Starting TC chemo next week and need advice on meds

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OneKT
OneKT Member Posts: 5
edited February 2019 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hello friends,

I am so happy to have found this site. It's so useful. Has anyone taken Filgrastim for WBC? Any tips? I see there are tips to take Claritin for another similar type med but don't know if that works for this one. Also, can I take Powderlax (Target generic for Miralax) instead of Senokot? I was prescribed Ondansetron for nausea/vomiting. Onc said to take it 2 days after chemo. Should I take it earlier? Is milk or milk product like Glucerna okay during chemo, or does it upset stomach? I am not lactose intolerant. If you have had side effects and have tips to share, I would really appreciate it. I am pretty scared as I am very sensitive to meds all my life. To those survivors newly diagnosed to years in remission, thank you, you are not alone and you are loved. Thanks in advance.

Fellow cancer survivor.


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  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited February 2019

    Look into Fasting Mimicking... Many posts by me on this site if you search. It is helpful to diminish SEs of chemo. You eat very lightly for 5 days, beginning 2 days prior to chemo day.

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  • DebAL
    DebAL Member Posts: 877
    edited February 2019

    one KT, I'm sorry you find yourself here. It's normal to have so many questions. You will find lots of good advice on this forum. You could also write your specific questions down and talk to a nurse at your infusion center.

    I was very fortunate and got through TC with virtually zero to minimal side effects. 2 days after treatment was my "yuck" day. Tired but couldn't sleep, hungry but couldn't eat, sad but couldn't cry. Just an off day.

    I kept a log for each round of TC. Hydrated well before and after treatment. I never needed the zofran for nausea. I felt fine. Be sure to take any premed as directed. You should be given some IV prior to your chemo. I did take regular clartin throughout chemo for bone pain with neulasta. I had no bone pain. Walked 3 miles daily including day of chemo. I found it very doable and just took day of and 2 days after then back to work

    I know you are scared but you may find it's not nearly as bad as you are thinking. Keep track of any side effects and when they happen so you can make needed changes on the next round. We are here for you. I will bottle up my experience and throw it your way. Take care!

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  • pingpong1953
    pingpong1953 Member Posts: 362
    edited February 2019

    OneKT,

    Filgrastim is the generic name for Neupogen. I took it for 8 days during every chemo cycle, and I stayed pretty healthy. I took Claritin (I bought the generic) and I didn't have any bone pain. (I should say that I took the Claritin starting the second cycle, because I really had bone pain during that first cycle without it!) My neupogen came in pre-filled syringes that had to be refrigerated. I suggest taking the syringe out of the fridge about 30 minutes before the injection - that way it doesn't hurt. It's a bit uncomfortable injecting cold liquid into yourself. As far as the nausea, etc is concerned, take all of the premeds exactly as ordered and you should be pretty good. I did have some nausea a few times but they had prescribed a separate "just in case" anti-nausea med that worked. My biggest problem was fatigue and there's no quick fix for that. When it comes to food, I found it best to just eat what was appealing. For some reason I liked cold food best. I even went on a vegetarian sushi binge for a couple of months!

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  • Jenkins00
    Jenkins00 Member Posts: 144
    edited February 2019

    i have my second round of TC tomorrow and water, water, water and walking are key. Meds are important especially at the first sign of nausea. Don’t wait. This was stressed to me by the nurses and my MO. Protein is also important. Any issues let your MO know they hve an arsenal of meds to help with SE’s. Good luck!

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  • OneKT
    OneKT Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2019

    Thank you so much everyone for your advice and support. I really appreciate and will take it all! Very helpful. May your days be good and as comfortable as can be

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