What a fantastic list! Thank you to all the contributors 
Something practical to share with family and friends who want to help - I’m going to ask them to help source items and put bag/packs/caddy together in readiness for when the time comes.
Thank you again xx
Hi I’m new to this and sof far had one chemo session with cold cap. The hints and tips are fantastic! However, I can’t stop eating! My taste buds seem to have gone so I am eating everything to see if it satisfied. Crisps and peanuts are the worst. Is anyone else really hungry? X
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Hi
friends
Are you read about treating that disease type with “a new molecular therapy that uses targeted peptides and proteins to restore cellular function”.
Please do a Google search for the term “Peptide treatment”, or the company named “Regenerative Cellular Therapy”.
I am due to have my second chemo session tomorrow, the tips really helped 1st time also had cold cap which was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I also found that the need to feed was great, not every day, did try little and often which helped a bit. I’m trying to take one day at a time .
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Hi I had first chemo on Monday and am very sick - will b asking for stronger anti sickness round too - but wanted to say that honey And lemon seem to have helped metallic taste and smell which I have also got - also helps to soothe my throat as the vomit burns ( sorry!)
Hi Lulubell1 and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the shared experiences and support here, please feel free to call our helpliners to talk any concerns or queries through, lines open 9-5 during the week and 10-2 Saturdays on 0808 800 6000
I am posting a link to further information about treatments and further support ideas from BCC which I hope you will find helpful:
breastcancercare.org.uk/treatment
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi everyone, I’ve finished my chemo ( sorry to sound smug). The first seemed like a nightmare but lots can be done to help and to be honest the rest weren’t so bad. I wanted to say try not to think too far ahead, enjoy your well weeks and there is life after chemo. I could use some tips on radiotherapy though?
Hi all I have been told that I can have the cold cap but my macmillian told me I will lose my hair so I’m unsure of whether to try it or not also wot will I need to take for my 1st chemo session did the metallic taste happen on ur 1st chemo as I’m not to sure thank you all x
Hi, looking for some advice to deal with pain. I’m having Fec-t. Had my 4th out of 6 chemo sessions last Friday and my first herceptin last Thursday. No sickness this time unlike my first 3 but my whole body is aching and in pain, I’ve been taking paracetamol and ibuprofen as suggested by the chemo unit but it doesn’t seem to touch the sides. I can’t get comfortable anywhere so not getting any sleep which I think is making me feel worse. Is this normal? Also any tips gratefully received.x Gemma
Hi ladies. I have just finished my chemo I had 6 fec. I used the cold cap throughout and kept my hair just some thinning on top but I’ve even been to the hairdressers during my treatment. The key is lots of layers, pain relief, hit water bottle and something good on tv. It’s horrible but I got through it. I had no sickness but was given lots of sickness drugs to help. I start my radiotherapy next Tuesday which I have been told is easy in comparison. I wish you all the best of luck lovely brave ladies xxx
Thank you to all u ladies very proud of u all u really keep me positive good luck to all through ur chemo n I will seriously think about the cold cap thank you so much for posting xx
Maggie,I think it’s hard to know unless you keep going and see what happens. Everyone is different, and I think the shape of your head has a big impact as to how the cap fits.
I am on FEC T and just had chemo 5 out of 6. My worse hair loss was just before and after FEC 2. Then it slowed down and got worse after first T. I have been considering giving up on the cold cap on many occasions, but I’ve managed to quite effectively disguise my bald patch with head band and hair thickening fibres ( which work surprising well but are costly) . Most people can’t tell, but I know that my hair is a lot thinner now. The ladies with wigs do look smarter!
Good luck with your treatment.
Hi, just completed my first chemo/herceptin cycle. I had severe leg muscle and back pain after the first session. My oncologist prescribed one Clarityn tablet a day to alleviate the problem. It worked, not sure why or how, but I can now get by on a couple of paracetamol a day.
Hi Sandra
I’ve been told that once I’ve had chemo I would have a 3 week break and then start radiotherapy I would check though xxxx
I wanted to try the Cole cap but my oncologist said if you are having EC you will loose almost all your hair. She advised me against it because of my COPD. Do not think I could sit for 4 hours on my head but as a lot of ladies say small price to pay if you keep your hair.
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India, very nice. Did you have any nodes removed? Just thinking of long flights x
I finished fec-t 2 yrs ago this month.
my top tips for getting through it:-
Drink 2 litres of water the day before, the day of and the day after chemo - don’t chug it, just sips throughout the day. I discovered this tip before 2nd fec and felt soooo much better than after 1st dose.
Steroids - take at 8am and noon, I had no problems with them or sleeping.
Take all the meds they give you - if you wait till you feel sick it’s probably too late.
I was allergic to metoclopromide so this was changed to ondan something whch did nothing for me so ended up on Emend, granesetron and cyclazine - I still felt a bit weird or wired even lol
If you’re sick you must tell your team they’ve loads of meds in their arsenal to choose from so don’t suffer as there really is no need.
T
I felt much better on this regime but did suffer with awful pain days 5-8, paracetamol/ibuprofen/codeine combo didn’t touch it. I felt like I’d been beaten up with a baseball bat.
Onc gave me the ‘steroid tale’ for the remaining doses whch yes was more steroids but it worked like a miracle cure.
this one affects your nails - my onc advised I wear a solid colour varnish (no it doesn’t have to be black) the thinking is that the chemo reacts to ultra violet light in the nail bed which can cause the nail to lift. I never left the house in day light hours without putting on gloves even when just nipping out to the dustbin. I wore nail varnish throughout and although my nails felt bruised at times I didn’t lose one - could be coincidence… Ooh don’t forget the same applies to your toe nails but obviously socks not gloves lol
as for hair - I didn’t cold cap and my hair started to fall around day 17, I clippered it to a grade 3 before 2nd dose. My hair is now shoulder length.
good luck to you all x