Recommendations needed - cooling gloves& socks to help with neuropathy.

Hello. 
I didn’t use any cooling gloves/socks. Hope someone will comment with some advice on that. 
For going to Chemo, I took a blanket, a crossword book or book, some snacks and also some ear pods, as I listened to podcasts. I hope this helps. 
Sending hugs. xx

Thank you for your message and sharing what you took with you to chemo. It's really helpful ! 

Dags xx

No problem. xx

Hi Dags,

From my experience I was advised that neuropathy is a more common side effect with the Docetaxel. But I also wanted to let you know that I was due to have the same plan as you but I had a hard time on the EC so I decided to have 12 weeks of paclitaxel. Instead of the 3 Docetaxel as it was a lower dose weekly rather than a high dose every 3 weeks. I'm on my 8th week and touch wood no neuropathy. I hope this makes sense. Good luck on the EC the first week is hard but then you feel better in the 2nd week and nearly normal in the 3rd. 

When do you start your treatment? 

Hugsxxxx

Louise x

I'm coming to the end of my chemo. I'm on the second week of my last EC. I can't remember what the first three months stuff was and my folders downstairs. However I know this, you could spend a fortune buying stuff for side effects you never have. Lotions for the skin, fancy teas so help with the nausea, special food replacements, hair care, the list is endless. Most of which seem to double in price if chemotherapy is mentioned. Then you start and discover that all you really needed was an extra 1/4 teaspoon of chilli flakes in food to give it a bit more flavour and a plastic drain cover for the shower, to stop the hair blocking it up.

I bought turbans to wear when my hair fell out, never wore them. I preferred scarves and used what I had till I found the right type then I went a bit mad and I have one to co ordinate with everything in my wardrobe. In the house if my head was cold I wore a woolly hat or put my hood up on my hoodie.

I understand the idea. We want to be in control and prepared but let's be honest most items can be delivered in 24 hrs if we really need them Or someone can nip to the shop. Chemotherapy can be a license to print money, a bit like weddings in my opinion.

I'm about to have a bilateral mastectomy, according to some things I read I'll need a reclining chair to sleep in! Really, maybe some pillows from the spare bed will be sufficient.

 Silverberg and I had chemo side effects at two different ends of the spectrum. The key sentence in her piece......if we need them. The problem is we won't know until the chemo starts exactly what is needed.

I agree with Silverberg that there are too many expensive items recommended these days. I did get neuropathy because 3 x Taxotere was the only chemo on offer 10 years ago. Weekly reduced doses and 80% on the EC have reduced problems immensely . However I don't believe the cooling gloves and socks would have stopped what happened to my feet and hands. What might have helped was if I had been aware of the symptoms....what was a normal reaction and what was not ....and acted swiftly when the neuropathy first started but I didn't, assuming the burning sensations and severe skin peeling was normal . I didn't want to make a fuss and sadly the neuropathy did it's permanent damage. 

I was also physically sick throughout all the chemo despite having the ' gold star' anti emetics of the time. My feeling is that because everyone is an individual, the reactions you have can't be generalised. Your body reacts exactly how it wants despite any actions you might take to prevent it. 

Therefore, like Silverberg I don't think spending large amounts of money on gadgets and gimmicks will prevent what will probably happen .....or not ...anyway. I do believe it is still worth having a few preparations to hand .... laxatives, immodium, mouthwash, one or tea ginger teas and definitely one pretty head covering whether it be scarf ( I was hopeless at tying scarves) or turban but don't overspend until you know what is going to suit you and what help you might need. For Silverberg chili in food and she had an amazing appetite whilst in contrast, I didn't eat for several days each cycle because of sickness, living of a ginger infusion my OH made with sugar syrup.

All we can both say that matches our differing symptoms is that the end does come and we did sort out a manageable system our own way.

Take care of yourselves.......

Thank you for your honest opinion, I really appreciate it. I am at the begining of the difficult journey ahead and I am trying to prepare myself as best as I can but you are right, maybe it's worth waiting until I actually start my treatment before spending lots of money on things that I may not even need. 

P.S. I did see the advice about the recliner chair and I thought it was a bit over the top. If I need to have a bilateral mastectomy, I wouldn't even have space to put a new chair in my house !

I hope everything goes well with your surgery and I wish you a quick recovery. Sending hugs xx

Hi Louise, 

I am still waiting for my start date but was told it will be in a couple of weeks. I've read all the information that I was given about EC & Docetaxel and I am nervous about starting my treatment. I am 39 and have no underlying conditions so I am hoping (or kidding myself ) that maybe I won't have very severe side affects. Who knows...

Dagna xx

Hi Dagna, everyone of us was nervous and scared at the start, and I was shit scared when I went from one chemo to the other, I was also scared when I went to have my picc line put in, so much so that I was shaking. I have cried myself dry and you know what? It's all normal. How ever I have felt I have let it happen and not tried to push my feelings down. Like I have done most of my life. I felt if I did that this time I would pay the price later down the line with my mental health. So I promised myself no matter what I would take care of myself. I have still enjoyed the days I felt good and just gone with the flow when I didn't. But every time I had a side effect that I didn't expect or that was too much I called the help line I was given for advice. My first treatment I called them 3 times. Because the sooner you can put your mind to rest the better. That's what there there for. And keep chatting on here, 

Xxxxxxx