Very tired after the 3rd chemo

liz11808
liz11808 Member Posts: 34
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello everyone,

I had my 3rd round of chemo last Friday (May 16) and now had some side effect that I luckily didn't experienced last time. I have the urged of throwing out in the middle of the my sleep every night starting the third day after the chemo. Yesterday, I had a temperature of 100.6 and called nurse right away. I am taking an antibiotic and good thing the fever went away. I am feeling really tired plus my bones are aching.
I am feeling depressed and I started crying. Maybe the medication is partly to blame or it's just me?

Truly yours,
Liz

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    Liz, I honestly think that the chemo messed with my emotional health. Beyond the troubles that DX brings. During my peak chemo times the world looked very bleak. I cried. I felt emotional pain like never in my life. And it was always worse than in the "rest" periods between chemo. Even when I knew it was coming I couldn't prepare for it. Wow, you say, that sounds horrible. BUT, I am writing this because I was wrong. Chemo is over and the bleakest of days are too. You may not be able to escape, but please remind yourself - its chemo I am suffering from, not life. And not cancer. The beast doesn't have any real pain and aches at our stage. But when I was doing chemo, the aches and pains that chemo caused my brain got confused and thought maybe I was suffering from C. Not so. Hold on tight, sweetie. You will get through this. I found writing and reading on this board very helpful. I also found playing solitaire on my computer helpful. It was mindless, distracting, and peaceful. I would play for hours, just getting through a tough time. I went to work every day. I cried at work sometimes, but most of the time work filled my mind with welcome distractions. I am just writing everything I can think of when the real thing I want to say is I have been there and I am with you there now. Please feel some love and encouragement! Seek lots of support! You are going to be fine. You are welcome to email me directly and write as much as you want, complain if you want. I will write you back any encouragement I can think of and you will know you are not alone. Just read all the people who I am sure will post after me too.
    Best wishes! love, Joyce
  • redrosesplz
    redrosesplz Member Posts: 11
    #3
    Hi Liz, I too I'm going thur the same at you. Tomorrow will be my 4th round of chemo. I still cry and get depressed, feel like I have to throw up all the time. I have to take DECADRON the day before and day of and day after chemo. for swelling and allergic- type reactions. I have days where I will sleep all day cause of being tired or days where I cant sleep from stressing about everything. Not so much now that I have founded help with my financial. I have alot of support from my youngest son. Tomorrow I will ask my Dr more about why I still cry and why my legs and arms ache also. Not running any fever, but I do get hot flashes. Liz keep my posted and I will do the same. Take care Martha
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    Liz, these symptoms sound very familiar to most of us. You were wise to get in touch with your doctor asap about the fever.
    As for the tears, we would be worried about you if you were not letting your emotions out. Whether or not it is due to the meds, crying is soooo theraputic for most of us. Don't try to be a hero right now....u can do that later....now is your time to do what you need to do to take care of YOU.
  • lfly
    lfly Member Posts: 50
    #5
    Hello Liz

    Remember you're not alone. Many of us have been where you are. Sometimes it's so tough and feel so alone. Cry all those tears they cleanse the mind and spirit. Doesn't make you weak or less than.

    When i went through chemo the very first time in 2001 i was very tired. i worked my shift for 8 hrs a day then went home and slept the rest of the day as i worked nights at the time. My family allowed me to do this and i felt bad because my children were 6,11 and 12 yrs old. They understood,as best they could, that i was fighting for my life.

    Do something good for yourself when you feel better and before the next treatment. Even if it's just going to the park or taking a walk.

    Hang in there and remember this feeling will not last forever. CA isn't you. It's a dis ease you have. The "why" doesn't really matter. Chemo is temporary and you can survive it. Focus on what you want to do when it's over and you're feeling good again.

    Post as much as you want it helps to talk about it. A burden shared is half the weight and joy shared is double the pleasure.

    Love and hugs
    lorie
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #6
    Chemo is not just physically depleting, it wreaks havoc with our hormonal/emotional self as well. Good for you for calling your Dr. about your temperature spike~ what we would have ignored pre-cancer doesn't apply during chemotherapy.

    My fatigue was cumulative; I ended up experiencing a form of exhaustion I didn't know was possible, and I was convinced I was trapped in an episode of the Twilight Zone, never to re-emerge as a normal, healthy woman!

    As far as crying and depression are concerned, perhaps it will help you to think about this. When you hear a crying baby in a supermarket, within seconds your maternal ears know if the sound is because the baby is tired. We recognize the sound even if we aren't moms! We just know the baby missed her nap, wants to be in her own bed and just be comforted. And don't our hearts go out to that baby??? It's a different sound than the "whining, bratty cry", isn't it??

    Well, hon, you are physically and emotionally EXHAUSTED!!! And we hear your tired cry and our hearts go out to you.

    Chemo is so powerful, and its powerful job is to kill the beast! Hang in there, and know that the side effects will not be with you forever!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    Yup, classic chemo stuff. Don't forget, chemo is cumulative...I remember after my first infusion, bragging about how it wasn't very bad. My oncologist sushed me.....well, #2 was yucky, #3 was worse, and I even skipped #4, then did the rest of the course of Taxol....

    These drugs for anti-nausea and all can cause mood swings, along with all of the chemicals causing fatigue. If you had a neulasta shot, it causes bone aches.

    So, bottom line, normal. As others have said, tho, don't let the emotions get out of control. My center had a cancer councellor that I could talk to...

    Hugs, kathi
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #8
    Hi Liz:
    There was nothing worse for me then going through chemo. The first few were not too bad, but by the 6th round, I was getting sick even before I went for treatment. I kept asking myself, why I was putting myself through this, but I had a 14 & 16 yr old and a wonderful husband who wants me by his side for a long time that made be keep going. Emotionally, I was a mess after the infusions, physically, I was cold, nauseas, and very tired. You will get through this and it's ok to cry. Just remember you are not alone, we are all here for you. Hugs and prayers to you, Lili
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #9
    Liz, Please know that you are not alone with this. Its been 1 1/2 years since I finished chemo, but while reading your post, tears came to my eyes as all the memories came flooding back. I too was very emotional during treatment and cried often for no obvious reason. In fact that lasted long afterwards and even now I am much more emotional than before the cancer. I think Liz, that the whole difficult, upsetting experience changes us permanently. So we must adjust I guess, and try to remember that we are strong and battling such a frightening beast and winning, is huge. You are winning Liz. Chemo is not easy, I know. You are tired and sick and bald and all this makes you feel like a cancer patient---I hated that. But you will make it through this. You will see, that once chemo is over, you will slowly begin to feel more positive, and more like yourself. Try and rest as much as you can, spend time with your family and friends and indulge youself with treats whenever you can. I will be thinking of you and feel free to e-mail and I will write back--I find it a comfort to converse with others who have been there. I still do. Take care, Eileen
  • dancingfan
    dancingfan Member Posts: 19
    #10
    Hi Liz,

    I think it may be the medication. I too am on my third treatment. I am taking A/C. with a shot of Neulasta the next day. I find the Neulasta is the culprit! I too get crying spells. I think it is because we are so TIRED! I have to have my next round on May 27th. I am afraid I will get slammed! I too get the feeling of nausea but have never actually thrown up. I take Compazine for the nausea and Adivan at bedtime to help me settle my stomach and to sleep. My doctor took me off of the Decadron and Emend and I felt much better! I will pray that your days get better. We are all on the road to recovery! YAHOO The part I hate the most is being unable to think correctly at times. I will like my life much better when my energy returns and my brain functions as it use to! You will get well Liz... God Bless.... dancingfan
  • liz11808
    liz11808 Member Posts: 34
    #11
    Hello everybody,
    Thank you for sharing all your experiences about the side effect of chemo. This brings a more understanding about the treatment which at first I thought is I'm just being a baby. With one more chemo to go (June 6), I hope it is more bearable than my 3rd chemo.

    God bless,
    Liz
  • PattyB5533
    PattyB5533 Member Posts: 24
    #12
    liz11808 said:

    Hello everybody,
    Thank you for sharing all your experiences about the side effect of chemo. This brings a more understanding about the treatment which at first I thought is I'm just being a baby. With one more chemo to go (June 6), I hope it is more bearable than my 3rd chemo.

    God bless,
    Liz

    I am getting sooooo much info and strength from these posts. I start Adriamycin-Taxotere-Cytoxin on 6-16 (getting married on 6-6= Liz11 last day of chemo yeah!!!!) I'm scared and crying while I read this, but know you guys will be here for me also. I have 6 tx scheduled and then possibly radiation.
  • liz11808
    liz11808 Member Posts: 34
    #13
    PattyB5533 said:

    I am getting sooooo much info and strength from these posts. I start Adriamycin-Taxotere-Cytoxin on 6-16 (getting married on 6-6= Liz11 last day of chemo yeah!!!!) I'm scared and crying while I read this, but know you guys will be here for me also. I have 6 tx scheduled and then possibly radiation.

    Hello Patty,
    Congratulation on your up coming wedding. I know the feeling of being scared (it's the fear of the unknown, they said). But with the help of your family and friends, you will go through this. I am also new on this site, but since I started writing and reading the responses, it gives me courage and strength that I'm sure I won't get from any books. Be strong and prayers really helps a lot.

    God bless,
    Liz

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