Linda re anti-sickness meds I understand, from reading some of the other threads on the forum, that the drug of choice is a propriatory medication called Emend. Since it is not available in generic, most hospitals are reluctant to give it until other things have failed. I was given three days of Ondastentin (sp?) and Metoclopramide, and because I get very bad motion sickness, Emend Also, extra Metoclopramide as aan emergency backup. I was absolutely nausea-free until Day 5, but now if seems to be getting worse and worse, so I think the Emend must have done well. Its worth trying to get it. Hugs, Louise
For anti sickness I was given ondonseltron & metoclopromide for back up . I asked for Emend 3x but told its very expensive so don’t give it for first chemo as some people are fine on the standard stuff . I would ask about Omoprazole too which helps the burning heartburn toxic feeling .
Lola, i was never actually sick just felt it & I’m like you have a bit of an issue I’ve only just removed the bucket from my bedside & I was never even ill just had it there for " security ’ it will be back on Tuesday !
Well done Funki for sticking with the cold cap , I’ve decided to go bald but seem to be putting off the razor ! Hope things go ok over the next few days
Thanks Louise. I checked on line which sickness drugs my hospital gives as routine (there is a website dedicated to medications to be given and in what circumstances). I knew about Emend and that appears way down the list for chemo anti-sickness drugs, to be given when a patient presents with a lot of sickness. I am considering making it known that I have a sick phobia. This is what it says on the website, which may be of interest to some.
ANTIEMETIC PROTOCOL FOR PATIENTS RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY
Category A: regimens with high risk (>90%) of emesis
Premedication: Ondansetron 8mg iv Dexamethasone 8mg iv
TTO:
Dexamethasone 8mg od p.o. for 3 days. Metoclopramide 10mg tds p.o. prn (28 tablets)
RESCUE:
For patients complaining of grade 1 nausea/vomiting consider rescue with oral Ondansetron 8mg bd for 2 days
For patients complaining of grade 2+ nausea/vomiting , consider adding Aprepitant (Emend ™**) 125 mg p.o as premedication, followed by 80mg** p.o. od for 2 days
If patients complain of symptoms suggestive of steroid withdrawal syndrome ,
give Dexamethasone as a reducing course (4mg bd for 2/7, 2mg bd for 2/7, 2mg od for 2/7, then stop)
Category B: regimens with moderate risk (30-90%) of emesis
Premedication: Dexamethasone 8mg iv Ondansetron 8mg iv
TTO:
Metoclopramide 10mg tds p.o. prn (28 tablets)
Category C: regimens with low risk (10-30%) of emesis
Premedication: Metoclopramide 20mg i.v.
TTO:
Metoclopramide 10mg tds p.o. prn (28 tablets)
Category D: regimens with minimal risk (<10%) of emesis No premedication routinely administered
Thanks Karen. Our posts crossed. Good you never used your bucket … hope it continues.
Well done Funki
xxx
Hi Valentines,been for my pre assessment today,for those not been yet,it was blood pressure,temperature,MRSA swabs,height and weight.Discussed treatment and side effects and cold cap.Was given cardboard disposable thermometers,very clever,paperwork for blood tests and a diary for treatment record,a list of se’s to mark off for first week after each dose and there is a warning page in there for if you have to go to A&E if you have a temperature or unwell so they know to put you immediately on an IV antibiotic.
Was shown around the unit,4 bays approx 8 patients in each with personal televisions and a nice lounge with drinks machine,they bring snacks around too.Showed me cold cap so will try that.Everyone was really nice and I am not worried about going and getting no.1 FEC out the way.
Kath nurse said I wont need injections,hoorah!
Apparently FEC shouldnt be too bad for se’s(So nurse said)From all your feedback,seems we can cope and will make it to no.6 in one piece.Bring on friday!!!
Soldier on everyone,holding cyber hands,we can do the Hokey Cokey at the end Ha Ha Love you all Chris xxx
Cant sleep, my nodes are on my mind. Not got results from last week’s SNB. Please don’t let thet mean their affected. Another op for clearance would put off my cheno again. Am seeing the oncologist tomorrow and I really want it to be alright to go.
Chris, thanks for your post. I’ve have been getting more and more tearful by the hour but your post has made me feel a bit better about my meeting with the chemo team.
Holding hands tightly. M xx
Lola , after reading various threads on this site I was left with the impression that if I didn’t have Emend I would be throwing up and feeling nauseated the whole time. That simply wasn’t the case. I was sent home with Ondansteron to take for 3 days and Domperidone to take for 5 days, and strict instructions from the chemo nurse that if they didn’t work (that means nausea, not just vomiting she was keen to emphasise), I should ring in, don’t tolerate feeling sick the whole time, and they would give me a different drug to try, as all the different anti-emetics work slightly differently, and they would make sure they found what worked for me.
Glad your first chemo went ok Funki , hope your first night hasn’t been too bad.
Millymolly_m,
*hugs*, waiting is the pits, I hope you got some sleep in the end, and your oncologist gives you good news today.
It’s a week since my first FEC today, I’m feeling quite a lot better, my mouth is improved no end. I keep thinking my scalp is sore though that’s probably just because I keep tugging on my hair to see if it’s falling out yet (*gives hair a quick tug*…it’s not).
Jo
Happy Valentine’s Day to all Valentines!!! I hope you are all surrounded by love today and all days!!
Alison xx
Morning Jo! Didn’t get to sleep until about 3 this morning due to taking the steroids late in the afternoon but apart from that I was OK. I have woken this morning with just what feels like a hangover and a mouth similar to the morning after surgery.
Glad to hear you are feeling better 1 week post FEC
Funki x
Hope I can join you despite starting in March! - DX 23 Jan with IDC Grade 3. WLE - SNB and margins clear but am TN. Starting FEC-T on 1st March to be followed by rads…roll on September! Really undecided about cold cap… Being offered the BRCA 1/2 test… and all the complexities that that could bring… Having an information overload at the moment by reading too much on the net - Trying to keep strong for rest family. Cicciax
Happy Vatentines all February valentines ladies x I am getting anxious about starting chemo on 27th just wish I could get it over with. Seeing Lymphodema nurse today because my hand is swollen. I’m already feeling nauseated all the time because of anxiety so goodness knows how Ill cope with chemo. . . . Hope you are all having as good a day as possible. Tup
Loving the idea of us all doing the Hokey Cokey at the end of all this. I have a new id, but am still the same old me… And still waiting. Happy Valentines everyone. It’s a beautiful sunny day here which is really lifting my spirits, so sending everyone sunshine, love & hugs for the days and weeks ahead. Caroline x
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO US ALL. We definately deserve treats today don’t we. (Still waiting for mine Lol !!!)
Went to my Chemo pre assessment yesterday and wasn’t that impressed with the experience. I wont go into it all but in a nutshell they didn’t realise that tomorrow was my first Herceptin so didn’t have time to fit me in as its a slow infusion the 1st time sid they were dealing with 30 patients that day and hadn’t calculated for my slow infusion.OMG!!!
Also couldn’t find results of Heart Echo that should have been sent from another hospital. The trouble is I,m not at my normal hospital for chemo as only this one can administer my drugs. It was also a late appointment and with all this fuss going on they hardly spent any time with me, I hardly got to ask questions and the place was closing down around us as they were still trying to sort it. Got stuck in traffic on way home and arrived home at 7pm angry, headachey, and shattered.
Well my first chemo is tomorrow if they can fit me in that is!!!
XMASEVE it sounds like you had a better experience I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Big Hugs xxxxx
Sorry to rant I hope you all understand.
Jackie xxxxxx
Ciccia - Welcome to our ever growing group of lovely Valentines! I’m not starting my chemo till March either as it got delayed due to needing a second WLE to get a better margin on some DCIS cells they found lurking in the grade 3 invasive tumour (which did have clear margins).
Thanks Jo - I know I am just getting paranoid about it all
Mandy - keep busy today and the best of luck with your results tomorrow
Chris - that chemo unit sounds fab, almost home from home!
Jackie - what a dreadful cock up. Not at all what you need at this stressful time. So your first chemo tomorrow, but what about the Herceptin?
Happy Valentines Day everyone - especially Gill who starts chemo today and good luck Tup with the Lymphodema nurse
xxx
Happy valentines day everyone !! I think this time of year will be very poignant for us all in the future , landmark occasions like big birthdays or even new year etc always make me reflect " what was I doing this time last year " etc … I always remember that on Dec 4th 1983 i was watching Wham my first ever concert at whitley bay ice rink & I swear George Michael waved at me ( didn’t know what gay was back then ! ) anyway I digress was just mean I think for me Valentines will always be a special day from now on , every year a success & remember all my " valentines " who have helped me through this 
on a less mushy note I have been to see my onc today , she spared me 5 minutes of her time but thankfully has given me EMEND for round 2 !! I’m overjoyed & will be able to report back on if its as wonderful as everyone says , fingers crossed
good luck to all those starting today & next few days , sorry to those who have a bit of an agonising wait , hang on in there , welcome ciccia ( stop googling the net it fries your brain lol !! )
take care & happy valentines xxx
Hi Lola
My first herceptin will now be the day before my 2nd chemo in 3 weeks time.
Bonus I guess is that hubby and I spent Valentines together even if it is just sawing and fitting kitchen worktops!!
Might go out for a curry later.
Good luck to everyone suffering SE’s hope they’re not to bad and everyone sarting chemo in the next few days.
I really want to get started now.
HUGS to all you lovely ladies and thank you for my messages.
Jackie xx
Hello Valentines on Valentines Day! I had a lovely bouquet this morning complete with teddy bear. The dog has an eye on the bear.
There must be something about the 13th day following chemo Karen as I am following your pattern having started shedding today.
A little success. I have finally found the perfect bra filler (I have a Becker’s but it won’t be inflated until after chemo so I am a long way from symmetrical). Anyway, Amazon sell Softleaves silicone enhancers and the 25% lighter variety is perfect so I can now wear my jersey tops with confidence. Better still, they are only £8.99 a pair which is practically free in my book.
Good luck to those of you starting chemo tomorrow including Jackie. You will be fine. I will be thinking of you.
in other news, I am doing some pink bucket collecting next week before my 2nd chemo session. My pink bucket arrived today and it is definitely PINK.
Angie xx
Hope you’ve all had a reasonably good day.
Karen, OH won’t let me loose without a bucket nearby, even though I haven’t even felt sick (this time anyway) let alone be sick. It sits at the side of me looking red and ugly.
Linda, thank you for all that medication info. Hope you’re keeping a note of it just in case you need it when you begin after surgery.
Chris, glad you won’t need injections. Had my last one today so it will be interesting to see if my appetite becomes more normal.
Mandy, keeping everything crossed for you to get a good result about nodes.
Funki, hope you continue to feel ok, well done.
Ciccia, welcome, another name to add to the list of lovely ladies on our team.
Tup, hope you got on ok with lymphoedema nurse.
Jackie, sorry you had such a bad day, but you just keep rantin, we don’t mind.
Karen and Angie, hope your hair loss isn’t too distressing for you.
Feeling a bit miserable today. I think I’ve been keeping upbeat for too long, and need to have a bit of a moany day - even if it is Valentine’s Day - no romance in me I’m afraid. 
Good luck to all Valentines starting chemo tomorrow.
My visit to lymphodema clinic went well. I now have a rather fetching beige gauntlet ! I was not happy to see the letter sent to my GP requesting further prescriptions for the gauntlet said “This lady will need this product for ever” . Seemed a bit harsh!
Hope all fellow valentines are doing as well as possible. Tup x
Happy Valentine’s all you Valentines! And big hugs to all of you facing the starting line tomorrow!
Finally gave in and called the chemo number about my increasing levels of nausea (Day 9 now), they said to go to my GP, which I did --got an appointment within 30 mins, never had that before – and was given something called Buccastem Buccal tablets, which you tuck under your front lip – very odd, but problem seems much better. Glad to hear you have been offered Emend, Karen , it really had me symptom-free during the 3 days I was on it at the beginning of the cycle.
I asked the GP if there was any chance that being very stressed and nervous might have made the first cycle a partiularly bad experience. He said, of course, that it was hard to say as everyone’s experience is so individual, but!!! when you are terribly nervous and worried you produce an overabundance of adrenalin and when that drains away the body does go into an actual physical slump .So I am holding on to the hope that Cycle 2 might be easier.
Love to all! My husband gaveme a wonderful card that said “you are my world” in ten different languages – had me in tears. Louise