starting ABVD chemo- any tips?

Hi and welcome to the Community, I have NHL but have talked with many folks on the Community and face to face about ABVD.

The main things that always came up we’re Nausea but on the whole your team can play with your meds to help this - don’t suffer, tell them as they can help.

Fatigue is accumulated over your cycles so you will sleep/rest when your body says to do this but it is important to keep some activity going as this is great at helping some of the fatigue.

Avoiding Infections is important especially during the week after treatment so some care and consideration needs to be taken in this area.

You need to drink lots of water to flush your body clear of the toxins and to protect your kidneys.

And unfortunately you will most likely see your hair go, but it’s important that these challenges are all fir a short period and keep your eyes firmly fixed on the greater good in this.

((hugs)) 

Hello and a welcome though sad you’ve needed to find your way here.

great stuff from Mike, above, but to add; ask that they alternate your arms and if they’ve any doubt about veins then accept a central line (usually PICC) as one in particular of the ABVD drugs is a vein attacker! Using hot packs can also help here while the drugs are going in, too. If you feel any stinging, ask if they will slow the drug down and increase the saline that they normally add at the same time. It will mean a bit longer to stay but is worth it. 

Keep posting, there’s quite a bit of help on the community. I’ve been around for years (see my profile) but was a long distance carer for daughter.

there is a smaller charity than this but more specific for lymphoma, called Lymphoma Action. They have a web site and a dedicated phone line too on 0808 808 5555 and the staff on the phones are lovely. They can put you in touch with a buddy if you need, and have a number of support groups in the major towns and cities. 

Hugs xxx

Hi KAP. Good luck with your treatment. I remember being terrified before my daughter started her ABVD. Just not knowing what to expect. In the end the first session was a bit of an anti climax. It all went well and then we went home and waited to see what would happen. Nothing much did apart from my daughter feeling a bit tired and emotional. As previous reply said, it tends to be cumulative so you feel a bit more tired with each cycle. Keep on top of your anti nausea tablets and listen to your body. Rest when it tells you to. One thing that did help my daughter was sucking on ice lollies during chemo. Seemed to help prevent mouth sores developing. And when they did develop our gp prescribed an amazing mouthwash called Caphosol - comes in tiny capsules- which really helped. You will get through this and it will seem like a bad dream. x

Hi KAP I’m sorry about your diagnosis. Personally the worst thing about ABVD was the drug that is a vein irritant because I have quite narrow veins so if you’re the same maybe consider getting a PICC line inserted. It was great for me as before I had it I would spend around 8 hours receiving my treatment but the PICC cut it down to just over an hour with no pain. Other than that the treatment made me quite sick so I recommend fizzy drinks, fizzy sweets and nappy bags for if you’re suddenly hit with a wave of nausea when you can’t get to a toilet. Doxorubicin will make you’re wee a very similar colour to original flavour lucozade which I personally found very entertaining.

hope you’re treatment goes ok and everything works out for you xx

Thanks so much Lottieee

I will ask about the PICC line. Heading to Tescos to stock up with the fizzy drinks & sweets & nappy bags! Will post again after I’ve replied to all x

Dear iD96

Gosh thank you. it is lovely to get all these replies and encouragements. I am going to keep a list of all your tips. Will add ice lollies to my shopping list for today. My niece said, ‘remember chemo is your friend’. x

As mentioned already, switch arms with each session. I started with it all on my right hand and my right arm got very sore.

They test the line by putting a foul tasting saline solution in which I hated. Take a strong smelling mint with you and chew on that if it's the same for you.

Before starting I would empty my bladder and I'd refuse all offers of drinks throughout so I could make it through without having to take a pee. They fill you up with a good litre or so of liquid and I didnt like having to take the little trolley thing to the toilet half way through.

When they put the large bag in they used to give me an electric heater pad as it would make my arm sore. So you may want to use that as well.

I would normally have a bad week and then a good week but try to go for walks to get some fresh air if you can, it will make you feel better.

My taste buds would be shot for a few days and everything would taste like wood soaked water, especially pepsi max which is my main drink. A good orange squash was tolerable though.

In terms of food I ate terribly throughout my whole treatment. Lots of burgers and pizzas that gave me energy. But if you want a healthy food grapes and pineapple were a good ones.

I'm sure I have loads of other things but the boxing's about to start on the tele