Chemo starting in August 2018

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  • KLWilliams22
    KLWilliams22 Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2018

    BCSILVERLINING-sorry to heat you've had problems with side effects. Prayers that it starts getting better soon.

    I had my first chemo today. I received two IV nausea meds prior to chemo. Still had to use phenergan gel this evening for some nausea. I don't have to go in for shot since I got the nuepogen pod put on my arm that will give my shot tomorrow then peel it off and dispose of. I go back to work on Monday from surgery as well. I'm ready in some ways and then again, nervous now with chemo, especially working in a hospital. Luckily, I'm a nurse on labor and delivery and we don't see many sickpatients on our unit.

    Countdown is on!! 1 down, 7 to go...!

    Continued prayers for all of you!!!

  • cefinkc
    cefinkc Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2018

    Wow Meara! So sorry about the rash and headaches! So far no big SEs yet for me other than fatigue set in yesterday. Day 3 for me. I’m trying to keep ahead of any other SEs. No nausea yet, but still have the premeds in my system from chemo and I have been taking an Ativan before bed to help with insomnia (it’s also an anti nausea Med). Maybe will try to go for a walk later. Anyone else keeping up with exercise? Good luck to you and KLWilliams going back to work on Monday! I’m not going back till next Thursday, but have been working remotely to keep up.

  • MarlaM
    MarlaM Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2018

    Hi Meara, when I did chemo before, I got an itchy rash on my head. I used Aloe Vera gel - the kind you'd use for sunburn, and it really helped a lot. I I hope you find something that helps!

    Busy this week getting ready to start chemo on Tues. Had an echo on Monday, tissue expanders expanded on Tues, port placement on Wed, CT and bone scans yesterday and will be going in for my pre chemo labs in a few minutes. I feel like I should be an old pro at this, since I've already been through one round of chemo, but I'm nervous that I'll have worse, lasting SEs this time around. I don't go back to work until Sept. 5, so at least I have a couple of weeks after the first infusion to see how things go.

    Before starting chemo the first time, I went to a marijuana dispensery and got a THC tincture and a CBD tincture. I use the CBD a couple of times for relaxation, but never had to use either for nausea. I still have them to use if needed.

    Sending good vibes to everyone!

  • MoonGirlJess
    MoonGirlJess Member Posts: 267
    edited August 2018

    KLWilliams—I'm a nurse, too. I'm glad to hear you work on L&D. Not too many bugs there. How are you doing after your first chemo? I'm on 4 ACs and then 4 taxols. Same for you?

    Jess

  • j_bluesky
    j_bluesky Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2018

    Hello ladies,

    This is my first post here. I just started TCHP Friday 08/17. Long day - was there over 10 hours due to port not staying stable, therefore causing 1.5 hour delay getting started. I'm also using the Paxman scalp cooling system, which I had to stay hooked up to for 1.5 hours after treatment ended.

    I felt fine until last night. Really bad indigestion/heartburn and insomnia. Today I just feel like crap. Weak, fatigued, stomach aches. I'm supposed to work tomorrow, but dont foresee that actually happening. Ugh.

  • cefinkc
    cefinkc Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2018

    Welcome blue sky. Did you get your Neulasta shot yesterday? It kept me from feeling bad until Friday night (My first infusion was Weds). I’m also taking heartburn medicine twice daily and taking Zofran proactively for nausea. My BO also prescribed Ativan to take at night for nausea and is a sleep aid to boot.

  • keepmovin
    keepmovin Member Posts: 28
    edited August 2018

    I had first Taxol and Herceptin on Friday. Had some stomach discomfort yesterday bit took comparing and did ok. Today I’ve had no energy, feeling so groggy and now abdominal cramping. Didn’t expect to feel like this so soon after only one treatment. Thanks for the opportunity to complain a bit!

  • KLWilliams22
    KLWilliams22 Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2018

    MoonGirlJess-yes, looks like we’re on the same regimen. I’ve been pretty queasy but trying to stay on top of that with the meds and having heartburn and indigestion. I’ve also had a bit of fatigue, but just napped a lot over the weekend. I’m looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow, so we’ll see how that goes!

    Hope all of you are tolerating things well!! Continued prayers!

    Kelly

  • j_bluesky
    j_bluesky Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2018

    Thank you cefinkc,

    Yes, I got my neulasta shot Saturday night. I'm not sure if it made me feel worse or not. My bones ache (I took the recommended claritin and sieve beforehand). I took the prescribed Zofran yesterday and it helped with the heartburn and nausea. I still feel weak and like crap. I did not make it to work today. My boss says she didn't expect me today or tomorrow anyway. That helped ease my mind a bit. I just want to get back to normal.

  • cefinkc
    cefinkc Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2018

    Good to hear you have a supportive workplace, bluesky, so do I. We are on the same regimen (Taxotere/Carboplatin). My infusion was Weds, and today I feel like I’m turning a corner. Yay! Hopefully you will as well soon. I actually just sslloowwly trudged a mile around the block. I couldn’t even imagine doing that over the weekend as I felt like crap too. Keep on taking anti nausea meds proactively! Can’t wait to get my tastebuds back. Caro

  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited August 2018

    j_bluesky:

    I started TCHP in June. I was also hoping to be able to keep working but I just can't.

    I have been able to head off the acid reflux starting Prilosec four or five days before the dexamethasone. I continue the Prilosec for a few days after my infusion and then move to Zantac as needed to get off the Prilosec because I develop resistance and get rebound reflux to proton pump inhibitors so I can't stay on them long term. I usually only need the Zantac for 2 or 3 days at one pill per day, 150mg.

  • Tigerlily318
    Tigerlily318 Member Posts: 129
    edited August 2018

    Hi folks! I am just looking in as I start chemo at the end of August and started the September group but it has not really gotten going yet. I live in a state with legal recreational and medical pot and while I have never used it, I also have never had cancer. However I have learned that THC is not good for women with estrogen positive cancer and can make it a lot worse. I am still confused about oil but planning to stick with the meds and acupuncture during treatment. And the sanctioned supplements. Good luck to you all.

  • MarlaM
    MarlaM Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2018

    Hi Tigerlily, I had not heard that THC is not good for estrogen+. I picked up bottles of CBD and THC tinctures, but so far have only used the CBD a couple of times. It helps me to relax and sleep when I'm feeling anxiety. I'll have to do some research into the THC.

    First AC treatment today. I hate being on day one, with the unknown looming ahead of me, but I'm keeping a positive outlook that I won't have too many SEs.

  • MoonGirlJess
    MoonGirlJess Member Posts: 267
    edited August 2018

    I have a friend who is a cannabis researcher. He has a Ph D—wicked smart guy. He has given me loads of product. Loads of thc. The medicinal properties have really helped my AC go better the second time. I'm texting him now to see if he's ever heard of such a study.

  • Tigerlily318
    Tigerlily318 Member Posts: 129
    edited August 2018

    Good luck to you moongirljess, and glad it has helped you. there is a very good Facebook group, fighting breast cancer with cannibis. I encourage you to check it out. I am very new to all of this and since it is legal I looked into it but in talking to various people and medical staff I will not injest THC based on my characteristics. Here is one item circulating.

    https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/2017/08/31/breast-cancer-cannabis-and-tamoxifen-understanding-the-dangers-of-drug-drug-interactions/

  • j_bluesky
    j_bluesky Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2018

    Cefinkc: My goodness, at this point I can barely see me walking 100 feet, let alone a mile! Get it girl!

    Wc3: Luckily, the heartburn subsided after the first 2 days.

    Still no work for me yet. Today I had more strength and energy, but the stomach cramping is still severe. I can't eat a single bite of anything without pain afterwards. I've now also developed a rash on my chest and back out if nowhere. I also can't wait to have my tastebuds back.

    I'm thinking I may as well count this week out as far as work and try again next week. Ugh

  • cefinkc
    cefinkc Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2018

    Bluesky, please don’t be impressed, I tanked the next day and has to go get an IV. Ha. I’m so sorry for your cramping. I started diarrhea yesterday and today too. Yuckville. Also, I haven’t physically been back to work either —my infusion was on 8/15. Sigh. Sorry for the doom and gloom. Just can’t wait to have a good day! It’s day 8

  • keepmovin
    keepmovin Member Posts: 28
    edited August 2018

    j bluesky- be sure to take any meds offered by your MO. If they don’t offer, call and ask. Pepcid helped me a lot this week with bad cramping and keeping on a schedule for the Zofran and Compazine really helped too with the nausea. Also took some Milk of Magnesia that MOs nurse recommended when I called. I also found that keeping something in my stomach helped too. Eat smaller portions more frequently. I’ve only had one chemo so far but all this stuff helped. Next chemo is tomorrow- hoping same things will help! Good luck to you, take all offered help and ask when you need it!

  • j_bluesky
    j_bluesky Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2018

    Just checking in on how you ladies are doing!

    I finally went back to work today. After my MO calling in several different prescriptions, we finally found one that worked. I lost 10 pounds last week alone due to not being able to eat. Now I can eat just about anything, but it still all tastes absolutely awful. Awkward question, but... is anyone else having an issue with feeling like their breath is horrendous, no matter what they do? I'm paranoid talking too close to people and my mouth just tastes so gross. I brush twice a day, floss daily, use biotene rinse. What gives?

    cefinkc: Oh no! I'm so sorry you had to get an IV. I came close to that point until I finally got this diarrhea under control. How are you feeling now?


  • Livlife
    Livlife Member Posts: 50
    edited August 2018

    j_bluesky - I'm glad your able to go back to work! I work from home and need to finish some deadline but my feet wouldn't move from my bed to my desk. It's been 6 days post infusion. I'm just fatigue! I don't know if I'm just making excuse.

    So for the breath, though my kids and husnamdhaven't complained since I kiss them all day long, I think that's normal because you haven't been able to eat lately, the acid in the stomach causes it too and the dry mouth, do you produce enough saliva lately? Or just chew gum for the meantime. :-)

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

    Hi All,

    It came to our attention that there are two Chemo August 2018 topics! Unfortunately we cannot "combine" topics but we wanted to suggest that you consider moving your conversation over to Chemo starting 2018, to meet the others, as that thread already has 7 pages!!

    If you agree, we can then lock this thread, and you continue on the other? Maybe cut and paste some of your important questions.

    We wish this was easier, and that we could do it for you.


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