1st Chemo update - pain

[Dubai18]

Hi

I've had my 1st chemo on 16 Sept, coming out of it the other end, had body pains, all my body felt like it was being pulled and stretched from all sides, was told it was the injection for white blood cells which was doing its work.....I was in so much pain, my Oncology team were great they prescribed extra codeine for me to cope with the pains...I was slightly constipated due to taking anti sickness medications as well. 6/7 days later feeling better, but now have the tingling and numbness in my hands and feet...😒, Still feeling weak and tired. I have lost my taste and feel bloated as trying to drink more water to keep myself hydrated.

Can I expect next chemo to be worse or can I expect the same side effects and pain...? 😒. x

[SUE7777]

Hi, Nobody knows how the chemo is going to affect you or which side effects you will get. It's a tough thing to go through but for a very good cause. I hope you have as little side as possible you tend to know when your going to feel bad and when your going to feel better and your Oncologist will help with all the nasties. Once the chemo is finished you go back to normal very quickly. Take care and spoil yourself if it helps, definitely don't be hard on yourself and force yourself to do things you are unable to do. Sue xx

[Dubai18 in reply to SUE7777]

Hi Sue,

My bones were so painful, it was the injection working overtime to make the white blood cells from the bone marrow, but God it was painful, I took paracetamol and also 15gm of codeine which helped. I will ask if I need to have the injection again or if I can have it later...

Thank you Jas xxx

[SUE7777 in reply to Dubai18]

Hi Jas,

I had injections to improve white blood cells and did not have that side effect, however they may not have been the same ones. I administered mine myself (obviously the Hospital gave them to me.

I was on morphine for the bone and muscle pain from the chemo, talk to your Nurses and Oncologist they can help. It's not nice but you have to do what will get you through this.

By the way you will start to feel better towards your next chemo as the side effects wear off.

Take care and all the best.

Sue xx

[Dubai18 in reply to SUE7777]

Thank you Sue x

[Erinna72]

Good morning,

I hope you are feeling better by now.

I can fully sympathise with you about the injections for increasing the white cell count. I was fortunate that i only had to have them twice. My doctors waited for a week post chemo to see where my levels were and only then if they were down did i have to do the injections. They didn't warn me about the pain and like you I really suffered. They reduced the number of injections the second time - so it was OK. Perhaps you could ask them to do the same.

Regarding your next chemo - everyone is different - try to stay positive and tell your self you're going to be much better next time round. It is the unknown too which doesn't help. Try and walk as much as you can for your feet - that does help as well as getting a rubber ball to squeeze for your hands.

All the best

[Dubai18 in reply to Erinna72]

Thanks Erinna, I will ask about the injections and trying to stay positive, at least I now know what to expect and can take painkillers before the pain gets too bad...

Thank you Jas xxx

[Newbie_2020]

A couple of days after each chemo, it felt like I was hit by a bus along with the injections of Filgastrim, the inside of the bones was also hurting. Paracetamol for a few days took care of this. Bloating is also normal. I was eating smaller portions like before the chemo. By the time the next one is due you'll hopefully feel better and the cycle continues.

They say chemo's effect is cumulative; so, again one would hope that you'll only experience the good part of it and the tumours will shrink.

[Dubai18 in reply to Newbie_2020]

Thanks Newbie

I'm so glad that we have support for each other on this forum.

Jas xxx

[BanksiaRose in reply to Newbie_2020]

Hi. I’ve not tried it but I’ve read that Clarityn can help with pain from white cell boosting injections. It is a hayfever med, available over the counter. Also known as Loratadine. Best wishes

[Dubai18 in reply to BanksiaRose]

I will check with Oncology. Thanks x

[BanksiaRose in reply to Dubai18]

There are some research articles online too., so maybe read them before speaking to oncologist so you have ammo. My chemo nurse had never heard of using Clarityn.

[Dubai18 in reply to BanksiaRose]

I will check out. Thanks BanksiaRose x

[Ruebacelle]

Your booster according to docs tends to give you back and muscle pain as they aim directly at bone msrrow to increase white count. If you have tingling hands and feet you can check out glutamine it works for me. Good luck hugs from france

[Dubai18 in reply to Ruebacelle]

Thanks Ruebacelle, yes I have tingling thumbs and toes and a bit of numbness, will check out glutamine if I can take it. X

[LesleyGB]

Hi

I am so sorry you are having so many side effects. I find that Anadin Joint and Pain tablets works well for me. I did have Codeine (together with other painkillers) when I had my op and that could cause constipation apparently but I was given tablets to take so didn't have a problem - the tablets were Diocytl. I didn't have any injections for my white cell count so can't comment on this.

I do hope you are feeling better soon. Look after yourself - one down and five to go: you will get there.

Lesley

x

[Dubai18 in reply to LesleyGB]

Thanks Lesley x

[MarleyZ]

Hi Dubai18

First one is the worst tho saying that you have done that..as for the tingling fingers and toes I had that all the way throughout chemo it's part of the side effects the leg pain was the worse for me, finished chemo in July of this year still had tingling fingers and toes but it does start to diminish at present fingers doing good slight tingling in toes but expecting that will reduce as time goes on wish you all the best and keep reporting back to chemo team any side effects you are experiencing as they can help you get thru that.

[Dubai18 in reply to MarleyZ]

Thank you Marley

[Redditch]

My wife had 4 sessions of chemo and no more. She has been 8 months finished of chemo and has PERMANENT side effects from carboplatin and Taxol. She has now said no more. The cancer has come back in lymph nodes and peritoneom, the only suggestion from the NHS is more chemo, we don't want it. We've gone to a no side effect off label protocol from a Harley street clinic £450 for the consultation and £78 for 3 months of medication. We don't know how long we have but we have no days out having chemo, no pre anti sickness no post clexane and steroids, no blood tests two days before chemo. The whole process was awful and frankly, pointless. what's the point of prolonging life if the side effects are worse than the cancer symptoms and can be permanent? what's the point of chemo if it NEVER kills stem cells? [edited by moderator]

I truly hope your chemo side effects aren't permanent. [edited by moderator]

[Mammi]

Well with me the first was definitely the worst so you’ve got over that👍I completed all 6 treatments at end of April 2020 & just kept remembering my consultant saying “you will get through this” & I have & so will you .Not always an easy journey but it does work so be kind to yourself & focus on the end result.packets of ginger biscuits,extra strong peppermints ,a cosy blanket &” It Works Pillow spray” were my saviour.

Lots of big virtual hugs

Dee

[Dubai18 in reply to Mammi]

Yes Dee same here, I am loving the ginger biscuits....I can eat a packet....I will get some peppermint. Thank you, I am hoping it will be better and becuase it was the first one, didnt know what to expect, now i know that i can make it as comfortable for myself as possible... Jas x

[AlaNtO]

Its a nasty part of chemo. You have no idea what side effects are coming. Some are more fortunate than others. Whatever you feel just never give up - never. You are doing this for your family. Hang in there. Nearly all side effects have medications to help us over them. Remember chemo is poison and is given to kill cells. Like certain snake poisons. Please make sure your Oncologist practice ALWAYS takes your blood pressure, your weight and your bloods before your IV. Dosage depends on these factors and it is easy to be overdosed and end up having what is known as a crash when you could fall. So be careful and our best wishes for your treatment to go without further hitches.

[Dubai18 in reply to AlaNtO]

Thank you AlaNtO, appreciate it

Yes we all need to hang on there and also do it for our families, that's what keeps us going.

Jas xxx

[Kwiskwos]

Is the injection fornthe white blood cell called filgrastim? We told her onco that she's having pain form her shoulder blade and back after having her chemo and he told us right away that he will include the chest area for the next scan to see if there's anything wrong with her bones. I am thinking "why so negative and scary right away? Can it be just another side effect from the cruel chemotherapy?" I'm probably being childish in handling the news but damn we are wirling so hard.to keep up with the treatment amd here he is talking to us as if we're just getting worse. My mother is 72yrs.old and i know it is so hard for her to go through this all but she's working so hard and fighting. I feel bad that she has to receive such bad news.