I had my first chemo (FEC) on 6th September and felt OK that day. By the evening my legs had given way and I couldn’t move my arms. I was shaking uncontrollably with hot sweats followed by cold shivers. The nausea was so bad I didn’t think it was possible to be so ill and still be alive. My head was so painful I was convinced I had a brain tumour. Has anyone had this reaction? I’m now on day 14 and feeling much better although the headache and nausea seem to be permanent and my hair is falling out, I have mouth ulcers and my skin is very dry. I find it difficult to eat and have lost about 4lbs (I was only 7st10 to start with). I am very nervous about the session 2 next week. Someone tell me it won’t be so bad next time…pleeeeeeaaaasse
Hi
Tell your bc nurse when you see her before your next chemo, I was floored for 9 days with my 1st fec chemo and they changed my anti sickness meds for the 2nd doze. Keep a note of all your se’s do you have a wee red book? keep everything in there and tell her about ulcers I got mouthwash which helped. Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your skin. Se’s are different for everyone and I found that it did get better. My hair started to fall out just before my 2nd doze and I got hubby to shave it off as I couldn’t stand the stabbing pains in my head.
Take care
Lizz xx
I’m sorry to hear your side effects were so bad but glad to hear you are feeling better. I don’t start my chemo for another 3 weeks but I just wanted to say hello and I’m not looking forward to starting mine. Hopefully the next session wont be so bad, fingers crossed!
XxxX
Oh I hope I haven’t made it worse for you. I’ve been told that my reaction was very unusual and that I probably had an allergic reaction to one of the drugs. Hang in there and let me know how you get on.
x
So sorry u had such a hard time with your first chemo. I would do what the others say & talk to your chemo nurse about better anti-sickness meds. I had my first chemo (FEC) last friday & am now on day 5 & havent had hardly any SE’s, no vomiting, just a tiny bit queasy & tired thats all. I know i may have just been lucky but i still think its worth checking, i took all my pills religiously & drunk loads of water. It may get worse as yet for me but so far so good, hope u have a much better time on your next one xx
Oh dear, it sounds as hough you’ve had a rotten time. As the others have said, make sure you tell them how ill you were - I saw my onc a couple of days before each chemo to discuss SEs and then she’d change my meds to match.
It’s too late now, but you should probably have called them after a couple of days and they’d probably have given you something to help with the sickness.
There’s a brilliant anti-sickness drug calle Emend that I’ve heard works miracles (luckily I didn’t need it) - it’s very expensive so they’ll usually only give it if you’ve had a bad reaction. I’d definitely push for that if I were you.
Jane xxx
They will want to know how you fared… my onc said that their AIM was for us to be free of side-effects! There are loads of them, potentially, but most have some remedy. I wouldn’t wait if you still feel bad - ring your Unit or BCN… no prizes for suffering! To encourage you, I was sick first FEC, and felt really lousy… and the next two were much more manageable. They gave me my anti-sickness drugs intravenously, and that seemed to help a lot, as did taking ginger tablets 2-3 days before treatment and during the first 2-3 sicky days… drink loads (as someone said) Hope it improves for you! Jane
So sorry to hear you had bad time. I was very lucky and just felt queasy and a bit rough for about 24 hours. Took all drugs as instructed and drank plenty - drink as much as you can before the battery acid taste hits about 5 hours after chemo. Ondansatrole is TERRIBLE for constipation so take something to counteract that but it did stop the sickness.
Tell the oncologist/BCN they want it to be as side effect free as possible.
Hoping that it all goes better next time xxxxx
Hi B,
Sorry you are suffering. Get yourself some pure pineapple juice, swill it around your mouth 4 times a day. Drink a couple of mouthfulls as well. This should clear the ulcers. When you go for your next chemo take a couple of iced lollies with you in a wide necked flask. Suck them during the chemo to keep your mouth cold. It really helps to keep mouth problems at bay.
You may find it better to stick to eating sweeter food as it seems to go down easier than anything starchy.
Do speak to your chemo unit about different sickness meds, there are lots they can give you.
Hope you feel better soon.
Asda sell pure pineapple juice.
E
Hi there
I am sorry that you had such a bad time. It is the case that we are all so different. I finished chemo in Feb and although I found it tough I got through, as will you. I would suggest that you check what steroids you are being given. They increased mine for the 5th and 6th and it made such a difference to me. Take care. J.