first one is over

hi everyone i had my first chemo yesterday it all went well until last night and i was sick and this morning i have a banging headache i did not think i would feel like this i hope everyone else who has started feels ok thought i would just thank everyone for there kind words and reassurance before i went you are all lovely people and are there when you need someone to talk to love sue xxx

jaydeek.

Well done.

Can I suggest you sip water really frequently, if it’s room temperature it’s easier on the stomach, helps dilute the drugs and this in turn should help with the nausea and the headache. It’s easier to keep down if you sip often instead of drink lots at once.

Angie

Hi sue
well done on your first chemo. sorry you were not too well and hope you feel better soon. I have had 2 so far. felt rough, but so far no sickness. Besides the anti sickness, I also use the travel sickness bands from boots. You may find these help.
good luck
deb x

thanks for the tips i am drinking loads hope it all gets better than this !!! love sue xxx

It will get better. I take about a week to fully recover and then am on a high for 2 weeks and cant stop eating!! then back down again with the next one. remember, as I was told, each one is a step nearer to the end of it all! good luck
deb x

thanks just hate feeling sick and being sick but like you say iv got to give it time sue xxx

Hey Sue

Different people react differently to the anti sickness drugs, ie some work better on some people than others. I would let the chemo nurses know that the drugs aren’t stopping it completely as there may be others that suit you better. It’s worth the phone call.

The ones they gave me suited me so well that I hod no nausea at all. In fact things that would normally make me feel queasy didn’t so I know they were working.

Angie

Hi everyone

I have just had my first chemo earlier today (FEC) as well. Felt OK until about an hour ago and then I ws really sick. Not nice but hopefully thats it over. Drinking water and a little ginger ale in the hope that it will help. Also wearing the travel bands. Thought it ws worth a try.

Hope your feeling better soon Jaydeek

Jackie B

hi everyone

i like most of you had terrible sickness and nausea. but like someone said mention it to nurses and they will change the pills. i had different ones this time and only felt slight nausea, definetly better this time (2nd fec). i find lime juice suits me best, tea and coffee definetly a no no. and ginger biscuits also helped to nibble on. sometimes all i could manage was dry bread.
unfortunetly no matter how unpleasant weve got to ride the storm as such. but at least we can support each other.
remember tommorow is another day(and it might just be a good one) we do have more good days than bad. so thats something…

Hi
sorry to hear you are having some pooooo days. Do mention being sick next time or even before you go back so they can plan another drug, as they often have it written up before you even get there. You need to make sure you don’t get dehydrated as that makes you feel worse, so even if you can sip every 20 mins it will be good as that can cause headaches too. Look at the time spacing betwen your strongest anti-sickness tablets and back it up with the second set (if they gave you 2 lots) which are usually weaker. My strong ones are ondansetron and I can self prescribe Domperidone which are for mild nausea. I had my second dose on Tuesday and eat at least every 2 hours to stop the nausea kicking in, even if only 2 rich tea plain biscuits or savoury biscuits. Well done for getting the first one in and this will pass, but it will move around other body parts first. keep up the mouthwask after eating as it hits my gums most of all and I was convinced I had a sore throat, which vanished with the Difflam mouthwash. It will be over before long just hang in there and then one day pop it will be gone and you can have fun again. My first 2 days are usually ok but my drugs kick in on day 4 so will be needing tlc myself shortly! Yipeeeeeeee.
Hugs
Lily x

Hi everyone

thanks for your advice and support. I was sick another twice last night but did manage a reasonable nights sleep. Feeling Ok this morning so far. have taken the various anti sickness pills I was given and had a cup of tea with two ginger snaps. Hoping this will settle me down.

Going up to hospital today for an injection to boost my white blood cells as I’ve had a bad wound infection before starting my chemo. I will talk to my BCN when I’m up about the sickness so that it can be hopefully sorted out for the next time.

Keep well everone

Jackie B
X

Lily
I have to ask - you mentioned about a sore throat? 5 days after each of my chemos I have developed what seems like a sore throat, but not, if that makes sense! doctor first said I had throat infection and gave anti biotics, but didnt really work. oncologist said wasnt infection and probably allergic reaction and gave tablets for this. its a strange feeling, like lumps in throat when I swallow and very red. when i eat, i feel like theres a razor deep down in throat. this last for about 10 days and just goes on its own. is this what you are suffering to, as cannot find anyone else who has had this?
everyone else, hope you are all feeling better and no more sickness.
take care
deb x

Hi Deb
I phoned the emergency pager on my first dose because I thought I was getting tonsilitis. It was red all around when i looked down my throat and I was uncomfortable to swallow and had to continually try to swallow gunk. I did not have the real razorblade bit, but uncomfortable and lumpy at the sides when swallowing. The nurse think it is the drugs hitting the mucous membranes and stuff coming out of them so it is all in my throat constantly. I had not been using the Difflam mouthwash and on her advice started using it after evrything I ate. The relief was very quick but built up again constantly, probably lasting 8 - 10 days before disappearing. It is back much quicker on th this second dose (Tues) so I am on the Difflam straight away. Will try to remember to keep you posted how it goes this time. I am on a massive dose of just epi, are you the same?
Good luck, it sounds very similar and others talk about it but maybe not quite so bad,
Lily x

hi everyone had to go to my dr yesterday to change some of my meds i take some for arthrititis and i am now taking 24 tabs a day last night i had to take 9 before i came to bed and its the longest i have slept for months i did not wake up until 10.45 this morning i am very shaky this morning but im feeling better with the sickness i just hope things start to get better not just for me but for everyone sue xxx

Hi
I had sore throat when on Taxotere lasted a few days after each one.

Take Care
Mary
xx

Thanks for sharing that about the tonsilitis feeling Lily.

I’m day 11 today and my throats been giving me jip for the last 2 days. It does feel exactly like the onset of tonsilitis to me (have had that 3 times in the past). I put it down to the single ulcer I have next to one of my wisdom teeth which are sharp and inclined to rub anyway.

Sadly I wasn’t given any Difflam so I’m just using the standard dentyl stuff which does work, that and honey and lemon lozenges which take away the lump in throat sensation quite well.

Tonight I’m having a hot tody and bed early and get my bloods done in the AM.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been surprisingly ok - only mild nausea from time to time which is dealt with by a ginger beer. The domperidone is making me slightly dizzy after I take it though, so I may ask for something different next time.

I didn’t have steroids when I came home as I’d asked not to (I’ve had them for asthma and they make me fat and hyper - not a good combination!), but this meant I’ve been knackered since Monday. I had meant to go wig shopping with my sister yesterday, but I just slept in sooooo late it wasn’t worth going out. I’m going to try again this weekend.

The one thing that has been great is Corsodyl for my mouth and throat. I was told to dilute it and brush with toothpaste first so that it doesn’t stain my teeth but it’s been really good, and I’ve had no probs with my mouth at all.

Take care everyone,

Cx

Lily
the symptoms sound exactly the same. I have been using Corsodyl, as recommended by hospital. the sore throat starts each time on day 5 after chemo and the mouth sores start the same day too. This is also the day I have the second stomach injection, so have been wondering if there is a link, but maybe just the FEC doing it. Each time also, I am spending a week spitting into a bucket every few minutes as my mouth fill up constantly with some sort of watery fluid and cant keep swallowing it! its a pain and embarassing. I also have trouble swallowing, and the first time it happened my mouth swelled to the point that I got scared. Second wasnt as bad, so hopefully the third will be easier. may try the mouthwash that you use, see if any difference.
thanks for your comments.
deb x