Stomach pain?

Hi

I'm sorry to read that you're feeling sore and tired and hope that in the couple of days since you wrote this things have improved.

I don't have any words of advice but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. This is probably because this is such an active group your post has slipped off the first page before someone with the right experience has seen it. Replying to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list.

Take care

x

Ruby - Hi - I've only just seen this.

I have just had round 3 of chemotherapy and for some reason have really suffered from stomach pain and headaches.  Not sure why this round would be any different.  I haven't been feeling too sick so my consultant said that he would review the dose of dexamethosone tablets next round as they could be creating the feeling of bloating.  I looked as though I was 6 months pregnant!  (am definitely not!!!) 

It's so frustrating to be feeling yucky, sore and tired - I hope that things have improved for you.  I am not sure that I have found anything that really helps although chewing peppermint chewing gum seems to relieve the horrible taste in my month and takes my mind off my tummy....it's always worth chatting your symptoms through with your oncology team rather than suffering in silence.  I hope that you are feeling better... take care of yourself.

Charlie xx

Hi Charlie, 

Thanks so much for replying. I’ve just had round three of EC today and getting ready for the days ahead. I managed last time a bit better with Laxido and Omeprazole. I still struggled with long term nausea so I have some more meds this time which will hopefully help.

I hope your pain and headaches ease a bit, the bloating is awful - Omeprazole really helped with that, I think your Gp can prescribe quickly. I’m also drinking peppermint tea and ginger beer although I’m not sure how much that helps.

Take care and I hope the rest of round three eases for you

Ruby xx

Hi Ruby

Only just seen your post.  What you describe is usual.  Unfortunately this will continue well after your chemo has finished.  Your body is being pumped with poison which while stopping the cancer cells from dividing and growing, everything else suffers.  

Once your chemo cycles have stopped you will start to notice an improvement, but this takes weeks 

Hope this has helped 

Carole x

Ruby - fingers crossed this round will be easier for you.  I hadn't realised that Omeprazole could help with bloating - I'll ask my oncology team.  Peppermint tea and ginger beer has been drunk here too but like you am not sure how much it helps!!  Bizarrely I seem to enjoy the odd non alcoholic Gin and Tonic.  It seems to cut through chemo mouth but not sure how good for you it is.  It's quite nice to pretend that it's a normal G&T!!  

Take care of yourself and fingers crossed you have an easier round.  They keep telling me that each round is different....

Charlie

x

Thanks Carole - the idea of it all carrying on post chemo fills me with dread.  I just want to feel normal again.....maybe I just need to accept a new normal....

Charlie

x

Hi Charlie - sorry for late response but only just spotted your reply.  It’s frightening accepting what’s going on with our bodies and that we have cancer.  I’ve had some low days but generally know that it is essential to be positive, although do have a wobble occasionally.  It’s frustrating not being able to be as active during and chemo as we once were.  Have you many chemo cycles left?

 I was told it will take 12 months to recover from chemo and recovery from my op is 18 months 

Stay as positive as you can 

Carole x

Carole - wobbles are definitely allowed.  It is really hard and I'm a bit like you - I hate not being able to do all the things that I love.  I miss work and the satisfaction it gave me.  I miss having lots of energy and actually having a brain that works too!  I have round 4 planned for this week which I am dreading a bit as round 3 was my worst yet but they are reducing the dose so hopefully it will be OK.  It is really scary what is happening to our bodies but our bodies are amazingly resilient and in time will be back to normal.  I was told 6-12 months recovery post chemo but I imagine that every week you feel a little bit better.  Just not to have a horrible taste in my mouth would be bliss!  I think that this will make me appreciate the small things in life and not take anything for granted moving forward which is no bad thing.

How many more rounds have you got left to go?

Keep smiling and take care of yourself.

Charlie xx

Hi Charlie

Lovely to hear back from you. Like you I so miss not having energy.  Chemo brain is a bit scary.  I hope your 4th cycle goes well, that does sounds positive that they are reducing the dosage, so hopefully the side effects will be easier.  How many cycles have they planned for you.  
I started chemo last May and had four cycles (1 every 3 weeks). end of August I had major surgery, then 4 more cycles of chemo, the last one was 1st December.  In January I was put on Niraparib which is an inhibitor, sadly they have side effects too.

Keep strong and positive 

Carole xx

Carole - you seem to have had a really hard time of it.  My heart goes out to you as to have surgery sandwiched between chemo must have been so touch.

I am lucky in comparison as have 6 rounds in total followed by radiotherapy having had a mastectomy in January.  Just a thought but it may be worth seeing whether acupuncture or reflexology could help with your side effects..... I know that both have really helped me.

How long do you need to take Niraparib for?  I hope that you are approaching the end of your treatment plan....

Big virtual hug!

Charlie

xx