Hi all,
Can anyone tell me if it is normal to feel so ill, I am on day 6 today and feel so bad, I feel really weak and shaky, have tried to go shopping today, and thought I was going to pass out in the shop, wont be trying that again in a hurry. Feel like my legs wont carry me has anyone else felt this.
Deb xx
Might I ask what chemo you are having? If your body is telling you to rest then you must. On my first chemo, FEC I felt wobbly and shaky and didn’t emerge to do anything for quite a few days after treatment. Don’t forget that these are very powerful drugs.
Have you got a temperature? Do you have a number you could ring from the chemo team. If you are on day 5 it is unlikely that anything sinister is going on as it is a bit further on into the cycle when you are at your lowest ebb so to speak. Perhaps you have been trying to do too much
X Sarah
Sounds very familiar to me. Esp my first chemo of FEC I felt very wobbly and weak, like recovering from a very bad flu, not much strength in me, just without the temp. On my first Docetaxel I felt very very floored.
Christine xx
Hi Deb - I echo what Sarah is saying - I had my first chemo (FEC) 11 days ago & I was tired and wobbly for quite a few days. You need to take it easy - don’t try to do too much - I was having little sleep in the day (felt like my mom napping on the sofa!) but it does take time to get over each session and from the posts here everyone is different in their recovery rates.
Try to put your feet up for a few days.
Smartie x
Hi Deb, I have had 3 chemos so far (FEC). My worst days by far were days 5 and 6 each time. For the first 3 days I had loads of anti-sickness meds and didn’t feel too bad. Days 5 and 6 were a bit of a shock. I have found it useful to keep a diary of how I felt each day and then compare with each cycle. So far the side effects have followed a similar pattern and I know not to plan anything for those days when I know I will feel bad. To reassure you, it does get better, I am now on day 9 and feel ok. Hope you feel better soon.
Clare x
Hi Deb, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well, I’ve been worried as you didn’t report back on the starting chemo in March thread.
I started 2 days after you, and can’t say I feel great by any means, but I have been able to do a bit of shopping for the first time today. Other than that I’ve just been for a short walk, and pottered around at home, but not tried to do anything energetic. I think you should take it easy until you feel stronger, and ring the chemo unit for some reassurance.
Hope you feel better soon, love and hugs
Caren
xxx
That’s a really good idea to keep a diary. I do. I have just gone back on chemo and was surprised I felt so naff until I looked at my diary and realised I felt the same last time I had it. I am on oral chemo, on day 10 now. I take pills day 1&8 and feel sicky a few hours after taking them and have to go to bed. I then take it easy the next day and today I have pottered. Sunday I shall feel a bit more perky. I have a meeting to go to. Take a day at a time and be nice to yourself
X Sarah
Hi Deb
I’m way past it all now, but I DO remember very clearly that the first weekend after chemo was grim. I felt very, very wiped out for the first week, and then the mouth stuff hit by the end of the week, and I was just a heap emotionally… I learnt to veg on the sofa for the first week… invite people round for the 2nd week (didn’t go out, cause I went round Tesco’s first time and got an infection!) third week I planned trips out to have cream teas and nice things like that… you begin to enjoy feeling normal and then it starts all over again… Take it gently… listen to your body and you WILL get through it…
Jane
Hi Deb
Sorry you are feeling so poorly, I wondered if you were doing ok. I can only underline what the other ladies have said. I have also been keeping a diary from the start as it may be useful when you go back to the Onc before your 2nd treat. They will be able to look at how you have been feeling and adjust the medication if needs be.
Take it easy, rest, maybe try a drink of manuka honey disolved in hot water or diluted aloe juice. Or lucozade, although I realise that unless you have any of those items at home, you would need to go shopping, so you could maybe think about that for your next cycle.
Sorry, I am not being much help, I really hope you feel better soon. Give your self time and you WILL come through this.
Hugs and xxx
Joan
hi Deb
I finished 6 x fec in Jan I felt just like you especially from day 4 for about 5 days you do get a steriod crash when you stop taking the steriods about the 5th day after chemo You will start to feel better and more normal…
Take care
Sue x
Hi Sorry to hear you’re feeling so rough. I finished chemo exactly a year ago. I was very poorly on chemo for the first two weeks each cycle. I kept a diary and planned nice things to do on my good week. I also did my food shop on-line each week, as it was something I could do myself from home, and one less thing for my hubby to worry about. You do need to be kind to yourself and not expect too much on your low days. It’s not easy but you will come through. It you’re worried phone your breast care nurse for advice, they’re very good and may be able to give you something to help. Don’t suffer in silence!!
Hope you feel better soon. xx
Just a quick practical thought… If I wasn’t sure/had a problem I’d ring my BCN and she was brilliant at saying “describe how that feels again” then saying “you need x”. I’d phone practice nurse and say “bcn says…” And she’d prescribe it. Very easy and efficient… Hope you perk up soon. Jane
Hi Deb
I had my first chemo on 27th Feb - still feeling very tired and much like you thought I would collapse in the supermarket yesterday if I didn’t have the trolley to hold on to. Also, got terrible back ache which means walking is difficult at all so generally feeling quite sorry for myself. Anyway, week 2 now so hopefully things will improve! Had a glass of wine on Saturday night and even that didn’t taste good which, considering I normally love my wine, was a bit of a shock! Where do you live? I am in West London and always keen to be in touch/compare notes with someone who is going through exactly the same as me. Hope you are feeling better xx