First round of chemo - update

dianetavegia said:

Antibiotics YUCK
All those antibiotics you had to take for the infection in the first port area probably set you up for Thrush. Poor gal! Praying you feel much better very soon!

Diane

You got it Diane - that is
You got it Diane - that is what did me in. Two antibiotics given preventitively before colon resection. Two before port insertion. Then 3 for the port infection. Remove the port, and continue heavy duty antibiotics. Then two preventitively for the new port insertion.

I don't have ANY bacteria left alive in me, good or bad... Now just FUNGUS/YEAST. YUCK! (At least I haven't been hit with the vaginal yeast yet, thank goodness!)

Patteee said:

My second hospitalization
My second hospitalization for chemo related issues and after treatment 6, I was in a week for thrush and mouth sores. My mouth was so swollen I couldn't speak, couldn't even open my mouth. After your first treatment, this isn't very encouraging to hear. The only thing that helped me was a combination of anti-yeast meds, IV fluids, IV pain killers and time. It does get better, but yes it is a horrid experience. My onc cut the oxi for treatment number 7 and number 8, but even after that my mouth was going south after #8. The only thing that finally took care of it was when he stopped oxi all together after #8. Magic mouthwash, frequent salt and warm water mouth rinses and I actually had liquid morphine (not to drink, to gargle with). I think if you will really focus on getting this under control and then staying strongly on top of it for the remainder of chemo treatments you will get through it. If it persists, more than likely you will need the oxi cut. Good luck!

Yuck - I feel your
Yuck - I feel your pain.

I've already said I want the oxy reduced for next time. After hearing your story I am going to insist - if the oxy is the worst contributor to thrush as far as chemo. My problem started due to the ton of antibiotics - but stopping taking my heavy probiotic and starting chemo that day was the combo to push my body over the edge.

lisa42 said:

probiotics for thrush/yeast
Hi Kathryn,

I'm sorry to hear you've got thrush (which is a yeast infection) throughout your GI tract. Go to your nearest health food store and ask about what probiotics are good for combating yeast. Make sure to tell them you're on chemotherapy. Some of the people in some stores are more or less knowledgeabl than others, so if you don't get answers, keep searching.
You might even enter a google search "probiotics and thrush" or "probiotics and yeast".

I have been taking probiotics for about 4 months ago, while on active chemo (Folfiri).
I also put two of my kids on probiotics for constipation and digestive issues. My youngest daughter was even having some symptoms that pointed to a possibility of yeast infections. She seems to be doing much better and also isn't nearly as constipated as she always was (probiotics can help to regulate the digestive system which helps with both constipation and diahrrea, as well as with any other bacterias, etc. that are not healthy to be in the G.I. tract. If your onc poo-poos it, ask him for specific reasons why & if maybe certain probiotics over others can be better or worse for you to take while on chemo.
My oncologist had no problem with me at all taking probiotics while on chemo. I know Donna recently mentioned that her doc is a bit hesitant. Hard to know when they all have different opinions, isn't it?!

Best wishes to you with this and with getting through the chemo.

Hugs,
Lisa

Oncology Dietician reply to me today
Here is part of what the dietician just told me about my situation and probiotics right now:

If you can warm the yogurt a bit (room temp) I think that would help stem to stern the GI tract. I think that keeping fluids up is essential, limit simple sugars for the yeast overgrowth. The probiotics are a concern when the WBC and neutrophils are low. There is also a much higher risk for translocation of the live flora with the gut being more permeable with the loose stools/inflammation.

update
This continues to be a tough week - well now I'm into week #2...

I went back for more IV fluids and Kytril again. The PA called to see how I was doing and said she wanted me in for more fluids, IV anti-nausea (because I'm having trouble with the pills I have here) and a re-check before the weekend. It made sense, to be a little proactive to prevent a trip to the ER over the weekend if this doesn't get better, and I go too many days with troubles again. The thrush is still visible in my mouth and throat, and still creating troubles in my stomach, but it is better than it was on Wednesday. The fuids and Kytril didn't seem to help as much today as on Wednesday. And afterwards now, my collarbone and shoulder are really sore.

My port didn't work right today. It flushed ok after accessing, and then we had to wait for the orders to come through. Then when they tried to draw blood for the labs, there was none. She tried over and over. Even tipped me back flat for a bit. Nothing. Rather than have the port re-accessed (still pretty swollen and sore), I said to just take the labs from my arm, if they could still get fluids in through the port for the Kytril and hydration. I hope this isn't a sign of yet another problem I'm going to have. At least I DO have blood - no problem from the arm!

I got a copy of my last labs, and the CEA news isn't good. Each time I've gone up by 2. I started at 2, then 4, then 6, and now I am over 8. So this isn't just "insurance" chemo for just in case anymore. The indication is pretty strong that there is cancer growing in my body right now. That scares me a bit that what was seen on the PET might be cancer, and not surgery trauma or something else. I'll have to wait for 3 more cycles of chemo and then we will re-check.

Kind of a depressing week. I'm praying to get some strength back and get rid of the headache, mouth and throat pain, stomach pain, and nausea soon, so I can have a few days of feeling better before I have to go through this all again on Thursday. I can't imagine starting out feeling as I do now, and getting through it again. I'd rather be in a coma for the next 6 months and let them get it done without my knowledge. Wouldn't that be a great option?