Bunged up ..

[Damelza]

Hello Ladies, I was just reading some posts, trying to get a way through this chemo without too much damage. Everything goes on at once, doesn't it? That bunged up feeling, the burps, the horrid leg pains . Wanting to tear your hair out, if I had any. The spots on my head... Oh gawd..I am having another pity party today. I went for a small walk with my older son today, just to try and get things moving again. It took me 2 hours to get over the tiredness afterwards. I feel like I am drowning today. It's hard to keep my head above water.. Sorry ladies but it's just good to get it all out.. Thanks for being there..

[HogwartsDK]

Hey Damelza,

It all sounds so familiar! You are doing the right thing going for little walks they do clear the head but I know what you mean about the tiredness too! I never felt tiredness like it, I recently had a conversation with a woman who had breast cancer a number of years ago and we both agreed that the tiredness was indescribable!

Drink lots of water it really helps!

This prob won't help but it does get easier to manage as you go on. You get very tuned into how your body reacts and you can work with that to make it a bit more bearable! Next time you have Chemo tell the nurses how you are feeling they may be able to adjust medication to help!

Hope you feel better soon!

Dx

[Damelza in reply to HogwartsDK]

Thanks D.. Some days are worse than others.. I don't know what I am complaining about. I should look on the brighter side of things as I only have 4 more chemos to go( hopefully) I hope you are well and having a good weekend 😀

[HogwartsDK in reply to Damelza]

Hey Damelza!

If I remember right you had your Chemo last Weds? I had mine Weds too and the following Monday was always the worst day Tues was usually fairly dodgy too but by Weds I wasn't too bad!

Hope you feel bit better this evening!

Dx

[Damelza in reply to HogwartsDK]

Yes I think it all hits you after the steroids are all gone.. I am getting through it. May be slow but we are getting there

[Lyndy]

Hi Damelza

You poor thing! Everything you've written brings it all back!

I would suggest you start taking anti constipation meds on the day of chemo or even the day before..don't wait for it to become a problem... That way it all passes (sorry!) more quickly and you can back to normal digestion.

The tiredness is normal..I know it's a pain but by resting you are giving your body a chance to heal itself after the chemo.

You are doing really well...keep going!

Lyndall xx

[Damelza in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks Lyndall, it would be a good idea to keep on top of the problem before it becomes one. Sometimes my mind goes blank and I just switch on to auto pilot. I think my depression is coming back to haunt me again.

[Yoshbosh in reply to Lyndy]

Totally agree with Lyndy's recommendation! Get the anti-constipation stuff in *before* chemo and carry it on for several days after. I've learnt that the hard way! I've never known constipation like it before and seriously just wanted someone to put me out of my misery. I'm better prepared this time and so far, so good. I hope you get some relief soon x

[luluw in reply to Lyndy]

Me too-the constipation was unbelievable! Had to change the anti-sickness meds because of it! Found stool softeners better than Senokot, which gave me awful stomach cramps. Tell your onc about the leg pains. They can give you painkillers to help.

We know how you feel-keep going it won't last forever!!

Love and hugs

Lou xxxxxxxxx

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Damelza. I have to say I feel for you, and whilst it's a tough journey you can do this and if having a rant on here makes you feel any better you carry on because we have been there, seen the video, got the t-shirt. Some days will be worse than others but on the bad days try and focus on the good ones (hard I know). In the meantime sending you a big hug, Kathy xxx

[Damelza]

Thanks Kathy, I am just so wiped out today there is nothing I can do about it.. Tomorrow will be better 😀

[Hidden]

HI Damelza, if you are on Avastin your nose will get bunged up so you can buy Neil Med Nasal rinses over the counter and that helps. Now if you are bunged up elsewhere, try tinned prunes in juice four or five a day helps move the tummy along. Also plenty of water. Yes during treatment we do tend to think it is never ending, for the burps, I used Maalox and that relieved the horrid heartburn you get at night lying down. Are you getting enough sleep, if not dont be afraid to ask your gp for sleeping tablets. I find they will do as much as they can to keep us comfy. If you need stronger anti sick, dont be afraid to ask in the Oncology Unit, that is what they are there for to help us. I know we can be slow at realising that and we dont want to rock the boat. They just want us to get through the treatment as easy as possible. Do have a rest every day, but getting out is good too but dont overdo it. Thinking of you

[Damelza in reply to Hidden]

Thank you suzuki. I am just bunged up the other end but I think there is some moaning and groaning down there... Lol. I am finding it hard to sleep. I am on sleeping tabs. In saying that I can sleep but I wake up early, get up have breakfast and then I went back to bed today 😞 I think it's hard to be in a routine these days sand I am just going to wing it!!

[lesleysage]

Hi Damelza, I was prescribed 'Movicol' (may has other names/) for bowel movement and Ranitidine for 'burps'/regurgitation. Now, 3 years post the last chemo, I also eat ground linseeds plus juice beetroot+carrot+root ginger + apple & pear everyday and still have half a sachet of Movicol daily but rarely need Ranitidine...maybe a couple of times a month only.

Hope things do get a bit better. Lesley

[Hidden]

Well part of that is probably being concious that you want to go to the loo and cant. That earlier reply must have made you laugh. One of the nurses in my unit told me to use mil par with the duplac or whatever mix them together and add hot water. Milpar is now gone but Milk of Magnesia is the same thing. Another tip would be eat a kiwi half an hour before food. My neighbour just said to me one day, its the law of gravity what goes in must come out so that is true. I read that massaging the tummy anticlockwise is also good. I agree its impossible to have a routine but once the tummy is back in order go out with friends and have a coffee etc.

[Damelza in reply to Hidden]

You are so tight, Suzuki. I am having lunch out with my friend some day this week and I will look forward to seeing her. You are all so very good and so caring and I would like to thank you all for your input.. If there is anyone who would like to talk or rant( like me) in the person. Thanks again

[Microbabe]

Reading all of your great post it has made me realise that the things I think are just my life now are in actual fact symptoms of chemo. Who knew that the burping heartburn and spots on my head coupled with the not sleeping were a result of cancer treatment. I feel enlightened and strangley better.

[Damelza in reply to Microbabe]

There's safety in numbers 🙂

[Damelza]

Who would have thought a "movement" would give so much happiness.... 😁

[Gleedy]

Oh Damelza. It's bad enough for anyone but I'm guessing you have children on school holidays. I really feel for you. I'm near the end of chemo now having had it weekly for 18 weeks but with a surgery break. It's amazing what the power of the mind does because with two to go I don't feel as ill. I'm sure it's psychological. Chin up. I'm hoping for a more energised day for you tomorrow. Tracey x

[Damelza in reply to Gleedy]

Aww thanks Tracy. Yes you are correct, I have 3 kids off school and they are getting bored now. It's hard to keep it all going but we have to try

[Gleedy]

And kids don't really get it do they, not even my older daughter. Well you are amazing coping with this and being supermum. They are lucky kids x

[Damelza in reply to Gleedy]

Thanks Tracy..🙂