Side effects that bug me

SandyD

While I know that these are minor in comparison to the life and death issues cancer patients face, these are some of the side-effects of chemo that have been bugging me:

Losing most of my eyebrows and eyelashes in addition to my scalp hair has really been bugging me. I really dread looking in the mirror and seeing that ET look. Yes I know there are ways to enhance your look with cosmetics and I am scheduled to attend one of those "Look good, feel better" events to learn more. I have just started to look into getting a prescription for Latisse (it's being used successfully off-label for eyebrows as well as eyelashes). I'm a bit concerned about mine growing back because both had started to thin some before I got my diagnosis (maybe it's just part of the aging process in some of us). 

My nose running a lot. I did a brief Google search and yes, others also report that taxol was associated with a frequent runny nose for them. Mine seems to run particularly when I begin eating. Go figure!

Neuropathy: mine is not affecting my ability to do functional tasks but my feet just feel weird!

Anyone have stuff to add?

debrajo

Me, too!

No brows, no lashes(meds didn't bring them back,there is NOTHING for mascara to stick TO, Constantly running nose, especially when I eat.  Alienation of affection, if you want to call it that.  I've always had a bad temper...multiply that by ten now, an inability to suffer fools gladly(ie, can't keep my mouth shut over stupid stuff), wish all men would fly off the planet, constant headaches, no energy.  I knew these things could happen with all the drugs pumped into us, but Geeze, I havent had chemo since May of 2010!  When does it stop...or does it?  Not to mention the weight gain, the mental fog, the inability to concentrate, and so on and so on.....    Debrajo

TeddyandBears_Mom

Sandy

My sister told me about another product that was developed by a husband for his wife. If I remember correctly, he is a doctor.

It is called Revitalash. I haven't used it but have been contemplating ordering it. (You don't need a prescription for this one.)

My issues with side effects are the same as yours.  I can tell you this... once you get on the other side of things coming back, it is fun to see yourself recover. I'm now 5 months out from chemo and I feel like I'm about 80% back to normal from an actual physical / energy level. My hair is now 1.5 inches long - still very short but no bald spots. And, it has allowed me to go out in public without covering it. I have gotten loads of compliments on my "hair cut".  I can't say I'm comfortable with it being this short but I'm trying really hard to embrace it. I think we all have our limits and what you are feeling is very normal.

The neuropathy in my feet never stopped me from functioning, but it hurt more about 2 months POST chemo treatments and is just now starting to ease up.

On the plus side of things... my skin looks better post chemo then it did before chemo. Did you experience that?

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

TeddyandBears_Mom

debrajo said:

Me, too!

No brows, no lashes(meds didn't bring them back,there is NOTHING for mascara to stick TO, Constantly running nose, especially when I eat.  Alienation of affection, if you want to call it that.  I've always had a bad temper...multiply that by ten now, an inability to suffer fools gladly(ie, can't keep my mouth shut over stupid stuff), wish all men would fly off the planet, constant headaches, no energy.  I knew these things could happen with all the drugs pumped into us, but Geeze, I havent had chemo since May of 2010!  When does it stop...or does it?  Not to mention the weight gain, the mental fog, the inability to concentrate, and so on and so on.....    Debrajo

Wow Deb...

I think I got off easy compared to you! I need to add to my 'I'm grateful list!'

That being said... I can't imagine you having a temper. But, I can see you speaking out over stupid stuff. :-)

I truly hope that things improve for you my friend. You deserve to be happy.

Love and hugs,

Cindi

joyce6611

I don't have any eyelashes or

I don't have any eyelashes or eyebrows or hair since my second chemo.  I will have chemo #9 next Friday.  I have had a couple of days of fatigue, but that is all.  I have been very blessed.  

CindylovesMike

debrajo said:

Me, too!

No brows, no lashes(meds didn't bring them back,there is NOTHING for mascara to stick TO, Constantly running nose, especially when I eat.  Alienation of affection, if you want to call it that.  I've always had a bad temper...multiply that by ten now, an inability to suffer fools gladly(ie, can't keep my mouth shut over stupid stuff), wish all men would fly off the planet, constant headaches, no energy.  I knew these things could happen with all the drugs pumped into us, but Geeze, I havent had chemo since May of 2010!  When does it stop...or does it?  Not to mention the weight gain, the mental fog, the inability to concentrate, and so on and so on.....    Debrajo

Oh Debrajo

I could have written that....I also cry at the drop of a hat and am ready for a melt down at moments notice. I am 1 year out of chemo and it seems like I am feeling worse rather than better. I gained 30 pounds and my clothes are too tight..on a happy note I am alive and Jesus loves me. I am thinking I just have to remember to be thankful I am still here, not all have that privillage. Sending you hugs Cindy.

Lou Ann M

Runny nose

i sometimes though I was just imagining it, but my nose also runs every time I eat.  I is a lot worse if what I ate was spicy or hot.  Our club sure has a lot of odd things instead of secret handshakes.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

ConnieSW

Drippy nose

Mine ran during the time I was on chemo.  I assumed it's because the little hairs in my nose were gone.  It stopped when my hair grew back.

debrajo

Et, Al!

You are all so right!  I am very grateful to be alive,, and I do have a monumental temper that makes Mt. Etna look like a case of heartburn!  All my Scott-Irish comes out!  I've see a lot of things in the almost 7 years since diagnoses, new grands, graduations, family gatherings...with, God willing, more to come.  So when I find the lash stuff I will buy a case, stuff my fat self into a girdle, draw on my brows, carry lots of Kleenx, and dance(when I learn to!) at another sons' wedding in Oct!  I'll send out an S.O.S. when I need y'all to start a collection for my bail money!   Debra

Abbycat2

Ladies, you never cease to amaze me!

What with Lou Ann's secret handshake and Debra learning how to dance at this point in her life! And I just can't get the image out of my head of Eldri's loss of an eyebrow and eyelashes on one side of her face only. I do have a difficult time imaging that temper of yours, Debra, as you are such a caring and loving woman. I guess we all have a boiling point. I for one am quite slow to get angry and try to remove myself from the situation before I erupt.

Well, I guess chemo is the gift that keeps on giving. When I lost my hair, eyebrows and lashes included, I could barely look at my sickly image in the mirror without mumbling under my breath "freak". Chemo ended two years and two months ago and all my thick hair grew back. My nose runs every morning since and I seem to sneeze more. The balls and toes of my feet are still numb. My feet don't hurt me and mostly I am unaware of the numbness as I choose to ignore it.

SandyD

TeddyandBears_Mom said:

Sandy

My sister told me about another product that was developed by a husband for his wife. If I remember correctly, he is a doctor.

It is called Revitalash. I haven't used it but have been contemplating ordering it. (You don't need a prescription for this one.)

My issues with side effects are the same as yours.  I can tell you this... once you get on the other side of things coming back, it is fun to see yourself recover. I'm now 5 months out from chemo and I feel like I'm about 80% back to normal from an actual physical / energy level. My hair is now 1.5 inches long - still very short but no bald spots. And, it has allowed me to go out in public without covering it. I have gotten loads of compliments on my "hair cut".  I can't say I'm comfortable with it being this short but I'm trying really hard to embrace it. I think we all have our limits and what you are feeling is very normal.

The neuropathy in my feet never stopped me from functioning, but it hurt more about 2 months POST chemo treatments and is just now starting to ease up.

On the plus side of things... my skin looks better post chemo then it did before chemo. Did you experience that?

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Yes some positives too

I have noticed during and since chemo ended (about a month ago) that my skin feels smoother and softer.

As far as other positives, I'm saving money since I'm not getting my hair done every 6 weeks. I've now also made the decision (when I have enough hair to get it styled) to no longer color my mostly white hair because now I'm pretty leery of exposing myself to chemicals. Also I don't have to shave my legs (at least until the leg hair grows in)!

I'll have to look into Revitalift as well as Latisse. One thing I'll have to work on though is not rubbing my eyes. With allergy season and super-itchy eyes all the time I have a tendency to rub them a lot. I've learned that this can affect growth of the hair shafts and combined with the effects of chemo, it's not good for growth of eyelashes and eyebrows.

I will be very happy to have my energy levels back to normal