Hi all I'm new here. Breast Cancer removed in Dec. I am due to start Chemotherapy on Monday. What can I expect in the first few days after it starts. Or right away??
All the best of luck to you with chemo, I was on EC-T so this would be my advice. Just remember that everyone may experience different side effects. My tips are have a well stocked medicine cabinet. My support drugs from the hospital were steroids, difflam mouthwash, loperamide (for diahorrea), and metaclopromide (for sickness) I supplemented this with lactulose and glycerin supposetries (for constipation) paracetamol, ibuprofen and omeprazole (for acid reflux) and Gaviscon. Many people get acid and it makes the nausea worse. Buy a thermometer and use it! Take all the support meds given by the hospital (apart from difflam, use as and when) including the metaclopromide, don’t wait to feel sick, it’s easier to manage if you stave it off. Practice good oral hygiene, go to the dentist and hygienist before you start chemo and use a daily non alcoholic mouthwash, usually marked as ‘sensitive’. Be aware that quite a few ladies get UTIs with the first couple of cycles but misinterpret the symptoms as chemo related, if you start shaking, slightly burny wee, lots of weeing get it checked out even if you don’t have a temperature. Also if the dip stick at the surgery comes back ok, insist the sample is sent to the lab as the dipsticks are only 50% effective. UTIs very treatable with antibiotics and boy you’ll feel better! Many people describe the feeling of chemo after a day or two as having the worlds worst hangover, I found that helpful to know what to expect. It’s useful to keep a diary of your side effects too, they may give you one to fill out but if not keep one for yourself. Any questions then post, but follow your instinct above all else, if you think something isn’t right, get on the phone to the support team, it’s what they’re there for. All the best of luck xx
It depends on what type of chemo, and on the person receiving it. I have been on two different chemo regimes. With the first one, the first treatment was uneventful, I did not experience any side effects at that point, these only started to appear for me after the second treatment, I think. With the second chemo regime the side effects were there right after the first treatment, intensifying on day 5-6 and starting to improve several days later, and included extreme fatigue and loss of balance amongst other things.
In terms of medications, with my first chemo regime I was offered anti-sickness meds but with no stipulation about when or if to use them, so I never used any and it was fine. With the second chemo regime I was told, with urgency, to use all the anti-sickness meds, so I did, with the understanding that that regime really did require it.
If you tell us what chemo treatment you are starting, people here will be able to give answers based on their own experiences with that particular treatment. However, I would say prepare to possibly feel unwell, so be aware of what symptoms need to be reported and dealt with as a matter of urgency (you should be briefed on that before starting chemo, possibly on the day.)
Hi . I blogged throughout my treatment as it helped me to write things down. This post in particular about things I wish I’d known before starting chemo might help. Good luck
