Breast Cancer Now Forum

Had my first tax on Monday and feeling OK so far, just a bit achy & weary. Was worried about sickness cos I was vomiting on my first round of FEC and they prescribed me Emend for the next 2 but said I wouldn't need it on tax. Luckily they were right as I have had no sickness so far. Lorna x ... View more

Hi Mel51, I hope it goes OK for you on Friday xx ... View more

Had my first round of Tax yesterday. Was so anxious cos the FEC was given sitting in a chair & this time had to have a bed in case of any reactions so this freaked me out a bit. Luckily everything went fine. So far I am feeling better than I did on the FEC but I have been told that the effects won't kick in for about 3-4 days so making the most of feeling OK for now. ... View more

I've also been asked to participate in this trial. I am thinking I will probably take part but will probably talk it through with my GP/ BCN first. My thinking at the moment is that if I can help with research in any way then it's one way of giving something back but I obviously need to make sure I think it through properly before deciding ... View more

Any tips for easing a sore tongue? I have been using difflam for the last few days & GP has just prescribed me some gel but neither seem to have any effect ... View more

Stelwah, My injections are filgrastim which I take 1 a day for 7 days after each chemo. I didn't shave my head just got it cut a bit shorter but I did find it quite painful for a couple of days when it first started coming out. I still have a few tufts of hair on my head although most of it has gone. My eyebrows, eyelashes & leg hair are still intact so far through. ... View more

I am so please for you xxxxxxx ... View more

Hi Stelwah, Thanks for the reassurance about the Docetaxel. Apart from the sickness at the start I haven't been too bad with the FEC, mostly tiredness. I hope your treatment goes OK. Eitaki, I have been doing my own injections & it gets easier. I was lucky enough to have the nurse guide me the first time & she told me to put needle in at a right angle & press slowly, counting to 10. ... View more

Had my 3rd round of FEC on Saturday. Feeling pretty yuk but nothing like the first 2 rounds.   First time I spent 3 days in bed & severe vomiting but on day 3 they changed my metoclopramide to cyclizine & this stopped the vomiting.   2nd time they gave me emend but kept me on the metoclopramide. This stopped the vomiting but still felt nauseaos and took to my bed until I spoke to them again & switched to the cyclizine again.   This time I have had both the emend & the cyclizine from the start and this had worked much better. I wish I had queried this last time & asked them to change the other meds but you don't always think to question them.   Next round is the docetaxel. They are not giving me emend for that because they say it does not make you sick but have told me to expect severe pains after about 4-5 days & have prescibed strong painkillers so I am not looking forward to that at all.   Best wishes to everyone else going through the same journey.   Lorna x     ... View more

Hi Porkie,   You might want to have a look at this web page   http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/confidence-kit   There are some great tips on make up in the booklet & DVD which you can request online. They also run workshops.   I hope this helps.   Lorna x         ... View more

After being extremely sick on my first round, I had emend this time.   Although I was still a bit queesy, I was not actually sick this time and I would certainly recommend it.   Lorna x ... View more

Hi Kathy, Sorry it's taken me so long to respond. I had my 2nd round of chemo on Saturday and this is the first time I've been near a computer since. Have you had your surgery? I had surgery at the end of Jan & am having 6 rounds of chemo before starting radiotherapy so I can't really comment on how long it normally takes but I know that the waiting is the worst thing. One thing I would say though is we are lucky to be being treated at such a brilliant hospital. I hope your appointment comes through soon. Lorna x   ... View more

I live in Oxford and am having treatment at the Churchill.   I'm not sure whether your treatment is still ongoing or whether it's complete by now.   It would be good to hear from anyone else who is in the same area   Lorna x ... View more

I have a picc line which was put in the day before I started my chemo. The thought of having it done was worse than the actual process. I had 2 nurses as one was in training. They were both lovely and talked me through each step.   You can't feel the line once it's inside you. It did feel a bit uncomfortable on my arm to start with but after a while you get used to it. The nurse comes once a week to clean and flush it through which doesn't take long and is no bother. It's a bit unsightly but I just make sure I wear clothes which cover it. Showering is a bit awkward because you musn't get it wet but they give you a cuff to wear over it.   Lorna x ... View more

Hi Micheybell, I hope your first round of chemo went OK. I started mine on 8th March. Had a rough start but now feeling so much better now, if things are not going great, just hold on to the thought that you will feel better in a week or so.. There is another thread under this heading for people who started chemo in March 2014 which has lots of support and tips you might find helpful. Good luck with the treatment. Lorna x ... View more

I'm on day 18 of my first round of Chemo. I had my hair cut into a short bob just before starting treatment but now it's falling out all over the place and I am tempted to have it shaved but wondering if it's too late to do this now because my head feels quite sore and I don't want to make it any worse. ... View more

Hi Roseberry, Thanks for the youtube links they were really helpful. The hair is coming out quite fast now so I'm gonna have to get some practice in at tying a scarf. ... View more

Hi Eitaki, mine started coming out yesterday which was day 15. dh - I get tax credits so am able to claim a voucher for a free wig. I think people who aren't can still get a voucher for some of the cost but I don't know if that depends on where you live. Lorna ... View more

So I found the perfect wig yesterday.   I can get one for free but when I went to claim my voucher I didn't have my actual NHS exemption card and I couldn't get the voucher without it.   The lady in the shop has put it by for me to collect on Tuesday but today the hair has started to come out. It started with a few stray hairs on my shoulders etc but now it's coming out in clumps.   I've got a few scarves at the ready but have no idea how to tie them & each time I try it ends up in disaster. I'm  quite calm about it at the moment but the more hair that comes out the more anxious I am starting to feel.   Lorna. ... View more