After effects

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So here I am again. Driving you all mad with my posts!  What a week. Is it like this for everyone?  Only 1 week in and constant fatigue, nausea, dizziness. I read my medication leaflets for the anti sickness medicine and the steroids and it says they can cause all the symptoms do day 5 and off them all (apart from the needle in the belly) am I due a reprieve until the next course. Please tell me there’s a break where life feels even a little normal. Then there’s the weird effects with no explanation. Like why does your wee suddenly turn red. Not the initial after effects of the chemo medication but 3 days later. Called the assessment team only to call back the next day to say it was normal. What an idiot!  And now the random leakage when in bed?  Anyone else had that. It’s not wee - just like water?  Sorry to be so descriptive but this is the only place where I feel I can be completely honest and not be judged and also find someone who has had the same experiences. I know this is only going to get harder but as a person who does not even take paracetamol I’m dreading what’s to come. 

  • And insomnia judging by the time of your post! Never feel silly for checking out symptoms, even if you’re told it’s ‘normal’, what on earth is normal about any of it. Chemo is hard work. I felt all these things you describe, I didn’t have the random leakage but I struggled to hold my own water and worse. I don’t know what you’re on, I had ECT, I usually had a good week at the end of each cycle. I didn’t find things got worse with each cycle, it was different each time. If you click on my name you will see some of my experiences and some tips. And definitely come on here for a moan or advice. No judgements here x

  • Thank you. I appreciate all the support. 

  • Hi, I hear you, but trust me, it does get a little more normal before it all starts again!  Thought my blog might be of interest, it's the things I wish I'd known. Best of luck 

    Chemo blog link

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  • Hi Eden, 

    I had 4 ECs 3 weeks apart and on day 5 experienced the awful symptoms lifting by the hour as the day went on. it was just such a relief that day! I had a spreadsheet from oncology pharmacist listing which med to take when and like you I hadn’t been on any prescriptions before… So apart from a couple of the jabs left I had just over 2 weeks feeling ok. The first 2 jabs of Filgrastim made my shoulders and pelvis ache each time but the remaining 3 didn’t. 
    3 weeks after the ECs I started weekly paclitaxels and didn’t have anything to take with them. The day after each infusion was the best, probably due to the meds they put in with it, then about 2 days a bit dizzy and nauseous, then ok. The weekly blood tests were reassuring and I was asked how my feet were every time. I was changed down to 80% of the dose after the 7th infusion as my toes were getting very sore and tender. My toenails did become thick and yellow, but grew out in a few months- it was nice to see the normal pink advancing.

    Ididn’t  have random leaking at night but was drinking a lot of water and did experience urgency getting to the loo, particularly getting home after a walk or going to local shops. 
    I hope the treatment works out tolerably for you, snd all the very best. xx

  • Thank you so much for your reply. It’s really helpful to hear how everyone is affected by all this