Reaction or side effect?

Hi,

Sorry I have no experience to help you on this, but it doesn’t sound right that you should just put up with it, so I’d definitely suggest contacting your medical team for advice.

All the best and good luck with your chemo,

Bx

Hi B,

Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble and for your response.  I have made an appointment with my GP for him to have a look, but thankfully the rash is now easing,  I am also due an assessment phone call from the oncologist, so will discuss with her. 

Thank you again for your kindness, take care. 

Woo x

Hello Woo, I just wanted to tell you when I first started chemo I had a query which wasn't at all urgent but the only telephone no. I had for the cancer centre was the emergency one. I did phone and the sister assured me it was ok to phone for anything even just reassurance if I wanted. So give them a call they wont mind they want to help us.

Thanks very much for your reply newmay, I will bear that in mind for the future.  Coincidentally I had an assessment call with my oncologist today, and said very similar, although she has told me if it happens again I need to have the rash seen by medical personnel ASAP.   I think I need to take it more seriously.

many thanks woo

Hi , I can't help you with your rash, but I too had my first cycle on the 15/09 , I too am wondering what acceptable side effects are and feel I have got away quite lightly. It hasn't been plain sailing by any means, but I expected far worse. I keep on waiting for things to escalate but feel like I could be possibly over the worse . Is it going to get accumulative ???? I don't know ? How are you feeling ? My second cycle is on the 4/10 , when is yours ?

Hi, thanks for the message.  My first cycle was actually 9/9, and it was a few days before the rash began, and was with me for about ten days.  I had my second cycle yesterday.  I too felt I got away lightly with side effects apart from the itchy rash but I will definitely start taking the antihistamines straight if it happens this time.  I don’t know about the possibility of accumulative effects, but then I’m not sure that the experts do either.  It all seems to be a bit random and very personal what the experience will be.  The hospital staff were very reassuring yesterday, and seemed very happy for me to phone with whatever queries I may have.  Hopefully you have a similar experience.

Eventually I lost my remaining hair yesterday, which wasn’t as traumatic as I had feared.  In fact I was pretty fed up of clearing it up and it getting everywhere!  So good riddance to that.  Are you expecting to lose your hair?  

I do hope you have a similar experience this session.  Keep in touch and let me know how you get on.  all the best for your next session, 

Nice to hear from you , I hope your side effects don't hey too bad . My hair is falling out thick and fast . I've got a hair appointment booked to have it cut / buzz cut 4 days after second cycle. 

I'm having my port inserted Monday. 

Also just found out I'm Brca negative so feel elated that I haven't passed it on to my kids.

Hi, I just wanted to say that I hope your second session went ok, I thought about you this morning and wondered what time you had to be there and if you had far to travel.  Both things can really add to the stress of the day.  Did you get the port inserted.  I haven’t been told I need one.

 I have again started with the really itchy rash, despite taking antihistamines 3-4 times a day.  Thankfully I had managed to get an appointment with my GP and he has prescribed something which he hopes will help but has assured me there are heavier doses or stronger doses I can have if not.  So hoping things improve.  I have also noticed my fingers feeling a bit strange today, little bit numb on the tips.  Bit weird really.  I suffer with Reynauds, with makes my extremities numb in the cold, but this is different again, and my fingers are quite warm.  What other delights are to come our way?

How did you find out about your Brca?  I did ask at my first chemo session, what we would need to do to find out about the risks for my daughter, but they said to speak to my oncologist, or for her to speak to her GP.  Although there other cancer types in our family, there are no other ovarian, but it is a worry isn’t it.  

Hopefully you won’t be too bad from today, and we are both bouncing around once more.  Take care

Hi , I went into London to have port inserted, I had this under general anaesthetic, it wasn't too bad. I'm having my second cycle on Thursday, this too happens in London, about 1 hour 15 mins to travel, it use to feel far, but now it goes quite quickly. Where do you go ? Do you have far ?

I'm sorry to hear you have a rash again , I hope the antihistamines work , maybe you should just go for the strongest dose. My toes stated going tingly too , I'm hoping they won't get worse over the cycles to come.

I asked for a port , it just makes the chemo infusion and future blood tests easier. Ask your nurse to motivate it for you. I have a feeling it's your oncologist you need to talk to and not your GP.

I was tested for Bracca as I have ovarian and x2 different types of breast cancer , my mum had breast and pre cancerous cell cervical cancer in her mid 50's (survived it!) So they did a screening for me .

Shaved my hair to a no 4 yesterday as my hair was falling out in chunks.

Keep me in the loop in how you're feeling. Sending healing vibes.

A

Hi A, 

Your journey for the therapy is longer than mine, which is about 30 mins at the most by car.  The new tablets from my GP do seem to be doing the trick, which is brilliant.  I picked up my wig but the fringe was too long so my niece has been today and trimmed it, so it is easier to see now.....a distinct advantage.  Are you thinking of getting one?  How do you feel having had your head shaved.  It was a relief to get rid of it for me.  I do have a number of the chemo type hats which I actually felt quite comfortable wearing.  It’s amazing how your mind set changes from how you think you will be.  How many sessions are you due to have?   I’m booked for six, and my veins are usually ok so it doesn’t worry me about a port, but I know some people struggle with it.  Of course it might all change as we go through the process.  

All the best for Thursday, and take care, W