Hi Stella
I havent anything like that…was just given bog standard paracetemol! However have decided to ask about cocodamol or similar…I want to be prepared for anything!!! Have wheat bags to microwave to apply heat, ice packs for cold…and a family all cooking christmas dinner…!
A silly thought for you ladies who are going through the mill that rather tickled me - the thread title sounds like some Irish curse!
I don’t know whether I’m going to have to go down the same path yet, just wanted to try to make you smile.
Hi stella i did AC x4 first my symptoms didnt change when i did TAX enjoy the good days and rest when there not you will be fine i took a stronger pain killer they helped a lot
Hi lostinfrance, if you’re in the middle of nowhere, be prepared with ibruprofen AND parcetamol - I’ve had one tax and found the achy, fuzzy head to be the worst thing, plus neck ache which ibuprofen helps with. Muscles are generally tense everywhere - not surprising really.
chocciemuffin - lol the curse! It truly is a curse… unless it saves our lives in which case it’s a bloody blessing!!
I’ve managed to spend the last week with flu so my accelerated tax has been delayed and I’m having no.2 next Tuesday. Although SEs weren’t too bad first time (other than neuropathy in fingers and toes but that’s more of a worry than a reason to go to bed), I know they’ll get worse this time. xxx
hello, yes i’ve taken dihydrocodeine from gp,and using lots of vas and lipsil as nostrils and lips really dry on tax.
what a difference a day makes, i feel fighting fit today(day 11).
hope you girls having christmas dinners today have a great time.
i’ll be thinking of you on thursday and logging in over christmas to see how you doing. rach x
Thanks guys…will have a veritable pharmacy at the ready!!
Hi,
Would definatley recommend a codeine based pain killer on top of paracetamol and one the aches and pains start I would just take them for a few days as found it was controlled better and I could just be around the house with out too much bother. The other thing with TAX for me was dry mouth and I got some saliva replacement gel - Biotene which is fab, especially in the middle of the night when no drink helps my thirst!
Joining the discussion late but also hae to inject with GSCF on TAX but was fine on FEC and I don’t even think about it now, do it same time every day and let it warm up for 30-60min to room temp- i’ve even mastered the art so I have no bruises and don;t feel it anymore. The needle is small and recoils back into the container so you don;t have to pull it out which I think is worse the putting it in. It does make my hips ache but better than being neutropenic anyday.
It all seems daunting but after the first time, it will be fine xx
Hi
I am due to start Chemo next week or the week after and am having 3 fec and 3 tax. I was ok about it but am now worried sick about neutropenic sepsis. I was told by a friend yesterday that her mother had it and went into hospital where she died the next day and then I have read about the BBC journalist today who was undergoing Chemo and died of an ‘infection’ which I presume was the same thing. I cannot get it out of my head.I have not very good gums and am worried that I may get an infection in them and start off the Neutropenic Sepsis although I do not have any trouble with them. I would be grateful for anyones thoughts or experiences of this side effect and how you coped with it. Are the bone injections any safeguard against this complication
Thankink you in advance
Janet
Hi Janet,
I’ve done 3 FEC, and just about to start 3 Tax. I was given the neulasta injection for the first one onwards as a precaution. I would ask about it if you are particularly worried. I can’t offer any medical help I’m afraid, just moral support. It seems quite common that we all have our very individual fears, whether it is the risks of a big operation, chemo side effects etc. I know I had a very big wobble about being HER positive, and the implications of all that. Perhaps it is natural maybe, that whilst dealing with something as overwhelming as a cancer diagnosis, we deal with it and deal with it, but one or two little fears manage to get through the armour and take on huge proportions. What you are talking about sounds very rare indeed, but none the less scary- I would let your BCN know, and see if they can reassure you that they will be keeping a very good eye on you! Also, you have the advantage of being aware of it, and looking out for any indicators of infection. My onc nurse told me that it is the people who ignore these things, like a temperature, and take a couple of paracetamol, and forget about it, that are most at risk.
Try not to worry, and have a good Christmas( easier said than done, I know), Tracey
Jaybee
I have bad gums. I have scrubbed them too well over the years and they have receded. He said I have got mild to moderate gingivitis but too late now to scrape around. He recommended Diflamm and a non alcohol mouthwash. He also said the more you rinse out your mouth the better it will be. Salt and water, bicarb solution or just plain water, doesn’t matter as long as you do it several times a day. he said he had seen worse just before chemo treatment and promised to sort it all out after. It seems it is the people who ignore the fact they might have a temperature who are at risk. My BCN said even when you have a “flush” your temp is normal so I think with a thermometer handy we wil be safe enough. Although she did say not to be paranoid about it. I can see me carrying it around in my pocket I’m such a worrier lol
You sound like you are sorted! Well done.
Tracey
hi janet,
i’m taking an antibiotic and anti fungal as an extra precaution which i start on day 5 after chemo . so maybe you will be given these too.
if your bloods get too low they may give you gcsf injections which keep up the amount of white cells .ask when you see your consultant.
you might worry less once you get going with chemo… i hope you get on ok. and remember to only surround yourself with positive people. rach.xx
Janipi and Tracey
Thank you very much for your wise words. I think that you are right about concentrating on small things - perhaps it is our way of dealing with the big things.I will talk to the chemo nurse about my worries and make sure that I rinse my mouth as much as possible and keep an eye on my temperature
Thanks again
Janet
hi stella and lost in france, how r u doing on tax ? hope its not too bad.i’ve been wondering how you’ve been. i’m going for 8th chemo 2moro , rach x
Hi,
Janet- How’re you doing? Hope you managed to relax over Christmas. From what people have said on different threads, it is a time of mixed feelings for most of us.
Starting my Tax on the 4th and Herceptin on 5th. I have been given so many steroids to take the day before, that I am trying to get some sleep in now, whilst I still can!! Don’t know how everyone else has managed.
LIF- following you with interest on pink thread (feel like a stalker!). I was told they would not give me any other pain relief as standard, and just to take paracetamol and ibuphrophen. Can’t help but be reminded of childbirth, and the midwife advising me to take a paracetamol when my contractions started!! Hope I can still laugh about it next week…!
Best ache free wishes to all, Tracey
Hi Rachel,
Haven’t had the TAX as I’ve developed appendisitis and was in hosp for 11 days on intravenous antibiotics, now at home on oral antibiotics. had another scan today and see the onc on Tuesday - basically I don’t know what is happening. I had hoped appendix would be out by now, but am still waiting. Meanwhile chemo is postponed which is rather worrying.
Hope things are going well for you.
Stella xx
hi stella,
oh my as if you havent got enough to think about. a few weeks doesnt make a difference (thats what they told me) so try not to worry.
i hope you get some answers on tuesday.xx
i’m ok but getting fed up of chemo now just had 8th chemo(2nd tax) good job theres only one more to go on 20th. start date for radio therapy and hormone injections 16th feb. onc said as soon as i feel ready after radio therapy ,i shud had ovaries out. rach
Rach - I mentioned having ovaries removed to my onc. and she said she’d be perfectly happy to discuss it, particularly if chemo/tamoxifen makes no difference to my periods. Too early to tell yet, as had last period over 1st FEC (what lovely timing), and next one due next week… so we shall see. I’m 8/8 ER+, so whilst not looking forward to menopause at 41, would def. rather that than know that my body was still pumping out oestregen at a level I really don’t need. Seems a little ungrateful as my ovaries produced 4 smashing kids, but I’m sure they’re past their sell by date anyhow! (Ovaries, not kids… not sure they have a sell by date).
Can I be personal and ask if your periods stopped during FEC? Interesting to see your onc. recommends having them out after rads, rather than seeing if hormone therapy alone is enough - I’d love to know the argument for that so I can present it to my own oncologist!
Sophie xx
Suspect you all have seen the posts re my tax probs!! Going in well armed this week wanting to know 1. are they going to reduce the dose 2. if not are they giving me the neulasta injections…
Do not want another short break in hospital!
hi sophie,
of course you can ask me anything, this website is a god send.
i dont mind losing ovaries as got 3 (arrgh! lurvly!) kids, i’m 38yrs. i’m 8/8er+ too. my periods stopped during 6fec , i had last one in fec4.
then had axillary clearence 8/18 nodes positive. 3 of them were small 2mm tumors hence the need for 3tax.
onc says im in high bracket for it coming back, maybe thats why he thinks whip the ovaries out soon ? i will ask on tues 18th jan…
hope all goes well with fec are you having 4 or 6? xx rach