Hi Everyone, I started TC chemo an 2nd June and felt like a bomb had gone off in my insides!
I’m hoping to speak to a team this week about tweaking my meds as days 4/5 in particular I couldn’t get out of bed.
I had docetaxol in 2010 for a different primary breast cancer and don’t remember it being so nasty. It’s encouraging to read on here that some ladies have tweaked their meds and it’s made a big difference.
I’m on day 7 now and starting to feel a bit more like myself.
Hey I started 2nd June also and I think I also had a reaction to steroids they told me not to take the day 3 one, heart rate rising and still does sometimes when I eat which is weird, and the red face which was unbearable, I think it is a higher dose right? Not sure what else the steroid does as they told me it’s for anti sickness mainly? however because so much goes into you on chemo day I have no idea what side effect is coming from what drug… I hate that it’s a guessing game, so many mini side effects that it’s hard to describe what caused what- if that makes sense, still get what I presume is heartburn and gaviscon doesn’t help that so of any suggestions I would love, I see consultant this week so wil tell her everything and then just hope next time is better
Just popping in from May 26 Starters to wish you ladies all the very best. Hope you don’t mind?
I’m only on Cycle 2 of 4 x EC, started on May 13th, second one last week, so early days for me.
Steroids…hmmmm…..they do seem to cause a lot of bother to most of us. Mine are given via IV before the chemo goes in, I don’t have tablets to take home with me, although I was told I could be prescribed them at a lower dose, if required, to ease me off the side effects. I refused.
As I understand it - and don’t quote me! - steroids do help with any sickness, but also stimulate the appetite, because you’ve GOT to eat to keep your strength up. Trouble with eating is your digestive system then has to go into overdrive to digest the food, which, in turn, uses up a lot of the energy your body needs to fight the damage chemo is doing to your ‘good’ cells…..haemoglobin, platelets, neutrophils etc. Perhaps this is what, in part, contributes to the frankly bloody awful wave of fatigue that hits many of us usually on Day 3 post-chemo?
Anyway, once again, all the very best to you on this seemingly endless road to a better life. We will endure.
Hi @LittleBitBrave , missed you up there! I think the antihistamines are given to try to prevent any severe allergic reaction to the chemo drugs, or the chemicals/carriers which may be in the IV infusions. They block histamine release and prevent severe reactions, at least that’ s my understanding of it.
@LittleBitBrave its to prevent anaphylactic reaction to the chemo. I had a reaction to the docetaxol back in 2010 so this time they have given me additional pre-meds and put it through at a slower rate.
Thinking that might be why I have felt so awful as I couldn’t stop crying on day 4 after the steroid crash.
I had my chemo Friday and I have been so weepy today- I am hoping it’s the steroid crash you just mentioned! My wee girl is vomiting and I’m being a completely useless mummy so I’d say that’s contributing too!
I am a March starter after adverse reactions in February. MY DD is working towards becoming a specilist hospital based trauma burns and plastics nurse. She works with chemo nurses for some patients who need reconstructions. She explained to me she prefers to see side effects from chemo as that often indicates the drugs are targeting the rogue cells. It’s pretty tough to be on the receiving end of Ìt though but try to keep going.
IT really is okay to contact the hospitals 24/7 helpline with any worries or concerns following chemo. DD would far rather people spoke to her as soon as something is not quite right than wait till it has become a real issue that makes them feel very unwell. IT is also okay to contact your oncologists secretary, explain what happened the last time and ask if it’s possible to see them before the next round happens. Often there are extra supportive drugs that can help make the side effects more bearable, such as the daily antihistimines I have. You can also flag any concerns with the chemotheraphy nurse just before chemo. from experience if it’s something that needs an oncologist to double check they will contact them before starting anything. IN my case my oncologist has asked that I do not have chemo on their day off and only on days they can be on call in the hospital.. ( that is becuase I have a history of adverse drug reactions)
CHemo is tough going and it helps to find something that can bring you a hint of joy. IF you’re struggling ask the BCN if there is anything available in your area that offers supportive counselling. MY local none hospital based charitable cancer support centre have provided both truama counselling and trauma therapy as my trauma is hospital based which has made engaging with chemo much harder. last weeks scan shows the side effects and all have been worth taking as it looks like the stuff is evicting the lodger presurgery (HER+)
THis side of chemo is scary, believe me I have been there to the point I kept collapsing at hospital, so just take each day as its comes as best you can and accept as many sane offers to help that you get, even if you have to direct someone from the help they think you need into something that does help you. MY SiL offered to cook but she is better at gardening so I asked her to do that instead as my DH is a good cook but a lousy gardener.
Thanks for checking in @joc2 , what a difference a day makes! Not teary and managed out for a wee walk (granny paced but still counts!). I will need to remember for next time that Mondays might just be a shite day and adjust all expectations. It’s all a learning curve!
Does anyone get anything to help them sleep ? Or anything for their mood? I’m still not sleeping (I’m a bad sleeper anyway) but I feel like maybe I could handle more if I had actual sleep!
Sorry to hear you’re not sleeping, I can imagine that’s making everything a lot harder. Is it something you’ve spoken to your GP about before in the past? I wonder if they might be a good first port of call or failing that your oncology nurses. The message seems to always be don’t suffer and get in touch so I’m sure it’s something they would want to hear about it. Sorry I’ve nothing helpful to suggest, but I can imagine how hard it’s making things xxx
