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ScorpionQueen's avatar
ScorpionQueen
Member
10 years ago

Side effects strike again!

Day 1 - after round three

Woke from my afternoon nap yesterday feeling like I'd been hit by a truck....nauseated, heartburn, mega headache and back to the sand filled zombie shuffle......

Through the night I woke up with a massive head sweat! Don't think it's menopause related as it was just my head...?? This treatment is known for throwing you into early menopause (JOY!) but even though Dr thinks I was already pre menopausal, I haven't had any symptoms saying so...so it remains a mystery.

Feeling pretty much the same as yesterday this morning.....that lump in my throat has returned too making it difficult to swallow....but managed to eat breakfast so I could take my meds...the nausea and heartburn is still here, but the headache has eased.

I hate this feeling...hate the sluggishness...but I know it's not for much longer....

The nurse was discussing with me yesterday what will happen next from Round 4...I will be starting the Docetaxel part of treatment...Like the first part of my treatment, it is used to interfere with cancer cells ability to divide and therefore hopefully killing them all...It comes with a whole new set of side effects as well as the first lot! She did explain I would probably be asked to wear "ice gloves', these are special gloves that blow cold air through channels in the gloves to produce ice. My nails will probably go black, and possibly fall off during this part of treatment, so the gloves are used to help prevent this.....I asked what about my toenails? She said they have protocol from OH&S that it's not safe for patients as your feet go completely numb and that's high risk for injury while trying to walk...so don't know what will happen there! Anyways have a meeting scheduled with my Onc to discuss all if that, so will worry about it all then I guess.....

So, I think today is PJ day....hope your day is easy too!

side-effects
  • Kim_R's avatar
    Kim_R
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi you are getting thought it and chemo has not effected your ability write!

    The cold gloves worked well for me, keep the black nail polish on and it is a good excuse not to wash the dishes. My nails are neatly grown out, they went yellow and a bit soft but I kept them.

    the feet are another story! Why don't they do cold packs the alternative is not pleasant and hurts a lot, this could just be me as my feet burned from the inside, I hope it doesn't happen to you. I am just getting the feeling back in my feet, I hope they continue to improve. Some toenails fell off and they look generally horrible but I hide them under black polish, I am now considered very trendy!

    i just realized I haven't taken Mylanta for the last week, so improving in little steps.

    hang in there

    Kim

  • ScorpionQueen's avatar
    ScorpionQueen
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks Kim! 

    Not looking forward to it that's for sure, but we gotta do it! Might have to get my inner goth out! lol!

    great news about the mylanta, that's icky too! 

    Take care xx

  • ScorpionQueen's avatar
    ScorpionQueen
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks for the link Chriss    

    I've come to realise that it doesn't matter to me what things cost anymore, as long as it helps my symptoms... 

    Will check that link out for sure...

    Take care

    xx

  • Alsopt's avatar
    Alsopt
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi your bringing back memories, I finished same chemos early Feb this year.  I was told to cut my nails off, however, I didn't I was determined to keep something!! I was using epic nail gel polish with light prior and continued to do so my nails kept strong I also wore gloves to wash up etc.  on the taxol my hair starting growing I did lose a couple of toenails I only used strengthener on toe nails.  Yes chemo sucks and I was so glad when I finished thinking of you.  

  • ScorpionQueen's avatar
    ScorpionQueen
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks alsopt! Yes I remember your posts! Hope you are doing well.... I  too was getting regular shellac manicures and pedis, but was told not to get them done at the beautician any more .... I miss them ... My nails are pretty strong so hopefully the hardener will  do the trick

     

    take care

  • skitzy's avatar
    skitzy
    Member
    10 years ago

    Really sorry your having the side effects Tracy, as you told me 1 day at a time. Will be thinking of you all day hoping they lessen & go away.

    Sending BIG hugs.

    Eileen xx

  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi my last docetaxel was on Feb 22. I had the ice gloves and posted a picture a few posts back. My tip is to take strong pain killers before using them as I couldn't stand the pain of having them on for 90 minutes!  So far my nails are fine. I used a nail hardener but no dark polish. I also used hardener on my toes and haven't had a problem with them yet.

    Not sure how many Docetaxel's you are having but I found it to be cumulative and that the side effects got worse with each treatment. The shortness of breath I was experiencing is now being put down to Docetaxel and is really improving now that I no longer have to have that drug. 

    The head sweat might be the start of hot flushes but I really hope not. Last night was the first night of 6 hours sleep I have had in weeks due to the hot flushes and the only reason why I got this was that I had a allergic reaction to something and had to have Phernegan which knocked me out! I am starting a new epilepsy medication today to help stop the hot flushes even though I don't have epilepsy.

    Good luck with it and take care.

    Nadine