Hi,
I have completed the first double dose of CMF and have been reacting to the final 200 mls or so of the cyclophosphamide. They have tried it in a drip instead of hand injecting and although it was better, I still went faint and got terrible pains up the nose/sinus/head as it got to the last 200 mls again. Now the onc has decided I have to have Piriton added to the mix! So now got the 3 drugs, anti sick, steroids, Piriton and also have double saline going in my port!. Will be in the toilet all day at this rate! Anyone able to tell me what to expect from the Piriton? I have heard it makes you sleepy?
Thanks, any advice very welcome. I get it on Tuesday and the Tuesday after.
Lily x
Hi Lily,
sorry i cant answer your question as i’ve never taken Piriton,but i had my 1st FEC on Monday and afterwards i had a tingling at the top of my nose. I didnt feel faint but its interesting that you had the tingly feeling as well. As you know i also had the flushing which you kindly replied to me about on an earlier thread.
Hopefully someone will be along soon to answer your query.
all the best Traceyxx
Thanks Tracy,
the C of both our treatments is cyclophosphamide and is known for its side effect of what is very accurately described as swimming pool nose. That sensation when water goes up your nose in a pool. Mine started like that and just kept getting worse until I couldn’t stand the pain in my nose, sinuses and head. Then I went hot, my nose closed so I could not breathe through it very well and then I went dizzy and faint. The unit are familiar with this and say it is almost always towards the end of the second tube, so no-one is very worried- except me of course! Thanks for replying and if I was any help to you before, you are very welcome
Lily x
H Lily
I didn’t take Piriton as part of my chemo cocktail but I have taken it in the past to help with prickly skin. It can make you drowsy so you should arrange for someone to drive you to your appt if you are affected but if you take them regularly you get used to it so it isn’t too debilitating.
Don’t worry about the combination of drugs, i used to worry about taking two things together, then I discovered you can actually take an entire pharmacy in one hit and its only in short bursts then you get a break.
Hope they do the trick and make the chemo tolerable for you
AJxxx
Hi Lily
I had piriton when having Dolcetaxol but in tablet form had to take it 3 days before chemo and then 3 days after, did not have much of a reaction from what I remember, hopefully this will stop you having the reaction that you have had as can’t be very nice.
best wishes
Chris
piriton’s an antihistamine. I was on it for my hayfever as a teenager. I was unfit to drive it knocked me out so badly,seriously nearly had a crash in my mini and switched to loratidine (clarityn as it’s known commercially) I hated the stuff. Dex and piriton… urgh, might have been just me though.
Are you finding your eyelids dangerously heavy, if so let someone else drive for sure… trust me. after all the chemo you’ve done you don’t want any crashes do you 
you poor thing, sounds like you are having a hard time of it - is it cos of the trial that you are getting so much more does and does this mean you are getting extra treatment, suppose its worth it but know how hard it must be for you now but you are such a fighter - here’s to maybe just a little nap on tuesday then
xxx
Hi
thanks guys for the nice messages. I am such a wuss, I always worry when they change something. I hated epi but felt sort of safe that I knew what was coming and when, this 2 weeks in a row is much harder to plan around and predict. Not sure if that will make sense to anyone. I never go alone as no-one else would even get me a drink if Oh not there. Not sure how I will be if I fall asleep as we are in shiny armchairs, rather than in a bed! I felt sleepy last time and my head kept falling over the side and waking me up. Thanks Lisa, I am good but my eye sight is badly hit by this too, so confined to barracks for longer than epi.So annoying drove miles and miles today and I do love my car, making the most of it until the next dose! Are you ok now?
Thanks everyone and good luck to you all.
Lily x
Oh Lily, you are having a bad time I only hope and pray that it gets easier for you. As I mentioned on another thread I see the prof on Mon for my treatment plan so more than likely will have lots of questiond for you if you don’t mind. By the way what prof are you under? Da or the other one (can’t think what his name is). Did you get to see the chemo unit before your first appt?
Take care and hopefully meet up soon Sharon xx
Piriton is given as standard with some chemos (taxol, e.g.). I had it injected before my infusions and it would make me sleepy for about half an hour and that was that. It is recommended that you do not drive yourself home afterwards.
Jenny.
Can only reinforce Jenny’s post - I had it IV with my paclitaxol and my friend knew when I was getting sleepy so would just let me sleep in the treatment room for about half an hour.
I was told it was to protect a certain part of my body (can’t remember if it was my stomach) - it went in one ear and out the other!
There is now a non drowsy formulation of Piriton, so perhaps you could ask if they could give you that. I hate standard Piriton as it conks me out - had to have it when I was on intravenous antibiotics last year.
Hi Lily
When I had my 2nd FEC treatment there was a lady there who had an allergic reaction to her chemo and they gave her piriton which sorted her out. I think it might be a bonus to feel sleepy for the treatment then at least you are not so aware of the whole horrible experience.
Anyway good luck,
Bev x
Hi Lilly the piriton will reduce nasal inflamation and should make you feel more comfortable, if you are having problems due to drowsiness perhaps they could change it to another antihistamine good luck x
Hi, I also had piriton as standard with taxol. Made me sleepy but that’s it. Take care. x
Hello Lily
I agree with JennyWren and teacup.
I am also having Piriton intraveneously as part of my pre chemo cocktail along with dexamethasone and ranitidine. It makes me a bit sleepy whilst having my chemo as this is injected 30 mins before my TAXOL chemo.It helps me not to have any allergic reactions to the chemo itself.My oncolgist decided for me to have this as I had a very bad reaction to the first chemo TAXOTERE hence they changed to my current chemo.So far having this as part of my prechemo cocktail,no allergies after 7sessions.Best not to drive after your chemo session.
Veeluz
Hi,
thanks as always you have made me glad I asked and I am now looking forward to a big sleep. Maybe it will get rid of a few dark shadows under the eyes! LOL. I have never driven before so def will not start now.Will also ask if there is a non-drowsy type. The onc says I am costing him a fortune. Shame! As I am on a trial I think Roche actually pick up the bill.
Pinkdove, hoipe it was not the piriton going through the ears!!! LOl. Tell me if you remember what it helps. I think it is the breathing as my nostrils sort of closed and I had to breathe through my mouth, probably why I felt faint - plain old panic!
Thanks ladies and lots of luck to you all this week. Will let you know if I embarassed myself by snoring. Sharon ask all you like.
Lily x x