CMF Question

Hi again,

Newest side effect: ascites. Fluid-filled bloating of the abdomen. I look like I swallowed a semi-filled giant water balloon.

I looked it up and it's the first SE to scare me. I know I should call the cancer center, but I'm afraid they'll tell me to go to the ER. It's late, my evening meds will put me to sleep in about half an hour, my hair is dirty, and I just don't wanna go!

But it could be a sign of something serious, liver or heart problems, or some kind of problem with protein. I don't know. I don't really want to know until morning.

NCbeachgirl.  You okay today?

is anyone starting CMF or recently started? All the forums are old....

Good morning TineandJoe!

What specific questions regarding side effects do you have? My experience with CMF was that there are definitely some GI issues to deal with and we all have different experiences. I experienced fatigue that increased with the number of infusions. My hair thinning starting after my second infusion, but no one really noticed but me and my hair dresser. There are some good shampoos that you can use. I believe my hair dresser recommended Nioxin. I also experienced some nausea, but if I kept up with the anti-nausea meds, it was usually tolerable. If I was going to get a Neulasta shot the next day, I started taking Claritin about 3 days before my infusion and 2 days after to help combat the bone pain.

I did experience blood clots, but that had more to do with the port than anything else, but if I wasn't having chemo, I would not have had the port.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask.

Hi Tineandjoe! I finally decided to register so that we could go through CMF together! I had my first treatment on 5/31 and my second treatment on 6/14. Side effects wise they both treated me about the same though I think it took an extra day to feel "normal" with the second one. I feel pretty good today. My main thing was fatigue and lack of appetite. It's tough to get all the fluids down though I found iced, lemon herbal tea to be the easiest. I didn't really have nausea but my stomach felt a bit "off" a few times in the couple of days following each treatment so I took the med I was prescribed and felt fine. I was a little constipated the first time and my MO said prunes, so I've been having them daily and it has helped - fortunately I like them! My main worry is actually my veins. Both of the veins they have used feel bruised and there is now a little knot on the first one. I hope I've got enough left for four more treatments. I'm going every two weeks with a Neulasta shot the day after chemo. That has been OK too - stiff neck and shoulders and some tenderness in those areas which feels like overworked muscles - but no real pain.

I hope you've done OK with your first round.

I had 8 CMF infusions and did not lose my hair so I can't help there and am sorry that you are going through this.

I am on Aromasin right now and have gained so much weight and hate it. Hot flashes still happen regularly and libido is pretty much on-existent. I think if I could lose some weight and feel better about looking at myself that some libido would return.