I think Herceptin can also cause cold like symptoms too! Did you start that this round too or was you on that with the other 3? Either way… rest up!! ?x
Ah can it?! Yeah that was all new on Thursday, first lot of the T/H/P. I was only on FEC before. I Will do ? x
Morning,
Cathsin, hope you are allowed to go home soon. Nobody wants cold toast, especially when you’re feeling awful!!
Kirsty, I get a really sore throat after each chemo, feels like all my glands are up but they’re not. My oncologist doubled my omeprazole to 40mg which really helped this time. The runny nose is from losing nostril hair ? It’s worse when it’s really cold. I have lovely dry skin under my nose from constantly needing a tissue!! I need another 20 minutes when I go to bed putting cream & oil everywhere!! My poor husband! ??
Hope everyone is ok xx
For runny noses try a cotton bud dipped in Vaseline and rub inside your nose it works
Just read a really good book called ’ Take Breast Cancer off your Menu’ by Hilda Glickman. Really goes into what we shd and shdnt be eating to help now and avoid a recurrence later.
Re my now bald head, which initially was a bit dry, I lightly wash in E42 shampoo then moisturise with E 42 cream. Seems to do the job.
Trying to keep everywhere moisturised and special stuff on heels to stop them cracking.
What with extra care to mouth and gums, maintenance taking up a lot of time!
Kirsty, glad you’re not doing too badly and Cathsin, your cold toast was the final straw!
Thinking of you both.
Big hugs.
Hi Sam & Kirsty, the herceptin definitely gives you cold like symptoms, runny nose, bloody nose and sore throat.
I’ve had three so far and my first two without the chemo and have had this ever since. It is one of the side effects so I guess we have this to put up with for a year but it’s a small price to pay. Not sure whether maybe the perjetta does this as well as it’s a similar treatment? xx
I have been using Aveeno cream from the start and I overhead someone being offered it while having treatment so asked for some . Next time you have treatment ask if you can be perscribed it x
How are people sleeping? Because I’ve been told to drink lots of water (altho I’m not glugging it down the same at night) I’m going to the loo 3 times a night, which obv doesn’t help settled sleep, then, by 5 30/6 that’s it, end of what sleep I’ve managed.
Viscious circle because I don’t want to sleep in the day in case that makes the night worse.
Have decided to go and see my daughter and 1st grandchild in Cornwall at the w/e for a week. Her dog is about to have puppies and she won’t be able to visit me (in Kent) for ages.
Next chemo I start Docetaxel and prob won’t feel like going then. Not sure I’m doing the right thing but should be my ‘good’ week. Also, as husband going, not much fun home alone for a week.
Kirsty, how are you getting on on the docetaxel? Not too bad, I hope.
Well, off for a cup of tea, husband still sleeping, of course!
Camilla a nice break in Cornwall sound just the job and at least you can rest when needed at daughters.
I am still in hospital but at last things seem to be improving so hopefully get out soon .i have become an expert on the Bristol poo chart ha ha
I have got one of those bottles with times on to ensure I am drinking enough water I must admit I have not been using as much as I should but will have to start again when I get home .
They have told me I need to have a line in now for next treatment with my arm doubling in size with phlebitis this will delay my next treatment by a week . On the positive my MRI has shown that the bastard cancer has shrunk substantially so that’s good news
Hope all you ladies are doing ok x
Hi ladies
Looks like the majority of us are at least halfway through these chemo cycles now ??
I have a meeting with the Oncologist on Monday regarding swapping to Docetactal for the last 3 cycles but am reluctant to change from EC due to 1) having a tough time with EC s/e and 2) the Docetactal s/e being tougher and 3) Oncologist said Im still a bit of a grey area for swapping.
Did any of you ladies have a choice in whether to change or were you just told that was the case? My cancer was grade 3 ER+ (score 8/8) and HER2- I also only had one node removed with a 0.66mm micromet and lumpectomy. It was my Oncotype score of 33 that just tipped me into benefit of chemo to prevent any recurrence. I will be on Tamoxifen for 10 years apparently.
I still have fuzzy head hair and Im half way through cycle 3 now, Ive not cold capped either so am surprised the hair hasnt all gone yet! I still keep having to shave my legs, has anyone else experienced this?
Apologies for the questions ladies!
Stay strong!
Jo
Hi ladies,
Ah camilla, that’ll be nice to get away to your daughter & see your grandchild. Hopefully you’ll see the new puppy dogs too 
My sleeping isn’t great, more so because of the hot flushes waking me through the night.
Kirsty, my mouth really suffers too, I’m almost 2 weeks post cycle 3 & it’s only today it feels normal. Do you see your oncologist before each cycle? If you do they should give you mouthwash for the next one. My unit also gave some gel stuff. It doesn’t help waking up with such a dry mouth/tongue, like a hangover mouth!!
Runaway girl, mine is TN, didn’t get a choice. I personally find the docetaxol not as awful as the EC. Side effects all similar but the nausea is no where as bad which used to knock me sideways. I still take metoclopramide 3 times a day & have the akynzeo. It does seem to take longer to feel back to normal though. It seems unfair that hair is going everywhere yet we still need to shave our legs ?
Cathsin, hope you are feeling better & fantastic news it has shrunk!!
Moijan, sorry that you are doing this all again.
I’m finally feeling normal today! Have to say I’ve felt sorry for myself. It’s hard when you finally start to feel better, knowing you have to do it all again ?Was meant to have the LGFB today which I was looking forward to as my eyebrows are very thin & my lashes are sparse. They cancelled it due to no water in the salon at the hospice. Can’t be helped I know but I always missed them last year due to it falling on my bad week each time.
Hope everyone is ok ? xx
Hi ladies I came out of hospital this afternoon just shattered but at least home away from the hospital germs . Time to build up strength xx
Good news you are home!
Oh the sore mouth ia crap isn’t it, looking forward to it being normal even if just for a week then
No choice for me either with the docetaxol, but happy to do anythinh for the best chance so will grin and bear it xx
Good you’re out Cathsin, bet it’s so nice to be home.
Saw my Onc today, first time since initial meeting re treatment plan. She gave me scan results re nodules in the lungs. They don’t seem to have shrunk since 1st scan 8 wks ago so she said she is cautiously optimistic prob not BC in the lungs but another scan in 3 months when chemo finishes. Said if they’d shrunk wld have meant they were reacting to the chemo.
This has been hanging over me and a relief, but still not definitive.
Feeling nauseous, no appetite, husband away now for 2 days.
Glad I have you all to talk to!
Glad hear it is optimistic news Camilla, hopefully can relieve a little bit of the worry xx
It appears that my monthly menstrual cycle is arriving which is positive to note - Ive had a period now every chemo cycle…I hope it continues to do so! I thought chemo drugs were supposed to stop your periods? I know its an SE of the EC chemo.
One thing to note is that although I normally get bad PMT, this month it has been horrendous! Snappy, irritable, high anxiety and depression like symptoms too. Seems to have all been magnified!
Hi Jo,
Glad you still have your periods, although not the heightened PMT ? I don’t think all our emotions with what we’re gojng through help. Some days it feels so lonely, isolating & so scary, then the next day can feel positive.
I had a 1cm nodule on my lung which they’re not sure of. Just been for a repeat CT to see if any changes. The radiographer was such a cold, unsympathetic jobsworth who has made me feel so small. It was a mobile unit & it’s freezing today, we had snow this morning. She made me take off my bra but I could keep my vest on (I’ve learn to always wear a vest now to keep some of me warm getting undressed all the time!). She says she couldn’t use my picc & that I’d need a cannula. I told her she could only use my left arm & I kept my cardigan on my right arm. She got quite narky & told me to take it off as it was in her way!! ? So I’m standing there shivering, feeling very self conscious with one boob & she says ‘I know it’s cold, try working in it!’. I had to hold back tears & the urge to say ‘actually I’d live to be working but cancer has also taken that from me’. She told me about the warm feeling & trying to make conversation I said ‘its hirrithatvfeeking you’ve wet yourself’, she says very abruptly ‘I wouldn’t know, I’ve never had contrast’. Then at the end she gave me a tissue as my eyes water all the time from lack of lashes. She didn’t know I wasn’t crying, I’ve just had a CT to see if cancer has spread. Sorry, I know I’m rambling but I’m incredulous at how hideous some people are!!!
Rant over!! ? Hope everyone is ok xx
Day 8 of cycle 3 chemo and starting to feel normal again. Just the usual side effects hopefully no surprises this round.
I’ve just to be careful around people as my bloods will be low this week.
It’s going to be a sofa and film day I think
big hugs to all who are feeling low xx
I was wondering if anyone is getting a tan sounds weird but people have notice am getting a tan. I wouldn’t mind but it’s not from the sun
Thank you ladies. I feel better for having a good moan! I’m seeing my oncologist tomorrow so I’ll definitely mention it. Xx