Thanks Pinklizzie, I think I kept going (didn’t rest) after my infusion which might not have helped but then I spoke to the Oncologist dept (they called to check how I was after my first EC) she said it all tied in with when your blood levels drop. I just couldn’t function and had to go and lie down. Dizziness and just an overwhelming lethargy - I couldn’t do a thing! Its quite difficult to describe. X
The Paxman group has been very helpful, thank you. I’m a bit confused as nearly everyone I’ve spoken to say that the worse time for feeling awful is 7 to 14 days post chemo then you pick up. Think I’ll take it 1 day at a time. I’m going for a wig fitting on 10th Feb which sounds like it could be fun and my daughter has booked us in for a sea glass craft session in Swadlincote on St Valentine’s day so something to look forward to. today is the first time in a week I’m feeling hungry! x
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Thanks - looks like you anticipated what I was going to ask! x
Sounds good! Enjoy the time out - think we all need to keep having something to look forward to!
I suppose ultimately we will all be on different doses of the drugs according to our body compositions and we will all feel different effects at different times. It’s just good to know that what we are all going through in terms of the side effects are fairly normal…including the Paxman cap sagas!
X
Sorry for slow reply…taken a bit longer to bounce back after round 2 (still nothing too terrible, just taken a full week to shake the nausea). Zoladex injection itself was completely fine…no different from any other I’ve had as part of this process so far…few headaches but no other effects yet.
I’ve had a bit of neuropathy the outside of my left hand…hasn’t stopped me doing anything but nurses always ask about it and are keeping a close eye on it.
Glad you’ve managed to avoid your birthday- hope you’ve got something good planned! Is my 42nd on 12 Feb - on current schedule should be my week off, keeping everything crossed!
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I hope you’ll manage to have a great birthday and that it will land on the week off. I turned 42 in Jan as well. On my birthday I had the chemo chat in the hospital and the ECG, which all considered was not bad at all!
Hi Ladies, had my first chemo cycle start on Friday just gone. I’m having E&C for the first 3 cycles and then 3 cycles of the Docetaxel.
What sort of side effects are you having. I lost my appetite as soon as I got home from the unit!
The next night, Saturday night I got a cold sweat and shivers. The only other side effect so far is constipation :((
I’m taking naps when feeling tired. I’m a bit concerned the constipation will come back each cycle. It’s not nice with everything else on top! To be fair I’m not fairing so bad but it is only day four and I’ve read it gets harder each cycle.
Let me know what you’re experiencing and how you’re dealing with it all xxx
Hi little owl I’ve been given laxido. I’m having a dose in the afternoon and before bed. Had some relief yesterday and today, very grateful too!
I drink 2.5 litres of water a day and I’ve added a prune and a teaspoon of chia seeds to my morning porridge. I’ve also added the chia seeds into my yougurt.
Hope this helps xxx
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Hi everyone, just a heads-up to keep a few COVID tests at home. I developed a fever 2 days ago in the second week after the first EC and evolved into a cough. Turns out it is COVID (I had the vaccine in December). Now this affects the next cycle: I cannot go in on Friday to get blood and I think I need 2 negative tests to be able to step into the hospital.
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Thanks for the tips strawberrytart29, I’ve not tried chia seeds, I’ll give that a go. Added prunes in this morning! I’m getting used to my side effects on my current weekly cycle on Paclitaxel and Carboplatin every 3 weeks. Had 4 treatments so far. It’s when I have the double dose and steroid tablets that the constipation really kicks in. Drinking loads and Dulcolax seems to clear it within 24 hours, but I’d prefer a natural approach. Otherwise side effects tolerable so far, nausea for a few days following each treatment, very tired, not able to sleep when on steroids, but able to go out for short walks most days. Taking it a day at a time, hope you’re treatment is going well
Evening Ladies, day 6 after 1st cycle. My mouth feels full of sand , swollen tongue and ulcer on tongue. What can I do, Also, today I’ve been so tired I can hardly walk. I live on my own. Will the tiredness get better before the next cycle? Does the tiredness come back harder each round? If so l’m not sure how I’m going to cope. Any advice would be greatly welcomed xxx
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Sorry that you’re feeling so poorly. Well done for getting this far.
I had my 3rd EC last Friday.
After my 1st dose I started to get sore mouth and ulcers. I swilled with salt water several times a day and used bonjela on ulcers. I mentioned to onc before 2nd dose and he prescribed something for next time. Each dose I’ve felt tender from neck to waist due to filgrastim injections and white blood cells sorting themselves out. Six days on I have comfortably done the weekly shop. I’ve still got the bad taste in my mouth, but I find that drinking plenty of water helps to flush it through. Everything else just tastes nasty. Perhaps coffee will taste like coffee again tomorrow.
The tiredness will ease. It’s your 1st cycle so make a note of your down days so you can be prepared for next time. If you are tired - sleep. Help your body to recover.
I hope you recover from this round very soon x
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Thank you my lovely. I’m just feeling like I’m not going to cope with another 5 cycles. I’ve not told family as they live far away. Another 5, 3 weekly cycles just seems so far into the future at the moment and it’s only day 6! I know I should be strong but I feel so alone 
xxx
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@strawberrytart29 you are stronger than you know. Every day now hopefully you’ll feel a little better. Don’t push yourself too hard. Make a note of your down days so you can prepare for next time. Make the most of when you feel good again. Meet friends for coffee etc.
My bad taste is just starting to fade so I’m just trying a mint tea now. Pain is gone too.
You can do it x
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It’s so tough this strawberrytart29, I also felt desperate in my first cycle with tiredness and insomnia and thought I won’t be able to tolerate chemo. But the symptoms did ease. One thing that’s really helped with my mouth, that is now constantly dry, are Xylimelts dry mouth tablets, you can get them on Amazon. You aren’t alone, we’re here with you x
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Hi everyone, I have just found this thread and it sounds like you’re all doing so amazingly well do far! I’m lucky enough to be getting private treatment due to taking a policy out a couple of years ago. Im in every week on a 3 week cycle, 2x chemo and 1x immuno on week 1, and 1x chemo weeks 2&3 for 4 cycles, then 3 weekly 1x chemo (EC) for 4 cycles. Ive just had the first of cycle 2 (2 chemo and 1 immuno…still with me?!) and so far I’ve been lucky, no major side effects and the hair is all still in situ, even the annoying chin hair that emerges from time to time, boo! Im trying to get out for a walk/ run / PT sessions as often as possible which i think is helping me in general, any other tips from you guys would be lovely; any diet tips/ superfoods out there? Sending positive thoughts, Jen xx
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Hey it sounds like you are doing great. I think I’m on a similar chemo plan to you but I’m about to have my third weekly one this week then starting cycle 2 next week.
I have been quite wiped and not managing to really do much. Food wise I’m eating pretty bland but I’ve heard the green veg like broccoli are meant to be really good and reducing sugar if you can.
I am thinking of trying acupuncture to help with nausea as it’s so bad at times. Good luck for cycle two
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Hi looks like a few of us having similar issues - I too have just had a Picc line fitted yesterday to help with chemo and bloods - round 2 due tomorrow postponed as my bloods been low - had just got myself all prepared but hey ho. Sending everyone lots of positivity- 
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Hi,
I had my 4th EC cycle two weeks ago.
Overall I managed the cycles well.
Having to cope with weird taste buds and constipation. As well as a few days of tiredness in each cycle.
It seems that it has caught up on me and in my last EC cycle now I feel side effects more intensely.
I’m not able to eat much !
I will be moving to Pacitaxel and hoping it will be less harsh.
Wish you all fellow travellers all the best in the journey!
Although it’s challenging It will not last forever it’s temporary !
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Hi Mari1,
Hope you’ve manage to recover for the EC cycles. Have you started the Taxol yet? Interested to hear how that differs from the EC in terms of side effects.
X