1st Chemo

I had my first chemo the same day as you. Didn't suffer from the nausea. I'm feeling for you. Hopefully you'll discuss it with your doctor & they'll sort it out for you before your next chemo.  

Wendy

Hi Shannon

I had that horrible taste in my mouth too....I described it more like my tongue felt like it had been dipped in candle wax or oil!  Everything tasted the same - revolting!  It would only last for 3-4 days each cycle though and then my throat would get sore (like someone had stripped the lining off it) and then when that went away (a few days) the roof of my mouth felt like it had been burnt (sort of like sandpaper for a few days).

I made sure that I took my anti-nausea tablets....the third treatment for me was by far the worst one.  I felt pretty awful after that one and had to take quite a bit of the anti-nausea stuff that was prescribed.  The second and fourth treatments were fairly ok - just pretty tired and a bit sickly feeling for a few days but then not so bad.  Hopefully your other treatments won't be as bad as this first one has been for you. 

Certainly if you haven't been prescribed any anti-nausea medication your doctor should be shot!  Make sure that you take it early enough though and don't wait until you feel really awful before you take anything.  It is better to get it under control from the start rather than to treat it once you are feeling terrible!

Good luck,

Louise x

Salt and vinegar chips and red softdrink helped cut through the metal taste.  Not good nutrition, but it is fine every now and then.

Like the others said, get them to give you DRUGS!!  Drugs to sleep, drugs to stop you from feeling awful.  Also for constripation, which you may or may not have.  It is good to drink pear juice and it doesnt taste too bad either.

Good luck, keep us posted on how you are getting on.

Tanya xx

hi shannon, well not good eh, give your oncologist ro chemo nurse a call and tell them your are vomitting, there is medication they can give you to stop that, andmake sure you or your partner write all these symptoms down, so when you do go back you can give them the run down, otherwise i found byt the time i went back for the next session, because i was feeling okay, i forgot to mention what i was like when i was feeling yuck, i hear what you are saying about your partner, my husband was the same, at one point i said to my husband when i'm down, i need you to stay up, he felt helpless not being able to do anything, but then on discussing this with my sister, she said well if he was up, when you are down, you would be saying, why the hell are you so happy lol, they are victims of this as we are, did you get the cd with the my journey kit, it is really worth him having a listen, and also he can come on here, this site is not just for bc sufferers, but for family and friends as well, hope you're feeling a bit better, please let us know how you go, and big cuddle to your partner for being there (was going to send a kiss, but dont know him lol)

Hi there, I completed Chemo in July 2010. I found that sucking "Fruit Tingles" (an old childhood favourite) helped with the metalic taste. The nurses in oncology gave me a packet each time I came for Chemo, and they definately helped. Good luck with your treatment. Andy

Hi there, I completed Chemo in July 2010. I found that sucking "Fruit Tingles" (an old childhood favourite) helped with the metalic taste. The nurses in oncology gave me a packet each time I came for Chemo, and they definately helped. Good luck with your treatment. Andy

hey there...just wanted to pass on some personal experience in regard to chemo treatment (i had 8 doses of taxotere)..metallic taste-everything tastes like tin so it doesn't matter what u eat for a few days, it will all taste like crap, but keep up good nutrition if u can....nausea-did they give u any anti nausea drugs??..if not, ask ur chemo or breast care nurse about them, you don't have to suffer nausea too, everything else is more than enough!..If ur having dexamethosone (steroid drug) before/during/after chemo dose then that can make it hard to sleep for a few days...then when the fatigue hits-go with it, rely on ur partner/family/friends to do things for you such as run the house, sort the meals, whatever u need. Just remeber that it is only for a few days each dose and ur doses will come to an end at some stage.  I have a wonderful support network and as i am normally a control freak (their words, not mine LOL) it was difficult to 'hand over the reins to my domain', but i just had to. Feel free to add me as a contact or message me if u wish..i am in this for the long haul (secondary stuff)..and hopefully it is a long time, so more than happy to assist others with info/support where i can..I am a very positive person and this has been really helpful in coping with all that 2010 delivered to me..With support, love and positivity u too will be able to cope..hang in there  :)....Sam