Forum Discussion
FEC and headaches / migraine.
1st infusion of FEC yesterday.
just into the bag they had to stop and give me clatytyne and Panadol as I started to space out and get tingly. They slowed the drip down but after about half way through I started to feel that my ears and side of my head were swelling up and the headache started. They flushed through with saline then started the drop again. Fortunately the pharmasist was there speaking with me at the time.
last night was terrible, migraine type pain all over my head, cold shivers, super sensitive eyes, very sensitive ears that feel a bit swollen underneath. Tried Panadeine forte, then ended up ringing the hospital and they said I could take an Endone.
It took the edge off, so I got some sleep, but still have medium severe head with sensitive eyes and ears.
i am taking the steroids in the morning, and one clatytyne with Panadol.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Any other things to suggest?
I suffer from migraine and cannot take my relievers during the week around chemo infusions.
I am trying to drink heaps to flush the toxins out.
I just want to knock myself out and get away from this pain.
just into the bag they had to stop and give me clatytyne and Panadol as I started to space out and get tingly. They slowed the drip down but after about half way through I started to feel that my ears and side of my head were swelling up and the headache started. They flushed through with saline then started the drop again. Fortunately the pharmasist was there speaking with me at the time.
last night was terrible, migraine type pain all over my head, cold shivers, super sensitive eyes, very sensitive ears that feel a bit swollen underneath. Tried Panadeine forte, then ended up ringing the hospital and they said I could take an Endone.
It took the edge off, so I got some sleep, but still have medium severe head with sensitive eyes and ears.
i am taking the steroids in the morning, and one clatytyne with Panadol.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Any other things to suggest?
I suffer from migraine and cannot take my relievers during the week around chemo infusions.
I am trying to drink heaps to flush the toxins out.
I just want to knock myself out and get away from this pain.
23 Replies
- Sorry you've had a rough time, Jennie. I'm having my first round now (different drugs tho) so I'm sure I'll be on here soon with my 'help me' questions. I had a reaction too to docetaxel. Not much fun. Hope you're feeling better now.
- So hope this round is better for you.
- Well big hugs to you too beautiful lady!!! and giving support and strength in turn gives me strength for what I face...we're all in this together. I did most of my journey without support so its great to give back here, wish I had of had this when I was going through it, would have been so incredibly helpful. Hugs xo
- And thank you so much for your words of encouragement and advice Mel. You have been going through so much yourself and still found time to support me.
I am so glad you are now in a better place yourself, you are a very special lady, more strength to you. - Good Girl! Tomorrow is a new day, it really is just a day at a time thing and I found it helps you cope alot more. Hugs xo
- Thanks to your posts Kath, I started Movicol the night before Chemo. Today after the Nutrition and physio class, we finally had success. Yay.
I also have the Coloxyl on standby and bought the juice today.
I felt a bit wiped out after the morning and collecting new glasses though, will have to remember to take it slower as I don't feel great tonight.
No more steroids this dose, so I hope I get some sleep tonight, and tomorrow is another day forward.
thank you for your hugs and support, I appreciate it. - It is tough going, my Oncologist Nurse said how I handled the first one would dictate the rest and I of course was super determined and optimistic...uuugh some things just cannot control. Definitely communicate absolutely every little thing with your team as only then can they jiggle things a little and try and get things working a little better. Coloxyl tablets they gave me through Chemo but my Plastics Nurse said Pear Juice believe it or not is full of sorbitol and gets you moving! Let us know how you are going. Hugs Melinda xo
- Movichol...can be bought at the chemist was my Godsend for constipation issues related to chemo and medications.
- Thank you, ladies. Fortunately I can take some strong pain killers, but now of course comes the constipation.
Over night I had the most awful jaw and ear pain and a bright red hot face, finally took two Panadeine forte and got a little sleep.
I believe this is a reaction to the Dexmethazone, but will check with the team today.
I feel a bit weird and the Panadeine forte still has the headache in check so I am going to my Wellness class with a bright red face. I guess this is something I am going to have to live with for a while.
I have been remembering your ordeal, MEL, and hoping I don't have to go down the same track.
It does help a little to know it is " to be expected" anyway.
Though it does make me dread the next dose, hoping they may be able to tweak things a bit to make it less painful. - @unicornkisses my heart goes out to you right now. I had FEC and it was severe I found. One thing you need to know is drinking lots of fluid is purely for hydration, it actually doesnt flush the chemo out at all, doesnt work that way, I too thought that!! but the Team were very clear about that. I also had severe reactions like this and for 2nd, 3rd and 4th infusion were put into hospital for 3 days each on a drip as I couldnt hydrate at all was so ill on it. I suffered severe headaches too with it, being drug sensitive was unable to take more than panadol and nurofen, so pain management for chemo was very difficult. I had severe pain thoughout, nausea constantly, just felt incredibly ill constantly and nothing alleviated it for me. Being in hospital after infusion did help me get a headstart however and then it would settle at 2nd week before the next infusion. Hugs Melinda xo
