Yes, kefir or other probiotics make a massive difference, at least in the beginning. I found the effect lessened in round 2 and 3, but I was taking them through, so have stopped now, to start again for chemo 4.
The fatigue will pass! I was so cross with my “team” for not telling me how bad it can get! The reply was “if we told people, they’d be too scared to do it”. No shit, Sherlock, we are already scared beyond all reason, but honestly, what alternative do we have? Truly? None. And I would rather know the worst and congratulate myself if I fare better, than be thrown in at the deep end and not knowing if I will sink or swim. So I struggled with my first round, very much. Until I then DID get better. And I didn’t get noticeably better until at least about 9 or 10 days after, because your cell count will be at its lowest around then. So give yourself time. I am also wearing my Covid masks again, when I have to go out amoung people for that one week. And I don’t care. Being thrown back 2 or 3 weeks because of an infection is not my idea of progress in therapy.
I totally get the “special occasion” problem as well, my birthday was 5 days into first chemo and I felt so rotten, I was crying almost all day. I can feel myself getting depressed around day 3 to 7, too and have to actively fight my funk. Again, a walk helps. And then there are the other, small things. You hair doesn’t just fall out on your head. You lose the hair in your nose, too. And your eyelashes get thinnner. So they start watering more and your nose gets runny. Plus eyes watering gets worse in the first part of the third week since round 2, and then a little better again. But that is definitely cumulative. Be prepared for the odd breakout, too, I haven’t had a pimple or whitehead in forever, and now I do. Only 1 or 2, but they can get infected really quickly!
Hope you all manage to recover quickly and thoroughly! Xx
Ah, and the fever can easily be due to the bone marrow booster. I never had a temperature again, after that very first one, so hopefully you may fare better after this one, too. Btw, I had my port placed 3 days before chemo and had a hard time adjusting to pain myself (I was never given meds for that). I have a feeling we were set up for trouble there, since it is tough on the body to heal, when you are literally being poisoned from the inside, stopping that exact function. All the best! Hope it goes better with the picc line! Xx
Hi @caithlinn
We seem to be having a similar experience. I too found my depression in Day 3-7 to be really bad. Just so so blue.
My port went in the day before chemo which I also think compounded issues.
I’m also wearing a mask when out and about. I have to. I just can’t layer this with an infection. It’s already hard enough and I have three kids to bring things home. At least it’s not winter. It could be worse although I’m dreading it being hot at home during recovery.
It’s my 43rd birthday on April 8th and I just know I’m going to struggle with the pressure. I’m so sorry you had yours in such a shitty phase of a cycle. That is just rubbish. I go back into Cycle 2 a few days after and am dreading it. I feel like I’ve only scraped through Cycle 1 so imagine I’m going to crap at Cycle 2!
X
I started on Docetaxel and Phesgo injections and now on EC. My symptoms haven’t been as severe on EC except for low mood and extreme exhaustion. I’ve just had 2nd EC 2 days ago and so far feel ok but when I had it 3 wks ago by day 4 I couldn’t do a thing. Even getting washing in and out of machine rendered me useless for rest of day. Like you im normally active so this is so alien to me. It went on for about 7 days and then I started to feel normal again. Stomach upsets, nose bleeds have all improved though so silver linings. Good luck with it. It will get better x
I’m so sorry you’re at the point and remember it well. I’m two years out now.
I was honestly a wreck on EC- a solid 9 days bed bound every round. It was utterly
Horrific. BUT the first round was the worst, then you kind of know what to expect and you’ll be surprised how ok you will feel by halfway through week 2. I found docetaxal much much easier. Side effects were different but at least I could get out of bed and walk around and the nausea was gone.
I hope you start to feel better soon. Just think one round ahead at a time, no more. The lemonade ice lollies are really
Good when you can’t eat and your mouth tastes horrid.
I have had had 2 cycles of EC so far and the first was the worse. I couldn’t sleep, felt nauseous and constipated. Also had a dry mouth, and tired. I also got a headache for 2 days when I started the Filgrastim. 2nd cycle I felt less nauseous and less constipated as the oncologist reduced my nausea meds and gave me laxatives to help. Main side effect was hair thinning. I’m cold capping and hair has thinned out all over and I’m continuing to shed but seems a little less than previous days.