Chemo- one down seven to go.

laughs_a_lot
laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
Made it through my first chemo. It was ok but I had three minor problems one of which is to be expected. I cannot drink much water at once (though I need to drink a lot). I am used to drinking a lot in one take. Bummer! I feel like wearing a camelback with water in it so that I don't have to hunt for my drink all the time. Two I had a bit of a headache but not unbearable. Three I could not sleep well though tired. I also work 3rd shift and had to switch back from 3 days off (daytime girl), to night time girl. I do have some difficulty with this from time to ime on the switch back but not quite to this extent.

So let me know if you have had problems sleeping after a chemo treatment as I want to see if there is a way to change this. Also since I work 3rd shift I am switching to afternoon chemo so that I can get some shut eye prior to tx. This alone might be a solution.

Comments

  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #2
    One Down!
    Congrats on making it through your first treatment.

    I take Ativan before my treatment so I sleep Ok. It also helps with nausea. You may want to consider taking one before or after.

    About water, I find myself going through the same problem so what I do now is that I keep a huge glass of water next to me and drink it slowly. You can even drink it within the hr. - as long as you drink the recommended qty. It's very important to drink.

    About the headache, oh my! I know it. For me is not a good one. The first two treatments went OK. The third I had a very bad headache that lasted like 45 mins. They recommend I take two Tylenol ahead of time, since it may help. But ask your Dr. first as they need to Ok it.

    Good luck with all your treatments! Keep us posted.
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #3
    Sleeping...
    Not being able to sleep was a problem for me....I was told by my onc it was due to the steroids...they can almost make one hyper....on my second infusion, the steroids gave me a sense of euphoria...it was so weird....as my husband and I were waiting for me to be called to the chemo room, he said he couldn't believe how utterly calm I seemed...and I WAS! It was a strange feeling..but I went with the flow! But sleep disturbances did plague me through out chemo...I am fortunate that when ever I needed to rest or nap, I was able to...and because of that I didn't want to add any more meds...

    You might want to check with your onc and see what he suggests you could take, considering your schedule....I never experienced any headaches what so ever....

    Wishing you the best as you continue your treatments!
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #4
    MAJW said:

    Sleeping...
    Not being able to sleep was a problem for me....I was told by my onc it was due to the steroids...they can almost make one hyper....on my second infusion, the steroids gave me a sense of euphoria...it was so weird....as my husband and I were waiting for me to be called to the chemo room, he said he couldn't believe how utterly calm I seemed...and I WAS! It was a strange feeling..but I went with the flow! But sleep disturbances did plague me through out chemo...I am fortunate that when ever I needed to rest or nap, I was able to...and because of that I didn't want to add any more meds...

    You might want to check with your onc and see what he suggests you could take, considering your schedule....I never experienced any headaches what so ever....

    Wishing you the best as you continue your treatments!

    Sleep
    yes I mentioned this to the nurse about the sleeping when I went to get my Neulasta shot. She stated that it was steroids that they add to the antinausea meds. At least if I go in the afternoon for chemo I will have had a bit of sleep under my belt prior to getting the steroids in the antinausea medicaion.
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #5
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    One Down!
    Congrats on making it through your first treatment.

    I take Ativan before my treatment so I sleep Ok. It also helps with nausea. You may want to consider taking one before or after.

    About water, I find myself going through the same problem so what I do now is that I keep a huge glass of water next to me and drink it slowly. You can even drink it within the hr. - as long as you drink the recommended qty. It's very important to drink.

    About the headache, oh my! I know it. For me is not a good one. The first two treatments went OK. The third I had a very bad headache that lasted like 45 mins. They recommend I take two Tylenol ahead of time, since it may help. But ask your Dr. first as they need to Ok it.

    Good luck with all your treatments! Keep us posted.

    Congrats on getting that
    Congrats on getting that first chemo done!
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #6
    laughs_a_lot said:

    Sleep
    yes I mentioned this to the nurse about the sleeping when I went to get my Neulasta shot. She stated that it was steroids that they add to the antinausea meds. At least if I go in the afternoon for chemo I will have had a bit of sleep under my belt prior to getting the steroids in the antinausea medicaion.

    Big congratulations! Soon,
    Big congratulations! Soon, we will be celebrating your being a chemo grad!


    Sue :)
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #7
    Ritzy said:

    Big congratulations! Soon,
    Big congratulations! Soon, we will be celebrating your being a chemo grad!


    Sue :)

    Good for you--the first one can be so scary
    because of the unknown. Like so many others, I too had sleep problems. The steroids were one of the culprits and I just felt like all those chemicals pumped in were also wreaking havoc with my body in general. I'm not a big pill taker, so I just went with the flow and slept when I could. I was lucky enough not to be working, so afternoon naps with my dog on the couch were the norm.

    Good luck with the rest of your treatment--with your great attitude, you're going to do just fine.

    Hugs, Renee
  • ender
    ender Member Posts: 167
    #8
    missrenee said:

    Good for you--the first one can be so scary
    because of the unknown. Like so many others, I too had sleep problems. The steroids were one of the culprits and I just felt like all those chemicals pumped in were also wreaking havoc with my body in general. I'm not a big pill taker, so I just went with the flow and slept when I could. I was lucky enough not to be working, so afternoon naps with my dog on the couch were the norm.

    Good luck with the rest of your treatment--with your great attitude, you're going to do just fine.

    Hugs, Renee

    Just had my first chemo
    Just had my first chemo yesterday myself and feel as you do!

    Have had a slight headache that has decreased since yesterday. Took a "forced nap" in the afternoon yesterday but only slept 3 good hours last night. Did not know this could be a problem beforehand, and since I take the steroids today too I guess the sleep will have to wait. I think a certain side effect from my Taxotere is fluid retention, and thats why I get more steroid than just the one in the IV.

    I hope you will be able to sleep better soon and that work will not be too tolling!

    Take care

    Eva

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