Started chemo last Friday

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Hi, I had my first of six chemo cycles last Friday, and I'm feeling horrible like everyone else does I'm guessing. Do the side effects get easier over time or worse?

Thank you Blush 

  • Hi 

    Everyone is different, some people manage to work through treatment.

    I couldn't. I felt yukky from day 3 to 7 of my 3 weekly cycle. I picked up again the last week. I found my side effects accumulated. The fatigue got worse the more chemo I had. My gastric side effects settled after a day or so.

    Keep a diary and let your care team know your side effects they have a pill for each one.

    It's tough but doable. Sending hugs. Listen to your body. Rest when you need to.  Drink plenty of water. Snack if you don't have an appetite for meals. Scrambled egg or crunchy nut corn flakes were my go to comfort foods. Xx

  • Thank you, I've been writing things down so I can mention it all next time I go. I suppose I wasn't expecting to feel as rubbish so quickly, but tomorrow is another day and maybe it'll be slightly bFingers crossedter Fingers crossedx

  • Listen to your body, rest when you can. I found if I lay in bed for an afternoon nap it helped me to feel better for a bit early evening. I did sleep a lot. I went to bed early. Only thing was the gastric upset sometimes would keep me awake.

    I used buscopan and effervescent paracetamol. They helped when needed.

    If you get mouth ulcers freeze some pineapple juice apparently there are enzymes that help and they did. 

    Take care of yourself. Be kind to yourself. Try to do some pampering of things you like. I used reikki it helped also xx

  • Hi, sorry you're feeling rough, but that's pretty normal I'm afraid.   I blogged throughout my treatment and you might find this useful. Chemo blog link here

    Hopefully you'll start to feel better soon, but do let your BCN know if you have concerns and don't forget the lovely team at Macmillan are at the end of the phone on 0800 808 0000 if you want to chat anything through. Best wishes 

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  • Thank you, I'll give your blog a read Blush