Tips Please Ladies

[Lily-Anne]

I'm after some tips for dizziness, every now and then I get dizzy spells a bit like after a boozy night out. Feels like the rooms spinning. I'm guessing this is the chemo.

LA

[Hidden]

Hi Lily-Anne,

Yes! I would think it is the chemo, but when I had any nasty effects of the chemo, I just took it easy... relaxed in a nice warm blanket... listen to my iPod and just chilled, (in other words I tried to let it all ride over me) and eventually it will pass...sorry you are not too good..we've all been there... sending you love and best wishes x G x

[Whippit]

me too. I passed out in the loo and knocked myself senseless on the door knob and had a purple egg-shaped bump on my forehead for a month. Moral of this story is lie down if you feel dizzy to avoid incurring more injury.

I think it's probably a combination of things - perhaps the chemotherapy, perhaps the shock to the body and mind of going through it, perhaps fear. The most important thing is to be kind to yourself and take it easy.

You're doing well Lily-Anne - nearly half-way already!

Loads of love xxx Annie

[Cadbury]

Dear Lily-Anne

I have the answer to your question.

The dizziness that you are experiencing is due to the withdrawal of the high doses of steroids that you were given at the time of your first chemotherapy last week.

The body has to make huge adjustments to the unnatural amount of steroids that are given. Initially, the steroids make you feel that you can do anything and you experience high energy levels and a sense of wellbeing. (I read a post where a lady came back from her first dose of chemotherapy and felt that all she wanted to do was to assemble flat packed furniture for hours on end!)

Your problem arises when the body has to make the reverse adjustment. Sometimes, there are sweats as well as dizziness. At this stage, dizziness can also happen when you are getting out of bed. It is best just to sit on the edge of the bed for about 20-30 seconds before standing upright, just to let the body acclimatise. I felt quite alarmed when all this was happening to me but found that it passed off after 2-3 days and after the second round of chemotherapy, the dizziness was far less.

I hope that this helps you understand what is going on. It does not change anything but I do believe that having insight into problems makes it easier to deal with them and gives a sense of empowerment.

Best wishes

Isabelle

[Hidden]

I had this too - went #rse over t$t after getting out if bed one morning a week or two in and was suddenly staring at the ceiling having gouged a lump out if my hand on a bit of furniture. I put it down to sleeping pill hangover, interesting others get it. I also got car sick for the first time during chemo and it persisted - again I have a theory! I put that down to the little hairs in your inner ear - figure if all the other hair goes, why not that too? No clue if this post remotely helpful!!

Love

Sue xxx

[Lily-Anne]

All helpful, had some terrible sweats yesterday felt so ill thought I'm not doing this again, today sweats settled still dizzy though, I hate that dizzy feeling adds to the sickness. Had my tabs though. Temp has been a little inconsistant. I rang the helpline at the hospital today and they said first chemo is different for everyone, to keep an eye on temp and go to bed. Forgot to ask about dizzy moments, so thanks everyone. Out of bed this evening and even had some food.

Now question number two, lol, constipation, read loads of posts, had my sweet syrupy stuff, did go yesterday (sorry) but now nothing, get the odd wave of pain but no more progress, had fresh juice ...

LA xx

[ChrisH in reply to Lily-Anne]

Hot sweats that make you even more exhausted while they last are normal. But don't worry, they will reduce in a couple more days. I used to feel dizzy when I was in the car at first.....put it down to my Mother in Law's driving style!

Ok, constipation....large doses of Movacol! I start on one dose, twice a day, then increase over a few days until its shifte, then give it a couple of days and reduce slowly. Someone mentioned pears as a sure fire shifter, I've also heard rhubarb works. Another tip is to make sure you drink plenty! I got in the habit of taking the Movacol regularly, as its easier to keep things going than to kick start it.

Hopefully you'll be on the up now, you're over the worst!

Love

Chris

[BJ_UK in reply to Lily-Anne]

Hi, Lily-Anne.

I sometimes have dizzy spells (usually during hayfever season or when it is very cold), and my GP prescribed cinnarizine, which is actually an antihistamine but is particularly good at dealing with disturbances of balance. It works really well for me, so might be worth asking your doctor about.

I think cyclizine may have similar effects, so if you have been given a supply of that but have not been using it, that might be worth trying.

Barbara

[ladygooner-uk]

Ah the dreaded constipation! Its a bit like a gravy recipe(pardon the pun) - we all have our own take on it!. My onc swore by Milpar and senna (yep, together) for a few days after- she had even done research on it! Then I ate a large bowl of fresh organic fruit. This kept me regular when I was having chemo- am sure others will give you other ideas!

Hope it gets moving soon!

Sue

X

[wendydee]

Yes, constipation is a constant conversation on here .....sounds like one of Gwyn's poems ... If you type it into the search box at the top of the page, you'll come up with lots of tried and tested tips. Top ones seem to be pears, pineapple, figs, prunes .....not necessarily all at once though

Good luck. For me it was the most uncomfortable bit of the whole process. The dizziness must be unsettling too. Hope you soon feel a bit better

Love Wendy xx

[SA100]

Hi Lily-Anne

I have heard that dizziness is a possible side effect but just to err on the side of caution, is your blood pressure normal? Dizziness can also be caused by high blood pressure.

Regarding constipation, have you tried milk of magnesia? That helped my sister a lot. Also, when you are feeling up to it, do some kundalini yoga. You might be able to find some gentle movements on Youtube. This is amazing if you find one that focuses on the root chakra (which is at the base of your spine). Good luck xxxx

[sarem]

Hi LA.

I have had a couple of funny turns with feeling dizzy and a bit odd. First time I just had a lie down and it soon passed. 2nd time hubby took my blood pressure and it was low, 3rd time he took it again and it was low. I seem to have 1 episode a few days after chemo. I checked with my oncologist and he wasnt worried so long as I was coping and getting over feeling dizzy.

I also suffer from constipation after chemo usually by about day 3or 4. I now have lactuslose prescribed and was told by the pharmacistmto take it a day or so before my chemo. Told this at chemo session no 5. Prevoiusly I was advised to eat fruits with stones in, I ate plums everyday chopped up in my cereals. I also whizzed prunes and orange juice which was ok but difficult to swallow somedays. I now keep a store of prunes and eat them; I take the lactulose before I go to bed and then again in the mornings. I alter the dose from between 10 and 15 mls depending on how effective it has been. I gradually stop taking it once I am at about a week or so after day 1 of the chemo.

Hope you get sorted

best wishes

Lorraine