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Nessk's avatar
Nessk
Member
13 years ago

3rd Chemo down

3rd chemo down today, 1 more IV AC to go. The I'll either have CMF oral which he said the way I've reacted with the nausea on the AC I'll probably be the same on the CMF. Or I could possible have Taxol. Now I'm worried. Either CMF where I have an injection and then day 8 start a week of tablets (14 days of possible nausea) for 3 cycles 2 weeks between cycles. Or Taxol for 12 weeks, 1 each week. He said they both have the same end result. I'm confused and worried as I struggle big time with the AC chemo now. 

7 Replies

  • Well Vanessa, I am so glad I got onto the Website this morning as I obviously needed to, just to try to make you feel a bit better.  Here goes:

    I didnt want a choice about what chemotherapy I should have - as I havent been to University and Im not an Oncologist.  I had FEC, and discussed all my symptoms constantly with the Drs, nurses, and Breast Care Nurse to get my best possible advice and results.  I went to the Cancer Council and borrowed books when I was well enough, on "What to Eat" etc.  I had the Neulasta Injection following FEC, and rang the Community Nurses, and they came and guided me through my injections to give me peace of mind.  They are free, and happy to answer questions, (they are upbeat and great to chat to), and have phoned me once a months to talk to me to see if Im ok.  They arent linked with any other group though, you have to find them as your local Community Nurses.  Each time I had a side effect, eg. scalp infection, mouth ulcers, indigestion, aches and pains, and nausea, I saw my Dr. or got something from the Pharmacist.  I went on a radical diet, based on highly nutritious, low acid, some  juices, and no sugar, no salt, no red meat.  I eat fruit for my sweet hit, lots of grapes and watermelon when I had nausea.  Week one following chemo was a different regime to the rest, but I couldnt digest difficult foods, (pasta, bread, meat some-times) so thats why I lost 8 kilo's, not because I felt overly sick.  Panadol Osteo is about 665 mg  of  Paracetamol, the normal amount is 500mg of Paracetamol per tablet.  I took 2 of the 500mg every 4 hours most of the way through FEC and then Taxotere.  Read the packet because youre only allowed a certain amount in a 24 hour period.  dont take any NDSAIDs (unless approved via your DR),  as they are rough on your gutt.  Your vital organs wont take more than 8 paracetamol in 24 hours.  I have learnt to recongnise the active ingredient, which is written at bottom of packet in small writing.  As general community we get hooked up in the company who made them : :Panadol, Nurofen.  Look for the small writing and read back of packs.  If not sure ask Dr or nurse before you take anything.  We are all different, and it always depends on your liver and kidneys too.......But I found all advice given via Medical staff the best to go with myself.  They say ginger helps with nausea, eg the biscuit.  Or via a drink.  I just drank soda water and lemon. Try not to chose sugary option though. (up to you of course).  I also went on a low acid diet (swear by it).  They are all the things I stuck by, and it worked for me.  Some people thought I went OTT with it, but hey, it all worked for me.

     I spoke to an Oncologist Social Worker at the Cancer Council the other day, and she explained so much to me about why I am so tired from Chemo and Radiation.  It really helped to get educated and solid information from a lady who had worked with my Drs and Rads staff in her past.  I walked away relieved, and finally able to sleep better at night, just by admitting my fears, and asking the right person the right questions.  I have been very emotional for the last month, but its because the 90% of the information I didnt understand in the beginning has just sunk in!

    Perhaps some of the ladies on the BCNA can advise you about how to handle you lovely children during this most challenging experience of your life, as I cant imagine how tricky it is to have that to deal with as well.

     Stay strong, and be kind to yourself Vanessa, we will all get through this wiser women, with kinder hearts.   Calm your mind and repeat after a deep breath "I am in the here and now, one day at a time"  LoveXXX Bel

  • No tingling just sore fingers. The pain has been manageable when I need to I takepanadol or nurofen or panadol osteo. I have got Endone haven't really used it. No nausea have not needed pramin at all again I must say side effects are not as bad as AC. Cheryle:)
  • Just one more question so the pain is managable with pain rielf you said you started taking Panadol Osteo. Did you Onc prescribe you any other pain meds, did you say you had tingling toe/ fingers. I'm just so stuck atm. Hmmmm Feel awful neausea or Pain. which would be the lesser evil. I just can't handle the nausea so you would think the choice would be easy wouldn't you Ha!Thanks for your infoVanessa xx
  • It's been very hard with my little girls. I guess my youngest doesn't get it but my elest kind of does and has started to see how far she can push things. But she has been a good girl too. since Chemo started I've found it so hard and have never cried so much in my life. I had a really good head space yesterday being yay 3 AC's down 1 more to go, and there is nothing I can do about it but go with the flow. Then when my Oncologist said the next lot of chemo I need could cause you nausea I fell backwards again. It is such a rollercoster ride. Get as much help as you can. Don't be shy to ask your family and friends.Good luck with your journey Sal. We are all here for you xxVanessa xx
  • I wasn't really given a choice either but I asked today if the CMF would be pretty much the same as the AC and he said the way I've reacted to the AC most probably will be as sick. I don't think I understood him though. I though he said I'd have an injection day 1 the on day 8 start a week of tablets. Making the nausea possibly last 14+ days (which I don't know if I could handle as I just make it through 7+ days on the AC) but my sister who came with me said it's the injection day 1 and 14 days of tablets either way a possiblity of 14+ days nausea.  upside I'd get 2 weeks break between cycles.But with the Taxol yeah I may not get the nausea which would be fantastic. But I'm worried how bad the other side effects are, then the 12 weeks of IV. When you say body aches etc is it pain of just uncomfortable.I just can't believe what we have to have our bodies go through. I was so positive today. until I was told the side effect for both CMF and Taxol. Now I'm back to just wanting it all over again.Thanks for you info :)Ness xx 
  • Hi Vanessa, I wasn't given any options like you have, just Taxol. I'm up to no. 8 of Taxol. I have not had any nausea, just body aches, sore hands, slight numbness in feet, sore nose, rash on hands. Overall not as intense side effects as the AC. There has been a slow steady accumulation of the side effects over the 8 weeks, but I am on the plus side 2/3 of the way through Taxol. So in summary much better than AC, negative is it is weekly rather than every three weeks. Fatigue is definitely still a factor but I think that's just as much BC as it is chemo. Just think you're almost there, one more to go of AC. (I bought myself a nice pair of earrings after 2nd chemo and a matching necklace after the 4th AC to celebrate making it through). Cheers Cheryle :)
  • Hi Vanessa, I wasn't given any options like you have, just Taxol. I'm up to no. 8 of Taxol. I have not had any nausea, just body aches, sore hands, slight numbness in feet, sore nose, rash on hands. Overall not as intense side effects as the AC. There has been a slow steady accumulation of the side effects over the 8 weeks, but I am on the plus side 2/3 of the way through Taxol. So in summary much better than AC, negative is it is weekly rather than every three weeks. Fatigue is definitely still a factor but I think that's just as much BC as it is chemo. Just think you're almost there, one more to go of AC. (I bought myself a nice pair of earrings after 2nd chemo and a matching necklace after the 4th AC to celebrate making it through). Cheers Cheryle :)