Hi…had my first chemo on Monday…no sickness due to strong tablet just nausea for first two days, then bad heartburn and gripey but can cope.started taking the mouthwash they gave me…now i’m asthmatic so wonder if its that thats made me very breathless the last two days and yesterday all the skin has come off my mouth in big chunks…have stopped the mouthwash for now.managed to go to work this morning but am feeling scarily spinney and unco-ordinated…didnt dare stay in shops for long as i feel i cant work straight.Cant believe that only a couple of weeks ago i was racing round, working, shopping, exercising etc etc! I feel like an old person! Can anyone tell me if these things are common…will it just be adjusting meds? I’m a bit scared particularly the spaced feeling.i gave my next clinic appointment on Wednesday.this is sooo much to take in, i just hope i’m strong.oh…still no pooh…have bought some softeners and suppositories.
Hi Treeze,
I’m so sorry you’re having so many side effects, unfortunately many of us do 
First up, did you know there are monthly chemo threads on this forum so that everyone who is having chemo starting in a particular month can get support from others in the same boat? It would mean a much more rapid response when you’re having trouble. This is the July thread: forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Chemotherapy-monthly-threads/July-2016-starters/td-p/1026259 It’s a lively one so I’m sure you’ll get lots of support there.
I’m glad you’ve got your clinic appointment on Wednesday. Right a list of ALL this symptoms down and make sure you mentione them all because there will be adjustments that can be made to your meds to help combat them. Constipation is a big problem - it would be worth calling your GP about that as it’s been going on a long time and needs addressing. I would carry on with the mouth wash as with the lining of my mouth shedding it will need extra protection from infection. Are you taking your tempreture? If it’s at all abnormal, call your chemo hotline number - I’ve had to call them more than once and they’ve been incredibly helpful.
Hope that helps,
B x
Thank you…still breathless but slightly less spacey.used some motilium and went to the loo this morning…just worried about my asthma and peeling mouth and scalding heartburn! Bought some moisturizing mouth wash at boots but at least appointment on Wednesday so i’ll mention everything then.was in a dark place last night sitting on my own thinking but a bit better now.hopefully the struggle will get easier…i can do this cant i 
x
Hi Treeze,
The dizzyness/lightheadness/breathlessness is quite normal I think. Are you on FEC? About a week after my first FEC I was quite breathless when walking and felt a bit dizzy at times. It can be to do with your red blood cell count dropping and you can develop aneamia. Luckily I don’t think it lasts too long in most cases and once your body starts to repair itself after each treatment these side-effects tend to go.
I was really concerned about mouth issues and used a mouthwash called Gengigel. It’s available from Boots but not cheap, around £8 a bottle, but apart from the odd small tongue ulcer and funny taste I had no problems at all.
I’m almost six months on from my last chemo and feel pretty good now.
Wishing you lots of luck with your treatment.
Ruth xx
Yes i am on fec.thanks ruth thats good to know xx
Treeze sorry to hear about your indigestion. Miserable isn’t it? Try gaviscon 20ml 3 times a day, if that doesn’t work add ranitidine & if those two don’t work get omeprazole or lansoprazole from your onc. The latter cleared mine in 24 hours. Also try not to eat spicy food or drink coffee or alcohol whilst it’s bad. Milky drinks might help. Re the mouth, I found the mouthwashes & bonjela were too strong for me during chemo & actually caused more peeling & ulcers. They recommended soluble aspirin mouth rinses for comfort & salt water washes to avoid infection. The latter aren’t that nice but did work. I also think something on prescription would help like mucilage or gelclair. Ask your hospital today. Big hugs. Good thing about mouths is that they tend to heal up reasonably fast. Take care & well done on getting your first one done. xx
Ps try taking ibuprofen days 3-5 on your next cycle & avoid any sharp/crunchy foods days 3-5 like crisps/toast etc.
Thanks.today after only going for a poo intermitently so far i cant stop! Looks like mud dropping out of me! Hope it stops for clinic later.i’ve added movicol and more high dibre cereals which normally i’d never need with my ibs.x