May 2024 chemo starters

Uh, that is very much not what you need, I do hope you manage to avoid it. :crossed_fingers:

@tori123 oh no. That’s the last thing you need. Hopefully you won’t catch anything.

Has anyone noticed that their pubic hair is starting to come out. I noticed it today when I had a bath and I saw a very small amount of hairs in the bath. Is this expected? I’m currently on cycle 2 of EC.

@rosa1 Yes! This started for me after my first EC cycle before I lost any head hair. Seems to have stopped now but I think I’ve probably lost about half of it.
Noticed the other day I’ve lost all the underarm hair on the left but not on the right where I had my lymph node clearance.

Has anyone experienced headaches from filgrastin injections? Also my husband had been giving mine but it always hurts when the liquid is being administered. I’ve been using my thighs. Not sure if it’s the technique or whether it’s meant to hurt.

Hi, yes to the pubic hair, similar experience to @dragonk, about half gone and underarm hair gone. Chin hair stubbornly clinging on :laughing:
Re the filgastram, I do get some pain at the end of the injection and usually 1 or 2 of them will bruise and ache for a few hours while the rest are fine.

Sounds similar to me then. It hurts more in the middle and end of the injection. It’s probably something I’ll have to grin and bear every 3 weeks. I hope the headache goes soon. Paracetamol isn’t really working and I remember first time it took 2 days to go

My husband does my filgastrim injections too but into my stomach alternating sides each evening, I squeeze the flesh and find it’s better when I squeeze a bit harder. I’ve come to dread them a bit but they don’t really hurt that much. We take it out the fridge about 30mins beforehand so its not so cold so don’t know if that helps.
I’ve not noticed headaches from them but for a few days my whole back aches, from the base of my skull and shoulders right down to my hips - it eases off before I’ve finished all the injections which is weird I suppose.

Hi everyone :grin:,
I am 52 and i was diagnosed with TNBC on March 28th 2024.It is stage1 grade 2 so caught early.My plan is 12 weekly sessions of Abraxane,3 weekly immunotherapy and carboplatin.This is then followed by 4 EC which will also be 3 weekly.I am awaiting to find out if i am Brac 1 or Brac 2 positive ,if that is the case then the lumpectomy planned will change to bilateral masectomy,followed by radiotherapy.I had my first chemotherapy of Paclitaxel on April 22nd but had a severe reaction.I then had a staph infection and needed two weeks in hospital on IV antibiotics.As my partner said you dont do things by halves​:rofl:.So forward to May 23rd where i had my first round of immunotherapy, carboplatin and Abraxane :grin: all went well. I didnt cold cap and on Sunday i braved the shave as each day my hair was coming out at an expendential rate. I hve bought a number of scarves and wigs but at present feeling empowered with my new look​:smiling_face_with_three_hearts: More shocked at how grey i am​:rofl:. The filgrastim injections i take loratidine an hr before and i find this alleviates the bone ache,obviously im not a medical professional so i would check with your team first.I had a PICC line inserted, as 15 cannulas and a central line later in hospital just to get my antibiotics in.The best decision ever​:smiling_face_with_three_hearts:, painless and no more neddles.I bought a limbo sleeve ,think it was 22.00.Again best thing ever,never got the dressing wet.Ive caught up on all the chat,so will be lovely to chat with you all and be a passenger on each others journey’s :smiling_face_with_three_hearts::smiling_face_with_three_hearts:.

1 Like

@budsbails2301 welcome :hugs:

@rosa1 same on the pubic hair. Isn’t this journey just so glamorous!

Ive been losing head hair since Monday - day 13 after my 1st chemo but today day 15 it’s just shedding all the time. I meet some colleagues for coffee and my hair kept dropping onto the white cafe table. Luckily they are very supportive colleagues. I think it’s just generally shedding all over at the moment rather than specific patches though. So I’m thankfully for that.

2 Likes

Mines the same @snoop182 So far all over. It’s constantly on my clothes and floor.

2 Likes

Sitting outside the hospital about to go in for my 3rd EC. Absolutely terrified. I thought this would get easier but I’m not finding it that way. :sob:

3 Likes

Hi @tsoph i hope you don’t mind me popping onto this board! I’m an April Starter. Like you I had an anaphylactic shock to the Docetaxal. I’ve just completed 3 x EC and am due to start 9 sessions of Abraxane.
I remembered that you were due to start the same drug.
How have you found it?
Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Helen x

1 Like

Hi Helen,
Sorry to hear you had a reaction too,its quite frightening isnt.Since having the Abraxane there have been no problems at all😁 and only 30 mins as well Lisa xx

1 Like

Hi Tori123,
Sending you a big virtual cwtch.Its understandable that you feel that way xx

1 Like

Wow 30 mins that’s amazing! With the EC I’ve been there half a day. Thanks Lisa!

1 Like

Hi @hc1973! I remember you from April, I moved over here as I didn’t reeeeeally start until May due to the reaction!
Abraxane has been part of a combination for me (abraxane and carboplatin)
Honestly, I’ve had very minor side effects; nausea (managed with meds) bone aches, but this might be the filgrastim and fatigue.
I’ve lost my hair now too, but major side effects, nothing too severe. I’ve yet to have any neuropathy etc that they mention although I’m only 2 cycles in (of 6) It’s so far been okay to tolerate! It’s also quick, It’s only a 30 minute infusion :slight_smile:
Best of luck, when do you start?

2 Likes

Hi @tsoph thanks for answering! I start next week. I’m due to have 9 x weekly Abraxane.

2 Likes

@tori123 I’ve just seen your message so I hope you got on ok with your 3rd cycle. Mine is tomorrow and I’m not looking forward to it either. I hope you’re ok over the next week. Big hugs.

1 Like

Big hugs @tori123 - I hope it wasn’t as bad once you got going. Rest up now, hopefully the meds will keep the side effects at bay, and you’ll feel better in a few days time x

1 Like