Chemo worries

mjfromtx
mjfromtx Member Posts: 49
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Just had first chemo last Thursday. Hit me like a ton of bricks. The drs and nurses are all very good and have helped to make me comfortable. I had nausea five hours after i was infused and had to get more fluids and amoxi in an IV on Friday morning. I was hoping I would be one of those folks that just 'sails' through this but not too sure now. I am experiencing joint/bone pain for past two days, taking vicodin every four hours too keep it at bay. I'm exhausted, feel like the energy has been siphoned out of me. All of this 'normal'??? Not used to being so sick like this! Thanks everyone:) MJ

Comments

  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #2
    Pains
    Hi MJ: Sorry you had such a hard time with your first infusion. Everyone reacts differently to chemo. Exhaustion, nausea and evening vomiting are some of the side effects. Your oncologist should give you a prescription for the nausea to take at home. Just keep taking those pills to keep it at bay. Right now, you need to rest as much as possible. Usually the first week was a doozy for me then it would start getting better, only to get it again but you will get through this. Any concerns, call the doctor. God bless and hugs, Lili
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #3
    AWWWWWWW!!! Bless your Heart
    I echo mmonteros advice~ and am also so sorry you are feeling so badly from your infusion. There simply is no way to predict how the poison will affect each of us~but please know that "this too shall pass", and you will get through it to Life After Cancer!!!! PLEASE, you don't have to brave this out; I swear I kept my Drs office on speed dial. And it doesn't matter if it isnt your Dr on call at 3AM, or on a Saturday~ there is a service, and someone WILL get back to you!!! No one wants us to suffer through this, so do not suffer in silence!

    Pain meds, anti-naseau meds, get whatever you need to make this part of your journey less filled with pot-holes!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #4
    chemo sickness
    I'm MJ from Texas too!!! Well the J is my middle inital.

    I got very sick also. The nurse told me to keep something on my stomach. Just eat a cracker or something like that and see if that helps. I found I liked rice (the fried kind Chinese restaurants make) and cake. Everybody is different. But try a cracker anyway. Each day gets a little better. During the times when you are sick, wear a bathrobe that you don't like. My husband bought me a new bathrobe and I would change into it when I got home from treatment. I usually got sick about 1/2 hour after treatment. I'd bearly get home. After treatment was over I found I had associated the sickness with that bathrobe. Everytime I wore it I'd get nauseous. I had to give it away. Maybe I should have waited and just put it away. I might feel differently about it 5 years later. I didn't think of that. Once I had to go in to the cancer center the day after my chemo and I took a small waste basket with me and sat in the waiting room with it on my lap. Just in case because I felt that bad. I know it's not easy but it's a count down. Each day you get closer to the end of treatment. At the end of my treatment they congratulated me on completing because they knew I had a hard time of it. What really helped me was asking for an angel to stay with me during the treatment. Then I had a CD called Piano Rain that I would play at home, what ever helps you complete treatment. I also found any pressure on my stomach made me nauseous too. I bought pants that were large with elastic waists. Maybe you will adjust and won't be as sick as I was.

    from the other mj
  • Joycelouise
    Joycelouise Member Posts: 482
    #5
    I didn't get too sick. But
    I didn't get too sick. But my onc. gave me some "just in case" meds in addition to the regular anti-naseau meds. I know there are a lot of different antidotes to help. Think about calling your onc. or perhaps even better, the chemo clinic, and aksing about additions and alternatives. I did have metal taste early on, but it went away and with subsequent treatments I just had a mild case of food blahs. I craved fast food hamburgers (something I normally NEVER eat). The very best stomach remedy I know of is ginger tea. You can buy it bagged or make your own really good stuff by boiling a few slices (about carrot medallion sized) pieces of pealed fresh ginger. Also, in that vein are ginger cookies, candied ginger from Trader Joes (yum) and MacDonalds Big Macs. Whoops, that last one just slipped in - I must be having a flash back. Best wishes to you. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!love, Joyce

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