[@TianT] ... yes we are on the same time frame and cycles. I have twin boys who will be 21 this year and a wee grandson who will be 3 in April. They sure do brighten your days. How have you been on your first chemo?
yup that's right. What I found was it's best to take things 1 step at a time (which isn't easy & I was away ahead of myself!). Things can change & ur treatment might be tweaked a bit as mine was. The F,E,C unfortunately floored me & I was hospitalised twice - I was so stressed when they had to change things a bit because I worried it wldnt be as good at destroying the cancer! I learnt to trust the doctors & nurses as they know what they r doing. I shld point out Ibknow several woman who had this chemo & all were fine with it - I had to be the drama queen & get sick with it . My last chemo was a year ago Thursday past - I remember feeling it was never going to end, & now I'm a yr down the road. Herceptin is easy after chemo. Funny thing is a yr down the line I'm struggling now with resentment about the whole thing (another story).
I was reading the thread & thot I'd add that I take citralopram too. I've had my dose increased as it can also help with hot flushes which trouble me. I was v anxious, esp at the start of treatment & also took diazepam - I have a bad needle phobia which went off the scale when I started chemo. I paid to have a port put in (still have it in but due to come out with my next op). The port was a game changer for me & the best thing I ever done, having it meant I didn't need to freak out about needles & veins so it calmed me right down. It's hard to manage the anxiety but the nurses were amazing & really helped me. I'd also recommend contacting maggies. Take 1 day at a time linda & just trust ur healthcare team - they know what they r doing & will steer u thru it. xx
I'd say I've been up and down, a bit of nausea but the pills have been amazing and I had a bad night a week after I started with the bone marrow in my back causing me to feel really rough! How have you been? X
Hi [@Trixie13] .... what dose of citalopram are you on? I only take 10mg and have for few years now and has kept me fine but I read about the last 3 chemos I'm having and freaked out so it's been a ropey two days but antisickness tablets have helped a lot.. takes away the sick feeling of the anxiety. I'm lucky I don't bother with needles. We don't get an option of a port but as long as my veins are ok I'm fine. Xx
[@TianT] .... what anti sickness tablets are you on ? ive not been too bad after first chemo.. nausea... headache... awful acid reflux... some blurry vision day after but all settled down... up and down last week .. so hoping few days before next chemo on 19th are good days. Xx
I take 30mg a day. That's mainly because I have a lot of menopausal effects from the chemo / I hadn't started the menopause until my chemo. Can I ask what ur particular stresses r about ur final 3 chemos? Maybe if u can get some advice & reassurance on that u will feel better? I can honestly say out of all the woman I've spoken to thru my treatment I have been the unlucky one with reactions to chemo. Nobody else was ever unwell in hospital so honestly it might not be as bad as u fear. I'd honestly say to take a day at a time & a treatment at a time because u might be fine! Chemo isn't great but it's absolutely doable. I feel quite hypocritical saying not to worry as I'm a terrible worrier but you can & will do it. U will come out the other side. Talk to the ward nurses mine were amazing. I never made it to docetaxel but had weekly paclitaxel for 12 wks instead - I felt it wld never end but it did & so will urs! Speak to ur gp re anxiety & see what they say xxx
[@Trixie13] I read about all the side effects etc that can damage your heart etc and I have medication anxiety anyway. Never did when I was younger but over last few years I worry about taking meds in case I have reactions etc ... silly I know .. no clue where it came from and it's bloody horrible. I was really calm getting my first chemo though as my nurse gave me a tablet to take in the morning to calm me down. You are so right in saying the fear is far worse than the action thing... I will be fine.. I know I need to do this and I will ... just seems such a long road ahead. Xx
Keep telling urself they know what they r doing & u will be so well monitored. Throughout Herceptin u will get regular heart scans. Remember they have to tell you these side effects but chances r u will be fine. Please don't think ur silly to worry, goodness if ever there was a time u were allowed to feel a bit stressed it's now! Honestly when I look back what I was like they must have been saying oh no not the crazy one coming again who's scared of needles, it was like a comedy sketch but I cldnt control it. The poor nurses must have drawn straws to try not to look after me!!! Your doing amazing - you're a winner!!!
