March 2016 chemotherapy starters?

[cjrd]

Hi Jembossable,

Here is hoping that your second cycle of T will go better for you this time around. I too am hoping this and that they will reduce the dosage - I don't really think that I could go through all those side effects again. Good luck. X 

[cjrd]

Hi Primrose,

I hope that you are okay. I was not given any steroids prior to FEC treatment and was given these via canula on day of treatment and in tablet form for two days afterwards. I really has no side efects at all with FEC apart from a dry, sticky mouth (and hair loss) which was nowhere as bad as the oral problems I have suffered with D/T; in fact, I did not need to take any anti-sickness tablets at all. I am hoping that you will be one of the lucky ones! Drink plenty of water! Good luck. X

[Jembossable]

Good luck and rest plenty xx

[Loolyboo]

I start the dreaded steroids tomorrow for my first T on Wed 💪
Enjoy your rosè 🍷 x

[Jembossable]

Tonight I shall be mostly sipping rose wine as tomorrow the steroids begin again ready for my 2nd T on Wednesday where my taste shall totally vanish yet again!!! Hang in there ladies xx😙🍷

[Primrose]

Colista, very pleased you had two great weeks on FEC. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is the same for me. Thank you for your good wishes. 

I managed to go for a good walk with hubby and the dog this evening. It has been a while since I felt up to it. Hoping this continues so I can build up my strength a bit before the FEC.

[Warcol]

Hi primrose u are having it the other way round to me! Before FEC I took 4 steroids for 3 days after chemo as well as GHSF injections for a week! Everyone experiences SE differently and all I've had is 2 days of tiredness, a little vaginal thrush and lack of taste for a week! Basically I rubbish week and 2 great weeks! Hope all goes well for u xx Colista xx

[Primrose]

Very sorry to hear people's side effects with T. I have had my third (and final) T now. I think the worst one for side effects was the first one, the second was probably the best in terms of side effects except for extreme fatigue. They then reduced the dose of the final one and although the neuropathy in my hands and skin problems have worsened I am already (day 12) feeling less fatigued. Hang on in there everyone. You will soon be through this.

I will be starting the first of three FECs next week. I am very worried about what sort of side effects I can expect. Are sickness and fatigue the main ones? 

I haven't been given any steroids to take before FEC. Did anyone have to take steroids with FEC and if so, what was your schedule for taking them?

[cjrd]

Hi Jembossable,

Yes, but did they not have any effect. I hope that your mouth/tongue pain has now subsided. X

[cjrd]

Hi Aileen,

Thank you for your good wishes and virtual hugs - I hope that all continues to go well for you. X

[SusieQ]

Thank goodness you're finally getting some relief. Hopefully they will monitor you next time round and maybe avoid s/e getting so out of control. Good luck for the next session. Love and hugs xx

[cjrd]

Hi SusieQ,

I hope that your energy levels will improve sooner rather than later. I went out to plant a few flowers yesterday and afterwards I was absolutely wiped. X

[cjrd]

Thank you for your good wishes.

I went in to hospital where I was put on a drip - oral thrush disappeared within a few hours but it did not help with the ulcerated tongue/throat. For this I tried Benzydamine, Fluconazole Suspension, Difflam, Nystatin, Diclofenac Sodium, Amoxicillin but, to no avail. Thankfully I awoke this morning and the pain had subsided but I am due to have second D/T this Wednesday - I am hoping that they will reduce the dosage . This has been a nightmare after the relative ease of the first three FEC. Take care. X 

[SusieQ]

Absolutely no energy whatsoever. Even when cleaning my teeth I need to sit down. Aches are easing so maybe the good week is coming into view, please please please.

[daffodil]

So sorry you are suffering. Have you contacted your doctor. Ihave found mine is the most sympathetic and helpful with the side effects when i am suffering. Big virtual hugs to you and hope you are on the mend soon. Aileen xx

[SusieQ]

Oh no two weeks is such a long time to suffer like that surely there must be something that will help ease the discomfort xx

[Jembossable]

Aww that's not good. Are you taking brufen as well as paracetamol?x

[cjrd]

Sore eyes - streaming, skin coming away from around nails, sore nose (dry and scabby) neuropathy in hands and feet, oral thrush plus an ulcerated tongue along either side and sore throat (last week a mouth full of green gunk) - this has gone since D/T over two weeks ago. I am in a lot of pain and nothing has helped to ease my discomfort. x

[SusieQ]

Paracetamol slow to work. Can't get comfortable. 😡😡

[Jembossable]

It's very annoying... Like looking thru frosted glass at times x

[Emmajane]

Jem I've read that T can cause fluid build up in eyes which could explain the vision issue xxxx

[Emmajane]

Has anyone had mouth ulcers on the T? Xx my oral thrush is almost gone thanks to the drops but still have very sure ulcers. Got a mouthwash from oncologist hoping that will clear them! X

[Jembossable]

I had an itchy palm and one of my fingers last week but it didn't last long. I think my taste in my good week is as it was with the FEC. Dreading next week when it all turns to sh** again!! 😣😣😣x

[Amylou]

Hi guys, yes my cardboard mouth (love that description of it sandi1977) and no taste has continued into my good week. Taste has been slightly better tho. My new problem is itchy hands and feet! Seen onc today and she's said continue to use moisturiser and antihistamine. Anyone else been itchy? Xx

[Jembossable]

😂 same here xx

[SusieQ]

Oh no it's not fair paracetamol at least eases the aches and pains surely it not too much to ask to be able to taste. How my Friday nights have changed.....drinks and curry seems a distance memory! Xx

[Jembossable]

Yes unfortunately but it's not quite as bad as the other weeks. 🙁

[Sandi1977]

I know what you mean about the food situation!!! It's doing my head in!! Got curry in the oven in the hope it will tantalise my taste buds!!! Probably not!!! : - ) does the cardboard mouth carry on through to the good week??!!!

[Emmajane]

Mine seen a bit more watery than normal and my nose is streaming but that could be hay fever... When ur tired ur sight isn't great, so could be the chemo making you tired. Xx felt a bit emotional last couple of days off and on. But it's dying my thinning lashes no favours... 😱The eating is getting to me, through Fec I could at least enjoy food still but since the first T I have no appetite and as u know my mouth is horrendous. 2 more then I can start pigging out again!!!!! How r we all tonight? Xx

[Emmajane]

I had first T last Friday so I'm a week in. I feel less achy but mouth is still so sore. Only 2 more after this tho!! 💪🏼

[Jembossable]

Just wondering if anyone's eyes have been affected. My sight gets very cloudy some days and I'm blaming chemo. Anyone else or just me 😂?? X

[Sandi1977]

Day 9 after T and my legs , ribs hurt but like this every cycle with the injections.. Only 3 left to take.. Paracetamol work wonders, gone through so many packs!! Keep your chin up xx

[SusieQ]

Day 3 after T. Joints aching, back and hips hurting hurry up paracetamol and kick in. Boob and under arm aches as well anyone else experiencing the same. Taste all gone but I'm so hungry urghh 😡
How long do these s/e tend to last? Xx

[Sandi1977]

My mouth been hurting too, keep swirling with mouthwash hospital gave me which relieves it for a bit, eating loads of ice pops, and gone off food as can't really taste it!! Don't seem to be losing any weight though!! Lol... Porridge sounds like a plan.. With jam though!! : - )

[Emmajane]

I haven't really ached on T well a bit but not as bad as I thought, Altho fu like symtoms, runny nose etc. My mouth has been worst hit, oral thrush and ulcers. At least it's stopped me constantly eating and I've lost 2 lbs every cloud... Living on soup and porridge at mo! 😉

[Loolyboo]

Hi, I have filgrastim injections for 7days starting 2days after chemo, my pelvis & legs ache terribly too - think I might give a hot water bottle a try on the next round, start first T on Wednesday, eeeek!
Loolyboo 💕

[Sandi1977]

I have to take home 10 filgrastim injections which start day after chemo, and by day 8 I ache terrible , all in my ribs, hips, back and legs, hate them with a passion! Have a routine now though and jab just before bedtime and take 2 paracetamol straight after and that keeps the aches at bay... Hot water bottles also help, ideal lately with the boiling hot nights!! . Another necessary evil though as they help with your blood count.. Hope all goes well.. Hugs to all xxx

[SusieQ]

Ok thanks. Xx

[Jembossable]

Additional steroid injection x

[SusieQ]

Ladies, Are all these different injections instead of T or additional to help with the s/e? Xx

[Jembossable]

I get lipofilgrastin or something like that and after my last one I found it almost impossible to breathe... Awful things!!x

[JenJen]

Hi Ali , I had Neulasta which is Pegfilgrastim for my 3*EC and had no joint pains at all so fingers crossed x I had 1 injection 24hrs after chemo

Jen

[Ali-B]

Hello All,

Just a quick ping to say that my hosptial will be giving me 'filisgram' (I think that is how you spell it) rather than gcsf for the injections from now on - they say that the bone ache is much less (if at all) using the new injections so looking forward to that.

Just curious if anyone else has tried 'filisgram' yet?

Ali xx

[Emmajane]

I went to GP after ringing Hosp it's oral thrush 😕Git drops she also gave me a really thorough check, Reno, ears, pulse... Got Charlotte to nursery and now relaxing xxx just heard a knock on door but ignored it!

[daffodil]

Yes I had a horrible sore throat, plus red painful tongue and sore ears as well. I did check with the doctor but she just recommended the mouth wash (which I agree doesn't always make it feel better). In the end it passed after a few days. Hope you can get some help for yours.

[Emmajane]

Did u ring in? Gonna get Charlotte to nursery then get it sorted. Need meds I think! Temp fine tho which is main thing. Xx

[Jembossable]

I had a sore throat and tongue... Don't use mouth wash unless you need to. It exacerbates everything xx

[Emmajane]

Hi ladies... I'm day six after first T chemo, had 3 Fec already... Not had the sore nose but throat incredibly sore and so is mouth. Had a few aches too. Think I will get throat checked... Hope ur all ok xxxxxx

[SusieQ]

Hi Aileen and Kim,
I'm no longer concerned about reflexology, but have cancelled the Indian head massage as it seems to be a grey area as regards answers and I don't think I'd enjoy it now. I having facial and make up and reiki so will still enjoy my day.
Day 1 after T no real side effects yet and I've just walked into town - 3 miles round trip. Not bad if I say so myself.
Thanks for your responses.
Xx

[daffodil]

Hi Susie,

I have had both reflexology and massage since starting Chemo and have had no problems. I think that the person doing it should be specially trained for cancer and chemo patients and if they are it is fine to have the treatments. For reflexology there were certain bits she had to avoid and for my massage she had to be more gentle than normal.

I agree with Kim it is a shame to pass up free treatments to help you feel better during chemo, altohugh prob best to check with the nurses to put your mind at rest.

Aileen x