Had to pop back to cancer centre so spoke to pharmacist. They didn’t say a total no to CBD oil but said research is not there for chemotherapy and your live has to work hard to process that that the CBD is just another thing it has to deal with. They said if I can hold off for another 5 weeks when I finish my chemo that would be better. But she that it is a balance with treatment and quality of life. I did point about that there is an anti sickness drug using CBD!
She said the Herceptin is injected and not so hard on kidney so I could try and see what happens then. I’ve looked into other treatments for hot flushes and they all have contraindications with other drugs I take for my heart so they aren’t any good.
Maybe it’s time they did some studies with chemotherapy and CBD in all its forms and see what happens.
@naughty_boob there in lies the challenge. Doing the best for treatment and also trying to do things to make ourselves feel better. I have mainly been living off beige food this week which is unusual for me but it is all i can face when I have dodgy tummy. Think it might be the injections to boost my white blood cells causing the issues. Last one for two weeks was last night so I am hoping for a recovery from here on in.
Hope everyone is doing okay and looking forward to a relaxing weekend.
Dear, I had 4 session EC every second week, constipated first 2 days, but I ate morning cereal, (no dairy, only almond or oats, soya milk) dark bread, salad mixed, and lots of dry prunes, from Lidl I buy a package of dried prunes, prune compotes, or I used to prepare apples, pears, peaches boiled in water with honey.Now I don’t know what the constipation was from, maybe steroids (I had 4 pieces three days after chemotherapy), but they also gave me omeprazole to protect my stomach, later they changed tummy protection to nexazole which I take daily because I have this dry cough. But I also said that I don’t know what to eat, now I’m constipated, then I have diarrhea, I’m afraid to put anything in my mouth, my stomach is probably upset.Anyway, today I received the letter from the oncology doctor, on Tuesday morning I go for investigations with a dry cough, and also let’s talk about changing my chemotherapy infusion, with paclitaxel. Food is important what we eat but you see our body reacts differently, I used to eat anything, now I think twice.
Hopefully you will find a way to manage with constipation, and everyone have a good time during the treatment.
Enjoy your weekend
Big hug
Hi Cami, that’s really helpful to know about how you have been on the FEC with constipation etc.
I’m so glad they are going to examine the dry cough, you must be so sick of it by now.
Hope you all manage as nice a weekend as possible.
Glad to hear your cough is being investigated a bit more. Sorry about your digestive problems, slippery elm was recommended on. Www.pennybrohn.org.uk treatment zoom meeting I was on. You can get in powder, tea and supplements. It helps to settle the stomach for all issues.
Someone on the course said he helped them more than what given by doctors.
Food is so important to our well-being, I suffer badly with diarrhoea and was told to cut down on fruit, veg and brown bread etc, all the things we are supposed to eat to be healthy. So have been having sausage rolls, cheese, crackers, white bread and everything processed. Still having diarrhoea so it’s not really made a difference. Probably put more weight on now with all the stodgy food!
Just remembered something from www.pennyBrohn.org.uk treatment support programme session I did on well-being on Thursday for all those of you with bowel/intestines problems
There is a acupressure point called ‘The Great Eliminator’ (large intestine 4)
You squeeze the fleshy bit between your thumb and pointy finger.
Here’s a link with instructions and further info… Worth a try! pressure between 10/30 seconds on both sides of the body.
For nausea Pericardium 6
Tension/anxiety Shen Men ‘Spirit gate’ Heart 7
Let me know if any of these help. I’m at a point I’ll try anything!
You’re a little star thank you for sharing. Constipation/stomach issues as well as aches and pain have been the dominant word for me this week . Thank you for your suggestions 🩷:purple_heart:
Anyone else feel jittery/feel their heart beating? I had chest pains last week so was back to A&E for the day. They couldn’t find anything and sent me home but I still feel jittery and sometimes feel my heart pounding. I thought it was side effect of some of the drugs for the diarrhoea but I haven’t taken any drugs for three days (hurrah) but still have these weird sensations. Anyone else had anything similar.
On a different note has anyone tried sucking ice cubes during chemo to try to stop tastebuds being affected. I am thinking of trying this next week and wondered if anyone else has heard of it or given it a go.
Hope you are all well and cracking through the cycles you are on.
I had a few instances of palpitations between my 2nd and 3rd EC but haven’t really had any between 3 and 4 (4th is Thursday). I told my nurse and oncologist at the time and they made a note but didn’t seem hugely concerned, I didn’t have any pain though- it’s always good to get it checked out.
I managed an (almost) full day in the office today, really glad I went.
I’m starting to get a little nervous about the switch from EC to Paclitaxel… I’ve tolerated EC really well (too well?) and worried about how I’ll go with the next one. Fear of the unknown, I guess. And my oncologist casually mentioned today that I’ll be having injections every three weeks for a year even when I’m through chemo and the op- (as well as radiotherapy)- can’t remember the name but that was a new one! So much for my round the world tour once I’m done being zapped!
I’ve noticed an increase in my heart rate generally. I wear a FitBit 24/7 and my resting HR is about 10 beats higher than normal. I suffer from an arrhythmia and take medication for it but it’s well controlled. I think for me it’s a side effect of chemo and all the other medication.
Taste buds, I was recommended eating fresh pineapple as it seems to reset top your taste. I have found it worked. Didn’t bother with ice cubes as it’s an hour drive and with premeds etc they would be defrosted by the time my infusion is put up!
Thanks everyone for sharing your palpitations and heart stories. I feel less alone. My chemo nurses made me go back to A&E again to get checked. As suspected they found nothing. I really wish my team was more into reassurance rather than what feels like a knee jerk send off to the local hospital.
I have also found a lot of casual mentioning of things which seem big to me. On my first chemo day they casually mentioned I would need to inject myself for the next seven days. They seemed quite put out when I asked them to tell me how to do this, “its just like injecting insulin” was the exact quote. Which would possibly help if I was diabetic but as I am not was not much use. Gaaah. Thank god for YouTube videos. I am particularly grumpy today after last night’s A&E expedition and just four hours sleep. I really didn’t want to go but felt I had to after they told me that’s what I should be doing.
Hi @frazzledmcsazza , hope you’re catching up on sleep. Like you, i wS horrified when they told me id need to inject myself. I still havent got used to the filgrastim injections even though it doesnt really hurt.
I had round 3 of EC last Thursday and the nausea has been much worse this time around, and constipation too.
Nausea makes me not want to eat or drink but tgen not eating makes the nausea worse. Not left the house today.
Hoping I’ll have turned the corner tomorrow xx
@milly156 I had that empty-sicky feeling after my 3rd EC too. I ended up keeping some biscuits by the bed so I could grab them in an emergency when I woke up! And went through a lot of salty crackers too. Definitely try to keep nibbling little bits if you can xx
My heart rate and BP defo increased and am out of breath just climbing the stairs. I am usually very fit it’s so frustrating. I was tachy today and they checked if I should ahead w treatment. Yes doctor said. But a couple of minutes into treatment another reaction similar as two weeks ago. It’s weird cause I had paclitaxel last week and was “fine”.
Someone had mentioned there is an alternative on here and nurses did also say that. They have to order it.
I was completely zonked from the meds ans slept it off. Couldn’t even form words !! I could feel I was really tired and off this week. I guess having a week off is a shame but also welcome. Back next week I think and different drug.
Good idea on the ice cubes. Maybe I’ll try that in my glass . I have to have a straw. I wear the cold sleeves an hands on feet so literally can’t use hands, it has been helpful to avoid any pins and needles.
Hi all, I’ve def noticed a racing heart rate and that jittery feeling after my third EC over a week ago. Much more so than first two infusions, plus generally feeling a bit bleurgh. The only thing that sorts me out is exercise (walking longish distances) and keeping super busy and on my feet, I’ve noticed if I rest lots in the day I oddly feel much worse. No idea if that’s normal or a strange psychological response!
@frazzledmcsazza I’ve sucked ice and ice lollies during all three ECs and my taste has remained ok. Am slightly nervous about docetaxel next time as I know that can be hard on your mouth. Was thinking I might try freezing some grapes next time and take them in a thermos. Has anyone tried this? Xxxxx
I agree re the casual mentioning of things which are big to us. Really hope the abraxane is much better for you.
Not tried the frozen grapes but sounds a very good idea. I tried pomegranate the other night, which I normally love, and if tasted really horrible.
Have to call a friend and tell her about the breast cancer this morning, which I’m dreading. I’ve been putting if off and off as her daughter is at the same school as my son and he just wants school to remain as normal as possible.
Another chemo tomorrow, will be my third paclixatel at a reduced dose due to liver function results…
Love to you all
xxxx
Hi All - Seems we are all going through some tough things this week. Thank you to everyone who is sharing their heart racing issues. I definitely feel now that this is just one of the side effects and I just need to carry on through it. Also really good hearing other have tried icy things during chemo and it seems to work so I will definitely give that a try next week and report back. Love the grapes idea too.
Love to all who are in the midst of the madness, I am in my more normal week from here until next Thurs when it all starts again.
Has anyone else watched the Rhod Gilbert documentary? I watched it yesterday and cried along with him many times. His experience of how tough it has been felt much more similar to how I am finding things than some of the other documentaries which seem to gloss over all the side effects and the mental challenges. He is incredibly brave to share his story and be willing to show himself at the hardest points. I recommend it if you haven’t seen it. It is on Channel 4.
Love the idea of frozen grapes thank you.
Abraxane that’s it, yes let’s hope I don’t have a reaction. Reflecting back, both time I had a reaction, my partner was around. I wonder if he is trigger for me, like perhaps it makes me more nervous that he’s here, without me realising. Whislt he’s been really supportive I am not sure he always gets it, he’s a kind soul but it’s been playing on my mind, I can see he doesn’t what to do it how to act. We don’t live together and he can’t work from home so has to take days off, and is 1h30/2 from home, it’s an extra level of logistics that defo worry me and put a strain on our relationship, I think he can be there after but not during from now on!!
Defo one for my first counselling session this week w Penny Brohn!! @frazzledmcsazza for some reason I cannot watch heavy stuff, or complicated plot or documentary since starting chemo. I don’t watch the news and can only watch light hearted silky things as my attention span has diminished or I fall asleep!! Also I just need something to cheer me up. I’ve become emotional even just watching a film or reading a book (I never used to cry for stuff like ) and I can only put it down to my ovaries working overtime. @daffodil1 they are people I haven’t told because I didn’t feel close enough to tell them. They are people I told now I wish I hadn’t, one person in particular who is always about me me me and it’s OTT Extra super positive and it’s annoying. I’ve been reducing contact.
What I am struggling with is that being here and my Mum in France, I told her to tell the family when I found out in August. She recently told me she has not told the small family we have. Like my aunt and great aunt. I was speechless and said she has to rectify this ASAP, I found out 3 months and started treatment one month ago. Apparently she doesn’t want to distract my great aunt who is older and couldn’t cop w bad news. I doubt. But my aunt. I don’t get it. Am not close to her because I live in England but my mum is so makes no sense to me. I think she’s started loosing her mind, she’s 72 next month and living on her own, sometimes she’s not making sense and is not logical. Lucky my brother is really supportive and my friends too.
She’s coming over in a couple of weeks and am worried am going to have to support her rather than the other way round!
Hi ladies,
Back from all appointments,
The cough I’ve had it for 6 weeks already, XRay clear, blood test fine, the oncologist doctor said is definitely from the reflux, and reflux set in from the first day of EC so it’s a side effect from the chemotherapy,and the cough side effect from the reflux, soo I have the treatment with nexalonsi gaviscon I hope it works.Yesterday I had my first chemotherapy session with a new infusion of paclitaxel, everything was fine. They warned me that side effects can appear in the first 15 min, then in the second session the same in but never when I’m at home. So I hope it will be good We recommend you to drink a lot of water before each session, I know they say 2 l per day, but I drink 2 l before the session and during chemo and it is better tolerated. I start chemotherapy in the morning.In relation to the heartbeat, I saw that it was discussed, and I get tired more quickly than before the diagnosis, when I climb the stairs especially or rush to walk, normally the heartbeat it accelerates for me but I didn’t have problems with palpitations, I just stopped to rest, instead I helped my husband one day with some paving slabs and the fact that I bent down to keep lifting each one made me a bit dizzy, very tiring and very dizzy, I always had to take a break but I didn’t stop until I picked them all up.In relation to family and friends, I also said that I did not notify anyone, only my brothers and colleagues. You also do as you feel, I for one did not feel the need to give explanations to no one, especially in the first months with the shock of the diagnosis and the masectomy operation, I was really withdrawn emotionally and I didn’t want support from acquaintances, only my husband, children and colleagues, and honestly it was the best choice, and here on the forum from the first day I found suppyemotional and useful information. Thank you for sharing all your experiences I wish you all an easy treatment, and good health Good luck with your treatment girls, big hug
pressure between 10/30 seconds on both sides of the body.
🩷:purple_heart:
I wish you all an easy treatment, and good health 
Good luck with your treatment girls, big hug