Hi all, just started my chemo on Friday. Today feeling quite painful leg pains. Just wondering if any of you have any tips of what worked best for you. There is so much info out there but having a real input is more helpful and AI I think! Thanks in advance for any help x
Hi Rowntrees
I am sorry to hear that you are having leg pain after your chemo on Friday.
Don't forget that you can always give your hospital a call- they normally give a 24 hour number to call.
I had the same leg pains and was told it was the paclitaxel. Were you sent home with 2 days of steroids to take? In my first cycle it was when the prednisolone levels dropped suddenly on day 3 that I had the pain. I talked to my consultant at my review and she then put me on a tapering dose of steroids and this did help. So rather than high doses of steroids in hospital and then 2 days at home and then suddenly stop- she put me on half a dose on day 3 and halved it again on day 4- this made a real difference to side effects.
For me the worst days were the first week after chemo and then things would improve by around day 7. The best thing I found was to go with the flow and listen to my body. I slept on and off and didn't do much. I tried to keep my fluids up and eat little and often- whatever I fancied. I found sitting with my legs up helped. Also massaging them ( I used a moisturising cream and it did help with the dry skin I got during chemo) hot water bottles and a warm bath- if you feel up to it. I found gentle stretching and moving helped.
If you get any numbness or tingling then that is a good reason to give your hospital a call. The pains I had were like aching like with the flu, cramps and spasms.
Lastly pop a note in your chemo diary of what you feel like on each day as there can often be a pattern that is followed with each cycle. It can also really help when you have your review.
I hope the leg pains ease soon and that any other side effects are manageable.
Jane
