So exhausted

Hi there, and sorry that you are really suffering with the side effects:(( It sounds like a really scary and miserable two weeks.

I know some hospitals give FEC still, but a lot have dropped the 'F' part as it's know to add to the already not great side effects of EC, which most hospitals now give as the effectiveness is about the same. Is it worth speaking to your oncologist when you see them before the next cycle about how bad your side effects have been, and ask about that? You could also ask for different anti-nausea drugs if the ones you were initially given aren't strong enough. Do you have a breast nurse you can contact to get help from? Usually they can quickly speak to the consultant about concerns and get back to you. Mine had the hospital pharmacist phone me and they emailed a prescription to my GP that day for another anti-nausea drug on day 5 of my first cycle when I was suffering. Don't be scared let them know how you are feeling as they want you to feel as well as possible through the treatment.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on. x

I’m to scared to phone now as they will just send me to see a local doctor again, I even spoke to the chemo unit on the Monday and they just said keep taking what you been prescribed, now it just comes out the other end (sorry but graphic) I just feel I don’t know which way to turn, left a message for breast nurse on Friday but now it bank holiday I won’t be hearing back from her till at least Tuesday and sure she on holiday anyway. I just feel nobody gives a damn and here’s your chemo now sling your hook and we see you in three weeks, sorry I feel so weak I just ramble, I really don’t think I’m going to be strong enough for round two let alone anymore, now just keeping dont just leave it, but I want the best chance Ive not even got grandkids yet

Hi I have just had my first treatment last week. Wednesday I had trastuzumab and pertuzumab and on Thursday I had docetaxel and carboplatin. Going forward I will have all the drugs together.

I'm feeling very sick and can hardly eat anything - I've already lost a few pounds.

I'm feeling very low at moment and like you can't see me getting through this long horrible journey - but what other option is there?

I live in Derby but am being treated at the Royal Marsden in London - can't fault them, they are fantastic and as it is one of the best cancer hospitals in the country I do feel safe.

However that doesn't stop the horrible side effects. Some people appear to be so strong and brave whereas all I want to do is cry.

Is this normal?

It’s awful spotty horse, it doesn’t help as I was fobbed off for months they kept telling me there was nothing wrong and they would check on me in September, now had breast removed all nodes removed and in chemo and we not even in bloody September, I’m so angry and I’m sure this isn’t helping but I have no trust whatsoever and feel like I’m just a nuisance, I’ve just cried all day and don’t know how to be brave, I feel so messed up x

Ladies, I really don’t think this is acceptable, your chemo unit should do something about this, surely you shouldn’t be left feeling this bad? 

Please do phone up and when you speak to an experienced nurse, don’t hold back the tears, they should get to hear how sick you really feel. 

No I haven’t had chemo but have watched daughter through lots (my profile tells you more) and she was always treated with courtesy and kindness and anything they could do to make her chemo easier, was done. Yes, to begin with she assumed you had to feel ill, but once she asked for help it was there. 

Hugs xxx

You don’t get to speak to unit, you have to speak to chemo phone line, then they just send you to doctor, waiting room full of sick kids and people chucking up, I’m day 12 so shit scared of catching anything, although at this rate maybe I already bloody have

That’s awful, I assume that’s A&E? If so then you should insist on waiting in an area that’s closed to the sick kids etc and being fast tracked. If all that fails then 111 will triage you on the phone and then you should be fast tracked again to an area well away from risk of infection. 

Because it’s a bank holiday weekend I guess this is the option open? It’s pants, but if you’re feeling that unwell then maybe it’s the only thing to do? 

Hugs xxx

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When/if you go to A&E, which I think you should and doesn't have to be your treatment hospital, make sure that they know that you are being treated with chemotherapy. You should have a card given by the unit to show this. That's really for to alert them to the risk of sepsis, but they should keep you away from possible infection, especially as you are in week 2. They should check your bloods at the very least, and try to get the nausea sorted. What drugs did they give you? There are some really good ones, but some hospitals keep them back as they cost a lot. My favourite one is £48 for three capsules!

No the chemo helpline, or arranged for me up to see out of hours doctor, with a waiting room full of sick people and they where aware I was having chemo, that was two nights in a row, phone the actual chemo unit on the Monday and they just said keep taking the meds, I’m not sick or feeling sick, I was full of acid (was already on meds for it) and they put me on lansoprazole but now it’s the other end, my stomache feels huge like I’m going against the grain, then I put food in and comes out other end