epirubicin and side effects

hillbillycat

As I write this subject I feel sick. Does anyone feel that way? I have one more chemo in February and I will be finished . Then I will start my radiation.I noticed that as I go along with the chemo,i notice harder side effects than when I began.For instance now I start to get hot flashes which wake me up during the night. I never had those until now. Also now my feet want to cramp and get sore.When I wake up and start walking in the morning, I feel as if my feet have walked a long way during the night.I want to stretch my legs and feet alot and I wonder why I do this. Next is the terrible smell. I went into JC Pennys to look at their sale on dresses and I had to leave as soon as I walked in there.The dye and chemical smell was so strong (but only to me),that last night when I thought about it,I started gagging. When I wash my hands I can`t stand the smell of the soap etc..Even going to this site right after my chemo is hard because the (sight ) of the web sitemakes me subconciously think about chemo and cancer..I am so whiney compared to the folks on here who go through chemo after chemo. I feel so deeply for them.I wonder where they get their strength because the thought of doing this again is unimaginable.Terrible to hate chemo so bad.When I think of how everything felt BEFORE I had chemo,I feel i didn`t realize how lucky I was to be healthy.I realize health is one of the most important things in the world.What is riches if you feel sick? I was talking to my husband last night who smokes alot. I said to him "If you knew how precious your health is you would never smoke again. " I told him also,"Right now you feel great but one day you could wake up sick and then you will remember how wonderful it was to enjoy not being short of breath or weak." He likes to play computer games. I said "what if you was playing your computer games and while you play you feel nauseated and trembly?". That is what happens when you become sick.Everything you enjoy takes more effort..I just hope he understands that even though I go to work or go out to eat or go shopping , I always battle my weaknessness with chemo. Copared to those who have it much worse than me ,I could just break down crying thinking of going through this over and over.But as my husband says"YOU WoULD DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN TO SAVE YOUR LIFE.He is right. So easy for those who don`t get chemo to automatically suggest more chemo.Life is hard.......Shirl

scorpiox55

Shirl, I had Epirubicin also. I can also say that it was the most difficult time in my life. I know what you mean about the smells. It affected everything I did. Almost everything had some funky smell to it. Even water! I didn't eat much while on chemo but after...that's another story! I really got my appetite back and then on to Tamoxifen. Gained 10 pounds right off the bat! Of course Christmas and Thanksgiving didn't help that. The nausea for me was pretty bad and the anti nausea meds didn't work too well for me and I tried several. I always had treatments on Tuesdays and I would be sick for that day and nauseated all the way up until Saturday where I would get sick as a dog again. My doctor called that a delayed nausea. Don't worry, it does get better. I am feeling much better now as it has been 2 1/2 months for me. My last treatment was Oct. 28. I am like you, even the thought of that stuff makes me sick. I don't eat red jello! Yuck! I think over time all of this will fade for you. It has somewhat for me in this short time. Just hang in there and know that the chemo is taking care of the nasties for you and helping you get well. Good luck on your last treatment. If you want to e mail me please do. Scorpiox55@yahoo.com I had 6 of those treatments! JoAnne

momof4

Shirl hugs hun,
I too had epirubicin 6 of them and than 4 taxol and like you everthing had a smell as JoAnn said even water i was so sick i couldnt even sip the water to take my antinausea drug but things will get better with time, i had my last chemo in september and just last week i started going without a wig the pain that you feel in your feet i thought i was the only was experiencing it one heel is worst than the other at times it feels as if i am walking with a nkife pointed to my heel, but i guess even that (hopefully) will go away<
Just hang in there one more to go and than slowly things will get better if you want to chat more you can always email me at >>>>>splendente05@aol.com or at >>>>stellaluccicante@hotmail.com
take care
Mariat.