First chemo round and feeling rough

Hi Dizzysheep,

I went through chemotherapy for endometrial cancer in 2022.

I found that however much you are expecting to have the side effects, its not until you experience them that you realise how it can actually make you feel. I think the first one is the worst as you don't know quite what to expect and there is the emotional aspect too. My chemo was done on a 3 week cycle and it was the first few days that I would feel rough and then it would get better. 

I found it best to go with the flow really. I spent a few days dozing on and off on the sofa and didn't try to do much more. Eating little and often helped me and keeping up with fluids. Listen to your body and if it is telling you to rest, then rest. You should have been given a 24 hour help line for your hospital and it is worth calling them as with most side effects they can offer medication/support. Sometimes just having them say that something was a normal side effect for the regime I was on and that it usually passed in a couple of days was reassuring. if you feel really unwell then they can assess you over the phone and call you in if you need to be checked. 

For me, after the first few days, I did start to feel better. With each cycle there was a similar pattern with fatigue building up each time. You will have a review within each cycle and it helps if you write down how you are feeling each day and if necessary doses can be adjusted and other medication put in. I found having my steroids put on a tapering dose had a big impact. 

I hope that you will feel over the worst of it soon. It does normally get better, so hang in there. For me it was the first week after the first chemo when I felt the worst. 

Jane

Thank you for replying Jane. I'm receiving chemo for 3 days and today us my 3rd day chemo free. Oh lordy have I felt rough. You're right you just can't prepare for it. My rounds will be every 2 weeks and I've a consultant checkup tomorrow. I'm so hoping things will level out a bit.

Sarah

Hi

This is second time around for me.  I have good days and bad days.

All you can do is go with the flow. I will say at this time of year the weather doesn't help!  I would go for a walk around my block if the weather was good.  As it is, I'm only going outside when I have to!

I try walking around the house to get a bit more energy.

Regatta 

Morning Jane, I have found your post really helpful - first chemo last Friday and find over the weekend but now third day of feeling rough. Feel more emotional too and tearful since this all began months ago but perhaps a side affect too. I do hope things will be a little better by Easter. 
Thank you 

Hi Beepeep

I found the steroids would affect me and make me feel emotional. It is also a big thing to have chemo and there were times that I did feel a bit low and tearful. It is all very normal. 

It is horrible, the rough days, but they do pass. A tip is to write each day in the booklet of how you are feeling and meds etc and you may find there is a pattern that will happen with each cycle. For me it was really the first week was the worst and the first cycle was the worst. After that it got easier. 

Don't forget you will also have a phone number to call where you can speak to one of your nurses and sometimes just having someone tell you that these are expected side effects/feelings- can help. 

The Support Line is also there if you need it. 

If your experience is similar to mine- you should pick up before Easter- maybe just feeling a bit washed out. 

Some days when I felt rough, it helped just to sit out in my garden for a short while. Fresh air and a change of scenery. Other days it was sort of going with the flow and lots of sleeping on and off. Sometimes it is listening to your body and it will do what it needs to heal. 

We are here if you need us and I hope you feel much better soon.

Jane

Everyone has different treatments.

I am on my fourth round, fifth is next week, what I can say is that the first four days are the worst, then it starts improving and then, boom, the next round comes.

As time is passing two things are happening, the body seems to get used to it so it recovers faster, but there are more lasting effects that stay, in my case the taste of the damn thing, a headache that comes and goes and neuropathy which is getting more and more present after the cycles.

Still have eight to go, which I do not look forward to.

I am working from home, which although tiring is excellent for mental health.

Some things have worked for me to ease the overall yuk of the experience:

- coconut water.

- beef broth

- vitamin D

and now the really imprtant ones:

- exercise, get active. I manage to workout, luckily but if you dont have the strength go for walks, cycle.. Just don't stay in bed all day.

- positive attitude. You're taking this to get better from a deadly ilness, this phase will pass and you'll reach the end off the tunnel. All health professionals I have enountered say this is the main asset to get over it well. Easier said than done, but I try .

Hope this helps, and wishing you all the best.