chemo side effects possibly?

Hi Angiaqua

I had the same chemo as you are having. 

I would recommend giving your hospital a call for some reassurance. 

It all sounds familiar to me but it is always better to call them so they know what is happening. They can often prescribe things to help or just give support/advice. 

Ondansetron/steroids can cause constipation. The chemo itself can affect your tummy. The steroids you probably have taken home for the first couple of days have likely finished and the sudden drop off can cause problems for some of us. I was given a tapering dose for the following cycle and that helped. 

I also had the pain and was told it is a common side effect of paclitaxel. I found I had it around day 3 for a few days and then it would settle. 

You are right in checking your temperature as it is important to be aware if any infection is brewing. 

I am sorry that you are feeling rough and do not worry to much about the details and when things started etc, just give them a call and they will ask you what they need to know and I found just being told it was something to be expected and it would pass helped me. You could also ask about taking stool softeners perhaps. With the anti nausea medication you could also ask whether it would be better to use the domperidone now, rather than the ondansetron- if that is what you have been given. I found often it was changes in meds that could help. 

For me the first few days would be the worst and it was a case of resting up and going with the flow. Eating little and often. Drinking lots. After the first week I would normally feel more myself. 

Jane

Thank you so much for your reassuring reply. I rang the cancer helpline and they confirmed that joint pain is very common with one of the chemo meds I was given. She also told me that the chemo meds, along with antisickness tablets and prednisoline can all cause constipation. So she gave me advice of taking laxatives. And thank you for mentioning asking about using the domperidone now as she said yes use that now. And you were right, just knowing this is normal and will pass soon really helps me cope with it. Thank you for your help, it is appreciated. 

Glad that you have had some reassurance. I would spend most of the first week on the sofa, snoozing on and off but by the second week it was more a feeling of being a bit washed out. I think there is also the emotional aspect, especially for the first one. I hope you will feel a lot better soon. I used to think if it was making me feel this rough then that was good because it would be doing the same to any lurking cancer cells. 

Thank you, a little less pain today, mostly just in my legs now so not wanting to walk much which is ok with me as so tired, I slept 10 hours straight last night and dozing on and off this morning too. not really able to do anything at the moment so just laying on sofa as you said. I like that, thinking about how rough I feel is a sign that the cancer is being destroyed. Thank you. 

Glad the pain has improved a bit. If your experience is like mine then hopefully in a few days you should be feeling over the worst. Your body has had a huge amount of medication and it is not surprising that you do not feel able to do a lot. First week listen to your body and if it is telling you to rest, it is because it is because the chemo is doing its work. First cycle I think it was about day 9 that I went for a walk in my local area. Quite out of puff but good to get out there. This stage will pass, just rest up, eat what you can and drink plenty.

Thank you Jane2511, that is helpful to hear. You are right, I am now feeling like I am over the worst of it with the pain mostly gone. Just been noticing breathlessness as I move around a bit more, and did ring helpline about it but they did not seem too worried, just told me to call GP if it gets worse. Reading your description of feeling puffed out after a walk 9 days post chemo, helps me see that this too can be a side effect. I have a PICC line redress appointment at the hospital Friday which is 9 days post chemo, so hopefully will manage that ok by taking it slow. In meantime will continue listening to my body and resting up. Thank you. 

The breathlessness/weakness can be noticeable for a while. With me it built up with each cycle. it can take the body a while to recover from the chemo day and that is why they tend to do a 3 week cycle for the chemo that we have had. When they do the next bloods they will show if anything needs addressing. In the meantime keep calling them with any worries. The other thing I would suggest is monitoring your temp so you are making sure any breathlessness is from the chemo and not anything infection wise. Good Luck for Friday