4 days after first chemo

Hi Bb

First as everyone will tell you, we’re all different. But generally EC is very well tolerated, ie most people don’t get horrendous side effects. I had my first EC in July and just felt a bit of nausea the first day or so with energy levels up after the first few days. 
Main thing is to remember to take some anti sickness in first few days plus do what you need to do to avoid constipation. Try and drink 2-3 litres water and get some gentle exercise. A lot easier in the summer!

 I wasn’t working and had pretty low expectations about what I might be able to do, so might not be a good comparison.

But hang in there, the first few days are the worst with EC. I also found nibbling on extra strong mints helped with the nausea xx

Hi, I found I was extremely tired during EC. Day of chemo and next 2 days were generally ok then day 4-7 or 8 I was completely shattered, didn’t suffer badly with nausea but took my sickness and acid reflux pills daily by day 9 was on the mend. I worked throughout my chemo (luckily full office is vaccinated and I have my own space) I took the week after chemo off then back to it. This was very helpful for me as it made me think about other things. If I felt tired or not good I would leave early or come late, very understanding and supportive employer! I would say that you should listen to your body, sleep when you need to and make sure you drink lots of water, I found a love of Robinsons orange squash again and take your medication before you need it as this stops it getting bad, well it did gif me. If your medication isn’t working for you discuss this with your care team, we changed my ant acids pills and that really helped. 
look after yourself xx 

You will improve and have a good week or two before the next treatment and so it goes on, you don't say how long you are on EC for but the different drugs will hit you in different ways, EC is bad for sickness and loosing your hair, but it will grow back and you will get better.  One day at a time, Love Ann

Hi Badbooby

I suffered badly after my first EC too, was very sick and nauseous on the evening after I had chemo and  then for the next three days.  I definitely suggest talking to your oncologist or chemo nurses, as I was prescribed stronger anti-sickness meds for my next EC sessions which made a massive difference to those first 4 days.

The anti-sickness meds you’ve already had may cause constipation which itself can cause lower level nausea, so I agree with SarahsFlowers that you should drink plenty and get out for a walk (which helps move the digestive system) when you can.  Also eat lots of food with fibre, and get something from the chemist or supermarket to ease constipation.  If over the next few days you get indigestion ask your team or GP to prescribe something (I was given Omeprazole) because that can cause nausea too.  

I found the side effects of EC, including exhaustion, did gradually improve day by day.  For me I found they’d pretty much gone altogether after day 11, and I always felt great during the week before my next chemo. I hope you’re feeling better very soon - best of luck!

I vomited my first cycle of EC and couldn't stop so was hospitalised. They gave me even stronger anti-sickness after that to take on top of all the standard anti-sickness and although I didn't vomit again, I still felt nauseous for the first week. The anti sickness meds are bad for constipation so I had to take something for that too!

Everyone is different as others have said, but it seems to be that most people have a bad week, an OK week and a good week on EC. 

• Thanks everyone that’s so helpful.  I have been keeping a note of my symptoms and bad days so hope they can flex the meds next time.  Trying to drink plenty but so hard when nauseous.  Eating ginger biscuits and humbugs like mad and have got some seabands too.  Hope to get out for a stroll today as have been very sedentary since first chemo. 
  Feeling a bit better today so hope that’s a good sign.

I’m repeating a lot of advice here but get some omeprazole prescribed, that really helps the nausea, take the anti sickness pills and tell the nurses so you can get something that works better for you, try to eat little and often and before the nausea comes on strongest, I found a ritz biscuit could stave it off a bit if I had one as I got up. I also became constipated on EC so have something to ease that in the house. It really can be unpleasant and I felt really unwell too but I was usually feeling much better by day 13/14 and usually got a good week before the next chemo. Hope you’re feeling better soon xx