Hi @sarahc_123
I’m nearly 3 weeks since my last and still having some side effects. Sore, watery eyes due to losing most of my lashes. Swollen ankles and lower legs, iffy tummy and tiredness.
The first few weeks were too bad, had at least 3/4 days feeling really rough, I did have my Covid booster between week 1 and 2, so that could have affected how I felt. I had a UTI after week 2, which can be common, GP prescribed antibiotics. A couple of weeks later I had a sore throat, it was due to thrush, another common thing to happen, so give Nystan and it cleared quickly. Week 3 I had an allergic reaction to the chemo and it was stopped half way through and due to being at an outreach it wasn’t restarted once I was stable. Unfortunately, I was also sick and they couldn’t get a doctor to prescribe anti sickness via a drip, which I’d already had a premeds. After this reaction I was given tablets to take at home before, the day of and the day after chemotherapy to prevent it happening again (dexamethasone (steroid), Famotidine (antacid) and ceterizine ( antihistamine). I had no further reactions after this.
I was taking my daily temperature and recording my side effects and after week 8 I had another sore throat but didn’t feel right, so off the GP and my temperature was 37.9 so phone call to cancer centre helpline. Called me in, took bloods and temp went down before I arrived. Given oral antibiotics and sent home after 6 hours of monitoring. The weekly chemo was delayed. Unfortunately later that week my temperature was up again over 38 so called helpline and was told I’d have to stay in. That was 6 days in hospital, 4 different antibiotics, a mega cold sore, had oral acyclovir and my liver bloods went off the scale. They thought it was so much medication and chemotherapy overwhelming my liver. Advised more bloods and liver scan to be organised.
The following week the chemo went ahead as normal, by now I was only having 2 good days, one of which was back in the chair for next infusion. I then finished the final 4 weeks with severity and length of side effects increasing as I mentioned at the beginning.
I cold capped the whole 12 weeks, the first 10/15 minutes were the worse I tried paracetamol but it didn’t make a difference. I found distracting my self was best, reading or watching a video was best. I’ve only lost two small patches above me ears, as I wore my glasses u dear the cap (nurses should have told me not too, I found out online) and obviously daily glasses wear does rub. 98% hair retained and some shedding which is hardly noticeable. I had a lot of hair before. I had my bob cur to a pixie which I isn’t need to do ( cancer centre info suggested you cut it, most advice now is only cut it if your hair is very long) https://coldcap.com/ https://paxmanscalpcooling.com/ or wwwcancerhaircarre.co.uk for good advise caring for hair whether capping or not.
Also wwwlookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk. I painted my nails from week 4/5 after LGFB course, maybe I wouldn’t have the issues if I had started from the beginning. Recommend daily moisturising and balm for cuticle, file, strengthening treatment, followed by polish and topcoat, clear and repeat every 3 days to check nails, toes weekly. If you do the course online they will send you goodies or face to face you receive in the day. The is the same for the makeup and skincare (goody bag was huge)
Overall the side effects are cumulative and you have to allow time to feel better afterwards. I am continuing with Herceptin injections until September and some side effects can be similar. I have my first sole injection tomorrow so will find out soon. Letrozole starting after radiotherapy finishes in two weeks.
Hope this all makes sense and helps. I forget to mention the chemo brain is real. Can’t think of words, can’t spell, forget things. Depending how old you are very similar to menopausal brain fog.
I have down days, but I find it hilarious most of the time! You have to laugh… xx