trisha69, are you still up or managed to get back off to sleep? I’m so sorry your feeling low. I have found both times I’ve dropped in2 a very low mood around day 6,7 and 8. I’m not sure but it could be some kind of come down off the steroids but I get very low ad negative and feel terrible then all of a sudden it lifts.
I really feel for you with the sore mouth I have been lucky not experiencing sore mouth although I do get gunky mouth and dry throat. I use a special mouth wash a few times a day can’t remember the name off the top of my head plus I gargle with bicarbonate soda.
I wish I could do more to help you right now but a mid-night thought and hug coming your way. X
BussybeeS - 5 miles that’s amazing well done. I’ve been doing a few hours some days at work now and I have to say it has helped me feel I have purpose again but it does drain me not sure I could walk 5 meters after let alone 5 miles.
So glad your breezing through the side affects ? X
Rosie65 (and your wig) glad you had a nice day and confidence boost with the makeup. I really need 2 get myself booked on one of the feel good days. X
Morning I have been awake since 3am again. 2 oxygen head shots in a week, really trying to spin that as a silver lining. ?. Sorry to hear you are low Trish. The mouth sounds miserable.I have been eating lots of scrambled eggs, high protein good for cell repair. Also ice lollies to cool and soothe. I agree about the steroid come down. We are here for you. Sending hugs. X
Good for you busybee. Please don’t feel bad for not feeling bad. It is good to hear happy stories and people coping with chemo. Gives us all hope. I really couldn’t walk 5miles. Or manage work . But any other tips welcome. I think we are all finding our own paths through this. Different diagnosis and different treatments. But also different reactions. Support makes such a difference. ?
Oh Trish, a nurse on Monday advised another patient against Bonjela as if affects platelets or something. I was eavesdropping so didn’t quite catch it. Might be something to check. Sorry didn’t mean to worry you. X
Mai7 is the oxygen expert…something about trees releasing oxygen just before dawn, causes the birds to do the dawn chorus… If I am lying awake and hear the birds start, I hang out of my window and BREATHE. We have alot of trees ( and noisy bloody birds) ? it feels good and really cools me down in tho heat. I believe Mai actually went outside but regretted it ? lol
I got my oxygen head shot this morning. I love it
Trisha
Toothpaste and mouthwash are biotene made especially for dry mouth because of illness, medication, depression etc.
You can get on line for store collection at boots. I ordered mine at my Tesco pharmacy and collected a few days later.
I have been using it daily since the start and I’m not sure if so far that has helped prevent mouth sores or perhaps I just haven’t through luck had them yet?
I also have a gel ready one that is safe and good 2 use again store brought I’ll let you know what that is called shortly. (It’s something mai7 has mentioned before and I went and got ready)
Hope you have a better day today xxxx
Trisha, I had a couple of mouth ulcers on the last cycle. I mentioned it to the nurse who was giving me chemo and she have me a box of gel clair which is a mouth rinse for chemo patients. It’s very expensive to buy and you can only get it direct from manufacturer, but it is available on prescription or from onco ward. Please phone them and ask if they can supply any. The other thing I was advised by helpline was difflam mouthwash, fresh pineapple and vit C tablets.
Wow it has been a busy morning - I’m a bit late to the party!
Trisha - I totally sympathise, the sore mouth, ulcers etc are my main side effect. Everything else is quite minor. I have all the products the others have suggested but Gelclair was most successful although they only gave me 3 sachets. I clean teeth with Biotene toothpaste nearly every time I eat. Use Difflam mouthwash, gingivel gel and gargle with saltwater - and take Paracetamol ( checking temp first) to help me sleep as
it takes the pain away.
Its mostly gone but still have sore tongue and have round 4 tomorrow! Hoping to get more Gelclair as that helped most.
busybee - don’t apologise for feeling good. It’s nice to hear that someone is not getting too many side effects. Have also been walking most days round old running routes and it does make me feel much better
Hello ladies,
Just popping in to say hello from the June monthly thread. Wanted to say that you are an inspiration to those of us still waiting to get started on this journey. My Amazon delivery man has never been so busy! All the tips are really helping me to feel a bit more prepared for next week.
Hope today day is a good day for you all.
Hugs x
Hi AliOg. Glad our experiences are not making you nervous. I have been better each treatment and knowing that it is working and lump is shrinking makes everything easier to handle. My advice would be to tell people. ( or let someone do that for you if you find it hard) and let people help and show that they care. I still get visitors after 7 weeks. I appreciate everyone of them. You can’t do this alone. Don’t beat yourself up for needing help. X
Sounds like you’re having a rough time of it Trisha. The hot weather really doesn’t help with sleep which makes it worse. I find I disappear of the planet into a chemo cloud over the first week. I managed to get out for a walk before it gets hot later. When I got back it was headwear off and I ran the cold tap over my scalp,? worked a treat and no need for styling! ?
Afternoon all,
Hope you’re enjoying the sunshine. I had my PICC line inserted yesterday, took a few attempts (my veins tend to be stubborn like me), but we got there in the end. I have my second FEC cycle tomorrow and would like to know if you found the side effects harder, easier or same as the first. I’m feeling great today, despite the soreness in my arm, so trying to prepare my mind for another round! Also any recommendations for picc line covers? I’m trying to avoid having uncovered around my small kids… abit fearful of my 4year old son trying to yank it out ‘out of interest’
Wande x
Hi Wandestrong, good to hear PICC line fitting went well. It will be a bit sore for a day then no problem. Shower cover I have a Limbo which gives a good seal (about £15 on Amazon). For covering, I’ve tended just to wear long sleeves but a large tubigrip cut to size covers it for extra protection. I have a bouncy 4 year old but haven’t had a problem as it’s pretty well secured and after looking at it he’s left it alone. I hope round 2 goes well tomorrow. I’ve found the side effects for rounds 1 and 2 pretty much the same.
For me the cover they used was fine but their shower cover cut off my circulation.
They gave me a shower cover, which I wasn’t expecting as I already bought one on eBay and a tubigrip-like dressing but I’ll see if I can get a plain black or brown one or perhaps something colourful, to enable me to keep wearing my sleeveless summer dresses. I’ll have a look at etsy, thanks! X
Hi ladies I just thought I’d share my good news for the day. I had my results for my BRCA gene tests and they came back negative. I also had an appointment with my surgeon to discuss my surgery options for after my chemo. He did an examination and is now unable to find my lump, which is fantastic news 
x