managing chemo

Hi chrissylemon here! Have just had my 2nd round of chemo and am managing the side effects just!!!! My main one is insomnia have been awake since 339am! Have got diazepam which does help but don't want to get hooked on them! I finish the steroids tomorrow which should help but i still had difficulty last time throughout the three wks? Any suggestions? And did anyone find the taxotere worse than the fec? Xx

Parents
  • Hi it's Audrey here. I had no 4 on FEC-T. I had to double the steroids up the day before. I have had two sleepless nights, really tired but my mind seemed active. I asked the nurse and she said the steroids could have caused this. Last day today, I have not had any side effects as yet, still early days. I had terrible nausea despite anti sickness drugs for about 10 days on FEC. Hope you manage a full nights sleep tonight x

  • Hi! Was awake again at 430! Third time on the row! But better than 239 on the tuesday night! Doc has given me diazepam to help to relax! V tired all the time which is frustrating when u have jobs to do and i just want to lie down and watch tv! But it will get easier each day i hope! Thank u for replying it really helps to chat to other people! Xx

  • Hi Chrissylemon. I know it's awful waking up so early especially when you feel so tired. I am putting my sleepless nights down to the steroids. The first three treatments made me so tired, most nights in bed for nine and sleeping until about ten next day. It is day three after last session so started the injections today. Do you take them daily for seven days too? I go to a support group in our local hospital, it's called Maggies, think it's a national charity. I enjoy chatting informally to others going through same at different stages. There seems to be many variants of treatment. Hope you have a restful day and catch up on some of your lost sleep. Take care x

  • Hi there! Yes am finding it hard to sleep and have been awake since 4am! I am not on any injections what are they for? The other problem is constipation which is so painful! Am drinking lots of water and taking dulcoease which is starting to work a little! Feel v low and it seems such a long way till this nightmare will end! My partner has been great but am sure he must be fed up at times! Sorry to rant on but not in a good place at the moment! I know from the last time i will feel better soon! So i need to shake myself down and be positive again! Take care xxx

  • Hi there. The injections are to stimulate white blood cells I believe. I administer them myself, really easy to do. I understand how you feel I had terrible constipation and stomach pains until the laxatives started to work. The low days are awful too, I live on my own and at times feel isolated, the positive side of that is I don't have to put an act on and pick myself up when the dark days pass. Knowing that in a few days we will feel better helps, but it's still hard to get through each day feeling tired and unwell. I hope you feel better soon and get positive again very soon. Try and catch up on sleep when you can as I find the tiredness brings your mood down too. Take care and best wishes x

  • Hi sorry i do have an injection but only the once on the 2nd day! Think i am anaemic as v tired and shaky! My partner has been out and bought liver and broccoli to boost my iron level! Just hope feel better soon coz can't feel like this for wks! Still we must remain positive for the sake of ourselves and families! But its sooooo hard at times xx

Reply
  • Hi sorry i do have an injection but only the once on the 2nd day! Think i am anaemic as v tired and shaky! My partner has been out and bought liver and broccoli to boost my iron level! Just hope feel better soon coz can't feel like this for wks! Still we must remain positive for the sake of ourselves and families! But its sooooo hard at times xx

Children