I was just reading Mer's post and was going to drop in on it but decided to start another discussion so I can find it when I need the info!I saw the oncologist yesterday for the first time and now know where I'm going. I start chemo on 5 February with 4 x 3 weekly cycles of Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide, followed by 12 weekly cycles of Paclitaxel. I will be trying the cold caps in the hope of keeping my hair.The oncologist discussed the side effects and the breast care nurses have given me information sheets about the drugs. However, I would be interested to know about actual products or foods that anyone has found really useful to manage side effects. There are no 24 hour pharmacies anywhere close to me and it can difficult to get to shops so I would like to have things on hand if possible in case I need them.

I haven't been on that particular combination but my main issues that required medication was reflux, bloating and constipation. Pain was an issue a few days later and panadol was enough until taxol then I required something stronger.Trouble is its impossible to know which problems we will get but here's a suggestion list.Zantac or ranitadine...you can buy over the counter...unless you are on a reflux medication but it is still good for additional issues.Double strength mylanta...again for reflux but it has simethicone in it so it assisted with the severe gas.Coloxyl with senna for constipation and orMovichol (this was a godsend for me)Gastrostop (in case you have opposite issue)Amosan mouth wash in case of mouth ulcers...o there's a tiny bit of salt or bicarb in water.A very very soft toothbrush.Saline nasal spray for when on taxol as mucous membranes either dry up or drip.Sunscreen and a fold up summer hat as you become very sun sensitive.A hand fan...as the chemo can cause hot flushes.A medication dispensing box (dosette)...as its really easy to get mixed up if you have taken meds or not.Bubbly water. ..maybe some lightly flavoured ones like infused with lemon or berry.Portable chuck bags (never needed them but having them when nauseated was a godsend)Packets of tiny tissues.Herbal teas...peppermint etcPortable hand cleaner.Toilet wipes...to clean a public loo or even your own if you share with many people like I do.Bottom wipes...in case you get tender.Sorbolene for moisturising skin and even washing it if it becomes delicate, i buy in big tubs with a pump.Now if your hair falls out your head gets very dry. ..so wash with a sirbolene product.I needed 3 different anti nausea medications none of which you can buy over the countet. But ondasetron wafers taste awful...so I sucked a sugerless mint at same time which stopped me gagging.It sounds awful. But a lot of these things I only required occasionally but it helped.I'm sure others have ideas.No hi dose vitamin C etc...don't use any vitamibs and herbal things without speaking with oncologist as we don't want to protect the cancer cells from chemo.

I couldn't drink wine on paclitaxol ad it bilurned my gut. Didn't drink week of AC but yeah was oay on 2 and 3.

Hi @Sister & @JasiB1. In terms of indigestion / heartburn, a friend of mine used fruit tingles and found they worked well. They weren't quite enough for me, so I ended up back on nexium. The fruit tingles were also good to get rid of the metalic taste I got. I went right off water, to get it down usually had some lemon or lime in it, or drank sparkling mineral water

I was on Somac as prescribed by my oncologist the whole way thru chemo to help with the reflux and indigestion. I also slept propped up on pillows to help with the reflux. Definitely the non alcohol Biotene mouthwash is the one to use @sister @JasiB1 xx

I mercifully had no nausea but I did get peripheral neuropathy when on taxol - usually starts with pins and needles sensations in the finger tips. Vitamin B finally helped a bit and just might have helped more if I had taken it earlier. Always check with your oncologist about supplements. It was mine that recommended vitamin B, but it also depends on what else you may be taking. Best of luck with your treatment.

What to expect from chemo | BCNA Online Network

23 Replies

Mollygirl
Member
8 years ago
I was on Somac as prescribed by my oncologist the whole way thru chemo to help with the reflux and indigestion. I also slept propped up on pillows to help with the reflux. Definitely the non alcohol Biotene mouthwash is the one to use @sister @JasiB1 xx
lrb_03
Member
8 years ago
Hi @Sister & @JasiB1. In terms of indigestion / heartburn, a friend of mine used fruit tingles and found they worked well. They weren't quite enough for me, so I ended up back on nexium. The fruit tingles were also good to get rid of the metalic taste I got. I went right off water, to get it down usually had some lemon or lime in it, or drank sparkling mineral water
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
SoldierCrab
Member
8 years ago
I reread the posts @Sister it says on one non alcohol Biotene hope that helps you find it
Sister
Member
8 years ago
A couple of people mentioned Biotene mouthwash. I had a look and noticed that there were a couple of different types. Which one is the right one to get?
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
SoldierCrab
Member
8 years ago
Ouch @Sister
I got the biggest packet of chemist brand panadol I could find etc and had on hand ready for after surgery and chemo etc.
Sister
Member
8 years ago
I'm writing a list of things to have on hand and I will ring up during the week and find out what scripts I will be given. It can be a real bugger when you need something and have no way of getting it. I came home from hospital after the first surgery just before Christmas only to find that we were nearly out of Panadol. Rather uncomfortable time as I had to ration it carefully.
primek
Member
8 years ago
I had some urge incontinence on Taxol. Primarily if I was drifting off into a dose. Or I would go to toilet and not completely empty, stand up and dribble. I didn't really realise why until after that is was chemo and nerve issues. Fortunately it resolved. I never wore a pad.
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
I lost my taste buds with Taxol, conventional wisdom is to try spicy food but that didn't taste of anything either. Eggs, avocado, green salad, tomatoes and bananas were fine, so I ate those! Recovered very quickly once Taxol was completed.