First few days after first chemotherapy session.

Hi, its hard to say as everybody is so different, and there are many different types of chemo. We all react differently, some say the first few days are the worse thats how it was with me i felt unwell for 1 week then the rest of the time i was fine, my friend had a few bad days in the middle of her treatment. I always took anti-sickness tablets they were prescribed by the chemo nurses and paracetamol/ ibrobrufen for the aches and pains. Unfortunatly not a lot can be done with the tiredness, you are doing the right thing resting. Your body needs to get used to the chemo so resting is essential just sit there and watch tv . Make sure you are drinking plenty and eating well its not for ever you will feel better. If you feel very unwell do not hesitate to ring the breast care nurses immediatly and they will now what to do. All the very best with your treatment 

Hi 

Thank you for your reply.  I’ll just have to brave the storm and not be a wimp, as I’ve got a long journey ahead of me!  I’m sure other people will feel worse than me!

it is reassuring that it’ll not last forever, sometimes it’s hard to believe when you are in the middle of it!

Thanks again, I just needed some sort of reassurance.

Ange

No i know i have been on this journey for 20 years so there is a light at the end of the tunnel  Dawn

Hello Ange19 

You are definitely not being a wimp! I have spoken to a few people who I have met during my radiotherapy sessions - who have had chemotherapy. They all said it was hard going and tough at times. So pat on the back to you for reaching out and asking the questions. 

I'm having radiotherapy and that is a different type of hard going. We all have our own journey but wimp you are not sister. 

You and all of us are warriors.

Hi Ange

I had the same chemo as you are having and felt very much the same as you are. 

Rest up and go with the flow- your body will tell you when it needs to rest. On day 3 the steroids usually end and you normally drop one of the sickness meds so day 4 for me was when I did feel unwell. 

With any nausea, it is best to take the anti nausea meds about 30 minutes before you eat and also not to wait until you actually feel sick- this is what I was told by my nurses. The aches and pains are normal as well. The paclitaxel in particular causes it. I also had it in my lower back. If it gets too bad do not be afraid to call your cancer phone line as they can give meds to help with it. 

I found the first week in each cycle I was feeling very much as you are describing. By the second week I felt a bit brighter and was pottering around at home more, would pop to the shops and manage short walks in the fresh air that helped. By the 3rd week I would start feeling well enough to meet up with friends etc. 

You have probably been given a diary and if you keep a note of how you feel each day it will help with knowing what to expect each cycle. There was a pattern with me- so if for instance I felt really sick and had tummy cramps on day 5- it would tend to happen again with the next cycle so I could take meds to prevent it. It will also help when you have your consultant review.

I found with each cycle the tiredness/fatigue did build up but again it was a case of listening to my body and not over doing things. Chemo is an aggressive treatment that affects your whole body- to feel as you do is very normal. 

If you get any symptoms that you are concerned about- remember the cancer line at the hospital is there 24 hours a day. Sometimes it is just a little reassurance that is needed. 

Jane

Hi Jane

Thank you for your reply.  I was only given steroids for the day after treatment and also the anti sickness meds the day after that.  Luckily I am managing to eat and drink.

Yes I am keeping a note of how I feel so it will help me in the future.

Thanks again for yours and everyone’s help.

Ange

For my second cycle I was given a tapering dose of steroids and that helped.

Jane

Hi Ange

My first chemo was the worst, tummy cramps, nausea, pains in legs, tiredness etc, after about a week it started easing off. My subsequent  chemos I found weren't as harsh, but the same symptoms . Do mention your concerns when you have your meeting with chemo nurse in between treatments, they could adjust the strength of the chemo to suit your needs, it's possible. 

How are you feeling today Ange? Your side effects sound very similar to mine although I haven't really had any sickness. I usually started to felt better by day 5 (counting chemo as day 1) but this 4th round it took me the full week but I am back to feeling great again. I hope this happens for you x

Hi Hop

i am feeling better thanks, I’m still tired and queezy’ish, but I do feel a bit brighter., so hopefully I’m heading in the right direction.

How are you getting on, do you need any further treatment?

Ange