side effects you had on AC

Hi Hhuey,

I did 4 rounds of AC that started on December 16, 2016 every other week. I just finished my final chemo treatment on May 12th (12 rounds of Taxol with some Carboplatin). AC is a rough treatment. I had every side effect that the chemo nurse educated me about. I had treatments on Friday and felt really bad for about 7-10 days after - the worst being days 3 - 7 and then you slowly come out of it. I was fortunate to be able to work from home during my treatment. I don't think I would have been able to go into an office for that first week following treatment. Maybe the second week - leading up to treatment?

Best of luck to you with your treatment!

I did 4DD A/Cs neoadjuvant but my 12 weekly Taxol were adjuvant.

A/C was not bad - did not slow me down at all. Taxol was not 'nice' - I was completely and utterly EXHAUSTED the entire time basically existing either laying in bed or on couch in front of the TV.

The first A/C, the Adriamycin was started a bit fast for me and did develope a 'brain freeze' (like when you eat/drink something that's really cold too fast and it hurts). The RN slowed it down and brain freeze was quickly gone. Never had it 'brain freeze' again as they did the A. slowly for the next 3.

Of course, hair did 'go bye-bye' however only about 1/2 of eye lashes and brows left. I lost all sense of taste and smell. Nothing tasted good/bad/anything - just had no taste at all. Could not smell anything at all - flowers or skunk . Lost appetite - just never thought about eating at all. Hubby would call me several times a day to remind me to eat 'something'. Habit took over with drinking water though and it was not a problem to get enough - I'm a 'waterholic' and always have water close at hand.

I had no nail issues as I used OPI Nail Envy on them. Nails were actually better after Chemo than had been before.

Neulasta shots - only SE I had with them was almost to the minute, 2 hours post injection I would go to sleep for 2 hours.

Taxol - nasty! Started it 5 weeks after last A/C (UMX 2 weeks post A/C then 3 weeks til Taxol). Everything experienced with A/C continued. The hair that had not already fallen out did. No appetite, taste, smell but a couple of other issues developed - EXHAUSTION and very low temperature. For my Taxol infusions I had to have one of the glasses in cubicles with it's own thermostat and piles of warmed blankets piled on me to keep temperature above dangerous range ( I know that I was down to 94F ). 1/2 way through Taxol my K (potassium) level dropped drastically requiring mega doses of it (still have to take to keep K within normal levels) and LE developed.

Arm yourself with all the knowledge you can but remember that we are each UNIQUE. You will experience your own issues - not what anyone says you will.

Added: my TX plan was different than most who do neoadjuvant as 'usually' 2 different Chemo are done when neoadjuvant is used. Not me, I did neoadjuvant and adjuvant. It worked for me - Aug will be 8 yrs since DXd IBC and still 'here' and still NED.

Rebamcfan - I've had no liver (or kidney) issues but did develope Gall Bladder Sludge. (Yes - sludge is a correct medical term.). The only reason I know I had it was that I was starting Rads the week after last Taxol and the Rads Dr insisted on a new MRI with contrast (last one had been before starting neoadjuvant A/C so had one just before the last infusion. It showed the Sludge. As I understood it - it's caused by a lot of cells breaking down from Chemo and overloading the gall bladder. It can go on to 'go away' or form gall stones. A couple of years later I had another MRI and it showed that in my case, it had formed stones but I've never had any issues so - - I don't worry about it.

I had no issues with 'palpations' either. I was/am a very active outdoor woman so exercise is just part of my life. Yes - during Taxol I didn't do hardly any that I would normally have done but did make sure I did get some exercise.

Depending on age - 'brown spots' are just a part of ageing. I have a few small ones and that's what my Derm. tells me.

I was 63 when DXd and did TX - will be 71 next month. Still living and loving every day to the utmost.

My side effects included lack of appetite, had aches and pains similar to the flu, extreme fatigue, lost all my hair, had a terrible time thinking clearly (couldn't concentrate), liver enzyme numbers fluctuated, developed pneumonia and anemia, nausea, and, weirdly, everything I drank tasted salty - even water. I had a hard time staying hydrated because of it. Tried every liquid I could think of and ended up being able to tolerate grape juice and tomato juice. Yuk!

Fortunately for me, I am retired and did not have to work. I truly doubt if I would have been able to work. I'm in awe of those who manage to work, take care of children, etc.

hhuey,

sorry your having to go through this lady....I also had 4 rounds of AC every two weeks..My hubby drove me to every treatment..I had my infusion on Fridays...I felt bad day 1 - 7....My worst days were days 1 - 5.....I also had the flu like symptoms, extreme naseau(zofran/compazine saved me), my body ached, contipation...I got the nuelasta injection on Saturdays,..after the injection my bones hurt real bad...it was a feeling I have never felt before, I tried to take the claritin to keep from having the bone pain, but it didn't work for me like it worked for others...I didn't start feeling better til probably that Monday on my off week from chemo...I also worked the entire time...like everyone else says its a rough treatment, but working also was doable for me b/c I work in a pharmacy...but I wouldn't have been able to work if I worked doing hard labor..like in a plant...good luck to you...you will do great:)

DodgersGirl - Still low temp after 7+ yrs. Usually between 96 and 97f. Potassijm levels are kept in the 'normal' range with supplimental potassium daily. Occasional have to encrease it for a day or two. Thankfully my ankles let me know when low so I take extra. It is important to not just be taking potassium unless you know for sure that you are low as too much h of it can cause problems. Back during Taxol (12 weekly adjuvant), low temp started immediately but low potassium did 't start for 6 weeks.

I've always been colder than most anyway. My usual winter 'uniform' consists of 'thermies', a turtleneck under a sweater, sweatshirt or button flannel and of course jeans. Even during summer I always have to be sure I have a zip hoodie or light jacket to wear in stores or I 'freeze'.