Hi, I’m new to this group and have only just started chemotherapy. I’m experiencing strong bone and joint pain from the chemo and wondering if anyone could suggest ways to minimise this. I’m taking Panadol but it doesn’t cut through.
Im also doing the scalp cooling treatment. I’ve been advised to wash my hair only once a week. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep it looking fresh? It looks very greasy and bedraggled.
I had that horrible bone pain - and had to take endone for the first 2 days after the injection for every cycle after the first one to be able to get out of bed. My BC nurse recommended if no strong drugs/bad reaction to them to take at a minimum Panadol Osteo every 8hrs, topping up 30mins before it wore off around the clock on the bad days - there was a second drug I could take every 4hrs but I forget what so would ask your BC nurse/onco nurse team for their guidance. Best of luck - hope this is as bad as it gets as it was for me (post-RT, pre-recon that's still true!)
Thanks netney
It’s finally over but the pain was 9.5/10. I almost passed out at one stage. I ended up on oxycodone which helped enormously.
I hope you have recovered from it now too. I had my last chemo a month ago and still feel smashed by it.
Thank you Tri. I’m still experiencing severe pain (6 days later). Hopefully the pain will be over soon
Dry shampoo is the the best eg Klorane is very gentle and a aersol spray . Or Moo Goo have a dry shampoo too, but it is a talc like/cornflour dispenser so have to rustle it into the roots.
(Don't worry if you decide to stop cold capping, its not for everyone , nothing wrong with the chop and a synthetic wig -it does grow back quite fast once this chemo is all over ,and I have heard cold cap can be quite painful and make chemo day so much longer. Glad you have the choice. Be kind to yourself. You have a lot going on.)
re pain- 'motion is lotion for the joints ' as the cancer rehab and prehab EPs keep saying- go for a walk on the days you can if you aren't atm.Or some gentle stretches . Stress/anxiety also makes pain worse. If you don't already , now is the time to practise meditation and mindfulness. It's science, not woo woo. A friend made me do it when i had chemo, so glad she nagged me to keep trying.
https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/living-well/complementary-therapies/podcast-meditation-and-relaxation/
Thanks Kristen. I lost my hair in the end unfortunately. However, the cold cap and matting of my hair was too much for me. Chemo has been the must physically challenging thing I’ve ever done but it can only get better from here! Exercising when I have the energy. It must have helped but I have still been hit very hard with side effects.
Thanks Tri. The pain was so bad that I was nearly passing out. Apparently caused by Pegfilgrastim which forces the antibodies out of the bone marrow. I managed to get on to the hospital for stronger pain relief.
Thank you Tri. It’s all over now thank goodness! I ended up taking endone with every cycle which really helped.
HiAnna25 So sorry you’re experiencing bone pain and joint pain. It can depend on the type of chemo you’re having… but I found foot massages and Panadol Osteo or Nuromol helped also elevating my feet. Sending you lots of positive vibes. It may sound counterintuitive but once I came off the more toxic chemo I found balance exercises and yoga strengthening for ankles and feet also made a difference for me.
Thanks Tri,
I’ve had the final chemo now. It’s been extremely debilitating but I have kept up the exercise and tried to stay positive. Recovery is very slow but I’ve had a week of coming to terms with the idea that I won’t feel like my old self for 6-12 months.
HiAnna25
that’s such an excellent milestone to have reached- well done, you did it!
Many friends and family don’t know that the switch back to your pre-treatment self takes time. I gave myself 12 months to rebuild - like a restoration project!
I am glad you found a pain relief that worked for you. It’s so variable. For me the absence of stamina was a big factor but fortunately I found it gradually comes back (I am 14 months after finishing). Your 6-12 month timeframe to restore and build up your strength is very wise.
Hope you can give yourself a celebratory break of sorts, just for now, even though you might not have all the energy you would like, just to mark the moment, and your hair makes an appearance again soon. Sending you all the best!!
