Hi Sunflower
I was recommended E45 lotion for the dry skin. I started slapping it on a few weeks before I started chemo and every day since and so far skin had stayed nice and soft and not dry. Again on recommendation I’ve also been using a different shower gel - Sanex 0% kids - this has no soap, colourants or parabens (whatever they are) so this may also be helping.
Worth a try maybe
Sue x
Let me know it helps Sunflower
At LGFB they recommended Aveeno too. I have been using E45 shower emulsion as well as E45 lotion. Kx
Hi Lovely Ladies,
Thanks for the top tips for dry skin……….and welcome to LaLa and Val!
I’m having my 2nd of 3 cycles of FEC today so if last time is anything to go by I will brace myself for a crappy week……but safe in the knowledge that it is only temporary and I have better days to look forward to!
Look after yourselves…
Cat x
Good luck Cat
I actually found the se a little easier the 2nd round so don’t give up hope ?
Sue x
Morning ladies
One week on from 2nd EC. I think I feel better and more positive than same time last round. Like Sunflower really looking forward to a more normal week ahead and maybe knowing this is on the horizon helps keep me more positive.
I also find Aveeno really good for dry skin. I also use Palmer cocoa body oil a couple of times a week. It smells a bit of chocolate, so cant face using it the days immediatley after chemo but love it other weeks. Its oil, obviously, so takes a while to sink in but as it has Vitamin E in it, I like to think it helps my boob scars too.
My tummy has been very unpredictable. Crampy sometimes, tho could be period pain, loose sometimes, constipated others. I’ve started drinking Kefir whichseems to help me. There was a telly program a few weeks back talking about gut health. It seemed to make sense to me. I think the chemo kills alot of the healthy gut bacteria and I like to think this helps restore some balance ‘down there’. I was surprised how much I liked the taste and the feeling of it in my stomach.
Lots of hugs to everyone and wishing all a positive day
Hello all, I’m new to this forum (and in fact haven’t used a forum in years so I’ll probably cock things up - sorry),
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer in June, had a lumpectomy just over six weeks ago (two small grade 2, stage 2), plus removal of lymph nodes (cancer in three out of 15) and I had the first of 6 chemo sessions ten days ago.
I’m sorry to read that so many are suffering side effects and my question is, is it normal not to have any negative side effects after the first chemo? I was fully expecting to feel sick, tired and a whole load of other things but I haven’t (and of course I feel so grateful to have got one under my belt and to feel so well. I know things will get worse). I know my hair will go (currently I’m hoping it might last one more week, as I have a wedding to go to, and then I plan to chop it off and I have lots of hats and scarves at the ready).
I was able to go out for my first post-op run on Wednesday and I’ve been working as normal (I have a sedentary job) . If anything, I am feeling a bit hyper happy - looking around the world with fresh eyes and thinking how beautiful the sunshine is, how lucky I am to have such supportive friends and family etc. Again, is this normal???
Looking forward to getting to know some of you along the journey.
xxx
Hi Prettiest eyes.
I’m from the June thread. I’d say it’s not normal to have no side effects bug it happens. I’ve had nothing and I’ve done number 9 today. Like you I’ve worked everyday except Fridays which are chemo days. Make the most of it!
Sally.
Hi Cat
Hope today went ok & the ses are manageable - good luck
Jude x
Hi Prettiesteyes
Well done on the no ses & I hope that continues for you
I’m very impressed that you have manage to continue to work most days - I’ve struggled this second cycle to even do odd bits from home
Hope it all continues well for you & hope the hair loss isn’t too traumatic
Jude x
Thanks for the heads up about pro-biotics, Lalaland. I will stop the kefir and ask my doctor when I see him in a couple of weeks. Definitely dont want to do the wrong thing. Some of the SEs have been so horrible I grasp any little twig I think might make me feel better and I should remember I do have not medical background.
Hi there Prettiesteyes. Some people dont get many SEs, my brother and SIL were fine through chemo, only getting tired towards the very end. It seems random how it affects different people. They were polar opposites in terms of fitness, health, diet etc. Another one of lifes mysteries! Fingers crossed your hair holds on fo the wedding
Wishing you all a great weekend.
Due to have my 2nd chemo on tuesday. my hair hurt’s does this make sense any tip’s welcolm. also acid reflux at night sounding like a right whinger. Have a good weekend ladies enjoy the nice weather. love and hugs xx
Hi Lovely Ladies,
Sue – thank you for your best wishes for my second chemo session (yesterday). Already feeling nauseas despite change to anti sickness regime, last time the nausea started to kick in in a big way on Sunday (tomorrow) so hoping that doesn’t happen again, time will tell…whatever happens I know it’s only temporary!
PrettiestEyes – welcome to the gang! And no cock ups :-). We are all so different when it comes to SEs so make the most of feeling well! I am certainly appreciating the good days more! Agree with your comment about looking at the world through a different lense and appreciating the little things.
Multitasker – I was also advised to avoid probiotics. Aveeno sounds great, I’m also using bio-oil on my scars.
LalLaLand - I was prescribed Omeprazol for indigestion related SEs. The first sign of hair loss for me was a tingling sensation, next day head started to feel sore and strands of hair falling out every time I put my fingers through my hair (I had shoulder length hair) so took decision at that point to shave it of and that take away the soreness for me, so now I have a No.2 with a few bald patches - my other half has a No.1 cut too so I joke that I never thought I would see the day that he had more hair than me!!:-). Got lots of scarves but also getting on well with my wig when I go out.
For everyone feeling below par (physically and/or emotionally), which is probably all of us to some degree (!) stay strong, we can do this! Sending you all virtual hugs.
Look after yourselves…
Cat x
Hello
Lalaland - Unfortunately your hair hurting is a likely sign it will start to fall out - this seems to be common indicator. I’ve lost quite a lot mine now but it has stopped hurting - still can’t face the shave but I’ve been told it’s not detrimental to regrowth so I’m leaving it for now.
I take lansoprazole for the acid reflux - I’ve been on this for a number of years - but my symptoms really ramped up in the few days after my first chemo. I had my dose increased from 15mg to 30mg and this sorted the problem. For my 2nd chemo I took 30mg on the day of treatment and for a few days after and then switched back to 15mg and gonna drop this to every 2 or 3 days until my next chemo. This has been working for me so far and I’m keen to take as few drugs as possible. Def ask your med team about getting something to help - don’t suffer with it.
Cat - my se on round two were actually a little less severe than on round 1 so fingers crossed you follow the same pattern
Enjoy the sunshine everyone
Sue xx
Hello Ladies,
Can I ask if any one of you has a central line fitted & if so what their experiences of this are.
I had mine fitted 2 weeks ago and am already having couple issues with it.
It’s feeling very achy tonight & I have an ache in my shoulder above where the end comes out. It has bled ever so slightly. I’ve checked my temp & it’s ok. Just wondering if this is normal.
thanks in advance for any advise. Jacqui x
Hi Jacqui. Ring the hospital helpline and tell them about it. Don’t wait for it to get worse!! Kx
Hi Everyone,
I have a question which I think only people with herceptin to come might be able to answer…
I’m currently on FEC.
I’ve been told that the herceptin will start with 1st T cycle.
Ive been looking at herceptin closely (on good sites not Hello magazine articles… ?)
There seems to be a theme that from oncologists point of view, nobody gets side effects from Herceptin.
But from patients, there are plenty of side effects, and their oncologist says ‘it is from the chemotherapy you’re getting S E’s’. Or that it’s the tamoxifen, etc. But I’m not going to be having any hormone therapy.
I want to ask my oncologist whether I can start my herceptin with the 2nd T cycle rather than the first one (have to have a whole year of herceptin ?).
On this and other monthly threads, the T part of FEC T can be full of side effects which may be different to FEC, and I want to be able to know what is causing anything that happens. I also don’t want T and Herceptin side effects at the same time, both being the first doses… does that make sense?
Thanks for any thoughts or knowledge of this.
Georgie x
Hi, it’s really interesting what you say about probiotics as I’ve been taking mine as I normally do, I never thought to ask if they were ok. They have stopped me getting constipated so I was hoping it was a good thing!
I take back all I said about having energy and few SE’s on cycle 1, this round has been much harder, I’m not normally a cryer but everything sets me off at the moment. Particularly the hair falling out in handfuls. Still coming into week 2 now so hoping for some better days.
It’s great to know we aren’t alone, thank you everyone for telling it how it is xx
Hi Georgie
I’m starting herceptin with T as well
My oncologist gave me a macmillan fact sheet on herceptin which you can read online
There are quite a lot of general side effects but I believe that the main concern is that it can effect your heart but could be worth discussing with your oncologist
Judy x
Thanks Judy.
When do you start this?