@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 donāt 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 donāt know what to eat, now Iām constipated, then I have diarrhea, Iām 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 letās 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, thatās really helpful to know about how you have been on the FEC with constipation etc.
Iām 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 itās 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 āThe Great Eliminatorā (large intestine 4)
You squeeze the fleshy bit between your thumb and pointy finger.
Hereās a link with instructions and further infoā¦ Worth a try! 
pressure between 10/30 seconds on both sides of the body.
For nausea Pericardium 6
Tension/anxiety Shen Men āSpirit gateā Heart 7
Let me know if any of these help. Iām at a point Iāll try anything! 
Youāre 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 
š©·: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 couldnāt 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 havenāt 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 sucked ice lollies during chemo infusion and didnāt loose taste, took them in mini cool box with those ice block things in, hope that helps 
Shi xx
I had a few instances of palpitations between my 2nd and 3rd EC but havenāt 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 didnāt seem hugely concerned, I didnāt have any pain though- itās always good to get it checked out.
I managed an (almost) full day in the office today, really glad I went.
Iām starting to get a little nervous about the switch from EC to Paclitaxelā¦ Iāve tolerated EC really well (too well?) and worried about how Iāll go with the next one. Fear of the unknown, I guess. And my oncologist casually mentioned today that Iāll be having injections every three weeks for a year even when Iām through chemo and the op- (as well as radiotherapy)- canāt remember the name but that was a new one! So much for my round the world tour once Iām done being zapped! 
Hope everyone is doing ok!
Iāve 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 itās well controlled. I think for me itās 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. Didnāt bother with ice cubes as itās 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, āits just like injecting insulinā 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 nightās A&E expedition and just four hours sleep. I really didnāt want to go but felt I had to after they told me thatās what I should be doing.
Hi @frazzledmcsazza , hope youāre 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 Iāll 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 itās 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. Itās weird cause I had paclitaxel last week and was āfineā.
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. Couldnāt 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 Iāll try that in my glass . I have to have a straw. I wear the cold sleeves an hands on feet so literally canāt use hands, it has been helpful to avoid any pins and needles.
Hi all, Iāve 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, Iāve noticed if I rest lots in the day I oddly feel much worse. No idea if thatās normal or a strange psychological response! 
@frazzledmcsazza Iāve 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 Iām dreading. Iāve 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 resultsā¦
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 havenāt seen it. It is on Channel 4.
Love the idea of frozen grapes thank you.
Abraxane thatās it, yes letās hope I donāt 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 heās here, without me realising. Whislt heās been really supportive I am not sure he always gets it, heās a kind soul but itās been playing on my mind, I can see he doesnāt what to do it how to act. We donāt live together and he canāt work from home so has to take days off, and is 1h30/2 from home, itās 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 donāt 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. Iāve 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 havenāt told because I didnāt feel close enough to tell them. They are people I told now I wish I hadnāt, one person in particular who is always about me me me and itās OTT Extra super positive and itās annoying. Iāve 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 doesnāt want to distract my great aunt who is older and couldnāt cop w bad news. I doubt. But my aunt. I donāt get it. Am not close to her because I live in England but my mum is so makes no sense to me. I think sheās started loosing her mind, sheās 72 next month and living on her own, sometimes sheās not making sense and is not logical. Lucky my brother is really supportive and my friends too.
Sheās 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 Iāve 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 itās 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 Iām 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 didnāt 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 didnāt 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 didnāt 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
Hi all
Dont know about you but Iāve had to read through all your comments and make notes so I could reply. I canāt retain the information and who said what. So frustrating but can on,y assume chemo brain,
@frazzledmcsazza sorry youāve had issues with staff. Some can be fantastic other are indifferent. I have an epi pen and needed training to use it. So any injections need training.
Iām having stomach issues and have ordered slippery elm and will let you know how I get on with it.
@plum1 rest when your body need it is the best advice Iāve been given. I find going to bed even just for a lie down helps.
@annemanc glad the walking is going well. Finished my 100 miles in October, managed to do more than I needed. So pleased I did it, it was a good focus.
@daffodil1 Hope your call with your friend goes well today. Itās always difficult to know who to tell especially when children are involved. I work in a school and it was agreed the children know Iām unwell but not cancer.
@Camy_Radika glad theyāve found the cough is reflux and youāre getting treatment. Fingers crossed that it will work quickly.
Iām having treatment today. Cold cap just put on so trying to distract myself.
@pinklilli3s Relationships are hard without cancer. My best advice from someone who has been married for over 30 years is communication. No matter how hard you need to be honest and say how you feel. Well done for contacting Penny Brohn they have been great with me. At 10 Iāll be joining the Treatment support programme on keeping active. Hoping the WiFi hold up!
Love to you all 