Anyone had chemo in afternoon?

Public Archive
1

Hi Ladies

I am about to start chemo this week. I am the TACT2 arm 4 trial so will be having accelerated one. Anyway yes as on a previous thread I do have to pay for my anti-sickness, anti whatever medicine as most peeps do in this area but also I have been told all my chemo will be in the afternoon. I know my first one is but I am going to try my best to book morning time for my next one.

I just wondered as I have seen mentioned that it is best to take anti-sickness tablets no later than 2pm as they keep you awake. Joy my first chemo isn’t until 2.30pm so I expect I will be climbing the walls that evening.Has anyone else had chemo in afternoon or told they will have to afternoon chemo?

I am being treated at Brighton.

Many Thanks

Paula

2

Hi Paula,
Just wanted to say hope all goes well with your first chemo next week. Can’t really help re the sickness meds as my chemo was in the mormning. i didn’t really get a choice as to time of day or never thought to ask) If you have it in the morning as least it is done with for the day but the downside is you have to battle through the morning traffic in Brighton which can take ages some days - also the car park clogs up quickly. if you get a choice try to avoid Mondays as these tend to be busy (especially after a bank holiday - only then the treatment is are shifted to the Tuesday)
try and enjoy this weekend and let us know how it all goes
cheers
caroline

3

Ive had chemo in the afternoon are you sure you mean the anti sickness? I was on the standard arm of tact 2 and they put you on steriods These are the ones that keep you awake, im not being patronising at all, most anti sickness make you drousy, have you thought about sleeping tablets? you might find you want something just to knock you out!!!

4

Hi Annamarie

Yes sorry I mean steroids…!!! Derrr…!!! I heard its those that keep you awake…now having another ??? moment.

So what part is the steroids?

See I have this brain even before chemo…!!!

5

Hi Caroline

Thanks for the info…My trial nurse has tried to accomodate me as to a day for chemo with regards to childcare etc so thats why I said either a thrusday or friday. However they are so busy at Brighton that this date the 27th was the first available, these was booked 2 weeks ago. She then told me that some people at the cancer centre have chemo all day so the morning slots are taken with these people and that is why I have to go for an afternoon.

I have spoken to a few girls who had treatment at Brighton last year and they said that did not apply to them so maybe this is a new thing…!!!

I am still going to try and get a morning one for next one…can only ask I guess…

Thanks Ladies enjoy those choccie eggs…

6

Hi
sorry you are worried about having your treatment in the afternoon. It depends on what dose of dexamethasone (the steroid) and how your body reacts to how wide awake or sleepy you are. Some of the anti-sickness tablets can make you feel sleepy and if you are concerned then you can ask for sleeping tablets.
Some hospitals are more accommodating than others with regard to treatment times and of course everyone wants the morning slots but now even though I am on a treatment that is 4 hours long and I have 3 children under 10 whose childcare finishes at 530pm and hubby doesn’t finish till 615pm, I still struggle to get an early morning appointment so I an sympathise with that.
Hope it all goes well - the first one is always worrying as you don’t know what to expect.
Kate

7

Good luck with your chemo. I am on EC but have dexam steroids and had my last treatment at 2pm, I got home, had a little sleep and then was in bed at more or less normal time, I think it varies from person to person, 2pm suits me as my husband leaves work at lunchtime and then is around to buttle for the rest of the day

Louise x

8

Hi Paula

My chemo slot is on a Wednesday at 3.30pm! Yes the dexamethasone anti sickness drug had me climbing the walls! Couldn’t sit still, relax or sleep and after 3 days felt awful. Spoke to chemo nurse in unit at Brighton and she said it was this drug making me feel like this and they will change it next time I go which is 2nd April. Might see you there one day!

Jacqui x

9

Hi Paula

I had no problems on dexamethasone, even with taking it quite late on the day before chemo as the results had not got back in time. And I had several chemo sessions 3.30pm or later. Maybe I’m too sleepy anyway! Or maybe it’s just the prayer.

Pauline x

10

Thanks Ladies

Hi Jacqui( brightonbelle) I have been wondering how you are? I did catch up on another thread of yours, how you feeling now?

I have mine the 27th then 2 weeks later as on the fast chemo of trial.

funny I was offered a weds at 3.30 but for me its just too late as trying to get back home from Brighton in rush hour ( chemo takes an hour approx to make up doesn’t it?) so thats why I opted for the Thursday.

Will see how I go …

Thanks again and keep in touch Jacqui…good luck

P xx

11

Hi Paula

I had chemo in the afternoon and the steroids had no effect on my ability to sleep at all. But someone else who had them at the same time as me was hyper and cleaning the house at 3.00 a.m.! guess it is all down to individual differences and you will have to see how it goes and ask for a change of time if it affects you badly.

Best wishes
Gwyn