How bad are side effects?

[Michael112]

How bad are the side effects from chemo?
scale of 1-10 5 being sea-sickness resulting in throwing up

What about with anti nuasea drugs?

And who here has experienced chemo brain or altered conciousness? if so were you on testosterone?

[johnseed]

side effects

I had 4 cycles with cisplatin and etopicide.

The first cycle was the most difficult as my body was "shocked" by the treatment. I would say I felt a 7 or 8 leaning over the toilet puking that first night.

With the addition of anti-nausea drugs, and the occaisional toke of marijuana I had only mild nausea during the remaining cycles.I found the anti-nausea drugs (sorry, have forgotten their names) very helpful.

For me, the toughest part was feeling so weak, and not enjoying the tastes of my favorite foods. I actually put on weight during chemo as I ate comfort foods just to try and feel better.

JS

[Michael112]

Was the anti nausea drugs mind altering?

So its heaps worse then sea sickness? I cant stand sea sickness

Were you strong enough to get out of bed?

[dadmo]

Michael:
The anti nausea drugs are stomach calming not mind altering. The best description I can give for how you feel during chemo is hung over. And I do not recommend the use of marijuana, suppliments or herbal tea during chemo.

[Michael112]

Thanks, what should I expect, I am most likely going to haveto start off agressive, and I am going to request dextroamphetamine for nerves, hopefully this will help agitation and low energy.
As for side effects, is it the type of nervousness you get from panic attacks or before making a speech?
What is the initial feeling when you first have it put into you? dizzyness? is the nausea instant, does it happen after? does it come on gradually? what about during the off part of the cycle, do you still feel sick? less sick?
I dont really want any surprises, I really want to know exacly what to expect.
Thanks.

[Don]

Chemo brain!!!! That was me- I lost my short term memory really badly. I could remember stuff from 10 years ago but forgot stuff that happen 2 weeks ago..
Anti-nausea- I took Phenergan which took all the nausea away for 4-6 hours- You can get a pretty heavy buzz from it-also took Compozine.

I would compare the physical side effects of chemo to the FLU. body ache,head ache, nausea, loss of energy etc. some day will be better then others.

Best thing to do is constantly remind yourself that usually from the time of diagnosis to the finish of chemo/surgery is generally 6 months-Some cases are done after the intial surgery..3 rounds of chemo is equal to about 3 months time. Chemo sucks but you will only have to experience this for a short amount of time.. Better days are just around the corner... BE WELL!!!!!

DON

[johnseed]

side effects

Hi Michael,

I didn't have any problems with nervousness, and I don't remember being dizzy, but rather I would say I was weak.

Chemo makes you feel a little bit like you are underwater.

As others have said, you have good days and bad days, but I only had 3 days when I had nausea to the point of vomiting.

Two days after finishing chemo I went out to dinner to celebrate and found myself rushing to the restroom to puke midway through dinner. That was a surprise, but it was the last time.

Chemo isn't any fun, but having your life back is, and I always tell people that I have had great health and a wonderful recovery since chemo and cancer. If anything I am healthier now as cancer makes you more health conscious.

JS

[Vinny]

Well, I don't get seasick, so I don't know what to tell you as far as rating nausea goes. I had four rounds of BEP, and while I had a ridiculously strong gag reflex every time I brushed my teeth and leaned over to spit, I only vomited a couple of times during the fourth cycle.

I had Aloxi, Ativan, Kytril, Compazine, and eventually Emend for nausea concerns. Mostly during chemo I was tired and slept a lot. Not so much dizzy.

Chemo brain - did I have chemo brain? I can't remember.

[matthias]

The medical use and benefits of marijuana are well documented. This applies also to the anti-emetic qualities of smoking a joint.

Michael:
The anti nausea drugs are stomach calming not mind altering. The best description I can give for how you feel during chemo is hung over. And I do not recommend the use of marijuana, suppliments or herbal tea during chemo.

[mrb1980]

4xbep

Michael,

My side effects from 4 rounds of BEP are described in this thread:

4XBEP effects

Fortunately, I was never sick during the whole thing, which demonstrates that everyone's reaction is unique. My worst experience was the extreme fatigue after rounds 3 and 4; I barely had enough strength to walk 10 feet.

Like Don, I also had "chemo brain", which appeared to affect my judgement for a few months afterward. I have lingering neuropathy and ringing in my ears, but otherwise I'm in reasonable shape.

[bryan_w]

tiredness and nausea

The various sessions of chemo usually got me beaten up and left without energy. I feel vey much tired and need to rest a lot to recover. And like everyone said here there is the usual feeling of nausea and vomitting and also sort of "hang-over" feeling.

Was taking other medications for those symptoms, then swtiched to Zofran(Ondansetron) which is working ok for me. It helps me with the nausea a lot.

[stevenh77]

I'm halfway through my 3xBEP, so far the worst side effect has been fatigue. There's been a little bit of nausea, it comes and goes. I haven't had nausea to the point of vomiting and if I had to make the comparison to seasickness, this is nowhere near as bad as the last time I got seasick.

I've been strong enough to get out of bed every day since I started chemo, and I've been able to take short walks most days (a few days I've actually taken some pretty long walks, like the other day I walked a mile and a half from my fiance's house to the beach).

I have noticed a little of what I'd call chemo brain, but it isn't too bad.

[Eric V.]

E-Mend, Kytrel, Ativan, Compozine were given to me and I only got sick 4 times and it was on my third week each time when I got my Bleomycin. 4 x BEP

[ElmoGrover]

response

My boyfriend just finished his first 5 days of chemo and he's had it rougher than most do. one of the doctors said that for some reason it seems like the younger guys seem to suffer the most chemo side effects. My boyfriend said he's worse than having the RPLNd, that was painful but the feeling of always being about to vomit are worse for him. Marinol has helped him the most so far for the nasuea. We are just taking it one moment at a time right now. When he sleeps is when he feels best, which is good because alot of the meds make him really sleepy. GOOD LUCK! hopefully your body wont react too badly!

[bryan_w]

Hi Michael,
had problems with with nervousness, remember being dizzy, and was weak.
Chemo makes you feel a little you have no body and there are mostly bad days.
Chemo isn't any fun, but having your life back is.