Cumulative Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Question

Hi,I have had surgery for BC in left breast and lymph nodes which has been follwed by chemotherapy. I completed my last session last Tuesday and have found the side effects this time very intense. Apologies in advance for the topic, it is not pleasant.At first, Following my final infusion I was unable to go to the toilet and since then (after using coloxyl and prunelax) I have experienced 'urgency' and have had to rush to the toilet frequently. I feel nauseous and have had pain in my stomach. Until this cycle, side effects were unpleasant, peaking n the expected days, etc. but this has been been really brutal. Is this normal? I am so looking forward to things settling down and I am grateful for the excellent care that I am receiving from the amazing oncology team.In about three weeks I will commence radiotherapy which I will receive every week day for five and a half weeks then I will see my oncologist and go on hormone blockers for 5-7 years. I understand that the side effects of these are unpleasant but as I am well passed menopause I believe that this will not be as bad as if I were a younger woman. I am 69 and was working .5 in an academic position until my diagnosis. I know that I am not going back to that position, this experience has been life changing and I have noticed some cognitive changes. They are not 'severe' but I am nowhere near as sharp as I was. I am accepting that and just hope to recover.Is it normal to experience such intense side effects on the final round?Kind Regards,Anni

violet123 · Answer

Hi NexThank you, I am absolutely delighted to have you ‘jump in’ and to have these resources.I am much better today and on the road to what’s normal for Day 8 post infusion so that’s good.&nbsp;I am feeling more like ‘myself ‘ .One friend suggested that the final round of chemo was ‘big stick’ for the cancer which is a helpful way to look at it.Thanks for all that you do.Kind Regards Anni&nbsp;&nbsp;

arpie · Answer

Hi Violet123​&nbsp; .... re the urgency - has your team given you a script for Gastrostop?&nbsp; You can get the peppermint chewable tabs (chew 2 after each event) that should help control it.&nbsp; My husband had the same as you with his chemo - swapping between constipation &amp; the Trots.&nbsp; We ended up getting 'pull ups' for him to wear whilst on chemo, as added protection that reduced the 'urgency' - as I didn't want him to fall (whilst rushing to the loo!)
Yes, the further along with your chemo, it is fairly common to have worse side effects, as it is the accumulation of the chemo in your system that is making it worse xx 😪
If you are still feeling ill tomorrow - definitely contact your Onc (or the Onc Nurses) for advice - and if you get a temperature (above 37.5˚) go straight to Emergency.&nbsp;
Not everyone has bad side effects from the hormone blockers - so fingers &amp; toes crossed that you are one of the lucky ones xx.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Many of us have noticed cognitive impairment (even without chemo) and even changes in eyesight.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Take care, be kind to yourself, and all the best - I hope you are feeling better soon xx

flatjac · Answer

Hi Annii was only supposed to have 4 chemo treatments post surgery and already starting hormone therapy prior to surgery.i had 2 of the 4 and was hospitalised with diverticulitis and nuetropenia after both the first two. A week of hospital twice!diverticulitis came after severe constipation the first round and mild constipation the second round because I was prepared and having lots of laxative. My diet is very good and although I have had diverticulitis before it was never that bad that I couldn’t fix at home.When I went to have the chemo they were warning me about diarrhoea and even gave me gastrostop to go home with. I also had some nausea but not too bad.&nbsp;Had never been hospitalised before other than 2 nights for dm, so I found the chemo really brutal!

violet123 · Answer

Thank you so much for sharing. That is very serious and I am glad that you were good hands but what an experience!

Diverticulitis sounds like a very serious response.

The second round I thought that I may have neutropenia as I had tiny blood blisters on my chest but my blood tests showed that I was ok. I do have sensitive skin and sometimes get eczema so it may have been something like that. Even though I am sorry that this was your experience and that it was so brutal your shared story has made me feel a bit better and less alone. I am not as sick as you were but I am feeling pretty awful. I will call tomorrow and of course should I develop a fever or become very unwell I will go to hospital. Fortunately I am in inner Melbourne so can get to hospital quickly. It is brutal. I hope that your recovery gets easier.

Kind Regards,

Anni

violet123 · Answer

Thank you so much for such a helpful reply. It had not occi=urred to me to get some pull ups but these would have been great and taken away some of the distress. I think that it is settling down a bit but but still, it is pretty awful.

I will call the oncology nurse practitioner tomorrow, and follow up. Thanks for your words that normalise the cognitive effects and issues with eyesight, it is all rather a lot. That said, I know that I am not as ill as some people have been.

It is reassuring to hear that the side effects from the hormone blockers are not always really bad. I may be lucky.

What a journey...thanks again for your kindness, encouragement and practical advice.

Kind Regards,

Anni