TC 4 treatments,

Sorry you had such a difficult time with your first TC infusion. My first one also landed me in hospital for 4 days though I didn't experience any vomiting at all. In addition to the anti nausea meds with the infusion I took oral meds religiously. I didn't wait until I needed them. Did you take steroids for a couple of days before and after chemo? And did you have Neulasta the day after your infusion? I didn't have Neulasta with the first round but did each round after that. I was still very ill after 2 & 3 and I did end up at the hospital but was able to avoid admission. I required antibiotics for all but the last infusion. Number 4 was my "easiest".

My hair started to fall around day 14 and by day 17 I couldn't stand it and had my hubby buzz my head. You may experience some tingling on your scalp or some tenderness particularly around the crown. That usually indicates the beginning of "the fall".

Thinking of you and wishing you the best. Please feel free to private message me if you would like to. Hugs Donna.

Hi tishabe:

Please contact your oncologist's office tomorrow, and remind them of what happened with your first round. Request that your MO review the supportive medications you received before, during, and after the first round of TC treatment, including the prior anti-nausea and/or anti-emetic drug(s), which were not effective. Ask them to take any necessary steps to implement any recommended modification(s) in supportive medication in the next round, to help you avoid a repeat if possible.

Best,

BarredOwl

Hi, just diagnosed, waiting for my first Chemo treatment on Monday 12/19.  Hoping to get past Christmas before the side effects start...any chance of that..????

Hi Gsquared,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. This is a great community to mine for information and it has been hugely helpful just to know what others have experienced. I too am relatively newly-diagnosed. I am getting ready to do my 4th AC treatment on the 19th. I found the first 2 to be better than expected. My nausea was well-controlled with the meds - there is a steroid and anti-nausea med. The main symptoms I had after the 1st session was fatigue and constipation, the latter I controlled with drinking prune juice (yuk! but at least not another drug!). They key is to take the anti-nausea medication if you have even a hint of nausea so you can ward off further progression. The symptoms kicked in around the 3rd day post and by 5 day post I was feeling more normal. I also had some taste changes but not the metal taste everyone warned me about - more just everything tasted very bland. By week #2 that seemed to be normal again. Treatment #3 was harder - I heard it would be - as the med accumulated. Overall, the symptoms have been better than I had anticipated.

Wishing you a positive first experience. I was given a Xanax to take pre-infusion which helped me feel less anxious. By treatment #2 I didn't feel I needed since I knew what to expect.

I'm thinking you will be able to enjoy the holiday season even though you are going through this Thoughts and prayers for a good treatment process.