Another Question about ABVD

Tracie1981
Tracie1981 Member Posts: 125
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
So, I'm still basically new at receiving this treatment, but It seems after the treatments that I've had, I've had some pretty painful effects. After this last one which I had on the 24th wednesday I started having chest pain again on Saturday, then on Sunday started having stomach pain accompanied with it. Now its more stomach pain and cramps that I'm dealing with and its been over a week! Has anyone experienced this with this treatment. I'm not suffering with constipation or anything like that, I'm afraid I have stomach ulcers now or that I'm becoming lactose intolerant or something else. Since I've only had 2 treatments with ABVD I'm curious as to if this is going to happen everytime, cause I'm lucky I have pain meds to get me through until I see the dr. again. I feel like I'm constantly calling him about something, I know hes getting annoyed with me... But has anyone experienced this? It would help so much to know... Thanks and God Bless!

Comments

  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    #2
    Stomach pain
    Hi Tracie,
    I think it's always wise to contact your doctor with chest pains. However, with it than settling in you stomach it sure sounds like your experiencing Gerd, acid reflux. It's not uncommon with chemo therapy. Although I don't have any experience with ABVD I do have experience with RCHOP which as some of the same drugs. And maybe your onc can prescribe an acid reducer for your stomach pain.
    I'm sorry you feel your Onc is getting annoyed with you. If my onc wasn't annoyed with me I probably wouldn't ever get well as asking questions and knowing what's happening with my body is my job. Patents who take care of themselves are said to do better than patents who don't make waves. That said the chemo nurses are a great resource and can handle many questions and concerns without getting the doctor involve.
    Good luck and G-d bless,
    Leslie
  • brigit
    brigit Member Posts: 7
    #3
    I had chest pain after my
    I had chest pain after my first 2 treatments. After my first treatment I ended up in the ER with chest pain and shortness of breath. They didn't find anything wrong with my heart other than some fluid around my heart and lungs (which I was aware of already). The same happened after my second treatment just not as bad. I didn't go to the ER but I was at my MDs office for blood work and talked with her about it. She thought that it was probably just reflux and prescribed me an antireflux medication to take everyday. This seems to work for me. I still have some chest discomfort occasionally. I also get tachycardic sometimes. This dosen't happen every treatment anymore and it usually goes away after a day or 2. During this time my BP is also a little higher than normal.

    If you are concerned talk with your doctor. You shouldn't feel like you are bothering him or her. They need to know what's going on so that they can try to help you. If you have a nurse coordinator talk with her. I'm lucky to have a nurse assigned to me who calls to check on me at least once a week and if I need something I call her first. She then talks with the doctor or has me connected to the doctor ASAP. Sometimes my husband calls for me. Good luck. Hopefully they can get this resolved for you. It's a scary feeling to have chest pain and to be short of breath. Even though I now know what to expect it's still scary sometimes.
  • Tracie1981
    Tracie1981 Member Posts: 125
    #4
    brigit said:

    I had chest pain after my
    I had chest pain after my first 2 treatments. After my first treatment I ended up in the ER with chest pain and shortness of breath. They didn't find anything wrong with my heart other than some fluid around my heart and lungs (which I was aware of already). The same happened after my second treatment just not as bad. I didn't go to the ER but I was at my MDs office for blood work and talked with her about it. She thought that it was probably just reflux and prescribed me an antireflux medication to take everyday. This seems to work for me. I still have some chest discomfort occasionally. I also get tachycardic sometimes. This dosen't happen every treatment anymore and it usually goes away after a day or 2. During this time my BP is also a little higher than normal.

    If you are concerned talk with your doctor. You shouldn't feel like you are bothering him or her. They need to know what's going on so that they can try to help you. If you have a nurse coordinator talk with her. I'm lucky to have a nurse assigned to me who calls to check on me at least once a week and if I need something I call her first. She then talks with the doctor or has me connected to the doctor ASAP. Sometimes my husband calls for me. Good luck. Hopefully they can get this resolved for you. It's a scary feeling to have chest pain and to be short of breath. Even though I now know what to expect it's still scary sometimes.

    brigit
    I also went to the ER after the first treatment and they said that the chest pain was normal after doing an EKG and a CT scan, after this treatment I said screw it and just started popping the pills. I am definitely going to talk to my Dr. again about the stomach and chest pain, I cant wait for wednesday to get here so I can find out what needs to be done to get over this pain. Thank you so much and God Bless!
  • Tracie1981
    Tracie1981 Member Posts: 125
    #5
    yesyes2 said:

    Stomach pain
    Hi Tracie,
    I think it's always wise to contact your doctor with chest pains. However, with it than settling in you stomach it sure sounds like your experiencing Gerd, acid reflux. It's not uncommon with chemo therapy. Although I don't have any experience with ABVD I do have experience with RCHOP which as some of the same drugs. And maybe your onc can prescribe an acid reducer for your stomach pain.
    I'm sorry you feel your Onc is getting annoyed with you. If my onc wasn't annoyed with me I probably wouldn't ever get well as asking questions and knowing what's happening with my body is my job. Patents who take care of themselves are said to do better than patents who don't make waves. That said the chemo nurses are a great resource and can handle many questions and concerns without getting the doctor involve.
    Good luck and G-d bless,
    Leslie

    Gerd?
    What exactly does that feel like? Its not like heartburn that I feel its real stomach cramping. I'm awake everynight from the pain. Just curious, because I can handle it if its treatable by over the counter meds, I'm just tired of taking the narcotics to keep the pain away. They make me tired and lethargic and I'm sure its not good for my heart as much trauma as its been through already. I know I've been doing by best to stay as healthy as I can, I drink 8 bottles of water a day and eat all whole grains now. I just hope its not anything more serious. Thank you and God Bless!!
  • MNK
    MNK Member Posts: 12
    #6
    Stomach Pains
    Tracie:

    During my ABVD treatments I too had stomach pains like your describing. What I discovered was that all the good bacteria in my stomach had been destroyed by the Chemo and I needed to replace it. I started eating yogurt (any type) and within a hour or so the pains would go anyway. My routine then became, eating yogurt for the first 3 days after my Chemo and the pains never came back.

    Hope this helps.

    MNK
  • Katie Koo
    Katie Koo Member Posts: 1
    #7
    MNK said:

    Stomach Pains
    Tracie:

    During my ABVD treatments I too had stomach pains like your describing. What I discovered was that all the good bacteria in my stomach had been destroyed by the Chemo and I needed to replace it. I started eating yogurt (any type) and within a hour or so the pains would go anyway. My routine then became, eating yogurt for the first 3 days after my Chemo and the pains never came back.

    Hope this helps.

    MNK

    Side Effects
    Hi Everyone,

    I have Hodgkin's and i have had 3 sessions of chemo, i have my next one on Tuesday 19th April. I'm not actually in America i'm English.
    On Sunday 10th April i had the worst ever chest pains in my life. My chest went really tight and i had sharp pains / cramps,this lasted a couple of hours and for the rest of the day my chest felt uncomfortable. I also have bad side, back and stomach pains. I didnt know if all this is normal but its nice (well not nice) to know that other people are experiencing the same things. I will defo try some yogurt!! :-)I have spent most of the week hugging a hot water bottle which doesnt make the pain go away but it eases it.
    I am lucky in a way as ive had no sickness just a sore mouth and the above. I will ask the nurses about my chest pain when i go on Tuesday.

    Lots of Love

    Katie
    xx
  • bostongirl2011
    bostongirl2011 Member Posts: 2
    #8
    stomach pains
    I had my first ABVD treatment Friday 5/13-I've been doing alright, but have been totally sidetracked by the stomach pains/discomfort. My doc said "esophagitis", RX's prilosec and maalox as needed. I was in agony-although after some scrambled eggs this morning I am once again in pain. I might try the yogurt thing, its going to be a long few months if this continues-it's almost debilitating!
  • michelleb1064
    michelleb1064 Member Posts: 53
    #9
    ABVD
    I do chemo ABVD as well. I get stomach pains too. They are caused from a few different things. Chemo ABVD is really hard on the GI track. I get thrush from the chemo and it gets in my gi track and stomach and it is painfull. I went to the er with this problem. They did a ct scan but thrush in the gi track does not show up in a ct scan. I asked my doctor for diflucan, which is a preventative. I also take probiotic pills which are just over the counter. They put back the live healthy bacteria back into your body. Eat acidophilus yogurt and stay away from raw fruits and veggies because they carry a lot of bad bacteria and can make you sick. You may also have acid reflux. I get that as well. Hope this helps. Take care.
    Michelle
  • bostongirl2011
    bostongirl2011 Member Posts: 2
    #10
    michelleb1064 said:

    ABVD
    I do chemo ABVD as well. I get stomach pains too. They are caused from a few different things. Chemo ABVD is really hard on the GI track. I get thrush from the chemo and it gets in my gi track and stomach and it is painfull. I went to the er with this problem. They did a ct scan but thrush in the gi track does not show up in a ct scan. I asked my doctor for diflucan, which is a preventative. I also take probiotic pills which are just over the counter. They put back the live healthy bacteria back into your body. Eat acidophilus yogurt and stay away from raw fruits and veggies because they carry a lot of bad bacteria and can make you sick. You may also have acid reflux. I get that as well. Hope this helps. Take care.
    Michelle

    ABVD cont'd.
    Thank you for the advice Michelle! I have been drinking a little bit of Kefir (ultra probiotic yogurt drink) for the past 2 days, and i think it might be helping. I have noticed a decrease in the pain. The heartburn is gone, which is good and I'll keep taking the prilosec until further notice. Are there other symptoms of thrush? which is essentially a yeast infection right? Im not sure I have that...yet...
    but round 2 is on friday so i hope im a little better prepped this time around to handle the GI discomfort which has been the worst of it.
    be well.
  • michelleb1064
    michelleb1064 Member Posts: 53
    #11
    bostongirl2011 said:

    ABVD cont'd.
    Thank you for the advice Michelle! I have been drinking a little bit of Kefir (ultra probiotic yogurt drink) for the past 2 days, and i think it might be helping. I have noticed a decrease in the pain. The heartburn is gone, which is good and I'll keep taking the prilosec until further notice. Are there other symptoms of thrush? which is essentially a yeast infection right? Im not sure I have that...yet...
    but round 2 is on friday so i hope im a little better prepped this time around to handle the GI discomfort which has been the worst of it.
    be well.

    ABVD & Thrush
    Thust is an oral yeast infection. I noticed that I still get a very mild case but it not painful. I can tell because my tongue gets a white coat on it, looks almost like I drank a glass of milk and didnt all go down. Sometimes after brushing my teeth and tongue, it appears it gone but it returns later. The difflucan pills and the over the counter probiotics really help with the pain though and keep it from getting out of control. Btw you can ask your dr for meds for the stomach acid instead of taking prilsec. It may end up cheaper. That way you can use your insurance. I have had 10 rounds of ABVD. I am not a pro at this but I am lucky enough to have my own built in RN at home. If you have any other questions I can try to get you an answer. Take care
    Michelle
  • Tracie1981
    Tracie1981 Member Posts: 125
    #12
    michelleb1064 said:

    ABVD & Thrush
    Thust is an oral yeast infection. I noticed that I still get a very mild case but it not painful. I can tell because my tongue gets a white coat on it, looks almost like I drank a glass of milk and didnt all go down. Sometimes after brushing my teeth and tongue, it appears it gone but it returns later. The difflucan pills and the over the counter probiotics really help with the pain though and keep it from getting out of control. Btw you can ask your dr for meds for the stomach acid instead of taking prilsec. It may end up cheaper. That way you can use your insurance. I have had 10 rounds of ABVD. I am not a pro at this but I am lucky enough to have my own built in RN at home. If you have any other questions I can try to get you an answer. Take care
    Michelle

    Hey Guys
    Wow, I posted this over a YEAR ago!! But the funny thing is, I still have stomach discomfort. I cant take even a tylenol without my stomach going into fits! Yogurt does help but it also hurts as well. It temporarily takes the pain away and then it comes back with a vengence, I'm pretty sure the ABVD did a real number on me. I've been done with treatments since Oct.19th. and I'm still suffering. It is getting easier and more tolerable with each passing day. Goodluck to you gals, hope you figure it out! God Bless :) Tracie
  • Arizona61
    Arizona61 Member Posts: 2
    #13
    Tracie1981 said:

    Hey Guys
    Wow, I posted this over a YEAR ago!! But the funny thing is, I still have stomach discomfort. I cant take even a tylenol without my stomach going into fits! Yogurt does help but it also hurts as well. It temporarily takes the pain away and then it comes back with a vengence, I'm pretty sure the ABVD did a real number on me. I've been done with treatments since Oct.19th. and I'm still suffering. It is getting easier and more tolerable with each passing day. Goodluck to you gals, hope you figure it out! God Bless :) Tracie

    I've taken ABVD
    ABVD is a tough treatment. I don't know how many times you have been treated with it. I had treatments with ABVD in 1985-1986 for about 11 months, one treatment every 2-3 weeks. The wors side effects for me were abour 1-2 months after treatment. Then it became a little less. It used to help me to soak in a really hot tub after treaments, and after my stomach settled down. Hang in there -it DOES get better. The treatments worked for me. Take care--Arizona61

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