So many side effects just one week after 1st Chemo

I began chemo on the 21st of April for early stage triple negative breast cancer and wondered if my body is super sensitive or something because everyday I seem to have a new problem. 
I had the expected nausea which slowly got better about 4 days after my treatment. But since then I've developed strange sleeping patterns and have no problem falling asleep at night but end up waking up 4 or 5 hours later. 
I've also managed to have my period this week and it's unusually heavy which is confusing as I was given the zoladex (sp?) injection 2 weeks ago to put my ovaries in stasis so I was expecting my periods to stop while I'm on chemo. 
My face and body are freshly dappled in the worse acne breakout I've ever had (I'm 45 and used to have healthy skin). 
For most of the week I've been painfully constipated but today I've got diarrhoea. I've always had a very healthy diet and drink over 2 litres of water daily. 
I've also got a really painful mouth and terrible taste that is never relieved by brushing my teeth. 
And since yesterday, my left breast (with the tumour) is exceedingly painful, especially in the nipple area. 
I'm having chemo every 2 weeks till June when it'll be every week for 12 weeks and as I've just started my healing journey, I'm feeling quite concerned that all my current side effects are going to be unbearable! 
And please tell me why my metabolism has gone off the charts? I'm constantly starving even when feeling nauseated. 
 

Would welcome any insights into how to manage better or if what I'm experiencing is what I should be experiencing even though I know very well that everyone has a different experience with chemo.

 

Thank you to anyone who can help. 
 

 

 

  • Hi I'm sorry to read your having a rough time, I can't answer if it's the side effects but I can offer a piece of advice i was given when I saw my dentist just before I had my lumpectomy and slnb incase I have to have chemo instead of radiotherapy.

    Get a toothpaste that is SLS Free, babies toothbrush and Aloclair mouthwash.

    The person who recommended it had worked with a dentist who had undergone chemo few years ago and these things were a great help.

    Perhaps call your oncologist they will be able to help and advise.

    My best wishes to you.

    Louise x

  • Hi, I suggest you talk to your breast care team or oncologist and see what they can suggest.  For example, I had awful heartburn during my fist cycle and they gave me medication to manage it. Maybe they can do something similar for you.  I called my team a few times for quite small things in the beginning and they were great, a,ways reassuring and never made me feel like I was bothering them.  Hope you get the side effects under control soon 

  • Hi. I have breast cancer but am tripple positive, so possibly on a different regime than you. I have had very few side-effects, this could be because of different treatment (12 weeks of weekly Paclitaxel treatments, Herception every three weeks for 18 cycles etc etc) - now exactly half way through chemo - but I also put it down to a holistic approach. I can recommend seeing a accupunturist and a nutritionist as both can really make a difference in each their way, the accupuncturist by boosting your immunity and dealing with specific issues, the nutritionist by helping you make the right dietary choices for your stage and illness. I like that both practitioners will help you make your body stronger not just deal with the symptoms but of course this is not instead of traditional medical approached, but an addition to it, so also speak to your breast care team / physiotherapists.

  • Hi. In relation to your sleeping patterns I am presently undergoing chemotherapy for small bowel cancer. Weight loss is my biggest concern.

    I like you to to bed and get of to sleep but I wake up about 4' hours later and can not get back to sleep for worrying about things. My GP has put me on a months supply of anti depressants tablets that contains a sleeping effect to it. Have just started them.