Hi all, had my first TCH chemo yesterday. It went well I just had a bit reaction after 5 min with docetaxel. My face and head felt really hot and heavy pressure on chest. Told the nurse immediately and was managed by I think hydrocortisone.? Not sure what it was n I forgot to ask. Afterwards everything went smoothly. At home I felt OK just feeling a bit bloated and a bit of reflux and burping non stop ?? overall it wasn't bad at all today. If I could feel this way all the way through it would b fabulous...fingers crossed ?... although I'm wondering how would I feel tomorrow because I think dexamethasone been helping me with my energy and I will b without it tomorrow...not that I want to have it because it made me constipated ???? tonight I have to also have the neulasta injection and side effect will b aching bones ???? would appreciate if anyone can tell me their experiences. Till then enjoy the weather...it's been nice weather today here in Sydney ?? hugs, Liana xoxo

Hi Liana, Welcome. I haven't had chemo so can't share any experiences just wanted to wish you all the best. Xx Cath

Hi Liana, I had my first chemo yesterday as well which was TCH, I was so scared but everything went very smoothly I had nor reactions at all throught the 5 hour treatment. I found I was very tired when I got home but I think that was just after the build up of all the nerves and it being such a long day. When I went to bed I did manage to get a couple of hours sleep but then woke up during the night and found I could not get comfy so hoped up and snuggled on the couch and stared into the fire and watched Columbo. Now today I am feeling pretty good no side effects yet :) Hope everything is going well for you, Im sure we will have lots of good and bad days but we just have to go with it all. sending hugs Michele xoxo

all the best for both of you too my first dose of chemo starts tuesday also feeling very anxious

Hi Liana, I remember Dexamethsone well - it had a lot of us cleaning cupboards at 3am as we were too wired to sleep. My 4am green tea with ginger & an arrowroot biscuit lasted throughout 3 months of chemo! All the best for the rest of your treatment - just take things one day at a time. xx Michelle

Hi Liana, well done ... First one down. Sounds like you went pretty damn good. I went through it all rather ok. Finished all treatment for now. I can't believe it was twelve months ago when I was diagnosed. It did go quickly. I wish you well for the rest of your treatment. We are all different but the main thing is to take one day at a time and rest as much as you need to. And when you are ready start doing short walks. keep us posted. Anne-Marie??

First chemo TCH | BCNA Online Network

lyntmc
Member
9 years ago
Hi Liana- I am about to have no 5 of 6 TCH next week. After no 4 I bounced back really well but after no 3 I was terrible. What I do know works is movicol the day before chemo and day of and after. Get extra nausea tablets to take besides dexamethasone. They gave me Pramin and I took it for 5 days after. Nausea went away. Drink more water than you would normally for first 3 days. Exercise- it makes a difference. I have had nasal bleeds that I am keeping under control with saline sprays and Vaseline. Ask for sleeping tablets so you can sleep whilst on Dexa otherwise insomnia will kick in. You only need to take for 3 nights. I too had the allergic reaction to Docetaxel. You will be given hydrocortisone every treatment before chemo. Be religious with your skin, nails and mouth. I used baking soda as mouth wash. I haven't had mouth ulcers. I used nail strengther every day. Lathered my skin with sorbolene. Massage my scalp with oil twice a day. Carried hand cream and lip balm. So far it has made a difference. Luckily I haven't had fatigue or bone aches. The first three days after chemo are always awful. Flu like symptoms are common. Make Panadol your friend as my nurses tell me. It works. Be kind to yourself and good luck!

Lyn xx
Cook65
Member
9 years ago
Hi Liana, I had 6 rounds of TCH. I had it on the Thursday and by Sunday the sickness started. After my first round I spent 4 days on the toilet with a bucket in my lap before going to A&E. I ended up spending 5 days in hopsital. The onc's increased the cortisone for the following treatments for the following treatments but I was still really sick. On the third round they swapped the carboplatin for cyclophosphomide. Tell your onc every side effect as they will be able to do things to help. Good luck with it all. Take care. Karen xox
jd48
Member
9 years ago
No vomiting here but feeling like I am.running a fever initial 3 to 5 days post treatment continued throughout treatment.

I.would.say they did not escort you through the ER because there was no fever. Should you present with temp close to 38.or 38 trust me - you will be ushered in straight away...

Talk to you Oncology team - call them today if you are vomiting wven though taking the meds correctly. It could be due to reducing steroids or going off them (if that has happened already) and they may need to extend them or change your anti nausea meds. Make sure you call them as if you are vomiting drugs get expelled so you are not getting the benefit of taking them and nausea will continue.

You do not want to get dehydrated and they really can tweak the meds if you let them know in time.

Hugs

Jel.
jd48
Member
9 years ago
Movicol twice daily is a must and if not helping you tell the oncology team to add to it something else... Soups will help as will avoiding too many carbs those initual few days. Dietitan told me soups with a lot of meat and veg and no noodles or potatoes added... Followed it from the 2nd Session and itnworked and I was.on steroids for 6 days each time so had to have a full on gut fruendly solution ??

I am managing radioin so far This is just day 6 of what will be 32 tratmwnts so must say not looking forward to the whole course as Ibstarted getting reactions I was told not to expect for many weeks on day 3 so looks like my body has again decided to be 'prescious' about having stuff done to it.

But it has to be done so onwarfs and upwards ??

I hope you are now oast the worst of the initial sideeffects and that tummy is cooperating a bit better.

Hugs

Jel.
Nadi
Member
9 years ago
Hi Liana, I had TCH too and now only have 5 Herceptins to go. I got terrible bone pain with the Neulasta. Panadol osteo and naproxen got rid of the pain completely. It was much better than having to stay in hospital for 6 days with neutropenia like I had o after my first round. Good luck with it.

Nadine
primek
Member
9 years ago
I need additional anti nausea stuff. I also always got back, neck and shivery feelings with no temp. Feeks line the flu. I managed with panadol regularly. My aches and pains hit day 2 to 3. Every cycle I would think I was getting sick, but wasn't. Tell your team about them not acting on the chemo card. I think they have to act in a certain time frame but worth mentioning. Hang in there. Kath x
Liana_anna
Member
9 years ago
Hi Jel, how r u? How r u doing with your radiations?

I took your advice seriously about steroid causing constipation...I started taking movicol on day 1 of my first cycle n couldn't go until day 3 n it was a big struggle. So I think next time I have to take it the day before I take the steroid.

Hope you're doing well with your radiation therapy.

Hugs, Liana xx
Liana_anna
Member
9 years ago
Hi Kristy, did your nails fall off? All of them?

Yes I read a lot about keeping mouth clean n rinse after food. I've been doing that. Also about exercising when tired... I'll try my best on that one.

I had a bit of an aching bones all over from neulasta but not too bad.

Wow 4 days at the hospital...you poor thing... but you finished all your treatments or r u still have to have radiations?

Thanks for your advice. Hugs, Liana xx
Liana_anna
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Anne Marie, you're right time flies...when I think about it...it was almost 4 months ago I was diagnosed.

Congratulations to you... done and dusted yaayy... I'm looking forward to this day ?

You keep well n will keep you posted.

Hugs, Liana xx
Liana_anna
Member
9 years ago
Hi dmcook, I was anxious as well but also looking forward to it...I just wanted to get it over and done with.

You'll b fine the nurses are wonderful n very helpful n will give you all info and you can ask as many questions as you like.

Sending you a big virtual hug for Tuesday n keep us posted.

Liana xx