Hi, Newbie here. Diagnosed on New Years Eve with a Grade 3, triple-negative DCIS in my left breast and axilla lymph nodes. Bit of a journey ahead - A/C, Taxol, mastectomy, and radiation.I had my first round of A/C on Thursday. I am recovering ok - Day 3 hit me like a freight train, but I gather that is normal?My scalp is already tingly, and today my skin (especially my face, chest and arms) feels dry, hot and sensitive, like after a sunburn, but I haven't been in the sun for days. What have you all used on your skin to soothe this? Is there anything that might also soothe my scalp? Conversely, the skin on my face is suuuuper soft, an unexepected benefit! Has anyone else noticed this? Also, is it true that what I experienced after the first round will be similiar in subsequent rounds, aside from cumulative exhaustion, or have some of you found that the side effects compound a lot each time?And does anyone know why I am thirsty to the extreme still four days later?I am so sorry to think that there are so many of you out there who are more experienced than I on this subject, but would really appreciate you sharing any insights you have.: ) Juliet

Take the benefits you can! The skin on my face not only softened with chemo but the tendency to blemishes (I was 67!!) vanished and has never returned. I had quite different side effects with Taxol than with A/C but then I had a comparatively easy ride with A/C - most people find it the other way round. Tingly scalp is normal, I found it almost a relief to start losing hair as it didn’t feel like mine at all. Can’t help with the thirst, didn’t have that problem but the old adage holds true, when thirsty, drink! Best wishes for your treatment.

I found with AC that the first and last treatments were the hardest (the last one I think because I had had enough). Are you thirsty or is it dry mouth? You may want to try some Biotene mouth wash and see how you go but definitely stay hydrated. Someone (I think it was @kezmusc) said that you count up with AC but then count down with Taxol and that was right for me. It most definitely is a head game.

Hi @jtee, welcome to the rollercoaster. 🙃My tumour (at 22/6/20) was stage 2B, grade 3, large (4cm), no nodal involvement. I chose neoadjuvant chemo route to kill cancer and reduce size, and it succeeded: >99% reduction in tumour. I was able to have lumpectomy plus 3 sentinel nodes removed (7/1/21).From the first AC I too had a tingly scalP. I obeyed advice not to wash hair too often or blow dry, but my hair still started falling out when onc said it would (14 days after first AC). Prior to that also felt weird like pubes!! I massaged Jojoba oil all over incl. scalp which seemed to protect skin. I got great ideas from attending Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) workshops online. Like @Mazbeth I got a short haircut just prior to chemo, bought a wig for going out, and a couple of pretty head warmers and turbans to comfort my chilly (balding) scalp, especially at night. Note: underarm, arm, most of leg and most of pubes also fell out! Very smooth skin is rather nice. 🙂 My remaining eyelashes and eyebrows also disappeared after my 9th and last Taxol (we finished early due to neuropathy). I’m getting good at drawing in eyebrows (thanks to LGFB tips).I had lots of side effects from Dexamethasone that they give with AC and taxol, including hot face, wheezy cough, insomnia, constipation. Eventually I got onc to reduce the dose to 4mg, and didn’t take 4mg tablet after breakfast dose Day 1 post chemo. Nausea: I found one slippery elm capsule taken with a glass of warm water with a drop of apple cider vinegar before breakfast helped my gut in reducing/eliminating nausea and reflux throughout AC and Taxol. I also found I had to get up, drink water and eat soon after I woke up reduced nausea.Thirst: I was very thirsty - drink lots of water. I found drinking water helped with nausea too : I was and still am (now 2 months post chemo, one month post surgery) very thirsty a lot of the time.Very normal and apt your Day 3 freight train comment. I totally concur. As others have said, allow yourself to rest as much as you need and try and eat protein every 2-3 hours. Mild exercise - a small walk each day really helped me and I did do the recommended bc physio ex some days. A (non cancer related) chat with a friend also helped me. Best wishes to you. 😘

Sorry to hear you have joined the club! But on a positive, I hope you find comfort in chatting to us all that have been through this before and like myself who is doing it for a second time. My first diagnosis was 2009. While having chemo, I lost my hair like so many do and my hairdresser suggested using Nioxin products. This scalp treatment was very soothing in my scalp and I swear to this day it promoted even, healthy regrowth. You’ve got nothing to lose 😘

Afraser is right - there are some benefits ! I used to,have regular dermabrasion at beautician before chemo as I found I had blocked pores, irregular skin ( damage) on forehead and red capillaries on my chin ( too much sun as a,teenager). I have found my face has been rather amazing with chemo , hoping it stays the same now chemo has finished. I kept up moisturiser with block out ( skin quite sensitive to,sun during chemo) and tried to keep out of,sun unless if out walking for exercise. Yep had the tingly scalp too. My main memories of side issues are around fatigue - it did get worst with AC chemo, lessened with taxcel.Nails got worst during chemo, and I’ve had interesting skin issues with my feet , often get blisters on soles of feet after walking ( my shoes are fine, used them before chemo without issues) or skin peels . Better now that chemo over .I had been told to,use very dark nail polish on nails ( toes and fingers) when having chemo and I didn’t bother -I lost all the nails on feet and fingernails pretty nasty ( splitting, breaking ).I’m six weeks post chemo and they’re still looking tatty. In hindsight I wish I had given that a try ( it may not be 100% effective for everyone but worth trying in case chemo affects your nails).

Newbie alert! First round of A/C complete - a few questions

noosa_blue150
Member
5 years ago
Afraser is right - there are some benefits ! I used to,have regular dermabrasion at beautician before chemo as I found I had blocked pores, irregular skin ( damage) on forehead and red capillaries on my chin ( too much sun as a,teenager). I have found my face has been rather amazing with chemo , hoping it stays the same now chemo has finished. I kept up moisturiser with block out ( skin quite sensitive to,sun during chemo) and tried to keep out of,sun unless if out walking for exercise. Yep had the tingly scalp too.

My main memories of side issues are around fatigue - it did get worst with AC chemo, lessened with taxcel.
Nails got worst during chemo, and I’ve had interesting skin issues with my feet , often get blisters on soles of feet after walking ( my shoes are fine, used them before chemo without issues) or skin peels . Better now that chemo over .

I had been told to,use very dark nail polish on nails ( toes and fingers) when having chemo and I didn’t bother -I lost all the nails on feet and fingernails pretty nasty ( splitting, breaking ).I’m six weeks post chemo and they’re still looking tatty. In hindsight I wish I had given that a try ( it may not be 100% effective for everyone but worth trying in case chemo affects your nails).
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
Take the benefits you can! The skin on my face not only softened with chemo but the tendency to blemishes (I was 67!!) vanished and has never returned. I had quite different side effects with Taxol than with A/C but then I had a comparatively easy ride with A/C - most people find it the other way round. Tingly scalp is normal, I found it almost a relief to start losing hair as it didn’t feel like mine at all. Can’t help with the thirst, didn’t have that problem but the old adage holds true, when thirsty, drink! Best wishes for your treatment.

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