Is anyone having hot flushes? My face just burns up or I’ll break out into a sweat 
never had them before. My oncologist gave me Fluoxetine but I’m reluctant to take them… will try and preserve 
Ooh I don’t know… I’ve been on a reduced dose of EC so wonder if it’s to make up for that? I’m also her2+ and ER/PR+ so could be due to those? I’m in Kent, I have oncology appt on Monday so will ask!
I haven’t had any hot flushes as yet, just a little bit of a red face for a few days while the EC flushes out. Fingers crossed they soon stop and you don’t need the extra meds! xx
My last EC is tomorrow then first Paclitaxel two weeks later. I had an appointment with my oncologist today. She says usually Paclitaxel is easier than EC, won’t need all the anti-sickness drugs and their side effects for a start. Things to watch out for are aching and neuropathy symptoms.
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I needed anti sickness with Paclitaxel, so make sure you have some on hand if you do feel sick. As always different chemo drugs react differently to each of us as we have different starting health issues, age and allergies.
Paclitaxel is known for causing an upset stomach so ask for Imodium/loperamide.
I hope it’s easier for you.
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I keep wondering whether to do the cooling mitts and socks for the neuropathy with the paclitaxel, but I’m still cold capping (at the moment!) and don’t like the cold in the first place, so may just see how I get on!
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Sitting waiting for round 3 in hospital canteen (arrived an hour early to get extra antisickness tablet before we start) and reading this book my friend bought me. It’s a light hearted look at chemo which I can relate too. From how it affect hair and hands, to how it feels, to the change in toilet habits. My friend sent it to me after round 1 and I was a little apprehensive to read it at that time but would definitely recommend it for some light hearted, honest reading and some hints and tips.
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If it was me and it was on offer I would give it a go. If it’s too cold then you can stop and say you have tried. My unit didn’t offer cooling for peripheral body or able to keep things frozen for you. I bought some frozen slippers and cool packs for my hands and used them after I had returned home and the next day as I would told chemo is more active for 48 hours after infusion. I had minimal neuropathy but can’t say for definite the cold helped or the chemo didn’t affect me as much in that way.
Good luck with the cold cap, it worked for me. It’s not easy.
As you are HER2+ you, and anyone else on the thread, may be interest in joint the HER2+ and need some buddies which is a very popular and supportive thread that’s be going for over a year.
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Thanks @naughty_boob yes I’ve been peeking at the HER2 thread… I did ask a question on there previously too, and I just know that it’s going to be invaluable during this lengthy journey we all find ourselves on!
I may have a look at the cost of the mittens and socks again - it makes more sense to do them at home afterwards now you mention that option, I just slightly begrudge spending all this money on things I shouldn’t have to! Probably will though haha! (I don’t think my trust does them either)
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I am thinking about doing peripheral cold packs at home now as well. They’ve not been mentioned at my unit and I forgot to ask my oncologist but I think she would have said there’s no evidence. How long did you use them at home? @naughty_boob ?
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Hi
I used these frozen slippers by Rapid Relief at £16. I would let them ‘warm’ up a bit before putting them on and have them on until they defrosted about 20 minutes. It’s not easy, I took paracetamol before. They were recommended by the Look Good Feel Better hand and nails facilitator.
For my hands I used these cold/hot packs and wrapped them around my hands for as long as they were frozen. These defrosted quicker so would swap to another set to get 20 minutes. I already had these for first aid
I tried to do it at least once a day on the day of chemotherapy after returning home and for the next two days. Some days I would try to do it twice.
I hope this helps.
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@leelee1 I thought I recognised your username, I must have seen it on the HER2+ thread.
The links I have put below are slightly cheaper option to Suzzipads that many mention.
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Hi everyone
Check out the methodology of the POLAR chemo neuropathy study research in Germany. Although small numbers, I think it was 122 people (that’s enough for me!
) it was randomized and statistically significant so not chance. My unit not proactive about cooling but I will be there freezing a hand and feet and immediately afterwards will be cooling my other hand on the way home!! 
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Oh that’s interesting, so compression is something that has been investigated too then?
I have oncology appt tomorrow so will see if consultant has any comment on that too!
On the September 2023 chemo starters one lady at the Christie in Manchester was offered cooling leg and arm compression. They were looking at the benefits of preventing neuropathy. I remember them saying it was cumbersome if you wanted to go to the toilet, not as easy as a quick unplugging of the cold cap. I believe it worked quite well for her.
Let’s hope there are more units/centres in the U.K. that trial them.
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