Well, it seems I start the chemo next Tues. Couple of questions if anyone can comment please? This is carboplatin only.
Anyone feel really bad on the day of treatment? I've got to come home on buses and trains , taking about an hour in all and if the general opinion is I'll feel crap/sick then I'll try and make other arrangements...
Also is it advisable to eat before the appt or not?
Lynn
x
Hi Lynn,
I’m currently on carbo and taxol and can honestly say it’s been fine, other than hairloss and a bit of backache these past few days I’ve had no other side effects. I’ve got cycle 3 on Monday so will see how I go...not sure on the carbo alone but I think out of the two drugs it’s the taxol that can be more problematic but i suppose everyone reacts differently.
After treatment I felt a bit washed out as it’s such a long day as I’m doing the cold cap as well (not sure if it’s worth continuing, I’m going to see how much/little hair I’ve got left on Monday!) so I usually can’t wait to get home and relax. I didn’t feel ill as such but wouldn’t fancy a one hour trip on buses and trains etc...you’ll likely feel drained but if you’ve got someone to accompany you it should be ok? If you’re like me you’ll just want to get home, cup of tea and pj’s on and relax as much as you can. I’d recommend you take all the pills they give you, I took steroids and for me they alone kept the nausea at bay as I haven’t had any. Just felt quite tired on day 4 and 5 but picked up the day after.
Hoping it goes well for you and very best wishes!
Liz Xx
Hi Lynn
I am 2 years post Carboplatinum only ( and doing great). I drove my self in and out to all sessions. and definately ate before treatment. You should not experience much hair loss though your hair may become a bit wirey. Avoid constipation at all costs its a major (underestimated ) side effect and can make you miserable. I drank 1.5-2 lt per day in order to flush the chemo through your system. If you are able, try and exercise daily . I had 2 dogs and did 2 short walks every day. The first couple of weeks of each cycle you may be a bit washed out but the week before chemo you will feel much stronger so make hay while the sun shines. Good luck
ok, thanks you two. Have given it some more thought and looking at the times (i'll be getting out at teatime) I think I might be better with the voluntary hospital transport people. I'm in Cornwall and the buses /trains are going to be very busy with holidaymakers all summer while I do this (and potentially hot) , and at that time also all the kids from college and people going home from work....
Hmm... it's not filling me with joy that's for sure! I think I'd rather pay a bit extra and get a lift in a car..
Lynn
x
And you'll want to avoid crowds. So maybe the lift is the answer for you. I typically felt spaced out after carbo/taxol so I appreciated getting home right away.
I'm on carbo/gem now and have had my first cycle. I've been taking the subway but anticipate I'll have to cab it if my treatments make me feel worse. Usually the steroids give us the phoney energy to get us home.
And yes, eat! At the very least, have something in your bag to snack on. Today I could have eaten my arm because the doctor's appointment was delayed. Lesson learned.
Take care.
It could have been the piriton that made you feel spaced out afrer carbo/taxol
Oh, I bet that was it, ScardyCat. We call it Benedryl (could be spelled wrong). It's an antihistamine. I can always tell when the other patients are administered it -- they tend to nod off shortly thereafter.
It used to make me really sleepy
I was told Carboplatin was well tolerated and that was my experience. They gave me lots of things for side effects and I had very few problems with it Best of luck!
Ok...I'm liking the idea of 'very few problems' - I'll have some of that please 
Lynn
x
I hope your experience is like mine. I was dreading it but it was all manageable. Good luck to you!
I had carbo /Taxol and managed fine with a two and a half hour journey. It was not buses and trains as you describe but merely three stops on the underground, a train journey and then drive myself from the station. A couple of times there were train disruptions during rush hour, forcing a period of standing but I did not feel unwell on the day of the infusion at all.
I was always glad to get home though.
If someone is accompanying you, I guess it’ll make it easier to cope with the tourists (harder work than commuters I usually think).
Eating is fine, suggest taking some snacks with you.
Hi Lynn. My oncologist suggested that of the two cytostatica - Taxol and Carboplatin - the Carboplatin is the one causing more nausea. My tip would be to ensure you receive sufficient anti-emetics on the day of chemo and to take home. Better to have a prescription written out to take with you and not need it, than to feel more nauseated than anticipated and then having a run-around to see a doctor.
I receive Carboplatin, Paclitaxel and Avastin (Bavacizumab) right now.. and so far the nausea has been well controlled by Granisetron, Dexamethason and - at my insistence - Emend (plus acupressure wrist bands). But I've also stashed away some additional Ondansetron, MCP and Vomex in my medicine cabinet.. just in case .
Because of the impact on blood counts and the immune system, you might want to consider getting a friend to drive you or taking a taxi if possible.. or take the hospital shuttle as you mentioned... rather than hopping onto a public bus with loads of sniffling/coughing folks.
All the best with chemo.
Maus
Hi Lynn
All of the above. I find the steroids they give me at the time keep me going. I feel delicate though and have to make sure I don't knock my arms but otherwise it's quite doable. It gets worse when it gets into your system and you'll be exhausted just don't push yourself too much X
I felt okay on the day. I would definitely eat and have plenty of fluid. I had 2 litres before infusion and a couple more after
LA xx
Hi lynn , I’m on day two after carboplatin, still feeling fine , waiting for it to kick in . It was a very long day at Christie’s, so much waiting around , got very stressed out . Taking movicol and ducolease at the moment with no success. Maybe I’m not taking enough?good luck with the rest of your treatment xx
Ah! bowels....I hadn't got as far as worrying about that. Oh well.
I'm very envious you're at Christies - South Manchester is my home town and I worked at Christies (and Wythenshawe) for years - I know you're in the best place.
Try not to stress too much it's not good for you and I've learned it doesnt change anything anyway...and I'm the original panic-knickers who can worry for Britain!
Lynn
x
I have had carboplatin only during first line. I would be fine during the day of treatment but a few days afterwards when the steroids wore off I would feel dreadful and have a few duvet days.
Remember the side effects are accumulative the first couple of cycles I wasn’t too bad but then the fatigue really started to hit. I would say if you can get a lift don’t go by public transport.
I take lactulose twice a day for my bowels, cups of coffee and plenty of water to keep everything moving. It's only first 2 or 3 days you'll need to take it.
I had single agent carboplatin. The effects are to a degree on a continuum- I've known some people carry on working work pretty much throughout, most who feel some effects for 4-7 days and some who are affected more profoundly eg fatigue, neutropenia etc. Your age / health / attitude / lifestyle/ outcome doesn't necessarily determine this although of course can play a part.
The best advice I was given was to keep a simple diary through the first cycles as this helps to understand your own rhythm, what works for you at what point etc.
I would definitely encourage you to get a lift the first time if that's possible and you'll be able to decide what works best for you after that. On the day of chemo, the main impact was tiredness due to not having slept especially well the night before and then having a long day at the hospital. Like you, I live in a rural area so had quite a journey to and from the hospital.
The necessary anti-nausea drugs and steroids which are given with the chemo can also have side-effects.
I was told that as I had single carboplatin the dosage was increased and so this may amplify some of its side effects in some cases eg fatigue / constipation etc. Taxol though has additional side-effects.
With regards the constipation, there are lots of great threads with sage advice so worth using the search box! These are definitely worth reading before you start, not least as hopefully you'll see how people find their own way through it, as, I'm sure you will too.
Drinking lots (before, during and after) is really important.
Best wishes, Sx
Side effects
Olaparib side effects 
Taxol/Carbo 
Niraparib side effects
Side-effects 
