Chemo scare

celinelvr
celinelvr Member Posts: 30
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My last chemo was a little scarry. The nurse started my Taxotere and 10 minutes in I experienced dizziness, floaters and a pounding heart. My face was beet red. I yelled at my poor husband to get the nurse. She stopped the IV and took my BP for about 45 minutes till I felt better. She administered the Cytoxan afterward slowly as well. Anyone else have this experience??? My first chemo was unpleasant as well. It took 5 tries for them to find a vein. Then I was left with a scar where the chemo infiltrated from a vein they blew!
I certainly am not lookng forward to my next chemo!
Milly

Comments

  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #2
    I can't remember what
    I can't remember what chemical they gave me but there was this clear stuff that the first time given the nurse sat with me to watch for side effects. I had a reaction of tightness of chest and she stopped the infusion and started it again with a slower drip. I was ok with it as long as they dripped it slow. My regular nurse was gone one day and I had a sub and she didn't read my chart and started the drip too fast. I had another reaction and my husband had to go get her. So if you don't get your regular nurse you might want to remind any sub about the slower drip.
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #3
    Milly
    The first chemo they dripped very slowely and i still had to stop for awhile. After that they have been ok. I still have the red cheeks when i get done and 1 or two days afterward.and hot flashes come and go, you will start to feel better as the days go on, just remember to drink drink drink lots of h2o and eat small meals iceream and popsicles help.
    Why don't you have a port? This saves alot of uneeded vein wreckage. I would ask your Dr. I love my port. It saves me alot of pain and heartache.

    Keep us posted. I hope you start to feel better soon

    Hugs
    jackie
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #4
    Milly, why hasn't your
    Milly, why hasn't your doctor suggested a port? The worst is having to find a vein every time you go for chemo. I would talk to him/her about having one put in to make it much easier for you and your nurse. Hugs, Lili
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #5
    mmontero38 said:

    Milly, why hasn't your
    Milly, why hasn't your doctor suggested a port? The worst is having to find a vein every time you go for chemo. I would talk to him/her about having one put in to make it much easier for you and your nurse. Hugs, Lili

    Milly
    So sorry that you had such a scary time. If you don't like the idea of a port there is always a pic, this is what I had, it saves on vein damage and you don't come out of the chemo lounge feeling like a dart-board every time. Hope this helps. Hugs Jxxxx
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #6
    rjjj said:

    Milly
    The first chemo they dripped very slowely and i still had to stop for awhile. After that they have been ok. I still have the red cheeks when i get done and 1 or two days afterward.and hot flashes come and go, you will start to feel better as the days go on, just remember to drink drink drink lots of h2o and eat small meals iceream and popsicles help.
    Why don't you have a port? This saves alot of uneeded vein wreckage. I would ask your Dr. I love my port. It saves me alot of pain and heartache.

    Keep us posted. I hope you start to feel better soon

    Hugs
    jackie

    Port?
    Like Jackie ... I'm surprised you don't have a port. How many more treatments do you have?

    I was terrified of even the thought of a port ... but after reading the posts from those who have ports and talking to others ... I decided I COULD do it... and have not regreted it for a second. I'm the biggest weenie going when it comes to needles ... but my port is a blessing. With the help of the EMLA cream I put on the port site one hour before my treatment ... which numbs the spot ... when the insert the IV ... I honestly feel very little ... if anything happening. It's like magic! None of that poking and jabbing looking for a vein. Like Jackie I love my port and am surprised your doctor didn't suggest one.

    hugs.
    teena
  • celinelvr
    celinelvr Member Posts: 30
    #7
    tasha_111 said:

    Milly
    So sorry that you had such a scary time. If you don't like the idea of a port there is always a pic, this is what I had, it saves on vein damage and you don't come out of the chemo lounge feeling like a dart-board every time. Hope this helps. Hugs Jxxxx

    PORT
    It was not my idea not going with a port. My surgeon said he could do the port placement but then the Onc never prescribed it. My therapy consistd of only 4 cycles every 3 weeks so I assume that is why she didn't set me up for one. I wish I had one now! It may be that I have no insurance..... Because I've had a R mast., thats all I have - 4 cycles of T/C, no rads, nothing else. I am wondering if they are really looking out for me or their pocketbooks?
    Milly
  • ohilly
    ohilly Member Posts: 441
    #8
    allergy
    I wonder if you are allergic to one of the drugs as I was. I also experienced these symptoms, and they stopped the infusion while they gave me Benadryl and then restarted it and it was okay. Ask your doctor.

    Best of luck,

    Ohilly
  • tami90650
    tami90650 Member Posts: 82
    #9
    hi milly
    Does your doctors office use the butterfly needles to insert your I.V.? That worked for me. I did have a reaction the same as you did and they told me it was all caused from anxiety. I ended up spending 14 hours on my first chemo because of it. They administered it very slowly to insure it wasnt an allergic reaction. Be careful that you arent allergic.
  • Derbygirl
    Derbygirl Member Posts: 198
    #10
    celinelvr said:

    PORT
    It was not my idea not going with a port. My surgeon said he could do the port placement but then the Onc never prescribed it. My therapy consistd of only 4 cycles every 3 weeks so I assume that is why she didn't set me up for one. I wish I had one now! It may be that I have no insurance..... Because I've had a R mast., thats all I have - 4 cycles of T/C, no rads, nothing else. I am wondering if they are really looking out for me or their pocketbooks?
    Milly

    I also had 4 rounds of C/T
    I also had 4 rounds of C/T and no port last year. My breast cancer surgeon had scheduled me to have one placed, but my Oncologist felt I would do fine without it. I think the decision on ports could also be determined by how many treatments you're getting, but it's worth discussing with your Doc. Sorry that you had trouble with IVs and hope your next treatment is easier for you.
  • celinelvr
    celinelvr Member Posts: 30
    #11
    tami90650 said:

    hi milly
    Does your doctors office use the butterfly needles to insert your I.V.? That worked for me. I did have a reaction the same as you did and they told me it was all caused from anxiety. I ended up spending 14 hours on my first chemo because of it. They administered it very slowly to insure it wasnt an allergic reaction. Be careful that you arent allergic.

    Port vs IV
    The clinic I go to has a nurse there that claimed to have 30 years in. But she is the one who blew 3 veins before she inserted it ABOVE one she blew! I guess it is hard to find good help these days! They do use the butterfly thingies. I never had any trouble before. I don't understand it. Oh well, I only have 2 more to go......Next one is tomorrow! OY!
    Milly

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