Hi girls
I wouldn't believe it if it wasn't happening to me. I had my 2 Dex tabs at 2pm as instructed and I will have to have 2 more in the morning before my chemo tomorrow. I think this is to help alleviate me having a reaction to Taxotere??.
I have had a really busy day and was so exhausted about 6pm so had a nice bath and then some dinner and was thinking I will be in bed by 8pm tonight. It is now 9.20pm in W.A. and I am buzzing. Not enough to make me want to spring clean my house tonight but unfortunately as I know that would make me feel better......
I have noticed it before but not like this, especially when I was so exhausted a few hours ago. That is all I can put it down to.
I really need to get some sleep tonight as I have a very very long day tomorrow. Bumma
Mich xo
Comments
That's what Dex does
Hi Mich, it is better than Speed (if I would know!!!). My house was always spotless the day before chemo thanks to Dex. Yes it has the downside - not being able to sleep. You will get through the chemo day - amazing how we can. Time to catch up on sleep later. It is 11.30 in Queensland so I had better go to bed. Best of luck tomorrow. XLeonie
Hey Leonie
12.40am here in good old W.A. and I still blogging. If I knew I was going to be buzzing this much I would have psyched myself up for a spring clean but the energy levels just aren't happening for me. My house is normally sparkling clean at the best of times but not at present. My poor dog is looking at me thinking who is this crazy women walking around the house. Two hot milos down the hatch and she is still buzzing aggghhhhhh Alarm is set for 6am, shouldn't have bothered cause way I am going I wouldn't have even got to sleep by then.
Have tried reading, hot milo's so will now try relaxation music. Fingers crossed.
I will be ready with the mop and vacumm in hand next chemo cycle. hee hee
Mich xo
Me too!
Hi Mich,
Definitely the Dex! I am like an owl every Wednesday/Thursday night and like you have tried everything - hot chocolate, relaxation tapes, baths - but nothing works and I don't want to take more pills. So. I put a stack of books next to the bed and just read through the night. By lunchtime I'm comatose and have a nap for a couple of hours if possible. We have a lot of 2.30am posts!
All the best for tomorrow - love and hugs,
Michelle xx
Thank you Michelle, I have never known it to hit so quick, normally after chemo but not the night before because I only have had to take it last time before chemo for the first cycle of Taxotere which was my last cycle and now for today's cycle and then there will be only one more after this lil sucker. Only one more yippeeeeee
I can't wait I am so over all the side effects and lack of energy.
Mich xoxo
It all takes time
I remember the mornings sitting at the computer "talking" to others who were also unable to sleep. Isn't it good to have "friends"?? It is now nearly 1 year since my last chemo. At the moment I feel so well and in such a good place. Girls, it does take a long while to get your mojo back (Tonya's word). You will have spasms of energy and think "Heh I am on the road back" However, don't be mislead and do too much otherwise you will "Go back to Start" Softly softly catches the monkey!!! It really is best to take baby steps for quite a long while. It will happen........XLeonie
Thank you so much for encouraging words. I really really need to hear that at the moment as been a bit in the duldrums so to speak.
I so want to get my "mojo back" but yes I know I have to be patient.......something I not good at. Some days I think yep I will be better for the rest of this cycle and then next day I am back there. This cycle with Taxotere I just haven't been able to get back to a good place which is a bit scarey. Other three cycles I have found I did improve at least in the last week and with a good day here and there, not this time.
There is always so much for me to do running the house and looking after the animals but I have prioritised and tell myself as long as we are all fed and watered and have a comfy warm bed and are clean we are doing okay. But it is so hard sometimes.
I will try to keep doing lil baby steps as best I can.
I year on sounds like such a nice place, thank you Leonie, much appreciated for your ongoing support and oh yeah so good to have freinds on the computer to talk with :-)
Mich xo
hi mich X
Hi mich X,
I am also 56 and had treatment some years ago.. still doing baby steps and pacing myself these days. I am very good at " pottering ."
When I had chemo.. i remember getting the dexamethasone at time of treatment. With early menopause from chemo.. I had severe hormone withdrawal/ flushes etc. I also had some suicidal ideation.. " if it gets too bad I can gas myself "..odd thinking for me...
Anyway..eventually I started zoloft.. a seretonin reuptake inhibitor..which also can help reduce severity of flushing, and also perception of pain ( which I also had ). I still take it in a small dose.. 50 mgs..It seems to suit me ...
Slowly, carefully, gently.. small steps.. and asking for help.. is ok too.
Best of luck, Kathy.
P.S. I have a good friend who lives on a wheat/ sheep farm in Lake Grace, WA. I visited her in 2007, and may do again soon. Are you near Denmark or Esperance at all, or further north?
Thanks Kathy for your support. It sounds like you did it pretty tough going through your treatment and Dex. I glad you doing well now but have learnt that baby steps are the way to go.
I need to accept the go slow swagger for a while and try not to beat myself up tooo much for a while. I am sure I will bounce back eventually but it just takes time I am finding out.
This bloody BC journey is really putting all of our wits and strength to the test and hopefully is making us a better and stronger person for it.
I am sure I will start feeling that once I get a bit of my swagger back and can shake that booty while I work. :-)
Kepp on pottering cause that obviously works for you. I am glad you have been able to find help in the Zoloft to get you out of that deep dark hole you were in and hopefully you are enjoying your life again. Suicide is not a good place for you and a much worse place to put your loved ones in I can assure you of that. So I am glad all of that horrible thoughts are in your past.
I live approximately 400klms north of Perth in the country but near the ocean so most of the time I believe I have the best of both worlds. I do love it down South as it is such a beautiful place but just a bit cold for me to want to live permanently. I love my sun and the beach too much. We are having magnificent weather up here at present. I wish it could be like this all the time but know that is not what the farmers want to hear.
Take care of yourself and thank you for being their for me. I wish you well for your recovery.
Mich xo
Thinking of you Mich
Hi Mich,
I will be thinking of and praying for you today as you get #2 Taxetera.
All the best, Ann
Hi Ann
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. I did survive today with no hiccups so that is always a bonus. I am hoping this cycle will be a bit kinder to me, we can but hope. I survived Taxotere #1 and I know what I am in for now so I am sure I will survive Taxotere #2. I am starting to feel I need some sleep so I was told today by Oncologist if I need a sleeping tablet than do so as the Dex is a shocker for lack of sleep. I also don't want to get any of the panic attacks like I had after last chemo so I was told to half my Dex dose tomorrow and the next day. I am lucky in that I didn't suffer from nausea this last time. I also didn't have hardly any hot flushes which has been a super bonus. So there is some good points on Taxotere. I am also prepared with good pain killers this time and have been told to take them as needed backed with a laxative :-)
So I hope I am going in to this cycle a little bit more prepared. Only one more cycle to get through so I am on the down hill ride of chemo thank goodness!!!!
How are you travelling. How many FEC do you have to go? I hope you are going well and not suffering too much. Have you given work away for the time being? I have accepted there is no way I can work currently and I am trying not to feel guilty about it. I will get myself well and get back to it as soon as I can should I want to.
Take care and thank you again for your love and support, much appreciated. If there is any advice I can offer you please don't hesitate to ask as I am here for you.
Mich xoxox
FEC100
Hi Mich,
So glad to hear you are prepared this time and so far so good. If you don't mind me asking what pain killers will you take this time around?
As for me, I had FEC100 #2 on Friday so I am up and out of the dungeon and on my way up. Day 4 & 5 are turning out to be my "doona days" as Tonya so aptly puts it.
How do you go with Pramin? I am thinking that I don't want to take it again on day 4 & 5 as I feel really yuk with it.
May you have a peaceful and restful night, Ann
Hi Ann
My lovely oncologist has prescribed OxyNorm Capsules (Oxycodone 5mg) - take 1 capsule 4 times each when required.
I didn't have a problem with Pramin but I didn't really have to take a lot of them. I think I only took 1 or 2 and the Emden??? (spelling that I had one at chemo and one each day for following 2 days) The Pramin was just for back up.. But I can honestly say I have been blessed in that I have not suffered a lot of nausea throughout my chemo so far. Pretty much every other side effect but not a lot of nausea thank goodness.
I found with FEC it hit like a bomb shell from day 3/4 for a good couple of days where I was pretty comatose but then I came out of it and slowly improved. Do you count your chemo day as Day 1 cause my chemo nurse does??
Thinking of you and wishing you well and hope you have minimal side effects and nausea this time.
Mich xo
3rd FEC
I'm just about to have my third FEC and must admit have found Cycle 2 quite kind really. I only had nausea for the first couple of days (cycle 1 I had it basically for the whole three weeks), then a terrible cold and sore throat, I found Day 6 to be my doona day. The last two weeks I've felt pretty fine on a whole. I'm used to not having any hair now (although still have a lot of spiky bits, especially the middle section like a mohawk LOL) and used to putting on my wig everyday! I need to get some warm hats or headware though as it's getting cooler hear in far north NSW!
I've heard taxotere is far worse with bone pain and the like - have you experienced that so far Mich? I did suffer terrible insomnia night 1 & 2 and didn't realise that was from the Dex so thanks for enlightening me!
Tammy x
Hi girls
While I think of it. Nausea - I was given a script and got it filled for ZOFRAN from my GP in preparation for nausea for my daughters wedding. I did take one the morning of the wedding cause I was feeling a bit queezy (nerves I think) but I haven't had to take them since but I understand they are a bit of a magic pill. They are not cheap........I paid $35.40 for 10 wafers but I didn't care. I just wanted to be able to get through my daughters "High Tea" and Wedding feeling well and I did thank goodness. They were magical days and nights and every time I think of the high tea and wedding now it gives me warm and fuzzies :-) which we need lots of them don't we?
When I think back now I did find the FEC a lot kinder than Taxotere. BUT on saying that I am getting much further into the whole chemo thing and my body is taking a bit belting on the chemo as we all will be going/have gone through. I have had a lot of side effects but I must say FOR ME!!!!! and please remember we are all so very different. That for me a few days with FEC I was comatose (and I not joking when I say that) and then I did improve slowly. With the Taxotere it is a different feeling and a different set of side effects. Some side effects are definitely the same but I do find (and again this is personally) that the nerve pain and bone pain is quite debilitating for a long time of my cycle. I did not find Panadol or Panadol Osteo even touched the sides of my pain (taking it from the start and regularly every four hours as suggested). That is why I have had to bring in the big guns in preparation for this onslaught (should it arise).
I also give myself a Neulasta injection for my low white cell count the next day after chemo and I know that also adds to my pain. I have never bothered to formally have myself diagnosed with arthritis but I am quite sure I do suffer from it and I feel that the pain seems to grab those areas where I feel I have arthritis. My sisters suffer with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis so I know quite a bit about it's problems and symptoms. The pain for me is not in one area of my body it seems to go right through every bone and nerve throughout the day and night making it hard to use a heat pack etc.
All I can suggest is to use the information through this wonderful site from all your pink sisters and also from your medical team and "be prepared" !!!!!!!!!
I really hope that has helped you girls as I know it is the "unknown" that is soooooo scary.
You can often access beanies, hats, scarves etc. through the cancer council, McGrath Foundation (if you have one over there) and wig centres. We have a Wig Service through Cancer Council here in W.A. where you can borrow wigs and all the above things for as long as needed and you just return them washed and in good condition FOR FREE and it is a wonderful wonderful service. We outlay so much through this journey that if we can save a little somewhere it is worth it. I don't like turbans, scarves and beanies on my funny face/head so I tend to wear hats and wigs when I go out. Nothing around the house YET but getting colder now unfortunately and I throw a hat on to answer the door if I need to.
Sending you some warm and fuzzies and healing hugs your way girls. I am lucky that I am having a "good day" so far. Must be the Dex hee hee
Mich xo
DEX love the stuff - NOT!!
Hi girls
Reading your blogs, I am also needing to take the dreaded "Dex". I have symptoms of like being on "drugs". I get the jitters and my hands shake and my legs just cant keep still. I also have trouble sleeping and feel so awake.
But my oncologist has prescribed me " Ativan" - Lorazepam to help calm me. I take one 3 t imes/day, and these have helped...... Maybe these may also help you girls.
Anyway, hope you are all doing fine and smiling heaps.
Lots of love Julie XX
Hey girls
I can say I was soooo grateful for my Dex today as I thought I not going to let this sucker have the better of me so I thought I am going to run with the buz and extra Energized Bunny feeling so I cleaned my house from top to botton. Mind you I had to take a couple of pain killers to get me through but it is done and it is gleaming once again even if for a very short time period but I did it all by myself.. I am pleased and I am now ready to go to bed and hopefully sleep for a much deserved good nights sleep. Fingers crossed that sleep will happen.
Tomorrow is another day. One day at a time.........
Mich xoxo
I miss the DEX! I dont need Dex for the chemo I'm on now, and I must admit, I actually miss it! I used to buzz around for days, cleaning my house, my friend's house...anyone's house who'd let me! LOL! I got so much done! I was just bouncing out of my skin, talking 100 miles per hour non-stop! I think I exhausted everyone around me! I did take a sleeping tablet at night though, as at first I couldn't sleep at all...pulling all-nighters which was a pain in the bum! Long live Dex I say! Celeste♥
Hi Celeste
I am so glad I took advantage of the Dex yesterday. Not buzzing quite as much today which is a shame as I need to get a pile of shopping done etc. before a doctors appointment. At the moment I am just thinking will I get through this day. If it wasn't that Dex also gives me panic attacks and aggitation I might consider popping another pill hee hee.
My body is paying for my extra zealousness yesterday but it felt soooooo good!! at the time.
Mich xo
Well girls
The Dex kept me buzzing allllllll day yesterday and well in to the night until I think the sleeping tablet won over early hours of the morning.
I had another huge day yesterday with driving up to our big Local Shop Centre in Geraldton WA and I achieved so much. I had a huge list of things to do and I got them allll done and could have kept going but my sister who is normally the supa women said enough was enough.
Today I don't have to take any Dex this morning and the pain from Taxotere and Neulasta and setting in so we will see how long this sister is laughing.
Have a great weekend, a long one over here in W.A.
Mich xo
Hi Mich
Great that you got all your things done on your list. But take it easy and don't over do it.
I hate the DEX, it does give you such a "buzz". But I hope the pain doesn't come and you have a lovely restful time.
Take care honey and sending big hugs Julie XX