First chemo

Hi Mel, is the upset tummy related to diarrhoea at all? The hospital prescribed me Gastro-Stop (which you can also get over the counter at the chemist) and it is great at relieving the symptoms of diarrhoea, including stomach upset and pain . I had the runs quite badly with my first lot of chemo and Gastro-Stop worked really well. Celeste ?

Hi Mel, first chemo in....well done! I am 43, a mother of 1, and also having chemo, ready for round 5 next week (I had chemo in 2009, but was diagnosed with secondary BC in 2011 so am having a second lot of chemo now). Yes the nausea can be a real bugger...I had terrible, severe nausea with my first lot of chemo in 2009. I felt like I was having morning sickness 24/7, while living on a rocky boat out at sea! It was dreadful, so I know how you feel! I ended up taking Zofran for it which really helped (Stemetil and Maxolon did absolutely nothing for me). I'm told there are some much better anti-nausea drugs out now that work really well, so whatever you do, don't suffer in silence. Tell your oncologist the nausea is unbearable and he/she should prescibe you a heavy duty anti-nausea pill. I also found eating very small amounts frequently, including ginger nut biscuits, seemed to help. This time around, after my first round of chemo, I am having no nausea at all which is a huge relief. I went to see a Naturopath after round 1 of chemo and she prescribed a herbal tonic for nausea. From the day I started taking it, the nausea stopped completely! I wish I had done this with my first lot of chemo in 2009. As for the Dex...yes, it certainly does pep me up!...I tear around like a mad-woman...zipping here and there!. I talk non-stop and cant stop moving! My GP presribed a low dose sleeping tablet to help me sleep at night and it does absolute wonders (Temazapan)! I dont feel groggy at all the next day and wake up rested and refreshed. I think half the battle is being able to get some sleep!! Have you tried valerian? It is a natural sleeping tablet that may help too. In 2009 when having chemo I took Difflam mouth liquid and ate iceblocks to help with a sensitive mouth and ulcers etc. Difflam is available at the chemist. I also had a very sensitive scalp when losing my hair after both lots of chemo. Even after I shaved my hair off, my scalp was still sensitive for quite a few weeks afterwards. My head was so sore that I took panadol and slept on a satin pillow to help lessen the pain! Now I have a downy coverage over my head and no pain whatsoever. Mention every side-effect to your oncologist Mel, because most of the side-effects can be managed successfully. I have a chart on my wall called "Chemo Countdown", and I tick a box after each chemo...it's nice to watch my progress and to know that I'm slowly getting through this challenging treatment. When I tick the last box I'll be treating myself with something nice! Look after yourself Mel. If you need rest, take it. You are one round down and you survived...well done! Take care, Celeste x

Hi Mel, first chemo in....well done! I am 43, a mother of 1, and also having chemo, ready for round 5 next week (I had chemo in 2009, but was diagnosed with secondary BC in 2011 so am having a second lot of chemo now). Yes the nausea can be a real bugger...I had terrible, severe nausea with my first lot of chemo in 2009. I felt like I was having morning sickness 24/7, while living on a rocky boat out at sea! It was dreadful, so I know how you feel! I ended up taking Zofran for it which really helped (Stemetil and Maxolon did absolutely nothing for me). I'm told there are some much better anti-nausea drugs out now that work really well, so whatever you do, don't suffer in silence. Tell your oncologist the nausea is unbearable and he/she should prescibe you a heavy duty anti-nausea pill. I also found eating very small amounts frequently, including ginger nut biscuits, seemed to help. This time around, after my first round of chemo, I am having no nausea at all which is a huge relief. I went to see a Naturopath after round 1 of chemo and she prescribed a herbal tonic for nausea. From the day I started taking it, the nausea stopped completely! I wish I had done this with my first lot of chemo in 2009. As for the Dex...yes, it certainly does pep me up!...I tear around like a mad-woman...zipping here and there!. I talk non-stop and cant stop moving! My GP presribed a low dose sleeping tablet to help me sleep at night and it does absolute wonders (Temazapan)! I dont feel groggy at all the next day and wake up rested and refreshed. I think half the battle is being able to get some sleep!! Have you tried valerian? It is a natural sleeping tablet that may help too. In 2009 when having chemo I took Difflam mouth liquid and ate iceblocks to help with a sensitive mouth and ulcers etc. Difflam is available at the chemist. I also had a very sensitive scalp when losing my hair after both lots of chemo. Even after I shaved my hair off, my scalp was still sensitive for quite a few weeks afterwards. My head was so sore that I took panadol and slept on a satin pillow to help lessen the pain! Now I have a downy coverage over my head and no pain whatsoever. Mention every side-effect to your oncologist Mel, because most of the side-effects can be managed successfully. I have a chart on my wall called "Chemo Countdown", and I tick a box after each chemo...it's nice to watch my progress and to know that I'm slowly getting through this challenging treatment. When I tick the last box I'll be treating myself with something nice! Look after yourself Mel. If you need rest, take it. You are one round down and you survived...well done! Take care, Celeste x

Hi Mel,

It's great to hear your first chemo went well and that you wanted to share your 'high'! I know there will be women in the network probably feeling as you did - so it is great that you shared your experience.

I hope you took time out for yourself over the weekend and are doing okay.

Cheers, Daina