Just started chemotherapy

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vand
vand Member Posts: 2
edited February 2018 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi, new here -- just started chemotherapy this week (PERTUZUMAB + TCH, every 3 weeks). The first couple of days were tolerable. Yesterday, and today, however, have been a complete drag -- feeling hungover, achy and just yucky all around. I'm curious -- does this improve over the course of the 3 week cycle? I'm scheduled to return to work next week, and I can't imagine working feeling like this. Any info on what to expect would be helpful. Thanks!

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  • VVV
    VVV Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2018

    Hey- currently doing the same chemo. For me, I think around days 3-6 are the worst and after that I start feeling progressively better and by the last week I feel pretty good again. I've had three treatments so far and the first one was by far the worst one for me in terms of how I felt and the length of time I felt bad for but I still spent the last week before infusion feeling good.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2018

    Hi Vand-

    Welcome to BCO! We hope you find this community to be a source of support and encouragement as you continue with your treatment. We have monthly chemo groups that you might find helpful, just other members on the same schedule as you, where you can all support each other and trade tips! Here's the link for the February group: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...

    The Mods

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited February 2018

    Can you change your chemo day so you feel lousy over a weekend, then be able to work? Yeah, it’s a bummer to wreck the weekend, just a thought.

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  • cse70
    cse70 Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2018

    Keep a diary about daily symptoms. That way, you know what day you feel nausea, what day you have diarrhea, etc. Then, you know what to expect after each treatment. You can do this!


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  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited February 2018

    I had TCH, and the amount of days I didn’t feel good (like, couldn’t leave the house) in a three week cycle ranged from 6 to fifteen days. It got progressively worse for me, partly because I lost 20 lbs and got weak. I worked two days a week. Some people work full time, but I couldn’t have. There was no recovering over the weekend for me! And I was pretty healthy and energetic before starting. Don’t want to be a bummer, but want to give you a realistic view of the range of possibilities.

    I hope you have minimal side effects and can do what you need/want to do!



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  • Debsmisto
    Debsmisto Member Posts: 171
    edited February 2018

    Hi vand and the rest of you girls in this thread I am on the exact same regimen to started mine yesterday so of course not feeling any of the worst side effects yet I am scheduled off work for one week after each chemo treatment but I'm afraid that won't be enough I'm a hair designer on my feet the whole time no lunch breaks so who knows. Come join us girls in the starting chemo February 2018 group lots of wonderful girls there and we're all on the same track at the same time

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  • Debsmisto
    Debsmisto Member Posts: 171
    edited February 2018

    PS I think the crash on days 4 5 and 6 come from coming off the steroids also none of it's great but we can get through this. :-)

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited February 2018

    I did my first round today anxiously awaiting

    Has anyone else heard this regime of chemo thins hair not does not complete make it fall out? I was told by a very young nurse tonight my hair would thin but not fall completely out however EVERYONE else including MO told me expect total hair loss... I'm confused 🤷♀️ No

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  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited February 2018

    I was told it would all fall out. It did. But today I am 3months PFC, and am getting a haircut Sunday.



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  • vand
    vand Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2018

    Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I'm (cautiously) relieved to say I woke up this morning feeling significantly better than the last 2 days. Fingers crossed -- I hope this is the upswing of this -- I couldn't imagine working or just having to deal with the constant yuckiness for more than those 2 days. That was horrible.

    As far as hair goes, my oncologist told me "hair thinning" as well, but the nurse did say everyone reacts differently, so I'm not sure what to expect. I have cut my hair shorter in the meantime to help with any transition. I have little ones so although they miss playing with my long hair, they really liked the "cool haircut".

    If things continue to improve -- I can definitely do this!

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