Starting T/C Chemo June 9th need feedback on side effects

Hey Marge..chemo for me was bad. I got very sick the first two treatments. I changed Oncologists after the second treatment. My new doctor gave me a different type of of drugs and I didn't get as sick. I had 4 treatments all together. On or about the 7th day after each treatment I could tell I was not feeling well and all I could eat and drink for about 4 days was lemonade and lima beans and rice. My hair fell out the 17th day after my first chemo. That didn't bother me at all. God bless you Marge on your journey.

Marge, I too had 4 TC treatments. My experience was good even though I was very worried before starting. I had had bad experiences with seemingly 'harmless' drugs before, such as nexium and I used to suffer from weekly migraines. I was surprised that I had very little SEs with chemo. I had a splitting one day headache and swelling with the first infusion ( after 6 or 7 days) but in retrospect, I think the headache was associated with my periods. They stopped since the first infusion. The swelling might have been due to the steroids but MO had me take one benedryl for it and it resolved about an hour later. Didn't feel a thing with the 2nd infusion, I traveled and moved house on my 3rd and I did feel a little more tired on my 4th ( but could have been due to the move). I did experience weirdness in my taste buds after the last infusion but now 6 weeks later I had forgotten all about it. I did, however, discussed with MO about dropping most of my meds since I did not have many SEs. I think the meds itself can cause SEs. I did take claritin and that kept the achiness at bay.

I had no nausea, no chemo brain, only lost half my hair, 10% of my eyebrows and lashes, no stomach problems etc. The good part was that I no longer have my periods, no more migraines and my skin cleared up. I did gain about 10 lbs but have lost 6 already, keeping fingers crossed.

I believe everyone's experience is different and to just expect everything. I prepared for it by reading through the tips provided here on this forum and discussing with the MO about all my concerns. That way I feel I will be more in control and would know what to do when things happen. It also helped calm my fears knowing that there are options and treatments for the SEs.

Here's wishing you the best with your chemo.

That was the exact same chemo cocktail I did 5 years ago starting 7/11/11. I had relatively few side effects, continued going to the gym and work. Here are some good things to do:

take the nausea pill reguarly for the first 24-48 hours after chemo. Don't wait to get nauseous. The first 24 hours worked for me. I never got nauseous

drink 10 - 8 oz glasses of water each day for at least 7 days after chemo. I just started doing it every day, and still do

if prone to constipation, drink one glass of metamucil or similar fiber drink each day for 7 days after chemo

for 72 hours after chemo - rest. Let your body do what it needs to do. Sleep when you want to sleep. Be awake when you want to be awake.

take short walks every day or do some type of light exercise daily

eat/drink high protein foods. My favorite go-to was muscle milk, scrambled eggs, and peanut butter sandwiches

the tast buds going wacky was the worst side effect for me. The only thing that tasted good was sweets, and you have to be careful with those. I kept a bag of low calorie mints with me at all times. And I drank flavored water because regular water was yuk. Lemonade was good as well.

keep Benadryl and itch cream on hand in case you get hives. I only got them once.

use Nail Tek daily on finger and toe nails

Take Biotin and a probiotic daily

get a night cap for your bald head, if you tend to get cold easy.

Get a nice wig before losing her hair. I bought my wig to match my hair color and style almost exactly. No one whould have known I had lost my hair if I did not tell them.

I cut my hair very short before I began chemo, then shaved it when it started coming out in droves. You can expect to lose her hair 10-14 days after first chemo.

When I finished chemo I began using Ovation Hair Advanced Cell Treatment on my head. My hair has come back prettier and thicker than ever. I still use it 5 years later.

hook up with a group on this board who is going through chemo at the same time, with the same chemo cocktail. You will learn from each other as you go throught he process.