusion took 6-7 hours and they gave me extra Benedryl and an antinauseant. Those drugs were the things that made me feel dizzy and generally unwell. It was manageable though. Day 2 and 3 I had bad constipation (the worst I have ever had), body aches, headaches, tiredness, bad taste in my mouth. I was able to do a load of laundry and walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes however. Just had to rest in between. I took Senacot S to try and get things moving but it wasn't working and I had bad stomach cramps. yesterday, day 4, however, was very different. I slept almost the entire day. Couldn't keep my eyes open. It felt good to sleep though and the body aches were less. I had real muscle fatigue in my neck and shoulders and could barely lift my arms. This morning, so far i am dealing with headache, fatigue, achiness. I have read that day 4 and 5 are the worst. I am hoping so because it is hard to do this every day. It would be nice to be functioning again. Right now I am not.

Like many have written here, I found days 4 - 6 the hardest while on A/C & T (all dose dense). I had troubles with constipation and found tremendous relief from Senokot-S (i also started it the night before my chemo), around day 6 I usually started with diarrhea which was helped with Immodium, and yes, don't wait to start it. Drinking lots of water was really important, especially that first week post-chemo. The best thing I can share with you is to listen to your body, rest when it needs to and don't feel guilty about taking that time for yourself. For many taxol was much easier than A/C, but that hasn't been the case for me at all, I've struggled with blistering on my fingers and toes from the inside outwards and now my liver is struggling to clear the taxol despite a reduction in dose to 75% of the 'normal' dose. Each person is unique and therefore their side effects are also unique. Chemo is tough, just be gentle with yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help. Blessings,

Jacklin

Hi,

I had 6 rounds, Mine were every 3rd Monday. I had the neulasta shot every tuesday, began to feel the effects on Thursday. Chemo is accumulative, the 5th and 6th rounds were worse for me. Drink plenty of water. I drank 68oz per day while on chemo.

I just started last week. Cycle 1 of 6. Had chemo in the morning and went for a 4.2 mile walk in the afternoon. The next two days I felt nausea but did not throw up. Ate salted crackers , sucked on a few popsicles and chewed a few tums. All helped. So far I have been able to get my daily walks in as doctors said it helps alleviate side effects. Also doing a few house chores.Trouble sleeping however