March 2026 chemo starters

dark chocolate is also good for low magnesium. i know you cant have nuts but brazil nuts also help so i eat dark choc brazil nuts but ive alwaysloved them. another thing thats helped me with my magnesium levels is the magnesium, sleep body spray i use it on my legs at night as they are restless, its a good way to absorb it without it going through your system.

1 Like

Well done in getting out there @sammy75. Every bit helps I think - no pressure to do anything but can be some wins when we can xx

1 Like

What a long day @wibbles - it’s exhausting managing all the chemo stuff as it is without having to be super aware of all the individual things that the team also need to be looking out for. Sounds good that the drug ward sister was aware of and held something back for you.

Hope your body can cut you some slack and not send you another tsunami of horrors.

Thanks for the tips for gloves etc. my hands have been awful but trying to get on top of it with the cream they’ve provided. I do have some of the gloves you mentioned so I’ll make sure I’m better at using them !

I’ve also been given drugs I wasn’t expecting - as well as the injections I have anti fungal and antibiotics - did anyone else get those on Docetaxel rounds ?

1 Like

you might have been given antifungal and antibiotics if your hands are really bad from dryness plus eczema. TBH if your unclear as to why you have a drug give the hospital helpline a call as they will be able to access your hospital medical records to explain why they’ve been given.

My eldest son had terrible excema as a teenager and would often be given both by the hospital as damaged skin is far more prone to both as both live on the skin. IF skin remains whole and un damaged and your immune system is Aok Ìt rarely causes issues. if your skin is damaged and your immune system becomes low then normal skin bugs can access the under layers of the skin and cause havoc. TBH if it is to do with your hands do all you can to encourage the skin to heal and stay hydrated. IF the creams etc from the hospital are NOT helping as hoped for to get your hands under control contact them and take photos to send/. Show your oncologist.

I had to stop cleaning etc until my hands stopped shredding and I had skin again. I always cream before doing a task and donning suitable gloves and always wash and recream after. try using cooler water and a soap substitute to wash with and very gently pat rather than rub them dry if you are not already doing so.

hope your hands improve and soon.

1 Like

For itching antihistamines are a good bet. Chlorphenamine is best for skin reactions according to my oncologist. At least if it works you’ll know if it’s dry skin or a reaction??

1 Like

So my liver enzymes have gone up which isnt delaying things today but they need to monitor that. If I had to guess id say I haven’t hydrated enough, maybe only getting in 2 pints a day.

And…. I’ve put on weight and they nearly had to up my dose!!!

I’m blaming carbs! And cheese! Whoops

2 Likes

Thanks @wibbles - when I came out of my steroid fug I did think - why have they given me these ! So I checked this morning - apparently I’ll get them prophylactically for each Docetaxel based on my previous treatment - maybe just my hospitals protocol :person_shrugging:.

Good to hear that least there is no delay @foxgem but hydration is the key ! . As you said before quite scary (but also reassuring) how much they are finding out about what’s happening in our bodies xxx

Hope it goes well today xxx

2 Likes

Neutrophils we’re 4.6 though! Very pleased with that. A heaped spoonful of cocoa powder everyday in my morning coffee, sometimes twice a day… could it be that? I hope so :slight_smile:

3 Likes

I too hope all goes well for you today @foxgem.

Try and drink more than two pints…you need to aim for at least two litres minimum. I aim for 3 litres to help keep me hydrated as it makes the side effects a bit easier to bear.

3 Likes

I get an extra five days of prendisalone following on from the three days post chemo steroids and daily antihistamines to prevent my excema reacting and causing an almost all over very itchy flare. Hope the Prophylactic drugs help keep your skin as well as it can be during chemo.

1 Like

Same here I’ve used both La Rochay Posay and moogoo which have been great so far. That said I love a fragranced product and these are a bit joyless in that department however have been amazing from moisturising and tolerance perspective.

1 Like

@foxgem if it’s any consolation I put just less than 2kg on in chemo which is unheard of for me, and that was with keeping pretty active throughout too. I think the chemo must do something to our metabolic rate. I also blame the dark chocolate! Now I’m finished I’m back to exercising more at a higher level so burning more calories, and minimal chocolate now! Cottage cheese instead of nice cheese​:frowning:. Am hoping it’ll all fall off again soon :crossed_fingers:. You’re younger than me so am sure you’ll lose yours in due course :heart:. Good news on the neutrophils! Mine weren’t even that higher before chemo!!

2 Likes

[Oxygen therapy

Hi,
Not sure how to post a new topic! Has anyone investigated/tried hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help with sfx of chaemo and, in particular, peripheral neuropathy? Due to start paclitaxol soon…

1 Like

Hope everything has gone well for you today :heart:

1 Like

All done. No real drama :heart:

7 Likes

Glad you’re all done and everything was OK! I’ve put on about 5 or 6lb during chemo whilst still averaging 12-20k steps most days, going to the gym and running round after a whirlwind of a 3 year old and 5 year old! Telling myself it’s fluid retention from the docetaxel but deep down I know it’s the carbs :joy:

4 Likes

Fluid retention and steroids! Let’s blame them instead then haha

3 Likes

@foxgem glad you managed your infusion today. Hope you continue to feel ok once off the steroid high!

@felineoptimist have you seen my forehead? Are you spying on me? The face has erupted this week Post PAC1 infusion my forehead has become a red dry blob - using La Roche posey cream (brought with boots points) but fear it’s a Paclitaxel reaction.

My day for my second PAC infusion could have gone better. I phoned the ward on Tuesday when my full body bone aching was subsiding as reflected that actually it had been pretty sh*t, husband was worried and I had broken into my post Op co-codomol that I hadn’t used post Op - to be advised by the ward on a call back that I had a full spinal inflammation hence the pain throughout the body. Interesting! I was advised to call my consultant - ha ha ha. I left a message in the end on his secretaries answerphone mobile number but heard nothing more so today I pulled on my biggest big girl pants and headed in for my next round only to be met with blank faces and we’ve been advised your appointments have been cancelled for the next two weeks (!???). A kind booking secretary managed to eventually get hold of an oncology secretary who advised they thought the appointments were cancelled after the consultant’s discussion with me - errr no! So hurrah I won’t feel awful this weekend as no chemo but also boo! A delay and have no idea what’s occurring. Managed to get my next consultant appointment pulled forward to tomorrow afternoon by phone so hopefully I will know more then. Trying not to worry too much about it till I know more. I am remaining “fluid” and breathe.