Fed up and about to lose my cool!

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Just looking for somewhere to vent really because I'm just so fed up and my support network don't really understand what I'm going through.

A couple of weeks ago, my PICC line got infected and after a horrendous experience, it was removed. Staff were unsure if there were clots present and so as a precautionary measure, I was given 30 days of fragmin injections. Had these previously after a C-section with my daughter, so knew what to expect etc. So we're 13 days in or so, and I am absolutely black and blue from the injections, I bruise very easily anyway but these are just something else. My stomach is sore and I've just had enough of the damn things now. Due to low platelets and neutrofils etc which has delayed chemo a few times, I'm not sure whether this bruising is normal or not, I suppose I'll have to call for some advice.

Today, I've started with these awful 'eggy' burps, which are disgusting and kick start nausea, the ondansetron tablets I've been prescribed don't work at all.

My stoma output has been like yellow water all day, I've emptied it 8+ times. I'm taking loperamide tablets like they're going out of fashion, and they aren't doing anything at all.

Does anyone have any advice or experience at all regarding any of the above? I'm wondering if perhaps the burps and stoma issue could indicate a tummy bug or something?

Not sure on the fragmin front, think I will definitely need to call for advice on that.

Just seems to be one thing after another at the moment and I'm so fed up with it all. I've just had my 4th cycle of chemo out of 12, still to have my stoma reversal op, and the light at the end of the tunnel that I saw just seems to be getting further away. Constantly disheartened when chemo is delayed, or when things aren't going as I'm used to.

dom1969 over 5 years ago

hi jen

Chin up!! it could be a lot worse!! cant really offer any advise apart from ask to try nabilone for sickness..

the positive is...im 2 years post treatment and currently pissed as a fart!! its bloody hard but plod plod away and youll get there

court over 5 years ago in reply to dom1969

Hi ,

To me that sounds a lot to endure at the moment and lots of obstacles in your way to access your treatment . One thing we did learn with time was to speak up a bit sooner . We nursed a few things at home for too long when a solution would have been available had we spoken to the team . I would give your cancer centre a call as there is no point in suffering side effects that they might be able to ease for you . My mum ended up with two emergencies the first year . It felt like we were hitting bumps on the road all the way . The second year was much better as she feed back information to her team , sought out her GP quicker and it all was nipped one the bud before it became a problem . It takes a few cycles to get on top of these things for some people so please , please speak to your team or our helpline staff 0808 808 0000 would be more than happy to help you .

I will also tag in to see if he has any thoughts on your digestion issues .

Remember to tell your oncologist just how you are feeling . The second year my mum’s chemo was reduced by 20% of one drug and it made the world of a difference to her . She took all her treatment through a cannula , came with some issues too but she got there in the end .

Please feel free to let off steam here as it’s a lot for you to endure and it’s soo frustrating for you .

Think Dom might have a wee headache today !

take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 5 years ago

Jen988

Hi Jen

Just wondering how you are today and what your stoma output is doing. Normally my first reaction would be to suggest that it was a reaction to a drug reaction but you could be correct in assuming that you have some sort of infection that is giving you high output yellow watery output and if it continues into Monday a call to your GP should be on the cards.

To curtail your high output perhaps cut back on your food input and try to eat bananas, mashed potatoes, porridge, applesauce, plain white rice, bread or toast.

It's always a good excuse to eat marshmallows and jelly babies.

With the high output you you are experiencing, how is your peeing, are you still managing okay and not experiencing any problems like difficulty in peeing and pain if your pee is very dark brown it could be you are dehydrated which will be a result of your high output and you should ensure that you keep your fluid intake up, it is very likely that you will be losing electrolytes, vitamins and salts as a short term solution grab a packet of plain salted crisps and think about taking an electrolyte drink such as Dioralyte to replace any lost electrolytes etc.

Depending on the type of stoma you have some of your medication will pass straight through especially if it they are delayed release capsules, if any of your oral medication falls into this category speak to your GP about changing to a tablet or syrup type.

If the watery output does not clear up by tomorrow morning I think a call to NHS111 would be called for and speak to the duty oncall doctor for advice.

Jen, always remember this is the place not only to ask questions but to come on for a chat or let off steam it really does you good to get everything off your chest.

Please keep us informed how things progress with you.

Ian

FormerMember over 5 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Jen988

Apologies Jen but I should have mentioned something about Loperamide and Imodium, if you are taking the original version in capsules they may be passing straight through your system and having little effect you might want to consider changing to Imodium Instants as they dissolve in the mouth or syrup prescribed by your GP.

We should discuss with our GP any medication that comes in capsule form especially modified slow release capsules as they may not have effect due passing straight through your system and see if they come in tablet form or syrup.

Ian