Does chemo get harder?

Hi Happydays28

Welcome to the group and I'm sorry you have to go through this.

Chemo can be hard at times but i your lucky you can get away without too many side effects. If you feel really ill after Chemo you can talk to someone on your oncology team and they will either adjust your Chemo, your meds or give you a prescription for something to help with side effects.

Best of luck with the rest of your treatment.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Thanks Daisy53 

yes I’ll need to reach out if it get worse etc trying to think positively and also managed to do small runs each day which I’ve found has helped! 

What chemo drugs are you on? Everyone reacts differently. I found I got more and more tired as the cycles went on. I hade EC then docetaxel. The EC I found not too bad (other than the first cycle when I vomited for 24 hours!). I still jogged once I was through the first week and worked too. I found the docetaxel pretty tough and they reduced my dose after the first one as I could barely get out of bed or off the sofa for 10 days. I still worked, but jogging was impossible as my muscles just didn't work and I had sore joints. Chemo is cumulative, and you're starting at a lower point each cycle too. My bloods were only just able to take my final cycle and I found that one the longest to recover from. Of course, they say it takes a year or so to fully recover your energy levels from chemo, and I still get pretty tired out now (I finished in Jan, though only just finished radiotherapy).

I found it really useful to keep a diary of side effects as you can read back ad see what happened last cycle on that same day. I was always surprised at how long my side effects really lingered, even though I was back to work etc.

You're through the first one now which is fantastic! I found once I was in the swing of them, my life just because about the 3 week cycles. I tended to have a tough/tired few days to a week, then an OK week then a good week before the next one hit!

Hi Happyday,

Hope you’re feeling OK. Everyone is different and every chemo is different. At least that’s what I’ve found. My second EC was actually better than my first.

Arm yourself with all medications that you can for SE. Stronger painkillers, constipation and diarrhoea meds, mouth ulcer gel (soft toothbrush and milder toothpaste) etc. I’ve been lucky as I’ve never experienced nausea or vomiting. If one anti-sickness medication isn’t working you can try another. Same goes for painkillers. Don’t  hesitate to use them. Phone your BC Nurse (or out of hours) if you’re experiencing SE you can’t cope with. There is no need to suffer. 

I’ve used loads of moisturisers, creams etc. They really do help.

Let your body guide you. Sleep if you’re tired. Exercise does help too though. But pace yourself.

My chemo was changed and, although I’m more tired on this regime, other SEs have lessened. I’m having my 5th chemo next week with only one more after that. So, although it’s not always pleasant (to say the least), it is doable.

I’d say it’s best to take each chemo as it comes. It may be worse or it may not be. 

All the best with your treatment. Hope SEs are minimal.

Bluebell xx

Thanks all! Really appreciate your feedback! My first cycle of EC. I have to admit I’m a little worried about the next session but trying to remain positive.

it’s been the worse week but also great week as I got a new job through all of this. Made redundant during Covid! I need a focus so really excited about the challenge & happy to be going through the chemo process to getting better!  The nurses have been amazing & couldn’t ask for better nurses! 

Thanks for the advice. I’m on EC every 2 weeks. I’ve started to take notes of my side effects. 

im trying to live a normal life as much as possible! I have another 7 cycles left x 

I had my first EC yesterday and felt a bit rough today - fairly queasy but that may be linked to stress, long day and the fact I ate rubbish all day yesterday which was pure sugar! I’m taking the anti sickness pills as prescribed and hope it will improve in a couple of days. Making sure I drink plenty of water and eat little and often. Had a headache aswell which is prob due to the same reasons aswell as feeling queasy as I quite often get them together. 
anyway so pleased to have done 1 - 7 to go (or 5 perhaps just waiting to hear xx

Hi Monalisa1869

Sorry to hear that you are feeling a bit rough today after your first treatment. I hope that you feel better soon. I took my anti-sickness tablets in I felt sick after my treatment and I found that they worked for me.

Mind yourself.

Best wishes

Daisy53 xx

Look after yourself! I think I got myself so worked up for the session that it made the side effects worse. Also don’t like needles & watched the red chemo go through. I didn’t eat before hand (think due to nerves) did have a little sushi pack which didn’t go down too well after treatment. 

we’ve got this

I had my first EC chemo cycle, the first 2 days with steroids were bearable, but today when I only took the anti sickness meds I was sooo tired and got a horrible headache, my face seems swallowed a even my eyes hurt. If tomorrow I’ m not getting better , I ‘ m calling the chemo department to check if this is normal .  Good luck with your treatment and hope it gets better !