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Chemotherapy? How did you cope?

Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:34 pm
Posted by doublecutter
Hear & Their
Member since Oct 2003
6582 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:34 pm
I'm on chemotherapy for rectal cancer. On three week cycles- first day get infusion chemo, then two weeks oral chemo, then one week off. And then start the whole thing over again. The doc has me scheduled for five cycles

Currently, I'm on the off week of the second cycle and I feel like crap. Extreme fatigue, hand/foot syndrome, constant low grade nausea, no appetite, food tastes different, diarrhea,and I haven't had a completely solid bowel movement in a month. I feel like I get a little weaker everyday.

My last doctor visit I told him of my side effects and he told me if I want the symptoms to get better or go away, we could stop the chemo treatments, so i really
got no coping advice from him.

I'm thinking about getting a second opinion or changing doctors.

Any advice or tips is appreciated.



Posted by geauxjuice
t(-.-t)
Member since Jan 2007
4118 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:36 pm to
sorry you're having to go through this. doctor sounds like a turd
Posted by GreenRockTiger
vortex to the whirlpool of despair
Member since Jun 2020
41510 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:37 pm to
Do you take vitamin b supplements? (Super b complex)

ETA: my friend who is currently going through chemo says this helps her.
This post was edited on 9/6/22 at 3:38 pm
Posted by auzach91
Marietta, GA
Member since Jan 2009
40254 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:37 pm to
Try edibles if you’re open to it
This post was edited on 9/6/22 at 3:38 pm
Posted by BRbornandraised
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Jun 2013
528 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:37 pm to
Not being facetious, get a medical marijuana card. It will help with the appetite and nausea.
Posted by White Roach
Member since Apr 2009
9454 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:39 pm to
Chemo sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I've got no advice on seeking a 2nd opinion. Good luck. Take care and be well.
Posted by OysterPoBoy
City of St. George
Member since Jul 2013
35088 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:39 pm to
quote:

My last doctor visit I told him of my side effects and he told me if I want the symptoms to get better or go away, we could stop the chemo treatments, so i really got no coping advice from him.


Did he say it in a dick way? That’s tough baw. What kind of success rate does the chemo have?
Posted by HoustonChick86
Catalina Wine Mixer
Member since Dec 2009
57290 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:40 pm to
Sending good thoughts your way.

I haven't been through Chemo but my mother and a co-worker said CBD oil before Chemo really helped with the nausea. Maybe that could help with appetite as well.

Not the best advice, but its all I have. I wish you luck friend.

I DO recommend if you are not happy with your doctor to get a second opinion.
Posted by doublecutter
Hear & Their
Member since Oct 2003
6582 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:42 pm to
quote:

Do you take vitamin b supplements?


No. I was told not to take B12 (folic acid) with the oral chemo I'm taking.
Posted by Lawyered
The Sip
Member since Oct 2016
29287 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:42 pm to
Watching my dad go through his chemo, someone who works 18-20 hours a day , he was absolute zapped by his chemo.

He would sleep all the time and had barely enough energy to walk 50 yards to the mailbox and back.

It was jarring to see the effects it had on him .

Good luck OP. I hope you’re able to overcome this.

Zofran. Lots of zofran is about all the medication recommendations I could give. Sure seemed to help my dad .
Posted by Areddishfish
The Wild West
Member since Oct 2015
6282 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:45 pm to
Unfortunately, there isn't a total way to avoid the suck. Most cancers don't have "easy" chemo. Stay ahead of the nausea by taking anti-nausea whether you feel it or not. During active chemo you naturally won't feel that hungry most of the time. Eat when you can. Doesn't really matter what. Your goal is to avoid too much of a weight loss. I'd lose 10-15 pounds each chemo cycle but would gain it back in time to lose it again the next cycle. Get some Imodium to help with the diarrhea and to prevent dehydration.
Posted by GreenRockTiger
vortex to the whirlpool of despair
Member since Jun 2020
41510 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:45 pm to
quote:

No. I was told not to take B12 (folic acid) with the oral chemo I'm taking.

Well, that sucks, sorry about that
Posted by TheFonz
Somewhere in Louisiana
Member since Jul 2016
20377 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:47 pm to
I can't offer much in the way of advice because I've not had to go through this, nor have had a close family member go through this. In general, however, the doctor sounds like a douche. You're in the chemo routine so I wouldn't rock the boat on that, but I would at least seek advice from another doctor on ways to cope with the side effects.
This post was edited on 9/6/22 at 3:48 pm
Posted by X123F45
Member since Apr 2015
27392 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:51 pm to
My mother holds the record for most chemo done at mary bird according to her doctor. Multiple cancers. None that metastasized.

My advice? Eat. Every go round with cancer she'd go from 90 to 120lbs. Ate nothing but carbs, beef, and grass fed butter.

I caught her one day melting butter to dip her madeline cookies in

She beat it every single time until she got cancer of the parietal pleura. Not much you can do there.
Posted by TutHillTiger
Mississippi Alabama
Member since Sep 2010
43700 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:55 pm to
About to join you so you have my complete sympathy
Posted by doublecutter
Hear & Their
Member since Oct 2003
6582 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 3:57 pm to
quote:

My advice? Eat.


I'm trying but I can't. No appetite. I've lost ab9ut 10 lbs so far.
Posted by Horsemeat
Truckin' somewhere in the US
Member since Dec 2014
13527 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 4:03 pm to
You know what I've been through - 12 cycles of that stuff. Between cycles I'd load up on boost w/extra protein drinks to keep the nutrition up while I wasnt eating. The vast majority of food isn't going to have any flavor while you're going through it - it sucks but try not to make it a big deal. I found that I could taste honey and maple flavors - that's it. I ate a ton of oatmeal during chemo just so I could have some flavor.
Stay on top of the nausea with the nausea meds they prescribe - don't miss a dosage or that low grade nausea will become a fountain of puke in the bathtub while blowing out your arse. Its horrible but it will go away after the last round.
Fatigue - your body needs to rest, so give it what it wants. When this is over you'll have to get back in the gym or on the streets to rebuild your stamina. Just a few months ago I couldn't walk to the end of my driveway without being gassed, but I've spent the last month really hammering away at getting my stamina back up and its working.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER - This must be stressed.

Gotta fight through it - sleep as much as you can and find a way to distract your mind when you're awake. It's awful but its going to be worth it in the end. Stay strong!

Order these from Walmart/Zon/whatever - they're worth it. It'll help your body recover and will help keep you hydrated. The Ensure Clear is awesome because it's really easy on the stomach when you can't keep anything down. The Boosts are heavier, better for the second week after a round.
This post was edited on 9/6/22 at 4:09 pm
Posted by fr33manator
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2010
124167 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 4:04 pm to
Get some Mary Jane.

That shite helps big time. I know more than a few people battling cancer and they say it works wonders
Posted by marinebioman
Ocean Springs, MS
Member since Feb 2005
3396 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 4:05 pm to
I’m starting another round of chemo tomorrow for incurable brain cancer. It’s 5 days of pills and the fatigue gets worse with each passing day, followed by the next week which is even worse. The third week slowly starts getting better until you are almost back to “normal” then start the process over. Embrace that it it sucks and try to find joy in the extra time it hopefully buys you with your family. I’m 44 and was diagnosed at 42.
Posted by genuineLSUtiger
Nashville
Member since Sep 2005
72942 posts
Posted on 9/6/22 at 4:07 pm to
I’m praying for you baws. It takes a lot of courage and strength to handle what you are going through.
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