Chemo starting - what to do now

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User

Posted 06 Oct 2018 at 07:23

Hi Merilyn, just wondered how Rob is progressing? I'm on my first course of docetaxel (1/10/18) and wondered how long after the cycle you stop walking round like a zombie?
Got a bit of garden tidying to do later, just need to muster some enthusiasm for it.

Edited by member 06 Oct 2018 at 07:24 | Reason: new

User

Posted 07 Oct 2018 at 09:07

Hi Jasper, hope your first round of chemo went well.

Rob started feeling ‘a bit rough’ from day 3 after chemo although it wasn’t nausea, but headaches, giddiness etc. Initially it lasted for 3 or so days but as the sessions increased these days extended somewhat. Progressively his taste deteriorated but the nearer he got to the next session it started to return a little. Third round was pretty yuck for him but we realised he wasn’t drinking enough so increased the fluid uptake quite considerably which helped no end so I recommend you drink 4 or more pints of water/squashes per day as well as the normal cups of teas/coffees. Don’t drink the water straight down though, drink it gradually over 15-30 minutes. This helped considerably. The sooner you start after chemo the better.

His fatigue level is pretty high, and has built up as the sessions have increased. He does little jobs around the house but doesn’t have much energy to keep the momentum going for any length of time. He does experience giddiness when getting up quickly. So if you are affected in the same way I recommend you bend over slightly after you get out of the chair, don’t just rush off after getting up! The week before his next round of chemo is generally pretty good.

I hope this has answered your question but if there is anything else I can help with please don’t hesitate to ask. Bear in mind one man’s experiences may be different to another’s but you will find lots of help and advice on this forum.

Regards

Merilyn

User

Posted 07 Oct 2018 at 09:17

Regards to gardening Jasper, he now manages to mow our fairly large lawn week 3 after chemo. After the first round of chemo he was quite active though, it’s only as the sessions have progressed his fatigue levels have got higher. If you had your chemo on 1st, from a Robs experience he was starting to feel ok from about day 7 so maybe you won’t be walking around like a zombie much longer! Regards M.

User

Posted 31 Dec 2018 at 14:16

Hi All

Just checking my meds in advance of my final docataxel chemo session on 14/1/19.

I've been taking Lansoprazole 30mg a day half an hour before food for 3 months. These were prescribed by my Onco since the chemo started on 1/10 but I'm going to run out on 19/1 and I'm wondering if he prescribed up to that date deliberately or do i need another couple of weeks on these to help me to the end of the 3 week chemo cycle?

I'm not due to see him again until February so if anyone could advise I'd be grateful.

We did discuss weaning me off prednisolone at my last meeting but the Lansoprazole wasn't mentioned.

thanks

John

User

Posted 31 Dec 2018 at 16:06

Hi John
My other half stayed on all his meds until final chemo on 31/10. He was then weaned off the prednisolone over two weeks but all other meds just stopped and he returned all unused to the hospital for disposal. May be worth a quick phone call to your Doc to clarify things though.

As an aside it is now approx 8 weeks since chemo stopped and he has been suffering aches and pains and fatigue. Apparently this is quite normal - just a heads up - Forewarned is forearmed!

Chin up, happy new year, fingers crossed for a better one.

Merilyn

User

Posted 31 Dec 2018 at 16:30

Hi John. This is a bit of a puzzle. Lansoprazole is not usually prescribed with docetaxel treatment, which of itself does not normally cause excess stomach acidity. Perhaps you reported excess acid to your oncologist? Incidentally, I am on the same dosage, but prescribed for a hiatus hernia. I never had it during my chemo not did I feel the need. It can be taken in the morning, or as I do, half an hour or an hour before my evening meal. It seems to suit me better, after some experimentation with split doses and different times, after a chat with my GP.

AC

User

Posted 31 Dec 2018 at 20:35

Very odd indeed, I made no special requests when I started the docataxel. My Onco prescribed lansoprazole to reduce stomach acid, metoclopramide to relieve nausea and prednisolone as a steroid. didn't challenge him, I was newly diagnosed so just went along with his advice.

i quickly ditched the metoclopramide as I've had no nausea symptoms on chemo. I'll probably stick with the lanso till it runs out and wean myself off the prednisolone as per my Onco's instructions. The aches, pains and fatigue is a good heads up Merilyn, thanks for that advice.

Happy New Year all.

john

Edited by member 31 Dec 2018 at 20:35 | Reason: Not specified

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