Severe adverse drug reaction during first chemo session

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;>4/1/21 arrived and got height, weight snd temp taken.

PICC line flushed and saline flushed through to keep me hydrated during treatment. Afer 2 hours waiting for medication that had gone missing I was finally given antihistamine, anti sickness and steroids then hooked up to chemo. They gave me emergency buzzer and said if any problems or you feel unwell press buzzer. They had no sooner walked away and I got a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach then a taste in my mouth followed by severe flushing from feet to heat and had to pull my mask off as I felt like I could not breath so I pressed the buzzer and within seconds I was surrounded by nurses.

Yes I had a severe allergic reaction to the chemotherapy and they had to give me antihistamines and steroids to counteract the reaction to the chemo, after the first shot I felt no better so they did the same again and I started to feel better.

Inow have to wait until Dr Giuliani calls me to discuss what happens next week.

Diarrhoea as soon as I got home and felt as though someone has kicked me in the back.

  • Hi 

    I’m really sorry to hear you had an allergic reaction to your chemo drug. It’s quite scary isn’t it, though I’m pleased to hear your nursing team were on the ball and got you sorted quickly. Were you able to continue your chemo?

    This happened to me with my first dose of Paclitaxel - it’d hardly started to go in when my throat constricted, my face swelled and went bright crimson red.  My nurse hit the emergency button and people came running from all over.  Like you, they gave me counteracting drugs really quickly and controlled the reaction.  I continued with my treatment after around an hour’s wait and at a slower rate and I was fine.  They gave me steroids, antihistamine and a stomach drug to take the day before, the day of, and the day after my next sessions and I was fine thereafter.

    They mentioned that it happens surprisingly often, hence they’re prepared for it.  Some people are fine on their first treatment, but get a reaction on the second one which seems weird!

    I hope your doctor gets in touch soon and that you’re able to continue with your treatment with no further episodes like that! Sending hugs and hoping your tummy settles down quickly.

    Loffie x

  • Hi  yes it was very scary, treatment was stopped immediately and my next appt is Thursday next week so Doctor will call me before that.

    I think doc may suggest going with same drug but with the counteracting drugs beforehand.

  •  what a week you have had!  I hoped I was reassuring on Tuesday but you have had a rubbish couple of days.  

    I do hope it goes better for you now x 

  • thank you but as everyone says all journeys are different. Hopefully next week gows better followin discussion with Doctor x

  • So Doctor has now  changed type of chemo to different Nab Paclitaxel which is a stronger drug has more oils in and softer on body. The treatment will be every three weeks for 12 weeks and I will need to give myself injections for 7 days because white cells will drop with this drug increasing possibility of infection so injections help with this and then different drugs fortnightly for 8 weeks followed by radiotherapy and hormone therapy.