Chemo 1st one down what a ride

ChezaH

Hi all, I had my first chemo and wow the side effects, the headaches, back pain constipation, mouth ulcers and on it goes . Ended up in hospital for 8 days, and what an awful 8 days, just home yesterday, and next treatment is the 1st April, just hoping for a different outcome, but will keep you posted. 

Tinks

Goodness what a horrible situation for you! What was causing the hospital side of things and do they expect that to recur? Sending you a good sleep in your own bed! Rest as much as you can. Hugs Xx

Caz1

Wow you poor thing! Yeah chemo was a bit of a circus....fortunately I had a multitude of side effects but none too severe
Maybe your onco can alter your dose?
hugs Caz x

AllyJay

That sucks...I spent a total of 56 days and nights in hospital during the three months of AC chemo. Learned the hard way to have a bag packed after each session to avoid having "hubby's choice".

ChezaH

Yes it is just awful , I had terrible side effects, I go in for my next session next week, the dr has said he will make adjustments, so I will see when I have my appointment with him before my session

Thank you all for all your helpful hints and suggestions, I really appreciate that I can talk with somebody that is going through or has been through this process. x

PV123

Sorry to hear about your side effects @Berchel14. 

I had a lot of different side effects and they were mostly manageable, so hopefully your next sessions will be easier.  

What chemo drug are you on?

jennyss

Dear @Berchel14

for next time! from jennyss in Western NSW

ChezaH

PV123 said:

Sorry to hear about your side effects @Berchel14. 

I had a lot of different side effects and they were mostly manageable, so hopefully your next sessions will be easier.  

What chemo drug are you on?

I am on AC, the oncologist said that he would modify it for the next one, which is next Wednesday, do not want to have to go into hospital again   What about you? were you on the same one or different. I am really hoping I can get these side effects sorted out, Hope you are feeling ok XX

ChezaH

Caz1 said:

Wow you poor thing! Yeah chemo was a bit of a circus....fortunately I had a multitude of side effects but none too severe
Maybe your onco can alter your dose?
hugs Caz x

Thanks, yes he did say he was going to do some adjustments, next one is Wed so keeping fingers crossed. He thinks it has triggered migraines, so hoping that gets a little better   as I used to suffer from them years ago. How did you manage the exhaustion ? I was in hospital for 8 days in a room and only got to go out twice, so now very weak, and not really wanting to go outside the house in this climate of things. Really appreciate having somebody to talk with. xx Cheryl

ddon

AC is truly awful. I only had one night in hospital - it upset my heart and I needed to be monitored - but I spent 9 days of each cycle absolutely miserable and many days barely able to lift my head. I didn’t get sick as such, as in viruses or whatever, but oh the side effects are tough. On the upside, I did learn to ride it out because I knew what was coming. 

Taxol is truly a walk in the park after AC. Hang in there - hoping your oncologist can sort it to make it more bearable for you somehow. 

ChezaH

ddon said:

AC is truly awful. I only had one night in hospital - it upset my heart and I needed to be monitored - but I spent 9 days of each cycle absolutely miserable and many days barely able to lift my head. I didn’t get sick as such, as in viruses or whatever, but oh the side effects are tough. On the upside, I did learn to ride it out because I knew what was coming. 

Taxol is truly a walk in the park after AC. Hang in there - hoping your oncologist can sort it to make it more bearable for you somehow. 

Thanks for your update, yes I was not in a good way at all, and cannot bear to think it will continue with each treatment. I am still soooo tired and exhausted, have not had a day without a headache, the the constipation was terrible and has made such a mess of my body, and on but on the bright side after wed I will be half way through the first lot  LOL

Caz1

Hi @Berchel14 I lay on the couch for the first few days. My thing was to keep moving, I went for a walk every day, some days a short one was all I could manage but without exception I got out there. Always made me feel better in my head as well as physically.....and my dogs wouldn’t let me off!!!!

constipation tips; drinking HEAPS of water, 2 coloxyl tablets every day, prunes, licorice, inner health ( excellent ) ,sometimes I’d make a big casserole based on beans, eg butter beans, lentils and tomato, lemon, oil  and garlic 

ChezaH

Caz1 said:

Hi @Berchel14 I lay on the couch for the first few days. My thing was to keep moving, I went for a walk every day, some days a short one was all I could manage but without exception I got out there. Always made me feel better in my head as well as physically.....and my dogs wouldn’t let me off!!!!

constipation tips; drinking HEAPS of water, 2 coloxyl tablets every day, prunes, licorice, inner health ( excellent ) ,sometimes I’d make a big casserole based on beans, eg butter beans, lentils and tomato, lemon, oil  and garlic 

Thanks for

Caz1 said:

Hi @Berchel14 I lay on the couch for the first few days. My thing was to keep moving, I went for a walk every day, some days a short one was all I could manage but without exception I got out there. Always made me feel better in my head as well as physically.....and my dogs wouldn’t let me off!!!!

constipation tips; drinking HEAPS of water, 2 coloxyl tablets every day, prunes, licorice, inner health ( excellent ) ,sometimes I’d make a big casserole based on beans, eg butter beans, lentils and tomato, lemon, oil  and garlic 

Caz1 said:

Hi @Berchel14 I lay on the couch for the first few days. My thing was to keep moving, I went for a walk every day, some days a short one was all I could manage but without exception I got out there. Always made me feel better in my head as well as physically.....and my dogs wouldn’t let me off!!!!

constipation tips; drinking HEAPS of water, 2 coloxyl tablets every day, prunes, licorice, inner health ( excellent ) ,sometimes I’d make a big casserole based on beans, eg butter beans, lentils and tomato, lemon, oil  and garlic 

Thanks for the info Yes I am drinking lots of water, and since coming out of hospital I have been able to eep the constipation under control. Yes I will try the walk thing but with the coid19 a bit wary to go outside xx

ChezaH

2nd chemo done, and back in hospital again on the 5th day after chemo for another 4 days, these side effects are miserable to say the least. I go and see my oncologist next Thursday, maybe a change in treatment, he did say when I was in hospital that he may just do one more and miss the last one and then start the next treatment of weekkly ones ?? I said to him that is all this worth it,and he said I will get you better ! I am not sure. 

Tried the cold cap but I am not sure if the nurses had a lot of experience in it, from what I could see, and my hair is gone, and I have had a shave all this and it is only 2 down and months to go......  Sorry a bit of self pity today rant rant.

Blossom1961

Rant away @Berchel14 This whole thing sucks and is bad enough without having the horrible extreme side effects. I had nearly every side effect, even the unusual ones, but only a couple were extreme. Most were mild and I only ended up in hospital three times and ended up going home within 24 hours each time. After it is finished, you will realise it was worth it, but during treatment it is hard to see the finish line. Hang in there and come here every time you want to. I lived in this forum during AC-T and found new friends that understand. Sending big hugs to get you through this grotty time. 

ddon

So sorry you are struggling so much through this. AC is crappy. That’s all I can say.