Had my first chemo session on Monday, and was very nervous beforehand, but it all seemed to go pretty much okay. Lots of waiting around before anything happened so a long day (left home just after 8am and not back till almost 4pm)--be prepared for this. Placlitaxel then Carboplatin, but first an anti sickness tablet then IV piriton and high dose steroids (the brief spell of dizziness later with raised blood pressure apparently likely caused by the steroids nurse said). Obviously not expecting to get away with no side effects over the 6 scheduled 3-weekly sessions, but I was really scared beforehand and not even sure I could do this at all so wanted to share my experience in case it helps others feeling as I was. Met some lovely people too, staff and patients.
Hi Mycelium
Am glad that it went ok. I found the piriton would make me want to sleep each time.
I found that I felt reasonable for the first 48 hours and then I would have side effects when the steroid was dropped on day 3. Most of the worst effects passed by day 7. For the first week I would just go with the flow and there was a lot of snoozing on and off.
It can be a long day as the paclitaxel is normally infused over 3 hours and then the carboplatin takes an hour however there are also all the other bits and bobs such as flushes that also take time.
I found the first session was the hardest as you are new to it all but once that one was done it felt easier.
Jane
There can be different regimes and doses- sometimes there can also be changes. My chemo was in 2022.
It can be a big thing to have the first chemo and I know for me there was also an emotional side to being shattered -as well as the physical side.
Rest up and hopefully you'll feel a lot more yourself in a few days.
When you have your review perhaps ask whether you can take an anti nausea tablet before you arrive, so it is already working? I was told to do that during radiotherapy by my consultant.
Have an easy day today, I would spend time on the sofa for the first few days and would doze on and off. Drink plenty and eat little and often of anything you fancy.
