The balm you suggested arrived today and it smells so good! Thanks again x
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No promises, time will tell of course but ingredients are very similar to Polybarm, so definitely worth a punt as an affordable alternative. Iāve been using for a couple of days now 
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Hi @bluecat1 see copy of alert card @Shi mentioned just in case you havenāt got one. There may be local variations but pretty much the same info applies for A&E.
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I have a HEAT card which says also the same, should be treated urgently. I will raise with the chemo/cancer team.
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How are you all doing ladies?
I know weāre all at different stages but I do hope youāre all managing and getting help/support if needed.
Happy Easter holidays 
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Iām im Scotland and not given one of those cards, might just be in England.
I started chemo yesterday, cold cap and infusion was absolutely fine and got out around 1.30pm. Started to feel a bit nauseous at 5 and quickly felt very nauseous and tired. Had to force myseld of have a couple mouthfuls of dinner so i could take my tablets. So slept most of yesterday evening and throughout night and feel completely fine this morning. Wanted to ask if anyone else had the same and if thats its (for a few days anyway) or will this come and go over the first few days? Also Iāve been given anti sickness tablerts for 5 days so is it really the first few days it affects? Thanks Y
Good morning! @yjmc
You must feel better having got the first one done. Iām having EC infusions and got a fuzzy head about 1hr after infusion but that lifted by nighttime. I was given 3 days of prescribed anti sickness tablets but also another box to take only if needed. I was also given 24 steroids tablets to gradually reduce over the next 5 days.
Iāve not needed to take any additional anti sickness tablets thankfully.
I know some ladies are also having daily injections with EC but Iām not? They do seem to have had a much tougher time with side effects?
I was told by my BC nurse NOT to take constipation medicine unless absolutely necessary so I left it a few days. Mistake!! Definitely take from Day 1, I will do next time.
I took 1-2 paracetamol each night before bed just in case aches and pains started and to help sleep.
Thatās my feedback so far. One size doesnāt fit all. Weāre all going to have different experiences to share. I send you love & good wishes.
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Hi thats great, thanks for the info, Iām on ec every 2 weeks for 4 times then Paclitaxel every 2 weeks for 4 times. Yeah Iāve been Filgrastim injections to take for 7 days but dont start till day 3. I never thought about reducing the steroid tablet, Iāll keep to the dosage this week and see how i get on. I dont have constipation tablets, Iāll need to get some! How are you feeling?
I think itās the nausea tablet (in my case Ondansetron) which causes the constipation.
I just happened to have Fybogel in the house so used that.
I bought Gaviscon but havenāt needed it yet.
Iām feeling OK (Day 6) and certainly count my blessings. I know some ladies on here are having a tougher time. 
Itās definitely a steep learning curve and we are all different. Iām absorbing as much information as I can on this forum.
Iāve now started reading up on radiotherapy in advance of the next step. 
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Hello @stafford22! How would you compare your first infusion v second? Same? Worse? Iām thinking my body wonāt be as strong to deal the next one so side effects may be worse? Iām going to request a 20% reduction anyway. Just thinking out loud.
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I would say the 2nd one is taking longer to bounce back from even with dose reduction. Itās mainly the fatigue. Iām now on day 11 and Iāve been shopping this morning but Iām now v tired so Iām back in bed. Itās the sort of tiredness that you need to go to bed and not just the sofa. Hope that helps x
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Well if Iāve not lost at least 4lbs after resolving my constipation issue, Iām going to be extremely miffed!!
Sorry, had to be shared. 
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@yjmc providing I took the anti sickness tablets for the 5 days I was ok, though started laxido on day 1 as I knew the anti sickness meds would make me constipated xx
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haha, i was hoping to lose weight through hair lossā¦no such luck
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I was saying to my husband yesterday that im eating the same but my belly is getting so big and bloated!
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Helpā¦ do any of you know if itās normal for your whole lymphatic system to swell up after a full clearance?
I had surgery on Thursday (my chemo was cancelled while they check my lymph nodes) and I have a drain thatās working but Iām gradually swelling up.
A nurse was supposed to call me daily afterwards but no one has. I must have been missed off a list. I canāt get hold of anyone but will try 111 next.
I donāt want to spend a day in A&E if this is normal but maybe itās not. Any ideas? Thanks, Kath x
My next scheduled oncology catch up is a phone call on 22nd May, so well after my second EC. I am obviously not getting a monthly catch up. I will call the team before my next EC 8th May to give feedback.
I thought about tapering the steroids too but read yesterday that it can be risky particularly during Nadir phase due to increased susceptibility to infections. Steroids can suppress the immune system.
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Happy Easter everyone.
Can anyone help me with timescales although I know every hospital will be different.
I had my oncologist appointment 10th April , they took bloods, weight and height.
Told me my chemotherapy which is Paclitaxel weekly for 3 months along side Herceptin every 3 weeks for 1 year will start in approximately a couple of weeks. Radiotherapy following the chemotherapy.
The only contact Iāve had since the 10th is a letter confirming a telephone review appointment for 6th June and also an appointment for an echocardiogram on 29th April.
Do you think the chemotherapy will start soon after the echocardiogram?
I was told Iād be shown round the chemotherapy ward too and theyāll discuss cold cap with me.
Sorry for my long post, just finding the waiting making me feel more anxious. Just want to get started so I can get finished.
Hope you all doing well, love to everyone x
Hi @erica, not sure if it is the same everywhere but I had an echo on Thursday and start chemo next Friday. I have a face to face meeting with the oncologist on Weds to sign consent etc and then a phone call with chemo nurse later that same day. I am also having a PICC line put in on Tuesday. Busy week ahead!
Hope you get some clarity soon xx
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