I am new here! I need some advice.

[Lnsharris98]

I am 41 years old and in November my ovary ruptured. They did emergency surgery and removed the ovary. A 16cm cyst was wedged between my ovary and my pelvic bone. A few days later the doctor called and said it was cancer. They sent me to the Mitchell Cancer Institute in Alabama (about a hour and half away). She did a hysterectomy and staging. She found cancer on my other ovary which had started growing against my colon and a tumor inside my uterus. She isn't sure if it started in my ovaries or uterus so she is treating it like both. It's stage 3. I just had my second chemo treatment. I take taxol/carboplatin every 3 weeks. I had very minimal nausea but SEVERE bone pain. No amount of pain meds helped it. My legs, arms and back hurt so bad. I was ready for the nausea/vomiting part of chemo but not this. It lasts 8 days. The neuropathy in my hands and feet are pretty bad also. Has anyone else experienced this? I also get the chemo through my veins instead of a port. My nurses think I should get a port but I was hoping not to need another procedure. My arm starts hurting as the taxol is going in. Any advice or suggestions wold be greatly appreciated.

[Hidden]

Welcome! What a fast track into this world you had.

Epsom salt baths for the bone ache are very relieving.

Neuropathy. I think in the US they often take glutamine during chemo to alleviate this. Check this out on the OCNA Inspire site. There's useful info too on the Dana Farber website about shoes and exercises. Spiky massage balls help too.

I expect your veins are all protesting after all this treatment in such a short space of time. You could go for a PICC line rather than a port perhaps, as a half-way house? They really do make life easier. My arm is black and blue from stuff in and out over the last weeks. I'm having a port in before next cycle.

All the best

[Lnsharris98 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much. I have tried hot baths just not the Epsom salt. I will definitely try that. I am going to look into that glutamine. Someone told me the Taxol is a irritant. As much as I hate to I think a port is what I need. They told me with a picc line I would have to come every week to flush it. It's a 4 hour round trip. Again thanks so much. Good luck to you.

[Hidden in reply to Lnsharris98]

Just thought of something else..... icing seems to be catching on in the States.... you'll find more about it on the Inspire site, but the important thing is you have to do it while you're having the chemo. Same principle as cold cap, I think. x

[Hidden]

Hi. Sorry to hear you are having so many difficulties. I was getting advice from someone last night who suggested Vit B12 for neuropathy and E45 cream for hands and feet rubbing it well in down tips of fingers and toes . Loads of it everyday, gloves socks and avoid touching cold or hot stuff.

This is my first post and I am giving you my first piece of advice that I received. I hope it's helpful.

Bset wishes and good luck. I'll be joining you in a couple of weeks down the same track.

Bernie

[Lnsharris98 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much. I am definitely going to start B12 and look into the cream. Good luck to you too.

[thesilent1]

I know exactly how you feel as I too had this with first li be treatment. When I had to start chemo again in Feb last year I told the consultant that I didn't think ii could cope with that pain again. She prescribed addition. Steroids for me, one week supply instead of the usual 2 days to bring home. It worked. Good luck. Ann (Northern Ireland)

[Lnsharris98]

I took the steroids for 3 days after the first treatment twice a day. I didn't sleep AT ALL. They also kept my sugar elevated in the 400's. This time the doctor said if I didn't want to take them to make sure I took the zofran around the clock. I didn't realize it would help the bone pain. This time I didn't take any. Today is day 9 and this is the first pain free day I've had. I am going to mention this. Thanks so much.