I start my first of 4 cycles of AC tomorrow just after the pcc clinic. So many feelings, mostly fear. I haven't cut my long hair as i am still in denial and hoping someone will call and say it is all a mistake. Trying hard everyday to put my big girl pants on and face everything head on. Is there anything you wished you had known before your first cycle? I have searched the threads and mostly i gather issues withMetallic tasteConstipationNauseaAny tips would be greatly appreciated. Stay well and find something everyday that makes you smile. <3

Hi Gerry, Good luck tomorrow. I haven't had chemo so I cant offer any advice on it, but I do have experience in finding things to make people smile. I hope you like it :)

Hi Gerry, I have experienced back pain & muscle pain on my legs with AC. Drink lots of water. My niece massaged me whenever I cannot take the pain. Also I had mouth sores after 2 weeks of having the infusion & have use kennelog (medicine you will put on the sore,you can buy at the chemist). Hope this helps

Hi @Gerryb i have finished my AC cycles. Lots of water, eat well if you can, lots of veggies and when you feel like doing something like a walk, give it a go even if it's just a short one. Good luck x

Hi Gerryb,I had 6 rounds of AC Chemo that finished in March, I suffered very little from it. I did lose my hair which, wasn't so bad, even though I was devastated at the thought initially. It was really quite good getting up in the morning & just putting my hair on instead of having to wash, dry & style my locks!! It was also really cool not having the shave my legs, armpits or having to get bikini waxes. My lashes & eyebrows thinned but I did not lose them altogether.I brushed my teeth after each meal & used Biotene non alcoholic mouth wash after it, I suffered no mouth sores nor metallic tasteI suffered no real nausea to speak of, I ate well, I drank a lot of water, I walked everyday & I continued to parkrun every Saturday morning. The Saturday directly after Chemo I volunteered, the next two I ran, albeit slower than usual but I still did it & finished.I continued to work full time. Chemo in the morning work in the afternoon on Chemo days.It affects everyone differently & some of us are more stubborn than others. My personal experience with it is ...... it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be..The best bit of advice I can give you is to have a port-a-cath, it makes life so much easier for blood tests & Chemo.

Hi @Gerryb i had much the same experience as Cate64. I used saline rather than mouthwash and got no sores. Your pee will be bright orange for a few days after each treatment, just in case no-one warns you! I didn't have long hair and I think it's harder for those who have, it's a bigger part of your look and personality. Most people recommend to get it cut short (or shaved) as losing long locks of hair seems somehow worse. It also makes you feel a bit more in control. I just got a helpful hairdresser to use the No 3 clippers at the first sign it really was going (but the tingly scalp is usually a sure sign that it will). No-one wants any of this, but if you can think of your treatment as the steps to getting rid of the problem, it helps a bit. Good luck.

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15 Replies

Gerryb
Member
9 years ago
Thank you ladies!!! First cycle done and dusted. Watched the Melbourne cup during infusion (my horse didn't win). Having the power port is just the best, so quick and no pain with needles. Doing a happy dance
RosieP
Member
9 years ago
Probably the fatigue, not just tiredness, but like I'd been hit by a truck! And losing my eyebrows - I looked like a seagull!! Good luck, and surround yourself with only positive people xx
Jane_Elizabeth
Member
9 years ago
The side effect I had which I wasn't expecting was losing the hair in my nose. This meant that my nose was constantly dripping, more of a nuisance than anything else. And sensitive watery eyes as well. Good luck with your chemo, it seems to treat everyone differently!
Glemmis
Member
9 years ago
Hi Gerry, the unknown is frightening but everyone has a different experience. Most of the side affects are manageable. I have had 3 rounds so far of AC. I have managed to work 3 days per week & go to the gym. I had mouth ulcers the first time so Oncologist advised rinsing with Bicarbonate of Soda 4 times a day & I have had none since. Scalp was a bit irritated until hair came out so I used a bit of olive oil for dryness. Worst was metallic taste from day 3 to 6, mineral water helps. Try & eat really well & drinking a lot of water after chemo for days is really important. Good luck, you will be okay!
Ro10
Member
9 years ago
Hi @Gerryb, I've only had one round of AC, due to have my second round this Friday - I'm having 4 rounds of AC over 12 weeks then 12 weekly doses of paclitaxel. I found the first 5-6 days the worst. I had body aches and nausea within hours after having the chemo then it was mainly nausea and fatigue over the next 6 days. I got a sore mouth on and off but no real ulcers. I drank heaps of water for the first week or so - at least 2 litres a day - and I think this helps to flush the drugs out of your system and to help your poor kidneys and liver. I didn't really have an issue with constipation but I was drinking heaps of water and eating high fibre veges and nuts so this may have helped. I agree with @ccasper, if you can manage a walk each day, this may help the fatigue. About 7 days after the treatment, I actually felt pretty normal and have been feeling really energetic. I have a feeling as I go along with my treatment, I may not recover as quickly each time. Good luck for tomorrow and let us know how you get on xxx
xpataus
Member
9 years ago
Hi Gerry, Wishing you the best for your first treatment tomorrow. I cut my long hair just after my mastectomy and have the clippers standing by, waiting for a tingling scalp, as I'll be having my first AC on Friday.
Thanks to everyone on this thread for the comments and suggestions too.
Fruit Tingles, Cath!! Good to know :-)
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
9 years ago
Hi Gerry, thinking of you tomorrow and hoping all goes smoothly. I was also a lucky one who didn't need chemo but am constantly inspired by the strength and resilience shown by the ladies who do. Sending you best wishes, Jane xx
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Hi Gerry, Wishing you all the best for your chemo. I was a lucky one who didn't gave to have it but a friend said lolly red frogs helped with the metallic taste (so those or fruit tingles or if it were me I'd definitely go both!!!) Xx Cath
Cate64
Member
9 years ago
Oh yes, the 'fanta' coloured pee.............& now I feel totally ripped off!!! Only my first pee after Chemo was fanta coloured......

I didn't get an itchy scalp either that I can remember, my hair was quite long & once it really started falling out I got the clippers to it.... & like I said I didnt hate not having hair as much as I thought I would..
submarine
Member
9 years ago
Hi Gerryb,
I am having my fourth round of AC tomorrow, and I have had different side effects after each one.
I felt pretty good after the first one, but I wished I had eaten more healthy food as I did get constipated, and reflux started after the second one. The mouth ulcers started after a couple of weeks, and have been on and off since then.
My scalp started getting itchy after a little while before my hair started to fall off - I was told coconut oil helps but I didn't try it. I had long hair too, and cut it short before my first chemo, and even though I knew it was going to fall off, it was a shock when I pulled big strings of hair one morning under the shower. My husband shaved it off the same day, and it helped. As Afraser said, it made me feel in control.
Good luck for tomorrow, Marine xo