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KLS72's avatar
KLS72
Member
13 years ago

anxious

About to start chemo next tues - feeling so anxious about this horrible treatment and side effects. Has anyone received white cell boost injection for their chemo. I'm part of a trial to receive this and hoping will help minimise the tired yuk feeling?? Any comments??

6 Replies

  • Janey235's avatar
    Janey235
    Member
    13 years ago
    So sorry you are so scare Wilma. Everyone is different on how they handle side effects and what they do get. I was scared when I developed high temperatures and had to be taken to hospital. This wasn't due to side effects though, it was because I developed infections with the low immunity in the second week of the treatments. Some people suffer from little or no side effects when some suffer from a myriad of them. If you've had one round of chemo already, you have probably experienced the side effects you are prone to and hopefully they won't cumulate too much in the coming rounds. I did get nausea, intestinal problems like constipation and diarrhoea, heartburn, headaches, loss of taste, neuropathy in my fingers and toes, bone pain and body aches. But it was doable. You do get to the end of tunnel and sooner than you think. There's a post by JodieWall that you might like to read. Jody was so petrified but she had some wonderful replies that go for a few pages. She has now had her first chemo and is now encouraging others. The link is http://www.bcna.org.au/user/14318/blog/65649 Hope this helps you too Karen :) Love Janey xxx
  • Janey235's avatar
    Janey235
    Member
    13 years ago
    Like Janet, I had to give myself Neulasta injections (well my husband gave them to me, I'm a bit of a suck and couldn't do it) to boost my white blood cells after chemo. I had my first four rounds without it but ended up in hospital twice with infection. My temperature was through to roof. So my Onc told me to inject the Neulasta for the last four rounds. No infections! So hopefully you won't have to worry too much about getting infections. I don't think the booster will effect whether you have other side effects though but you may only have mild ones. Fingers crossed. Good luck with the trial and your treatments. Love Janey xxx
  • Wilma's avatar
    Wilma
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hello have had my second round of chemo and am feeling shaky and clammy on and off . Went to hospital today but all appeared normal as bloods taken etc !!!  Low sodium levels though ... Can anyone inform me of their journey through chemo along with the side effects experienced and how they were managed . Thanks a million am just so scared XX

  • Wilma's avatar
    Wilma
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hello have had my second round of chemo and am feeling shaky and clammy on and off . Went to hospital today but all appeared normal as bloods taken etc !!!  Low sodium levels though ... Can anyone inform me of their journey through chemo along with the side effects experienced and how they were managed . Thanks a million am just so scared XX

  • KLS72's avatar
    KLS72
    Member
    13 years ago
    Thks Janet Yes it is a trial of nuelasta vs comparable new drug. Encouraging to hear no infections as I understand that is the most severe side effect. Thks for your encouragement. I know I will get through it - it just is so daunting to start! Thks x Karen
  • Janet_Plummer's avatar
    Janet_Plummer
    Member
    13 years ago

    My white blood count was extremely low after my first chemo so I had to give myself nuelasta injections (I think that's what it was called) about 24 hours after each of my subsequent chemo treatments. Not sure if it's the same as what you will be having. I think the purpose of them is to boost the immune system  - which chemo knocks out - to minimise the risk of getting infections.

    Don't know if they made me feel any less unwell than I would have without them but I never did get any nasty infections or need to be hospitalised or anything like that. So I guessed they worked.

    Sorry to hear you're about to undergo chemo. It isn't much fun. There are so many possible side effects which you may or may not experience - everyone seems to respond a bit differently. But I think most of us find it's not quite as bad as we fear. You have to be prepared to take it easy on yourself, accept the help and support of your friends and relatives. You do get through it though. My chemo finished last August (2012) and I'm feeling great now. In fact on Sunday I am going to do a 5km fun run. Just want to let you know that despite the rocky road immediately ahead of you life can get back to normal. Janet.