Chemo pals - headaches?

BioAdoptMom
BioAdoptMom Member Posts: 358
in Breast Cancer #1
To all of you who are on or have been on chemo, did you have headaches? If you do or have, did they last a long time, like a week or more? I started Taxotere and Cytoxan a 9 days ago and have pretty much had a headache off an on all week. Caffeine tablets help some (I love Coke and usually have a glass every night, don't like the taste right now so thought it might be caffeine related) and so does Tylenol, but I find it strange that I need the Tylenol everyday for the headaches. Is this normal in your experience?

Thanks!

Nancy

Comments

  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #2
    Headaches..
    Sorry you are experiencing some headaches. I think you should mention it to your Dr.

    I only get a very SEVERE headache a few minutes before my AC infusion is done. They are very bad, and make me sick to my stomach for about 25 minutes. It goes away though so I don't have to pain killers. Are you drinking a lof of water? It may help you to drink a lot of water everyday, you might be dehydrated. But talk to your Dr. about this too.

    Good luck.
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #3
    Headaches..
    Sorry you are experiencing some headaches. I think you should mention it to your Dr.

    I only get a very SEVERE headache a few minutes before my AC infusion is done. They are very bad, and make me sick to my stomach for about 25 minutes. It goes away though so I don't have to pain killers. Are you drinking a lof of water? It may help you to drink a lot of water everyday, you might be dehydrated. But talk to your Dr. about this too.

    Good luck.
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #4
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    Headaches..
    Sorry you are experiencing some headaches. I think you should mention it to your Dr.

    I only get a very SEVERE headache a few minutes before my AC infusion is done. They are very bad, and make me sick to my stomach for about 25 minutes. It goes away though so I don't have to pain killers. Are you drinking a lof of water? It may help you to drink a lot of water everyday, you might be dehydrated. But talk to your Dr. about this too.

    Good luck.

    I got headaches for the
    I got headaches for the first week after treatments. Tylenol always helped me, but I didn't have anything severe.

    Hugs,
    Lorrie
  • margz35
    margz35 Member Posts: 53
    #5
    I have a decaf a day ...
    Hi Nancy:
    Me again! I have a decaf (actually half caf) a day - my doctor said ok. I am drinking lots of water and so far no headaches. If decaf works for you try that or a half caf - it is ok, but ask your dr what he/she thinks.
    Lordy - we are twins on this, aren't we?
    Margz
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #6
    margz35 said:

    I have a decaf a day ...
    Hi Nancy:
    Me again! I have a decaf (actually half caf) a day - my doctor said ok. I am drinking lots of water and so far no headaches. If decaf works for you try that or a half caf - it is ok, but ask your dr what he/she thinks.
    Lordy - we are twins on this, aren't we?
    Margz

    Yes, Head aches - plagued me during
    chemo. What helped me .. was using ice packs wrapped in kitchen towels -
    1 behind my neck, the other on top of my head .. and a heating pad on the top of my feet (to help with blood circulation). Frozen veggies can also be substituted for ice packs.

    Always, Always check with your Oncologist and see if he/she has any suggestions -- If you headaches persist -- please - please ask for a prescription to help you manage this pain.

    I have suffered from migraines for years, so I fully expected to be prone to headaches or migraines during my chemo treatments.


    Good Luck ..

    Strength and Courage.

    Vicki Sam
  • BioAdoptMom
    BioAdoptMom Member Posts: 358
    #7
    VickiSam said:

    Yes, Head aches - plagued me during
    chemo. What helped me .. was using ice packs wrapped in kitchen towels -
    1 behind my neck, the other on top of my head .. and a heating pad on the top of my feet (to help with blood circulation). Frozen veggies can also be substituted for ice packs.

    Always, Always check with your Oncologist and see if he/she has any suggestions -- If you headaches persist -- please - please ask for a prescription to help you manage this pain.

    I have suffered from migraines for years, so I fully expected to be prone to headaches or migraines during my chemo treatments.


    Good Luck ..

    Strength and Courage.

    Vicki Sam

    Thanks friends! I saw a
    Thanks friends! I saw a friend of mine today who is a chemo nurse. She says its most likely the Neulasta which causes those headaches, interesting.

    Nancy
  • ms.sunshine
    ms.sunshine Member Posts: 707 Member
    #8
    BioAdoptMom said:

    Thanks friends! I saw a
    Thanks friends! I saw a friend of mine today who is a chemo nurse. She says its most likely the Neulasta which causes those headaches, interesting.

    Nancy

    Nancy
    Tell your dr. I had a migrain the 1st time I had chemo. When I told my dr. she said it was due to, to much , I forget the name of the drug. When she cut back the dose of the drug I didn't have anymore headaches.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #9
    No headaches
    Headaches have never been an issue for me - not during Chemo either. About 9 months out of last Chemo, I did develope a horrenous headache around and behind right eye. 'Heavy duty' Pain pills did nothing for it - Dex was the only thing that helped and it took the pain away in about 20 mins and kept it away for about 36 hrs. Saw eye Dr, had another CT Scan and nothing showed up at all. Was on Dex for 2 weeks and the pain quite abruptly. The consincious of opinion was that for some unknown reason some nerve got irritated and caused the pain and the Dex allowed it to 'calm' down. Haven't had any since then.

    Definately talk with your DR.

    Susan
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #10
    headaches.
    I had a mild headache yesterday. It was my first day of chemo and we are having the same drugs. Yes the caffiene withdrawal also causes headaches. There are some places that carry caffienated pepermints (or used to). I did some traveling in a underdeveloped nation 5 years ago and was worried about not havng access to coffee and going through withdrawal. So when I saw these caffienated peppermints I picked them up. Mint tends to assist with digestive problems as well.

    I also had migranes earlier in life. When my teenagers grew up and moved out they prettyy much dissapeared but then returned when I got my social work job. I lost that job in May of 09 and have not had a migraine since, not even with this diagnosis. Let the chemo people and the doctor know like the others said.
  • 1acme
    1acme Member Posts: 77
    #11
    Before Chemo I suffer with horrible Migraines for about 20 years. Sharp pain in my head, usually behind my eye, sensitive to light, noise and smell. Plus at least 2 days spent in bathroom throwing up. I was very worry the with this pre-disposition I will be very ill during Chemo.

    With Chemo I have constant headache, but it is different it is "dull" pain so I make sure that I will get at least a Gallon of water a day (no coffee/tea). I also have continues buzzing/ringing in my ears from day 1st chemo day, stuffy nose and runny eyes.

    I take REACTINE for a day and BENADRYL for night which take a edge off ... no headache, stuffy nose or runny eyes only my ears are still buzzing.

    Take care

    Helen
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #12
    Nancy
    If I remember correctly, I did occasionally have a mild headache but it did go away. We all react differently. I had few side effects, thankfully.
    Char

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