First chemo

[Lavender2016]

Help had first chemo yesterday after postponing due to infection couldn’t have it as soon as carbo went in body had a severe reaction. Felt like I was on fire from tummy up to head and started going red in the face then breathing accelerated and had a full on panic attack so they stopped it straight away - back to see consultant on Thursday anyone else experience this?

[Lindaura]

Dear Lavender,

Many people have allergic reactions to chemo. Evidently, it’s caused by an additive in the mixture, but with careful timing, appropriate antihistamines and steroids, and a VERY slow infusion, it can usually be dealt with.

It is a bit terrifying though.

So sorry you had to experience this,

Hopefully, your Oncologist and your chemo suite nurses will come up with a plan!

best wishes,

Laura

[Lavender2016 in reply to Lindaura]

Thank you Linda I’ve been very low today but you have managed to reassure me it wouldn’t be like that again x

[RisaRob]

The same thing happened to me , they just gave antihistamines and steroids and continued the treatment. I didn't have any further reactions.

[Lavender2016 in reply to RisaRob]

Did they carry on on the same day or did you wait till week after and did you have full dosage? Were you nervous about trying it again? X

[RisaRob in reply to Lavender2016]

They carried on the same day as soon as the reaction subsided. I was a bit nervous, but got through it

[Lavender2016 in reply to RisaRob]

They wouldn’t carry on with me don’t know why maybe because I had breathing problems did get in a bit of a state good to know you were ok though x

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Lavender, depending on how bad yr reaction was they may change you to cisplatin which is the forerunner to carbo. I can never have carbo again due to the reaction I had which given the way you describe your experience was a lot worse so hopefully the will prescribe additional antihistamine and you should be ok, they will monitor you very closely. Hope it goes well, Kathy xx

[Lavender2016 in reply to Katmal-UK]

Thanks Xx

[Flamingobeef18]

Hi Lavender

What an awful thing to happen at your very first chemo.

I don’t have any experience myself but just wanted to say how sorry I am that you had to go through this.

All I can say is that you were very unlucky and know that your medical team will sort it so it will never happen again.

The vast majority of infusions are very mundane and boring and pass without any incident . So here’s wishing for lots of boredom in your chemo future.

Lots of love

Juliax

[fendweller]

Hi you , very upsetting for you ,I had a reaction , extreme back pain ,they stopped it straight away , started it thirty minutes later at a slower rate ,it was fine ,try not to worry ,your team will have a plan for you ,good luck .xx

[Caroles1]

I had that, plenty of anti histamines and a slower infusion, done on the same day and it didn’t happen again, very scary, but don’t be scared, I had nothing like it after.

I am still here 5 years later xx

[Lavender2016]

Thank you xx