Chemo

gina0626

Has anyone ever quit chemo because it made them to sick to do anything?

cmb

I normally post on the Uterine Board, but I was searching for something else and spotted this comment and wanted to respond since it really resonated with me. I’m not familiar with chemo for breast cancer, but I had an unusual combination of chemo during my treatment for uterine cancer. The first four cycles of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin (very common for uterine cancer) went fairly well, with relatively mild side effects. But when I got the first cycle of the phase 2 chemo – Ifosfamide and Doxorubicin – I seriously considered quitting chemo since I felt so horrible afterwards. I was so weak that could barely stand for more than a few minutes at a time and had to force myself to eat something. I kept waiting to feel better, but it didn’t happen.

While I wanted to cancel the scheduled blood draw the following week because I felt so bad, the oncology nurse urged me to come into the oncology center. After I forced myself to go, she immediately took charge, giving me extra fluids and anti-emetics, all which actually did make me feel better. The medical oncologist also changed up the post chemo medication he had me take after the next three infusions. In addition, the nurse scheduled the extra fluids and anti-emetics as a regular treatment the week after the remaining infusions.

It was still a very tough regimen for me to get through, but with this additional help, I did complete all four cycles and within about a month afterwards I felt much recovered.

So I just wanted to encourage you to reach out to your doctor and nurse and explain how miserable the side effects are making you feel. You may find that they can offer some extra supportive care to help right now. Or the doctor might even suggest an alternative chemo that would also be effective to you without the severe side effects you’re having.

I hope that others familiar with your specific type of treatment can also offer some other advice to help you during this difficult time.

Sunny5

I don't know how many chemo treatments you have to have, but I had 7, four of which were Doxorubicin (the red devil). It was very rough. I found that I felt better by the time another one was due. I had them every two weeks. I pray you will stick with it and listen to your doctor. Once it's over, you'll start to feel better the more time that passes. Prayers and best wishes!

LindaLee63

I agree with cmb post above. Your team will have answers to make you feel better. They scheduled regular hydration for me three times a week, if needed. If I needed it, I already had the appointment, if not- I could just cancel. Also, anti-emitic both in pill form and IV are helpful. I am still going through chemo. The best advise is if you are tired, lay on couch and do nothing. If that is not an option reach out to someone who can help. Makes all the difference for you to get through day by day. You got this!- Linda

MEJ

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/325482/chemo

Yes, I did. I quit after 3 cycles of taxotere and cytoxan. I truly felt so bad that I feared the chemo itself was going to kill me, and I had a really horrible and unsympathetic oncologist at that time. I changed to a different oncologist and she assured me that even though I only had 3 cycles it still did some good. I am 1 year from my last chemo cycle and having no problems with recurrence. I am taking letrozole and going through hot flashes, but they are tolerable. I had stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma with a lumpectomy.