Side effects from first TCH treatment and what to expect for the next 5
Hi all,
I was diagnosed with a HER2 positive tumour (but hormone receptor negative) just over 2 weeks ago and involvement of one axillary lymph node as well.Doing chemo first then surgery. I am 54 and was working full time (fortunately in a well paid job with a supportive employer and lots of sick leave owing etc). I had my port inserted last week and commenced chemo the day after. The first chemo was docetaxol and carboplatin (next time they add the Herceptin) and due to have this every 3 weeks for 6 rounds all up. Had steroids 8 mg dexamethasone day before, of and after.
I stil have hair but cut it short (and I really like it!) but am fully expecting to lose it next week. Taken 6 months off work.
Had a allergic reaction to the docetaxol but well spotted by nurses and managed with phenergan and steroids (made me very sleepy for 24 hours) and then was able to resume at half speed and go through it
Side effects: no nause or vomiting, tired for a few days, skin felt odd, flu like symptoms on day 4 (aches, pains, prickling all over), felt disconnected until day 5 and had difficulty with my thinking, no constipation (lots of Movicol), altered taste, sore mouth (managed with salt and bicarbonate rinses then biogene wash etc), sore neck and shoulders. All pretty much resolved on day 5 but that night the diarrhoea started for 24 hours with abdo pain. Got this under control with Imodium and Gastrolyte and bland diet within the day but didn't manage the bottom too well and ended up with a sore and now itchy bottom especially at night (getting better with salty baths and zinc oxide cream). Also have a rash (mini blisters in spots but not sore just itchy) above my portacath, on my shoulder on that side and neck, that hasn't resolved yet (but portacath still has steri strips on it).
I have been felling pretty normal from about day 5-7.
Anyway a couple of queries from anyone else who has had a similar regime or like.
1. Do I expect similar each time or do these side effects get worse each time?
2. Am exercising by walking and planning to do yoga but have been very fit previously - has anyone worked out with weights and was this an issue with the portacath (obviously will need to be sensible)?
Thanks in advance and many of the posts here have been so helpful, thanks for the great community support.
I was diagnosed with a HER2 positive tumour (but hormone receptor negative) just over 2 weeks ago and involvement of one axillary lymph node as well.Doing chemo first then surgery. I am 54 and was working full time (fortunately in a well paid job with a supportive employer and lots of sick leave owing etc). I had my port inserted last week and commenced chemo the day after. The first chemo was docetaxol and carboplatin (next time they add the Herceptin) and due to have this every 3 weeks for 6 rounds all up. Had steroids 8 mg dexamethasone day before, of and after.
I stil have hair but cut it short (and I really like it!) but am fully expecting to lose it next week. Taken 6 months off work.
Had a allergic reaction to the docetaxol but well spotted by nurses and managed with phenergan and steroids (made me very sleepy for 24 hours) and then was able to resume at half speed and go through it
Side effects: no nause or vomiting, tired for a few days, skin felt odd, flu like symptoms on day 4 (aches, pains, prickling all over), felt disconnected until day 5 and had difficulty with my thinking, no constipation (lots of Movicol), altered taste, sore mouth (managed with salt and bicarbonate rinses then biogene wash etc), sore neck and shoulders. All pretty much resolved on day 5 but that night the diarrhoea started for 24 hours with abdo pain. Got this under control with Imodium and Gastrolyte and bland diet within the day but didn't manage the bottom too well and ended up with a sore and now itchy bottom especially at night (getting better with salty baths and zinc oxide cream). Also have a rash (mini blisters in spots but not sore just itchy) above my portacath, on my shoulder on that side and neck, that hasn't resolved yet (but portacath still has steri strips on it).
I have been felling pretty normal from about day 5-7.
Anyway a couple of queries from anyone else who has had a similar regime or like.
1. Do I expect similar each time or do these side effects get worse each time?
2. Am exercising by walking and planning to do yoga but have been very fit previously - has anyone worked out with weights and was this an issue with the portacath (obviously will need to be sensible)?
Thanks in advance and many of the posts here have been so helpful, thanks for the great community support.
