Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi ladies, I'd also like to join your group as I'm due to start my Rads on 21st October having had my last chemo on 18th sept. Had my planning appt on 30th sept and am having 15 sessions plus 5 boost and am proud to say I can now join the tattoo club !! I met with my Gp and work manager today and have also agreed to return to work on 29th October on a phased return basis starting with two half days the first week and slowly increasing until end of November. Have planned some leave at the end of my sessions to give time to recuperate as I've been told tiredness kicks in towards the end of treatment and for a couple of weeks after, don't know how right that is? Hope I haven't planned too much! One question , has anyone been given any cream to use or what or what not to use during treatment as they didn't say anything on Wed when I went for the planning appt and me still having chemo brain! Never thought to ask . I don't know where everyone is having their treatment but I'll be going to Preston. Where is everyone else going?? Well good luck to everyone Gaynor x ... View more

Hi Nx I'm on TC and have suffered from watery eyes during my last session (no 2). I've used dry eyes drops which have helped quite a bit. I also use anti histamine ( clarityn) to help with the aches/pains of the T . I stopped taking them last time during the 2nd week until the day before my next session which was last Friday and am still taking them at the moment . I have noticed that my watery eyes have stopped and am now wondering if the anti histermine is also helping with this also do think I may continue to take them throughout this time. Anythings worth a try!! Hope this helps ... View more

Hi Hope you don't mind but just jumping in your thread from July 2015 thread. I was just reading about your mouth sites from the T. I'm having TC and just about to have session 3 tomorrow. I had terrible taste/ white covering on tongue and moth sites the first time and my onc gave me nystin to take 4 x per day and to start day 1 and to use continuously to prevent for session 2. It's worked! No thrush and only s couple of little mouth sores this week which were the ones from last time but not sore. He also prescribed cordysl mouth wash. If you are having T one of the main symptoms of aches/ pains . I have used clarityn anti- histermine 1 per day starting day before chemo until about day 8-9 . This has really reduced the aches/ pains to vitally none just taken a ibuprofen a couple of times in the evening . Hope this helps some of you, good luck to all of you x ... View more

Good morning Josie11 I'm having TC and I have used clarityn for my 2nd session starting from day before and up to day 8. I have found that I haven't really suffered from aches/ pains ( which were horrendous on first session) . I have felt slightly fluey after day 8 ( but not before) when I have taken an odd ibuprofen ( mostly in an evening) but have been able to continue as normal throughout this time. I was also prescribed 2mg steroids per day for day 3 - day 7 which had also lessened the fatigue . I'm due session 3 tomorrow and have started my clarityn today along side my steroids and I think I may continue on with them a little longer this time to see if I can avoid the fluey symptoms altogether. I did discuss using clarityn with my onc last time but he though they wouldn't have any effect but I decidedly that I would try anyway and feel that they have definitely been beneficial. So it may be worth a try; you can't lose anything by trying! Hope this helps and your next session is better Best wishes ... View more

Hi Moneypenny, I'm on a slightly different regime to most of the ladies, I'm on TC but I have used the cold cap for both my sessions and my hair started to shed just before my 2nd session and then came out in handfuls in the shower on day 6 after my 2nd round (so about a week ago now). I estimate I've lost about 50%, mostly on the top and crown but that is where I was quite thin before.( I also have a short bob) However, after shedding over the last week it seems to have now stopped!! I don't know if thats going to carry or I will loose more after my next two sessions? I have found loosing my hair the most difficult and hard hitting emotionally of this journey so far and actually had my first crying session last week when my hair came out in clumps. My hair like yours is generally thin. I think I'm going to carry on with the cold cap this time ( due week-on Friday). I feel the more I can save the quicker it will grow back. Advice given to me was to take pain killers an hour before your session and take during session if required . It worked for me last time so hopefully I will still manage next time even though my hair will be thin on top. I have found it only uncomfortable for the 1st 15 mins until your numb!! I have also bought some 'WOW' root cover yesterday which the hairdresser coveted my roots and dabbed on my scalp where I have bald/thin patches on the top and crown and omg I can't believe how well it's covered and looks like I have hair !!! It's really boosted my confidence to go out without my wig . The use of the cold cap is an individual decision so you will also make your own mind up but it may slow down. Good luck with your next treatments. ... View more

Evening JKY03, I see your also suffering with the SE from T. Im on day 8 of my 2nd TC and have been much better this time around , no aches/pains or 'hit by that bus' feel. This time around my oncologist prescribed a steroid tail of 5 days of 2mg steroids after the initial ones and this has prevented the sheer exhaustion feel although have still tired towards the end of the day. I also have taken anti- histamine ( loratadine ) a one per day starting with the day before the chemo and until today and has meant no aches/ pains! You want to consider asking for next time . Only other issues this time have been indigestion and constipation for a few days although now relieved with movicol. I'm also off work since my op at the end of May although I did manage to go into work yesterday and have lunch with my colleagues and have a good catch up . Hope you have a good nights sleep Best wishes ... View more

Hi, I was diagnosed with UDC in April and after surgery results was upgrades from grade 2 to 3. Which left me me borderline got chemo. I had the oncotype Dx test which gave me a a score of 22 (low indermediate risk) so it was left to me re chemo . My risk was 86% without chemo and 90% with chemo. With much sole searching and advice and information from others on this site I decided that I would be more worried if I didn't have chemo going forward as I want to give my self the best possible chance not to be back here if possible. My fear was the side effects shirt & long term but I have found it no way as scary as I actually imagined and after the first chemo session I have been much more relaxed. Yes after the first session I did suffer from quite severe SE ie mainly aches/pains, no taste, mouth thrush/sores and diarrhoea with severe bloating, However, this time around (2nd) chemo I have been lucky enough to suffer very little - so far only constipation, horrible taste in mouth and some fatigue ( day 6 today) . I have taken advice from the others this time re taking Clarityn ( actually I'm just taking Tesco own make loratadine antihistamines which I started the day before my chemo with my steroids) this seems to worked a treat with the aches/ pains! Even though my Onco said it would make no difference. My onco had also this time given me a steroid tail where by I take just a 2mg each day after the initial ones which has take away that "hit by a bus " feel on day 4. It's also stopped by fluid retention/ bloating. So don't let the fear of side effects stop you they are manageable and chemo is do-able! Do you know what chemo regime they are suggesting? I'm having TC x4 which seems to be less common than most ladies but my margins and nodes were clear. However, I am ER+++ & PR+++ and HER-ve. So you may have FEC- T . There are monthly chemo clubs which might help you to make your mind up with loads of good tips and support. Have a look at the Juku 2015 club and there is a new August club for those ladies starting this month. Oh I also got a 2nd option from another onco at the hospital before I decided to go ahead. Hope you get the right information and support and good luck with making your decision. Best wishes x ... View more

Well 2nd TC done today, all went well except for nurse having to resite my cannula . Hair started to shed quite a bit today but stuck with the coldcap so hoping it will slow down but not sure what to expect this week regarding hair? Spoke to onco yesterday about taking Claritin to help with aches and pains from the neulasta but he said it would not help! However, have decided to try anyway as I can't see what I've got to lose! But he did prescribed me the steroid tail to help with the hit by a bus feeling on day 4 and some tramodol if the pains do kick in. Hope the rest of you are well following your recent sessions and not suffering too much. ... View more

Hi ladies, Can I ask if you used a blow dryer during your treatment at all. I've been told today that I can't use it at all even on a low setting. Hair started to shed quite abut today prior to today's 2nd session but I'm planning to wash in the morning so just wondering what today. There is no way I can go out at all if I can't blow dry it as I look like a frizzy bear! I will have to collect my wig. ... View more

Hi Karen, I'm having TC and using the cold cap and advised that it is definitely worth while with T. I'm one down so far and not lost any yet x ... View more

Thanks PaulS, I will have a look. I use nioxin atm which helps with thinning hair. Good tip about the hat after treatment as I didn't realise last time about the ice on your head afterwards!!!! ... View more

Oh and a 2nd question should I beicing the conditioner with water before it is sprayed on my hair prior to the cold cap or should I be putting neat conditioner on my hair? Kind regards Gaynor x ... View more

Hope you don't mind be butting in but I have just started this chemo lark and am due my 2nd on Friday. I have used the cold cap once and intend to thorough out . My question is this, my hair over the last couple of days has only just started shedding but not very much so far and only when I brush it. How much should I be prepared for and will it accelerate after my next session? (I'm having 4 x TC). ... View more

Morning Ladies, Hope you don't mind but I'm just dropping in from the July 25 chemo club. I have also Been suffering with extreme bloating over the last week or so and am struggling to resolve it (look 6 months pregnant) . I was wondering if if it is a known SE of T. It's really getting me down as its so uncomfortable, I have some pure aloe gel that I can drink but not sure if this is allowed ? Any ideas would be welcome . Oh I'm on a slightly different regime to most of you I think, I'm on TC. Due my 2nd one on Friday so would really like to get this under control before then otherwise I might pop!!!! ... View more

Morning Ladies, Just looking for a bit of advice. I'm suffering with extreme bloating over the last week or so and am struggling to resolve it (look 6 months pregnant) I was just wondering if any of you have suffered with this and if it is a known SE of T. It's really getting me down as its so uncomfortable, I have some pure aloe gel that I can drink but not sure if this is allowed ? Any ideas would be welcome . Oh I'm on a slightly different regime to most of you I'm on TC. Due my next one on Friday so would really like to get this under control before then otherwise I might pop!!!! ... View more

Thanks ladies hit the advice . Will try the lollies have now got some difflan and gel from GP ... View more

Welcome JKY03, You seemed to have done so wel on your FEC I'm not surprised that Docetaxol has come with a bang compared . I'm on a slightly different adjuvant regime which is Docetaxol / cycophosomide. I had my its one on 17th July so day 11 today . Your description of SE sounds exactly how I would have described!! Apart from felt like I had been hit by a bus !!! My worst day for bone pain was day 6/ 7 and felt like you dizzy and woozy I only realised this was from all the pain meds when I started easing off them. Hopefully your pains should now start to ease off soon and you can then ease off the meds also. Once I did this I started to feel normal . Unfortunately all the meds / drugs upset my stomach and ended up with stomach cramps and diarrhoea for a few days thank heavens that's now settled but left me with a a curry bum!! Hope you don't get this also . Anyway there is light at the end of the tunnel day/10/11 energy levels back to normal and even walked the dog down the beach yesterday ( felt good). Only other slight issue now is that I've now got mouth sores and thrush!!! (There always seems to be something ! Unless I'm destined to try all the possible SE !!!!!) however I have been lucky enough not to have suffered the raised temps / infections at all - so not all bad. I am trying the cold cap ....... So far so good !! I'm 50 ( in fact my dx came literally after my birthday) have 2 daughters age 22 and 19yr old at uni also and live with my husband and dog . How you have a good day x ... View more

Oh no, not the dreaded hair loss! I'm doing ok so far but only day 10. Hopefully my cold cap treatment will work for my head at least . Stomach problems eased today but now the mouth sores have set in and think I have thrush but energy levels better took the dog for a walk on the beach this morning and got caught out with the rain on the way back but certainly blew the cobwebs out. Hope both of you are feeling better today x ... View more

Hi I'm glad your headache/pains have gone now. I know what the exhaustion feels like! But I'm now day 9 post chemo 1 and my energy levels are back now just left with severe stomach/ indigestion problems and the most awful taste in my mouth that taints all my food even chocolate!! Not eating much at the moment as not enjoying anything x ... View more