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• Heather

  

  • 1 posts
  October 18, 2011 4:50:00 PM WATime

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  Any members have some issues or tips regarding their Chemo treatment to share?

  McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Breast Cancer Care WA 

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  February 7, 2012 8:23:21 PM WATime

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  Is there anything in the chemo mix that would make my eyes continually 'itchy'? Anything I could use in the way of drops etc to quieten them down?

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  February 8, 2012 2:09:02 PM WATime

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  'Chemo itch' is not uncommon during or after chemo treatment, especially with certain chemo drugs or steroids.
  It's important to determine if the itching is a 'side-effect' of treatment or caused by a condition such as conjunctivitis (eye infection) or other eye problem.
  Eye drops are available from pharmacies that may be beneficial to ease itching, such as anti-histamine based preparations. Or if itching is associated with dry eyes, lubricating drops may work very well. Pharmacists would be able to assist with advice.
  If infection ('pink' eye) or other eye problems are the underlying cause, other investigations/ treatments may be required to help. Assessment by your GP or treating team is recommended.
  Good luck! Itchy eyes are sooooo irritating! Please let us know if anything helps ..

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  February 8, 2012 2:39:29 PM WATime

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  Yes anything to do with eye irritation is very annoying. Dry eyes can be a problem as you get older Sue I have a little bottle of Refresh eyedrops that I use when it strikes me. (:

  the Click Researcher
  

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  February 8, 2012 4:48:24 PM WATime

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  Ahhhh thanks Cyn I will give it a try I assume I get them from a Chemist. I saw my GP yesterday but hadn't seen her since pre diagnosis so we had lots to talk about and I didn't think to put eye itch on the list. x
  

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  February 8, 2012 5:19:28 PM WATime

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  Chemo hint. 1) This is my second time through chemo, the first was in 2002. This time even throughout the shock of diagnoses I remembered some of the stuff I was taught by a Psychologist first time around. The big one was to not see Chemo as the enemy - to not fear it or be scared by it. I was encouraged to relax, breath, and visualize the chemo as a bunch of white knights (or whatever works) riding off to fight the cancer cells; to visualize them winning. It might sound weird but it helped me to relax and not fear the process. I actually slept through a lot of my chemo treatments. I believe that not being knotted up by fear helped me stay focused and positive. I have just completed my current chemo treatment and compared to many my journey, once again, was easy. Do whatever you need to do to stay calm and relaxed. Everyone is on your side and there is heaps of complimentary therapies available to help you stay calm.
  2) Another thing that I believe helped with my staying calm was by going to chemo treatments alone. I did have a support person there the very first time I had chemo. From then on all my treatments have been me alone. I have a friend accompany me to the Oncology Appointment then they come back later to give me a lift home.
  3) Smile. Smile a lot, especially when you’re going for treatment. People treat you differently.
  

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  February 9, 2012 11:37:05 AM WATime

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  Yes Sue you get the drops at the chemist but if you have the conjunctivitis type itchy eye then you need a script for Chlorsig from your GP. I really like your tips for dealing with chemo. I know my hubby went by himself and I think this gave him a feeling of some control over everything at the time. (-:

  the Click Researcher
  

• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  February 9, 2012 9:56:10 PM WATime

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  I loved the comments you made about "visualising the chemo as a bunch of white knights .. riding off to fight the cancer cells" Sue!! I can really 'see' that, and have found this approach helps SO much to stay positive when facing significant health problems in life! I have used similar in facing some tough health issues myself! It really does seem to help you to feel you have some impact and influence on the treatment working! Seems there may be a lot to be said for the power of positive thinking ..

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  February 9, 2012 10:01:27 PM WATime

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  I believe so Glenys. It sure works for me.

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• Sandi

  

  • 7 posts
  February 16, 2012 11:22:15 AM WATime

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  Whenever I had the FEC chemotherapy I used to picture the Epirubicin flowing into my veins as red Pacmen and "munching" up the horrible little black cancer cells like the ones on the Skin Cancer ad on TV. That helped me a lot.

  45 YO wife & mother. DX Nov 2011 aged 42, 17mm grade 3 IDC ER+ PR+ 6/14 lymph nodes +, wide local excision followed by right axillary clearance 23/11/11. 3 x FEC then 3 x Docetaxil, 6 weeks rads finished June 2012 & now 5 yrs Tamoxifen.

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  February 16, 2012 6:06:21 PM WATime

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  Whatever works eh Sandi lol

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  February 22, 2012 8:07:29 PM WATime

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  The eye itch turned out to be allergy. I got some drops, used them while the smoke was hanging over the city. My eyes cleared as the smoke cleared.

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  February 22, 2012 9:11:18 PM WATime

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  Great to hear Sue. That smoke haze must have been a real concern for quite a few people! Especially for asthma sufferers! Shame your eyes were affected too, but hopefully no more problem with smoke gone. Although there seemed to be more around today .. hope clears away soon! xx

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• murph

  

  • 3 posts
  July 9, 2012 3:01:38 PM WATime

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  Hi all, just thought I'd share a couple of things which helped me get through the side effects of chemo pretty well.  My number one thing I did a few days after each treatment was to visit my chiropractor. After those first four of AC chemo, feeling foggy and seedy, I'd go along and after the session I'd feel like I was awake again!! ( To let you know how profound the effect was, my mother, who's always been a bit dubious about chiros, simply could not believe the incredible difference in me walking in, then coming out!!) Then after the Taxol he would do stretches, vibration machine on my back and adjust everything - including my toes!!! - and i'd walk out feeling much, much better in my muscles and joints. I had fortnightly chemo, so I saw him fortnightly.

  Also, very helpful for Taxol pain, was swimming in warm water. I'd be in the gym pool doing laps, the morning after treatment, also I'd pop in the spa too!! I was also on a slow release Naprosyn for a few days after treatment for the last 3 cycles. Once I knew what the pain was like after cycle 5, I was able to better manage it, I must say!

  Gentle Yoga was also excellent for both mind and body! Now I've finished the chemo, I'm going to try to get back into a little more energetic yoga too!! But the gentle one on Wednesday night is fab!! Yoga is also said to be very good for keeping lymphodeoma in check. 

  One other thing I'd have to mention is that I've seen a MLD  ( Manual Lymphatic Drainage) therapist who is extremely good at informing you on the subject thoroughly.  She does some massage and can arrange garments and gives her recommendations on preventing it from happening, rather than waiting for it to happen and then dealing with it. She is very empathetic and easy to talk to, she recommends Yoga, along with other exercise to keep it at bay!

  Well, I could go on, but this has become quite lengthy!! I just wanted to share some things that worked for ME, ( not saying they would suit everyone of course ) and helped me get through 4 months of chemo, still smiling ( most of the time!) and able to cope ( again, most of the time!!). I know it would have helped me to have read this before I started, so I hope I can help someone else!

  murph ; )

  PS - Also recommend going along to solaris centre for some reiki or indeed any of the other therapies they offer, which are FREE!!  ( Parking can be tricky at SCGH, so give yourself plenty of time!! )

  41 yr old/ 2 gorgeous girls, very understanding husband!  Diag Jan 12. Gde 3 Tumour, nodes clearance, Triple Neg. Finished chemo. Will be having left mast. in Aug followed by radio.

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  July 10, 2012 9:05:27 PM WATime

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  Agree with the Chiro... I use one regularly and have for over a year. Agree with the expertise at the lymphodemia clinic.
  

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• jojo

  

  • 51 posts
  August 10, 2012 3:14:35 PM WATime

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  I wanted to add that no one told me to remember to look after my teeth during chemotherapy.
  I spent a LOT of time with my head in the toilet/bucket (whatever was closer) vomiting. And because I spent 1 week out of 3 for 6 cycles (pretty much 6 weeks) constantly vomiting, I now have horrible teeth. I have cavities between my teeth and find myself facing huge dental bills to fix them. So guys if you're having troubles with the chemo like I was, don't forget about looking after your teeth!
  How I wish that dentists were covered by medicare....

  Dx May 2005 aged 25, Triple Negative, 25mmx18mmx20mm grade 3 invasive atypical medullary tumour, Axillary Clearance 1/15 lymph nodes positive (sentinal node only), Lumpectomy, Chemotherapy (FEC), Radiotherapy, LB only, now Mama to Patrick born 12/6/2013.

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  August 10, 2012 8:29:19 PM WATime

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  Great advice Jojo. So glad you didn't mention continually barfin' - so uncouth!

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• jojo

  

  • 51 posts
  August 10, 2012 9:15:10 PM WATime

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  Haha Sue I wanted to just for you, but was afraid no one else would know what I was talking about. :)

  Dx May 2005 aged 25, Triple Negative, 25mmx18mmx20mm grade 3 invasive atypical medullary tumour, Axillary Clearance 1/15 lymph nodes positive (sentinal node only), Lumpectomy, Chemotherapy (FEC), Radiotherapy, LB only, now Mama to Patrick born 12/6/2013.