Chemo Advice

Hi Janette,

Oh I didn't realize you were on Lyrica, aren't you drug sensitive?? They gave me that after surgery and it made me very ill. My Surgeon was annoyed as they gave me that with morphine uuugh! I know I can't take Lyrica, its also used for Fibromyalgia. 

Hope you find a way to settle the nausea, its tough going!! 

Hugs, 

Melinda xo

Hi Melinda,

Saw surgeon about Ativan,she looked it up but said it did not play nice with Lyrica (which I am on) so did not prescribe it at the time. If nausea continues will have to rethink Lyrica.

Janette x

Hey Janette,

Hope you are traveling a little easier today, so many ladies recommend some excellent strategies for eating or drinking. None of which helped me at all, my appetite was completely off, and I was too unwell. 

I had always had naturally long nails, I never really cared for them lol, but I found they were completely unaffected. :) and only slight neuropathy at the end, but nothing much really. 

No there was no tens machine at chemo, and to be honest, the actual infusion was more than fine. Its the side effects that I only had trouble with. 

So just find the little things that work for you. x

Melinda 

Thank you for info Melinda-it sucks that you were so sick and are still dealing with issues- did they use a Tens machine at rehab? I use one for my back and have found it really effective. Will be sending you heaps of healing thoughts.

Janette xo

Thanks for info I had read about keeping nails out of sun and painting them black-but clear hardener makes more sense. I love ginger and have some tea so will try that. Not keen on grapefruit but will try anything. It seems as soon as I take Zofram it makes the nausea worse- pretty counter productive!

I had no appetite either the first week after each fusion. Generally its wit Taxol, nail problems or neuropathy. Nails are made of the same as hair. I had no problems with nails at all. Only now have very very slight neuropathy in my toes, but honestly nothing to worry about. 

I lost alot of muscle mass through all my chemo as was quite ill and unable to eat properly or walk. Ive just finished an 8 week rehab course which was amazing for strength training, still have trouble with my legs but getting better everyday.

Step at a time, but you should be really ok.

Melinda x

Hi Janette

Just in regards to losing the nails, mine were fine on the FEC but on the T I noticed some changes. First of all they started aching, especially my toes. And now, three weeks after my last round of T there is a definite discolouration of my fingernails - almost like dark rings crossing the nail bed - and toes. Whether they lift or whether I lose them, I think only more time will tell.

If your regime is the same as mine the T is Taxotere, another name for docetaxel which is a little different to the taxol that others may be having I believe.

Janette, nail.thing can haopen on pretty much any regime as nails are one of the fast growingbcell body oarts which is why is targeted by chemo...

One way to keep them at their best is to make sure they are trimmed short as that reduces the risk.of any trauma to them. I also use a clear nail hardener to help them stay protected as much as possible (reason I decided not to use nailmpolish is that clear at least allows me.to track what they look like so when changes occur I can flag it with the GP and the Oncologist)

Also for nausea grapefruit helps - I suck on graoefruit segmwnts as if they were a lollipop - not as tasty but it helps ??. Also lemon squeezed in some water helps... Ginger tea might help as well - or just some ginger grated in some cold water...

Thanks, seeing my surgeon Mon so will ask her about it because Zofram doing nothing- but I am not too bad. No appetite though. Melinda did you have trouble with lifting/losing finger/toe nails on chemo? I have read that this could be a side effect- not sure if it pertained to our regime though.

Janette x

Janette,

I found the name of it, it was called Ativan, I have no idea if this will work for you, but I found out of all the things I tried this helped me sleep at night and feel semi ok.

Melinda x