Top tips to help get you through Chemotherapy

[Marleyann]

Last chemo next week hope to start to feel normal again frightened to go out on my own caseI flake out again where's that come from ?mri scan clear.muat be just me !

[Homer]

sorry if this has been covered in this thread already

can anyone help with a vinegar taste?

i am 9yrs down the line since 1st DX & have had many different chemos over the years

and i remember this happening before but i cant remember what i did to help myself?

my food tastes fine when i am eating it, everything tastes as it should,

but around half n hour after i get a horrible vinegar taste.

the chemo i am on this time is kadcyla

kimi x

[SamanthaL]

Spirulina? I seem to feel sicker on wheatgrass.
I am also drinking aloe Vera juice, ( to calm the gut) but quite frankly it smells vile.

[Chaise]

Hi - I also had a leak in the chemo drugs & also a swelling in the arm. When I saw my oncologist he said it was 2 different things going on. The swelling in my arm was caused by the veins getting a bit fed up and it should go down in a month (fingers crossed), however still sore and I cant keep my arm straight. The leak went red then blisters but is going down - this has taken 3 weeks. I hope this will be the same for you - I had chemo yesterday and they put the cannular near my little finger and this seemed to work ok - I only have 2 left now and I said at No 1 that I wouldnt have anymore - keep going girl - we will get there! xx

[hbunny]

Hi team.  I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on foods to help Increase white blood count.  I've just bought some wheat grass powder, has anyone got any suggestions or advice?  Thanks hbunny

[sugar8]

Hi hbunny
Hope your lymphodema has resolved and the swelling in your forearm has sorted itself out. Hope you are having a relaxing day today
Hugs
Sugar8

[hbunny]

Hi sugar, contacted the help line yesterday and saw an oncologist within an hour.  They weren't worried about the lymphodema in the ankle, and that is definitely better this am, however were concerned about swelling in forearm, which was caused by a leak of chemo drugs into the surrounding tissue which could cause problems and will need to keep an eye on it for ulceration.  It does however look a little better this am (she says holding her breath), but will see what happens over the next few days, hopefully got away with it!  Now day 5 cycle 2 fec100 + tax (3x each) and one third there!

Just a bit anxious now about what happens for cycle 3-6 to prevent a recurrance.

Hope you are doing well sugar. Positive hugs.  Hbunny

[sugar8]

hbunny
Have you contacted your Bc nurse re your lymphodema? Did they give you a contact number to call if you develop it because the earlier they see you the better. x x

[hbunny]

Hi all, sorry to butt I to your thread, I've just popped over from the July thread to see if anyone has any tips.  I'm doing fec100 + tax (3of each) and now day 3 of fec 2.  I have suffered with phalbitis since day 1 cycle 1 but last night saw lymphodema pop up in my arm and ankle (r). Anyone know what causes this side effect or any tips to help.  Currently walking around in a compression sock and tuby grip and massaging regularly.

Ps, will have to get the smoothly maker out I bought a couple of years ago and never used, thanks for reminding me.  Love to all going through crap right now, happy to say I haven't been sick yet but the side effects are different this time round, probably due to changes to anti sick meds.

Thanks for any suggestions offered.  Hbunny xx

[Chaise]

Hi Julie. Thanks for your reply with such great tips - I never thought of smoothies and bought blender today! Trusting you are going through this bit of a blip in our health as best as you can - as with all the ladies and gents on this website, think positively,and together we will get through this (Im ok writing this in week 2 and 3 after treatment !!! xxx

[Julie286]

Hi Chaise. I find that I can't get enough fizzy water - I squeeze a bit of lemon or lime in it - nothing else seems to satisfy my thirst in that 1st week or so. But drinking lots definitely seems so help me feel a bit better. The packs of frozen fruit are really good too - mostly use them to make a smoothie - literally just chop a bit of fresh fruit (usually include a banana for sweetness) with a handful of frozen fruit, a bit of milk and whizz - much easier than eating fruit with no taste (because of the lovely side effects!!). And - the frozen pineapple is nice on it's own to eat - weird but true!! Good luck with everything xxxxxxx

[Chaise]

Hi Louise, Thank you for taking the time to reply, it is most appreciated. Yes, I am on FEC too.I will take your advice on the fruit - probably not doing this as much as I should but Im definately drinking - one day soon Im sure Rose Wine will be back on the agenda! But for now fruit juices and water!!

Well done on only having 2 more to go, go for it girl and as for everyone sending you my good wishes and happy healthy life from now on, for the future.

I do enjoy this website, but probably I shouldnt write on it when feeling down and would prefer to spirit other friends on this website with joys of encouragement. xx

[Jeremiah29]

I know I too thought the 1st dose was awful but now am thinking that maybe with each dose it gets worst.  2nd dose was 6 days ago with 1st dose of Herceptin and only  just feeling human.  I couldnt quite believe I could feel that ill and still be alive!  I had to give myself a stern telling off each time! Hang on in as I am trying to do, when we hit rock bottom the only way is up!

[Louise3721]

Hi chaise it is very demoralising when the s/es are bad I too am very ill after chemotherapy it takes me a week before i start to feel like normal. What chemotherapy are you having I am on Fec and that about sums it up!

The best advice I can give is drink plenty eat lots of fresh fruit and fibre. I find it washes the damned stuff out of you .

I have been put on tranquilisers because my body rejects the chemotherapy so I start throwing up as it's being administered. Fabulous eh?

I have 2 more to go then I am done. I also eat a lot of steaks before getting blood done to make sure my iron count is high.

Good luck and just keep going. Get support from here and your Macmillan centre and get a break planned to give you something to look forward to x

[Chaise]

I thought my 1st treatment was hell and kept a diary for the oncologist and he changed the sickness treatment after, but just had 2nd and again, sorry to say that was hell too, its now day 5 after treatment and still feeling very sick, got given Metoclopramide by the hospital but they are not working, I also started to loose hair and Im not sleeping - as I live on my own unfortunately the days are long and not sure if I can get through another 4 treatments - really need a kick up the xxx! I took 1/2 sleeping tablet one night but it made me buckle and I couldnt stop myself falling so hurt knee and wrist - so a bit down in the dumps. Please let me know any tips to get me through months.

[sugar8]

Angel77 said:

hi all . i had my second chemo TC-H on 2 july and have lost most of my hair so today im going to shave it all off . the main thing i struggle with is the gcsf injections and loose of taste .. anybody got any tips to quench my thirst ? x hope your all doing ok . i have 2 chemos left to go x.

.................................................................................

Hi Angel77. Good to see that you are manging well. It's amazing how we just get on with the treatment an side effects once we begin the journey. Was the 2nd cycle any easier, the same SEs,or worse.

I am struggling with the gcsf also but mine in the flatulence and bloatedness that i don't know what todowith myself senario. Anyway today I danced and it worked. No discomfort after a while a felt much happier.

The lost of taste also happen for me but my body seems to crave the food that I can actually  taste so listen to what it tells you and eat what you crave.I feel like a pregnat mother with these cravings 🙂

Don't know about the thirst. i set my alarm to drink water every hour during the day and so far so good.Have you tried sucking the pineapple lollies?

Keepwell

Sugar8 

[julesk]

Hi there im do to have my 3rd fec on thurs. I drink dilute lemon by savers at morrison or banana milk cold qeunches thirst.also I drink around 8 glasses water a dau maybe more good for hair skin nails from julesk

[angel77]

hi all . i had my second chemo TC-H on 2 july and have lost most of my hair so today im going to shave it all off . the main thing i struggle with is the gcsf injections and loose of taste .. anybody got any tips to quench my thirst ? x hope your all doing ok . i have 2 chemos left to go x

[Athens]

Hi Ruthieee
How did you manage to hold onto your hair til this stage???
At my preassessment yesterday for my second FEC, so Day 21 of cycle one, I was told it was unusual to still have hair at this stage - I have what looks like a head of short hair though it started shedding on Day17.
So interested to hear how you did it! I am not using a cold cap as it is not offered at my hospital.
Good luck with the T regime.
Athens

[Ruthieee]

Hi I have just finished my fourth fec,still got hair,lucky me,,defo won't miss the qui senses and muggy head,will start thr t,regime next,feeling worried again

[Christina0]

smileyvery-happy:Hi all

Just had my first FEC-T treatment yesterday, so far, so good! Had a bit of a 'fuzzy' head all day, but apart from that, tickety boo!

Lots of handy tips on here to keep me going as any needs arise, thank you for taking the time to share 🙂

[sugar8]

Thanks Biddlybee. I have printed out a copy as I find this very useful. I am starting chemo soon and all tips welcome.

[rosie14]

Oh I shall be sending my DH out to get me an ice lolly to suck whilst having chemo. The taste in the mouth is the one of the worst things!

[Debs-]

Hey Queen Bee i had that experience with my 1st fec and then it turned into feeling like i had been hit over neck and back of a head with a metal pole !!! I rang hos and they said take pain killers,it helped and never had it since.they seemed to be pretty familiar with it but did say to ring back if pain meds didnt work ...hot water bottle help alot.

[Debs-]

Hey Queen Bee i had that experience with my 1st fec and then it turned into feeling like i had been hit over neck and back of a head with a metal pole !!! I rang hos and they said take pain killers,it helped and never had it since.they seemed to be pretty familiar with it but did say to ring back if pain meds didnt work ...hot water bottle help alot.

[Naturegirl15]

Not something I recognise myself. Perhaps contact your breast care nurse queenbee

[queenbee1407]

Over the last 24 hours, now day 2, I have felt my head getting a tight feeling. Not unpleasant, just aware. Is this a reaction to the chemo.

[queenbee1407]

Over the last 24 hours, now day 2, I have felt my head getting a tight feeling. Not unpleasant, just aware. Is this a reaction to the chemo!

[Louise3721]

Hi hope all goes well the best thing I heard was to go with your body .Sleep when tired and eat little and often. Xx

[Jangirl]

Hi thanks for the advice - I have a grade 2 invasive have had lumpectomy and start chemo next week and I am very nervous of the side effects
I am having the cool hat so will try icepops thanks

[Louise3721]

Hi ladies i was told to take ice poles in too worked well took them in a flask x

[fowey]

ozjen great tip ! thank you xx Ruth xx

[ozjen]

Hi Ruth, I make my own icypoles at home with water and lemon or lime juice, but you could use cordial. I take them to hospital in a chilly bag and store them in the chemo ward freezer and then my husband runs back and forth as required!

[fowey]

Hi ozjen Thanks.....do they provide the icepops or do you take in and put in a hospital freezer? xxRuth xx

[ozjen]

The best tip I have come across is to suck ice or icypoles during chemo - it protects the lining of your mouth and prevents the loss of taste too!  Same theory as cold cap - reduced bloodflow so less exposure to chemo drugs.  I didn't know about this trick for my first cycle and had a sensitive mouth and lost my sense of taste for a couple of weeks, but it did come back for the final week of my three week cycle.  Next time I ate 6 icypoles during chemo with fab results, didn't get a sore throat either which I had had first cycle. Can't recommend this enough, life is bleak enough going through this ordeal without losing the pleasure of food.

[fowey]

Hi Lakeslover,

Thanks for the tips regarding food and what drinks to try.I also didnt know that about the free prescriptions. Good idea re taking things in to amuse yourself with, as I have been told to expect to be there for 4 hours each session, as I have opted to try the cold cap. Whether it will work on me I have no idea, but I am having my hair cropped short today anyway.

I think I will go onto Amazon now to download some books on my kindle 🙂

xx Ruth xx

[Lakeslover]

Some very simple ideas to start with;

Yes, a digital thermometer is essential.

You probably won't feel like cooking for the first few days so stock the freezer with simple stuff, or better still get someone else to cook

You may not want to drink tea or coffee, try ginger cordial or fruit juice.

Take something to read or do while having chemo. There can be a lot of waiting around.

Some boiled sweets to suck, pineapple flavour seems to work for many people.

One final thing in case you are under 60 and haven't been told, prescriptions are free for people having cancer treatment. You need to get a form from your GP.

[fowey]

Hi Louise3721,

I am also about to start Fec on 29th April. I am giving the cold cap a whirl first, as I am told it has a 60% success rate with people who use it not getting hairloss. However, I am having my hair cropped before the treatment begins.

Although my lump was 8mm, I am having chemo as 10 of my lymph nodes were affected.So I am about to have a Fec session every 3 weeks for 3 months, then another drug weekly for 3 months, follwed by radiotherapy and then a hormone tablet for 5 years. So much onformation to take in ! I am having a bone scan this Thursday and I have also opted to have a portacath inserted under sedation this Fridaym before my treatment begins.

I was also advised to buy body moisturizer, hair moisturizer ( if using cold cap), mouthwash/bonjela and a digital thermometer. I hope this helps Good Luck xx Ruth xx

[Louise3721]

Hi ladies i am very new to this I had my masectomy last month nothing in nodes but having Fec and radiotherapy because of tumor size 5.5cm i am getting head shaved but wondered is it best to do this before or after first bout of FEC starting this on Thursday Thank u for your help I have enjoyed reading all your tips.

[fowey]

Hi Everyone,

I am about to embark on 6 months of chemotherapy ( seeing the chemo nurses today for the first time ). I have scrolled back to pick up on some of your tips and wondered if there are any basic just starting xhemo tips for a newbie? Thanks xx Ruth xx

[betblack]

my top tips would be-

or the couple of days every cycle where my mouth was too sensitive even for mild toothpaste - brush gently with bicarbonate of soda instead of toothpaste.

I had horrible acid reflux / heartburn, and I found drinking hazelnut or almond alpro, both of which are v alkaline, to soothe all the passage of my acidic gullet and relieve the acid for a while. Personally I found it more effective than the medical alternatives, and of course it had no side effects and is quite nice!

Good luck everyone x

[rosie14]

Sorry the below is for scattyfox!

[rosie14]

A puzzle book, a magazine, some boiled sweets to suck, bottle of water, mobile phone, overnight kit in case they keep you in. Don't forget your pen or pencil for the puzzle book!

[scattyfox]

Thanks June unfortunately i am at work and cannot call so thought i would ask on here

[June_BCC]

Hello Scattyfox

Welcome to the forums. 

As well as the support you will receive on the forums we also have a free helpline where you can talk things through with a member of staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.

Best wishes

June, moderator

[scattyfox]

Hi ladies i will be starting my first chemo session in a few weeks once this wound has healed.  Have you any tips as to what i should take with me on the day

thank you

[Samantha14]

Thank you lots of advice.

[seraphin]

try some prunes,,,Ive tried all the meds and all i got was sore tummy ,,,but prunes or prune juice work lovely x

[seraphin]

prunes are very good for me i always keep some in semi dried ones work well for me or the prune juice
Start large dose and then taper off as begin going