Well day 5 if first chemo and worst day yet! Felt like I’d been hit by a bus absolutely exhausted and since tea time have been suffering from bad bone pain, cannot seem to get it under control have rang helpline and they said to take ibuprofen which I have but doesn’t seem to be hitting it is there anything else I could take other than paracetamol ( no temp)? Grateful for any advice and/ or suggestions don’t think I’m going to sleep tonight
Thanks in anticipation
X
Hi Gaynor, just seen your post and I hope last night went better than you thought. I resorted to using both brufen and paracetamol simultaneously but it wasn’t enough to give me sleep. Last night I had 1 20mg cocodomal from my gp and that has made a huge difference as it made me sleepy too. The other things that helped me were heat and long warm showers where I did my post op exercise with the water running over the area. Getting outside helped too as it helped me mentally. The trouble with pain is that it gets you so down and so tired and then your capacity to cope drops and the pain feels even worse.
Be kind to yourself, have you tried relaxation exercises, mindful meditation? Not for everyone but if it is for you it will help. But above remember that it will pass - day 5 was my worst day of pain ( I can’t remember what you’re getting, I’m on FEC) and I found an old thread with people saying the same thing - they said it got better in 2 days and I can say that yesterday which was day 7 for me was so much better. Xx
Hi all. Had 2nd FEC 75 on 16th. Nurse said effects might be similar and not get accumulativly worse so was encouraged. It has been true to a point but am now being careful with mouth hygiene. Am doing salt rinses after eating. The inside of my nose is a bit sore too (yuc TMI). I am continuously managing headaches. I am getting a hair piece and a wig I think. Big bald patch on top. Feeling rubbish about the hair going. It’s already changing the face as am receding in hairline and around ears. I hope to keep brows and lashes!!! Had awful nightmares last night and am bored of feeling so not ME. I feel as tho am in a computer game. On the plus side def recommend Emend. And ginger beer. So much fizzy water. 1/2 pack of Percy pigs when shoe shopping with kids yesterday. I find it easier when I’m up and about, doing job (admin) from home busy during the day and then early bed. At least I feel as “normal” as I can if I function as normally as I can. I hadn’t anticipated how strange it would make me feel emotionally though. Tearful etc. and, is that because of the chemo drugs or the broader spectrum of “cancer treatment”. Ho hum! 2 down 4 to go. I have also googled Mindfulness; suggestion of my bro. Im not THERE with that yet totally, but seems as tho it will help a bit. Am feeling good today and so send all good feelings. Am so glad to have the thread to normalise everything. Thank you all xxxxxxxx
Joyce that really sucks about time away… In fact since reading your post I am already planning post-treatment trips. Some with family and some just for me. I’m going to become much more “high maintenance” I’ve decided. Lol. ?
Hi Ladies, just wanted to leave a quick note about chemo. I was diagnosed in march with IDC grade 3 her2+ ER- No lymph involvement. I have recently had my 4th chemo, 2 more to go! I just wanted to share that I have been great throughout, I have mild nausea, heartburn and headaches for the first 2-3 days then back to normal for the rest, it hasnt been accumulative so far. I keep positive throughout, keep active, don’t lie and dwell, eat and drink my way out of nausea, the worst u can do is to not eat, little and often if u can’t manage a meal. Drink loads of water and just keep pushing forwards, you can do it. I have 3 kids, 3, 5 and 14 and the only difference they see in Mum is a bald head! I make myself busy all the time, have done he race for life post 3rd chemo and am just organising a summer fete for a local cancer charity at the end of August. It’s doable if you keep strong and positive. Good luck with your treatment and keep striving forwards, it’s a small chunk of your life to make sure u will come out of the other side winning xxx
Hi Ladies. Not posted since I had my first FEC chemo. Which did not go too well, not a good patient! Blood pressure went very low and not sure if it was the chemicals or the cold cap that made me spaced out. I was sick at the Hospital and sick a further 3 times that night but following that just felt extremely nauseous. On leaving I was given Emend to take before I leave home for my next chemo and reading about this I am hoping I will not have the same experience as last time. I have downloaded the Mindful app as recommended and surprisingly it does have a calming effect and I now use the Breathing pause during the day.
Joyce11 - it must have been so depressing to have the chemo postponed, something I hadn’t thought of. I have my mind set on the dates and am just focussed on getting through them without delay. Were you recommended anything to increase your WBC? Also has the hair loss continued even with the cold cap?
Hopefullyholly - did you go ahead with the cold cap on your second chemo? My next chemo is 28/7 and after the last experience I had decided to ditch the cold cap but as time is drawing nearer I feel I want to give it another go. My hubby and friends have said not to bother but it is not them losing their hair and as Manicmum said when that starts I think it will hit me that it is really happening.
On my two good weeks I plan things to look forward to; I am becoming an expert in Afternoon teas which also means I need to do alot of walking and I go with one of my friends to Silver Screen cinema (not over 55 but we must look it to the young staff!) and enjoy a cup of tea, biscuits and whatever film is screened.
Good luck and a virtual hug to you all - we are all getting through this together. The posts on here keep me going knowing I am not the only one trying to bravely get through this. xx
Hi Ros
I asked if there was anything I can do about the WBC but there isn’t other than keep checking my temp. Apparently quite common and I hadnot really factored it into planning things - like husband’s diary to take me etc. Hair coming out ++ so sleep in a very attractive night cap - better than a mouthful of hair. Was going to go with the coldcap today but will seehow much is left by next week and if my new wig is good then might just shave off and coverup lol.
Hi girls, had PICC line fitted today, all good, nurse hit the right spot first time!
Ros, I didn’t have the cold cap for my second FEC on Friday, I’m afraid it just wasn’t for me but good luck with it, let us know how you get on.
I’m sorry you’ve had a tough time Joyce, just think about the fab holiday you’re going to get when this blip in your (our) lives is over!
Hi Potts, I think the thread here and others show how everyone is different and has different reactions to the drugs / side effects - just look at loulou, I feel tired just reading your thread, but it shows that chemo is doable.
Josie, I’d love to see a photo of you in that purple wig! I’ve promised my boys (3 adult sons and hubby) that we’ll have a family photo when I get my head shaved (all 4 of my boys are bald!).
Fanta, 2 down, we’re getting there… Best wishes everyone xx
Kobeobe7 - Did you go to the Headstrong appt? I have been wondering whether to book an appt as I need help and advice in scarf wearing. I have never worn any hats or scarves so complete novice. Do you also need to wait until hair loss occurs. I have noticed some head scarves have padding and some don’t, so need some tips. I just want to be prepared. x
Ros I did go for the appointment and was glad I did. There was a lady who had had breast cancer and a hairdresser there and just me. So it’s an individual session. They had a whole range of different headcoverings so I could try them all. Much better than trying to imagine what things look like on the Internet. They gave me a free scarf and also had a good range of scarves, sleep hats, buffs that they sold at cost price. It wasn’t a hard sell they were just there if you wanted to buy. So overall a very positive experience. Plus tips on how to manage the shedding and how to care for your scalp. You can go at anytime so before you’ve lost your hair or after. Also lots of scarf tying tips.
I’ve just had my first chemo today and am just trying to ignore the nausea which is definitively building. Banging head too. Lots of love to all xx
Hi Kobeobe
Hope you don’t mind me jumping in here to post the link to our Headstrong service in case other users are interested in finding out more about it too after your wonderful feedback:
breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/support-you/coping-hair-loss/coping-hair-loss
Best wishes all
Lucy BCC
Hi Joyce
I have just had a look and you can type in an area and it brings up a list of those nearest to it, these are the nearest to Kent but if you type in a more specific area it may bring others up you can access:
breastcancercare.org.uk/in-your-area/support-events?field_service=114
Hope that helps
Best wishes
Lucy BCC
Kobeobe - Thanks for the reply about Headstrong. It sounds just what I need. My nearest one is Preston so will give them a ring today. Hope the nausea isn’t too bad after your first chemo. It does pass after a few days; just keep taking all the tablets your given.
Mazzi - Think I will probably go for padding, like you say for volume. I have a Boehmia leaflet and it was when looking through that I hadn’t a clue what style to choose; never realised so much choice.
Wishing you all a lovely day and hopefully the sun will shine to make the day brighter. xx
Thanks for all the useful info about padded scarves-myflat one looks flat if you see what I mean. Has anyone experienced a sore scalp as hair drops - any remedies / suggestions - does it go once all hair gone??
Thanks for all the useful info about padded scarves-my flat one looks flat if you see what I mean. Has anyone experienced a sore scalp as hair drops - any remedies / suggestions - does it go once all hair gone??
Hey Mazzi, sorry to hear about your brother too, that’s so rubbish 
your right we all have different types of chemo but you’ll find breast cancer is treated either With FEC, FEC-T or TAX intravenously. It’s not so much a pain threshold, it’s about listening to your body and it’s needs every time and sometimes going against your symptoms to work out of them for example nausea can be made worse by hunger, force you body to eat often and you may eat yourself out of nausea. It works for me, just wanted to share little tips tyhat have helped me so far to get u all through. Lots of water for the first few day and try and keep pottering around if you don’t feel to ill, I find lying around only makes my symptoms worse Hope all your cycles are good ones and wishing you lots of luck with ur treatment ladies. Another 4 weeks and I’m through the chemo stage, radio and herceptin next, but the hard part will be over and it will for you all too before u know it 
xx
Hi, I’m now on day 7 after my 1st chemo (July 15th) and it’s my best day so far. Was completely knocked out for the 1st four days and I felt like had bad flu with a terrible hangover and shaky with what felt like a loud heavy heartbeat - hard to describe! I had that great anti sickness drug Emend for 3 days and seemed to be almost nausea free for most of the time. Then on Day 5 after chemo I felt so sick and ill that I couldn’t walk, drive or do anything but lie in bed! I have one DD age 10 and I couldn’t even go to the door to let her in after she was dropped home by a friend, I had to call my mum to come over to answer the door! My DH went to the clinic that eve and got some different anti sickness mess that worked, thank goodness! Today I feel drained of all energy, I got the tube to my appt to have my Port stitches removed and have more fluid drained from the site of my mx. Felt so exhausted had to call DH to come and get me in the car! But I don’t feel sick or drunk or like I have flu so it’s great! Hopefully from tomorrow things will be good - until the next chemo session! The doc today said they will tweak my anti sickness meds now they know how sick I felt and I’ll go home with better needs after the next chemo. Hello & good luck to everyone just going through chemo. I will go back and catch up with the thread now!
Baz x
Baz that all sounds pretty horrific for you. I hope you’re over the worst now. Now I’m feeling scared for Day 4 when I stop taking Emend! Xx
Hi! I had my first lot of chemo on July 16th, I’m having 3 FEC & 3 T. So far I think I’ve been quite lucky regarding side effects, very tired & naucous for the first 3 days but still able to function. I’ve enjoyed reading all your comments & the inspiration has helped me a lot!! I’m 39 with 2 sons 10 & 7 & a husband who has been amazing. I’m feeling better as each day passes & at the moment just feel like I’m waiting for my hair to go! I’m wig shopping tomorrow!! Anyway, thank you all for helping me through this rough time so far!! xxx
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