*** June BC Chemo Club 2020 ***

Im. About to start Chemo. Where did you  get the headgear you mention

Jan 

Hi  

my story on profile I got my sleep beanies and day caps/ hats on amazon . Bamboo ones are really good . One thing I did was plain beanie then used different headbands not sure if it was this sort of info you wanted . 

Margaret 

I've been given Filgrastim for the 5 days after each session. They got easier when I asked if my partner could do them into my bum rather than my thigh or stomach and I couldn't see them coming anymore! 

I wasn't given any Ondansetron this time, but I was given enough Domperidone to take daily until my next session. I still had a really rotten time with nausea on days 4 and 5. I guess at least it was only two really bad days even if it felt endless at the time.

Does anyone know what the pattern is typically like for Docetaxel compared to AC? On AC the first week and a bit was crap but I felt almost normal and better each day for the rest of the cycle. I can always wait and see how I go but knowing the pattern made it easier to plan work and social calls.

Hi, 

For me side effects from docetaxel- felt ok for first few days , aches and pains in my legs, diarrhoea, metallic taste in mouth, vaginal dryness , spots, walking really slow this was in the first week then settled. Had x4 cycles each one got easier . As they progressed my nose started dripping.

FEC- only had one dose- really nauseated, pins and needles down my arms across my chest and my face headachy all within a couple of hours. Then queasy the next day also constipation.

For me FEC better but everyone different. From reading on here some people get very few symptoms I got quite a few. Also learnt for vaginal dryness can get a gel prescribed from GP  replenish or YES. Put Vaseline in nose to protect. Have laxatives and Imodium in stock. Lots of paracetamol. Drank diluting juice. 

Hope you get on ok xxx

Thankyou 

Hi , I found docetaxel much easier than EC ,fingers crossed same for you. Main difference is that EC side effects kick in after a few hours whereas with docetaxel usually day 3/4 ish.  I had loose bowels on 1st D. For 2 days but ok on other cycles but then had constipation.  Was advised to wear dark nail varnish to protect nails and touch wood they ok. As always tell your team any side effects and they can usually help. Good luck! X

Hi , I found docetaxel much easier than EC ,fingers crossed same for you. Main difference is that EC side effects kick in after a few hours whereas with docetaxel usually day 3/4 ish.  I had loose bowels on 1st D. For 2 days but ok on other cycles but then had constipation.  Was advised to wear dark nail varnish to protect nails and touch wood they ok. As always tell your team any side effects and they can usually help. Good luck! X

Hi all

Thought I would give you my positive experience of chemo and hair loss.

Had first session of EC chemo on 28th May. On first day I ate a lovely home made pizza my daughter made, NOT advisable. Brought the whole lot up! They do tell you to have a light meal so please take their advice. Apart from the one time being sick The only other side affect was constipation. I took a laxative 3 days after chemo and have had no problems since. Antisickness tablets only taken for first 5 days. No other side effects other than these two and one was self inflicted. 

I have lost none of my hair but I am cold capping. I have short hair which I think does help. I can only describe the intial feeling as having a bucket of ice tipped on your head, remember the ice bucket challenge that's what it's like. It is uncomfortable for the first 15-20 minutes but if you can get through this time it does get better. I am having a second session next week so I thought I would wait and see how that goes then post again. 

Hope this may help some of you that are worried about starting chemo and loosing your hair.

Linda xx

Hi all,

I got this cap from Amazon really comfy. I ordered a bandana from Amazon but was a bit small and I have a small head.

My 1st chemo re earlier post was a bit pants lots of sickened I get both drugs at same time, since then I have had constipation then couple of days of the runs lol. I got my hair cut short and I am hoping I don’t lose any but time will tell.

i went on the scales and between lockdown and stress eating I have eaten an elephant or maybe the battery needs changed on the scales. Anyway I’ve got out the Slimmng World books and will get my fit bit on and try to walk around the garden to get my steps up now I’m feeling a bit better today.

take care everyone

Sandrs 

x

Hope you are all well. I got a bamboo cap 

I found focusware scarves off Amazon very good. They have a long waist length scarf Attached so lots of different ways to style. I got a good wig from a company called headscarves by Ciara. I bought a few wigs from Amazon but they tangled really quickly.xx