Chemo side effects

@GenK My flushing cheeks didn't start until day 15 of my first cycle and ice and the humidifier worked well. But with the second cycle, it started on day 3 and the ice and humidifier did not work quite as good as in the first cycle. So, I called up my oncologist and she suggested that I'd only take one dex for my next cycle. The flushing cheeks persist actually but is not as bad today (day 11 of 2nd cycle) when I have not even turned on the heater. So, yes, let's see how it goes. Make sure your mom drinks plenty of water for the first 3 or 4 days to help flush out the drugs. Dehydration is the last thing you want. Hope she is well  <3

Thanks…mum’s a couple of days from starting and has been given maxalon and dex so guess see how she goes but I’ll make sure there’s some flannels and/or fan in case she has flushed cheeks with this first lot and then discuss with onc at second cycle. I’m nervous about the dex with her diabetes, but guess shall have to see. Hope treatment going as well as it can for you 🌺

@Blossom1961 Thanks for letting me know. I haven't made the connection cos I had the dexamethsone almost 3 weeks ago in my first cycle. I need to take it again starting today because my second cycle is up tomorrow. I will speak to my oncologist when I see her tomorrow morning. Thank you so much for bringing it up!  <3

@lovemoon, the dexamethasone is a cortisone and they put it in with the chemo as well as offer it to you for after. This is what I stopped taking and they agreed to stop putting it in with the chemo. I was desperate.

@Blossom1961 Glad that you found an alternative. I'm not taking any medication, so, no idea why. Nevertheless, the humidifier works well last night. You take care  <3

@lovemoon I dropped the cortisone altogether as the burning cheeks made life a misery. I ended up taking maxolon for the nausea as the alternative to the cortisone.

@Blossom1961 Let's hope that we don't have to choose. I find drinking a lot of fluid helps with the nausea but doesn't work for burning cheeks. I put some ice on my cheeks and it helps to cool my cheeks down after about an hour. I bought a humidifier yesterday, not sure if it helps yet.

My cheeks burned from the cortisone so I had to choose between the nausea or the burning cheeks

Thank you @GenK for your message and your well wishes. i have to admit, I do hesitate to go into forums because you keep hearing horrid stories! It is important to know that everyone's experience will be different. I have put some of my experience for the 1st cycle in my last post. I'll be more than happy to share my experience with the remaining 3 cycles here, just to document what could happen. Apart from drinking 2 litres of water or fluid, I have also used a nail hardener for my nails as some people have problems with their nails. Not sure if it helps, but guess it doesn't hurt to give yourself some extra protection. In fact, I'm drinking up to 3 litres of water these days to help with the dry mouth and sore throat. I have also rinse my mouth with salt water and Oral 7 mouth wash to help with the dry mouth. So far, these are all working well. Just need to figure how to deal with my flushing cheeks so that i can turn the heater back on, otherwise, husband and dog have to freeze with me 

Thank you @Abbydog for sharing your experience. I had my first treatment session 2 weeks ago. Interestingly, the cold cap worked well. They gave me 2 panadols before putting the cap on, then, an ativan to help with the anxiety, followed by a warm blanket. So, I have to say, I'm well protected from the cold. Given it's only my first treatment, I have yet to have any hair loss. So, hope that the cold cap can protect me from hair loss.
I also have dexamethasone for 3 days (two before the day of chemo, two on the day and another two on the day after). I believe they help too. Not much nausea from my first treatment and no loss of appetite. Main side effects so far are fatigue, dry mouth, sore throat (which is not Covid-related) and the latest one is flushing cheeks and I have to turn off the heater even this is winter! I also had ativan to help with the anxiety and sleep for about 3 days after the chemo. I haven't been sleeping well since then and the oncologist suggested that I can take ativan, say once a week (should be safe to prevention addiction). Have been drinking more than 2 litres of fluids every day to keep hydrated. Guess I'm ready for the 2nd treatment next week. Thanks again for your kindness.