Life after my 1st chemo

Stages
Stages Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi again, I had my first chemo treatment on Thursday.It was Adramycin and Cytoxan. The experience at the clinic was great. They made me feel comfortable and treatment was over in about 4 hrs. My evening went well till about 7 pm and my energy level just dropped out so off to bed . Well about midnite I thought my world had ended I was so sick and had heartburn and nausea was terible I never did lose anything but felt like it.I had migraines and could not hardly walk my head hurt so bad from the pounding it did. Tylenol took the edge of a little but never went away. I called Onco nurse on friday for some meds for headache and let her know what was going on and she said to push the fluids and that they would call in something for the headaches but it never was called in. It was supposed to be darvecet but thank god for my sister she had some to get me thru as the call in never happened. I could not get a hold of anyone after hrs on friday or the week end from the numbers they gave me . I just had to leave a message and no return calls to me were made. Thank god about yesterday afternoon I started to make a turnaround and feel a little better.I managed to eat a little and drink some hot tea and get a shower with hubbys help. Today is better I'm still leary of any food and the headache is still noticeable but very tolerable. The good thing is I got on here to talk to someone and have been doing ok sitting here doing this pity thing for me and not kealed over yet. Sorry for the rant but wanted to know if this is a normal reaction to chemo? Cyn
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Comments

  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #2
    I didn't have chemo, but,
    I didn't have chemo, but, want to wish you good luck. I know others will respond to you!
  • laurissa
    laurissa Member Posts: 773
    #3
    Hi Cyn
    Are you taking steroids, too? I remember having a headache from that and insomnia. My 6 rounds of chemo are over and I know what you're going through. It will pass after a week. I didn't have nausea, just cramping. Rest is about all you can do besides the pain medicine. Wish you well.
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
    #4
    Hi Cyn

    I really feel for you. I had my first chemo a week before you, the same AC. I reacted within and hour and a half of coming home from chemo. The nausea set in so hard, the heartburn was unbelievable, hot flashes, light headedness and dizziness regardless of what medication I took. It wore off over the weekend however the whole of last week, everyday was a new surprise and it still keeps going.

    However I do say one thing, drink, get as much fluids in your body as you possibly can. It was also recommended to me to eat protein if you can and plain steamed vegtables. When I ate it helped alleviate the nausea. I also take extra electroytes when I can. All I can say is take it one day at time and just do the best you can. Some people it affects more than others.

    Also document what happens. It might be useful for your Oncologist to know. Maybe he can adjust the premeds.
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #5
    I had A/C and I was very
    I had A/C and I was very sick also. This was in 2003. I don't remember a headache tho. The day of chemo I couldn't keep anything down. This started an hour or so after treatment. Each day following would get a little better. So hang in there. They have better nausea medicine now than they used to. Others have talked about Emend being pretty good. The onc nurse told me to keep small amounts of food in my stomach and it would be better.

    Maybe before your next treatment or when you see the doc next ask for the prescription for headache meds and don't leave till they give it to you. I would also ask about the phone numbers which didn't work. They are supposed to be there for you.
  • Skeezie
    Skeezie Member Posts: 586 Member
    #6
    Marcia527 said:

    I had A/C and I was very
    I had A/C and I was very sick also. This was in 2003. I don't remember a headache tho. The day of chemo I couldn't keep anything down. This started an hour or so after treatment. Each day following would get a little better. So hang in there. They have better nausea medicine now than they used to. Others have talked about Emend being pretty good. The onc nurse told me to keep small amounts of food in my stomach and it would be better.

    Maybe before your next treatment or when you see the doc next ask for the prescription for headache meds and don't leave till they give it to you. I would also ask about the phone numbers which didn't work. They are supposed to be there for you.

    You poor kid,
    You have every right to feel bad, your onc office let you down...they didn't call in the Rx and they didn't return your calls, not a great beginning for them. I would be on the phone Monday getting Rx's for headace, nausea and whatever else is hurting. There are wonderful drugs for all of these side effects. But all the drugs in the world didn't make me 100% but I sure wasn't nauseated and had good pain meds. Hopefully this was just a one time oversite by the doc's office and won't happen again.

    I've been down that road where I was too sick to even get to the potty and was too sick to shower by myself without my hubby standing by if I needed him. I hope you feel better soon. Never apologize for feeling sorry for yourself...you have been very sick. It's ok.

    Hugs, Judy :-)
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #7
    Stages
    I'm sorry that you felt so bad after and then with no one to help you or call back when you tried to get a hold of them!Let them know before they give you your next treatment and hopefully they can help you!
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #8
    Skeezie said:

    You poor kid,
    You have every right to feel bad, your onc office let you down...they didn't call in the Rx and they didn't return your calls, not a great beginning for them. I would be on the phone Monday getting Rx's for headace, nausea and whatever else is hurting. There are wonderful drugs for all of these side effects. But all the drugs in the world didn't make me 100% but I sure wasn't nauseated and had good pain meds. Hopefully this was just a one time oversite by the doc's office and won't happen again.

    I've been down that road where I was too sick to even get to the potty and was too sick to shower by myself without my hubby standing by if I needed him. I hope you feel better soon. Never apologize for feeling sorry for yourself...you have been very sick. It's ok.

    Hugs, Judy :-)

    I agree with Skeezie (Judy).
    I agree with Skeezie (Judy). I'd certainly let your onc office know that you suffered with no response from them over the weekend. I had 4 rounds of A/C and took different meds till we finally found the combo that worked for me. Emend along with Kytril did the trick for the nausea. This is not easy, but I promise you will get thru this. I have 2 more infusions to go, my 7th is this coming Tuesday. I was also very foggy and had symptoms for a while, but I promise that it will get better.
  • jamiegww
    jamiegww Member Posts: 384
    #9
    Sorry you had such a bad experience.
    I had severe nausea and vomiting on day three after my first dose of A/C. After not keeping anything down for 24 hours, I went to the emergency room for IV fluids and nausea meds. I changed oncologist after that because a good oncologist knows how to prevent nausea. I have had two more doses of A/C since then and had absolutely no nausea with them. Please don't let yourself suffer so long before getting help. I found that when I went to the emergency room, all I had to say was "chemo" and I got immediate attention. Take care of yourself and feel better!
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #10
    outdoorgirl said:

    Stages
    I'm sorry that you felt so bad after and then with no one to help you or call back when you tried to get a hold of them!Let them know before they give you your next treatment and hopefully they can help you!

    Sorry that you feel bad.
    Sorry that you feel bad. Let them know how terrible you feel and I hope they can help make it easier the next time.

    Hugs, Leeza
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #11
    Skeezie said:

    You poor kid,
    You have every right to feel bad, your onc office let you down...they didn't call in the Rx and they didn't return your calls, not a great beginning for them. I would be on the phone Monday getting Rx's for headace, nausea and whatever else is hurting. There are wonderful drugs for all of these side effects. But all the drugs in the world didn't make me 100% but I sure wasn't nauseated and had good pain meds. Hopefully this was just a one time oversite by the doc's office and won't happen again.

    I've been down that road where I was too sick to even get to the potty and was too sick to shower by myself without my hubby standing by if I needed him. I hope you feel better soon. Never apologize for feeling sorry for yourself...you have been very sick. It's ok.

    Hugs, Judy :-)

    I am so sorry. I feel so
    I am so sorry. I feel so bad for you. Wishing that you feel better and get better treatment.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #12
    jamiegww said:

    Sorry you had such a bad experience.
    I had severe nausea and vomiting on day three after my first dose of A/C. After not keeping anything down for 24 hours, I went to the emergency room for IV fluids and nausea meds. I changed oncologist after that because a good oncologist knows how to prevent nausea. I have had two more doses of A/C since then and had absolutely no nausea with them. Please don't let yourself suffer so long before getting help. I found that when I went to the emergency room, all I had to say was "chemo" and I got immediate attention. Take care of yourself and feel better!

    My first chemo I was very
    My first chemo I was very sick, I also got my period and it was not a good one(havent had one since)with bad migraines. The next ones werenot badlike that. be sure if you take zofran to take a stool softener. I learned the hard way. Sometimes I think your body says WHAAAAAT????? and then you settle into what you expect withyour chemo. best wishes.
  • kms3566
    kms3566 Member Posts: 57
    #13
    I hope you are feeling
    I hope you are feeling better! I am so sorry that you felt so bad after your 1st treatment. I am having my first on Wednesday T/A/C and really do not know what to expect. When I went to my chemo ed appt. they told me that there really are no side effects any more, but from all I have read on the message boards that really does not seem to be the case. I am going to try to drink lots of fluids, water, gatorade, etc. I hope your onc office has finally gotten back to you and is able to give you something to help. My thoughts are with you and I hope you are feeling better soon.
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #14
    Cyn
    So sorry you had to go through that!

    There is no excuse for your doctor's office not getting back to you - that is just horrible when you were feeling so bad. I hope you have gotten in touch with them today, and if you don't feel comfortable that this will not happen again, I would consider changing doctors.

    I had Cytoxan and Taxotere, and did not experience any nausea or headaches. I felt very fortunate to have very few side effects during my chemo. Even for those with more severe side effects, as others have already said, there are a lot of medications available to help with those and you should have been provided with help when you were feeling so terrible, not just left to your own devices.

    Glad you're feeling better now, and hope you get this straightened out before your next chemo!

    Take care,
    Cindy
  • Stages
    Stages Member Posts: 8
    #15
    I am better
    Thanks to all of you that checked in on me! Since this was my first treatment I was not for sure how I was suppose to react to chemo but the way I did it knocked me for a loop. I did get to talk to the Dr. office today.I had been given wrong contact numbers for after hours. I had my nausea pills and the steroid meds from the get go when they sent me home. I was taking them but evidently they were not working for me. The nurse I got ahold of was trying to fax my script in for pain and didn't know it had to be called in. At least this is the story I am getting. All I know is I called the after hour numbers they gave me and left messages and no return calls were made to me on anything. I knew or felt I would have issues with chemo that is just my luck. Thank you for being there for me. Anyone in the future check and double check contact info you are given. Now I am hesitant to pursue this treatment into the 2nd infusion 3/25 as I am scared to death.It is going to take everything in me to make me go thru with it.I will but I am still so ill from Thursdays it will be hard. Nausea, migraines, acid, fatigue, and all I can do is cry.I was hoping when people said this was doable there would be slight side effects but controllable. Please forgive me if I am being a ninny just was hoping for it be a little easier I guess. God Bless every one of you for what you are enduring thru your journey with this.Cyn
  • angel46
    angel46 Member Posts: 13
    #16
    Stages said:

    I am better
    Thanks to all of you that checked in on me! Since this was my first treatment I was not for sure how I was suppose to react to chemo but the way I did it knocked me for a loop. I did get to talk to the Dr. office today.I had been given wrong contact numbers for after hours. I had my nausea pills and the steroid meds from the get go when they sent me home. I was taking them but evidently they were not working for me. The nurse I got ahold of was trying to fax my script in for pain and didn't know it had to be called in. At least this is the story I am getting. All I know is I called the after hour numbers they gave me and left messages and no return calls were made to me on anything. I knew or felt I would have issues with chemo that is just my luck. Thank you for being there for me. Anyone in the future check and double check contact info you are given. Now I am hesitant to pursue this treatment into the 2nd infusion 3/25 as I am scared to death.It is going to take everything in me to make me go thru with it.I will but I am still so ill from Thursdays it will be hard. Nausea, migraines, acid, fatigue, and all I can do is cry.I was hoping when people said this was doable there would be slight side effects but controllable. Please forgive me if I am being a ninny just was hoping for it be a little easier I guess. God Bless every one of you for what you are enduring thru your journey with this.Cyn

    TRY the patch
    The sancuso patch appoved last year really works well leave it on for up to 5 days.I found it about half way though chemo and was the 1st to use it at my onc. center. I was taking 3 meds at a time for sickness and the patch took care of it all. Best of luck to you Ang
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #17
    angel46 said:

    TRY the patch
    The sancuso patch appoved last year really works well leave it on for up to 5 days.I found it about half way though chemo and was the 1st to use it at my onc. center. I was taking 3 meds at a time for sickness and the patch took care of it all. Best of luck to you Ang

    dont b3 too discoraged the
    dont b3 too discoraged the first one can be the worst. I had bad nausea the first time but not so bad the following ones. You can do it!!!!
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
    #18
    Stages said:

    I am better
    Thanks to all of you that checked in on me! Since this was my first treatment I was not for sure how I was suppose to react to chemo but the way I did it knocked me for a loop. I did get to talk to the Dr. office today.I had been given wrong contact numbers for after hours. I had my nausea pills and the steroid meds from the get go when they sent me home. I was taking them but evidently they were not working for me. The nurse I got ahold of was trying to fax my script in for pain and didn't know it had to be called in. At least this is the story I am getting. All I know is I called the after hour numbers they gave me and left messages and no return calls were made to me on anything. I knew or felt I would have issues with chemo that is just my luck. Thank you for being there for me. Anyone in the future check and double check contact info you are given. Now I am hesitant to pursue this treatment into the 2nd infusion 3/25 as I am scared to death.It is going to take everything in me to make me go thru with it.I will but I am still so ill from Thursdays it will be hard. Nausea, migraines, acid, fatigue, and all I can do is cry.I was hoping when people said this was doable there would be slight side effects but controllable. Please forgive me if I am being a ninny just was hoping for it be a little easier I guess. God Bless every one of you for what you are enduring thru your journey with this.Cyn

    Oh, you are not alone. As I

    Oh, you are not alone. As I mentioned before I had quite a reaction to the chemo and I had a feeling I would. I had incredible nausea, dizziness, lost the lining of my throat and oesophagus, bad acid reflux that burnt the already raw oesophagus, gas in my stomach that was so painful particularly when I ate or drank, stomach cramps, couldn't swallow for a couple of days and then boils!!

    I go for my second on 3/19 and like you for a while I was saying I didn't want to do it again however I think I will be a little more prepared next time. As someone pointed out it is one less chemo to go.

    I got the go ahead from the Onc. for use of milk thistle (was used in a study with children on chemo had positive results) for liver and slippery elm to coat my digestive tract starting with throat. This may or may not make a difference but I am going to give it another shot.
  • Youcandothis
    Youcandothis Member Posts: 79
    #19
    Stages said:

    I am better
    Thanks to all of you that checked in on me! Since this was my first treatment I was not for sure how I was suppose to react to chemo but the way I did it knocked me for a loop. I did get to talk to the Dr. office today.I had been given wrong contact numbers for after hours. I had my nausea pills and the steroid meds from the get go when they sent me home. I was taking them but evidently they were not working for me. The nurse I got ahold of was trying to fax my script in for pain and didn't know it had to be called in. At least this is the story I am getting. All I know is I called the after hour numbers they gave me and left messages and no return calls were made to me on anything. I knew or felt I would have issues with chemo that is just my luck. Thank you for being there for me. Anyone in the future check and double check contact info you are given. Now I am hesitant to pursue this treatment into the 2nd infusion 3/25 as I am scared to death.It is going to take everything in me to make me go thru with it.I will but I am still so ill from Thursdays it will be hard. Nausea, migraines, acid, fatigue, and all I can do is cry.I was hoping when people said this was doable there would be slight side effects but controllable. Please forgive me if I am being a ninny just was hoping for it be a little easier I guess. God Bless every one of you for what you are enduring thru your journey with this.Cyn

    You are in charge
    I kept a detailed record of all my reactions. My first infusion, the reaction was very frightening, showed my onc my list and she reduced dose 10% and admitted me to hosp for second infusion. The reduction did the trick, I was still unable to get about for 2 days but didn't need the hospitalization. The trick is to tell your onc everything you experience and insist on proper preparation. I would get an anti-nausea drug in the iv, pills to take and Ativan on top of that. Didn't eat much but no overt nausea. Insist they do you right and change onc if you're not satisfied they are.
  • Emilyfimily
    Emilyfimily Member Posts: 141
    #20
    blech
    Hi. I just had my 2nd round this last Thursday. My first was 3 weeks prior, and I was horribly ill - much like you've described. I've *never* been that sick before. So this time I told them how sick I got and one thing they did was slow down a bit on the infusion, and they also switched me to Zofran. I noticed a *huge* difference this last time with the nausea and vomiting. Still had a headache like I'd been pounding nails with my skull, and that part lasted 4 days time instead of 3 days like that time. But, in general it was so much better this time. I know everybody's different, but Zofran really did the trick for me as far as nausea/vomiting. I'm more tired this time and it's lasting longer, but I hear that's just the way it is and chemo fatigue sort of adds up every treatment. Oooooh well. Could always be worse! Good luck on your 2nd treatment!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #21
    carkris said:

    My first chemo I was very
    My first chemo I was very sick, I also got my period and it was not a good one(havent had one since)with bad migraines. The next ones werenot badlike that. be sure if you take zofran to take a stool softener. I learned the hard way. Sometimes I think your body says WHAAAAAT????? and then you settle into what you expect withyour chemo. best wishes.

    Hoping that you feel better
    Hoping that you feel better now and that the rest of your chemo will go smoother for you!

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