I didn’t lose my hair. Worst side effect was nausea - severe after first treatment, not as bad after my abti-nausea meds were adjusted. First few days after chemo I felt fine. Nausea set in around the 4th day and lasted about a week. Last week leading up to next chemo round I felt OK. Try ginger chews or strong cheddar cheese for terrible taste in the mouth. Also lemon drops. You may have to experiment to see what works for you. Some say dill pickles! Good luck. When do you start and what are they giving you?
Welcome to Mayo Connect @tedvoelker. I'm glad to hear that you are tolerating the treatment with minimal issues. I have a different mutation, ALK, so I've been taking a different targeted therapy drug for 4 years. Sometimes I feel that I got off easy, without having to endure a traditional chemotherapy, but then I'm reminded that I am stage IV and may have to face it in the future. We'll take each day that we get, especially when we're able to live relatively 'normal' lives. You're early in this process, the weight of the diagnosis does get easier over time. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
I didn’t lose my hair. Worst side effect was nausea - severe after first treatment, not as bad after my abti-nausea meds were adjusted. First few days after chemo I felt fine. Nausea set in around the 4th day and lasted about a week. Last week leading up to next chemo round I felt OK. Try ginger chews or strong cheddar cheese for terrible taste in the mouth. Also lemon drops. You may have to experiment to see what works for you. Some say dill pickles! Good luck. When do you start and what are they giving you?
Thank you so much. I don’t know when I’m going to start. I just finished radiation I had 10 treatments of radiation. This Friday I have to go for bloodwork and EKG. I guess he’ll let me know when I’ll be starting the pills and chemo
Thank you so much. I don’t know when I’m going to start. I just finished radiation I had 10 treatments of radiation. This Friday I have to go for bloodwork and EKG. I guess he’ll let me know when I’ll be starting the pills and chemo
@carrmb, I was diagnosed with Stage 2b NSLC w/ EGFR mutation in 2016. I had an upper right lobectomy followed by chemo and radiation at the same time. My Oncologist gave me steroid pills (Dexamethasone) to take twice a day the day before and after chemo. The first bag they hung during the chemo session was also Dex. You say his coughing has gotten worse, indicating he was coughing before. What's the source of his cough? Hopefully, the steroid pack is helping.
We will see the doctor tomorrow and ask him directly about the cough. Following surgery, his coughing continued but lessened after he was released from the hospital. His cough had gradually minimized after a couple of weeks, but has become prominent again after his second chemo shot.
@babs1956,when listening to peoples' experiences, remember that every body is different. That's why doctors can't tell you how you'll react to treatment. For example, I also had 4 rounds of chemo after surgery back in 2018. In my case, I had 33 rounds of radiation going on at the same time. Zero nausea. No hair loss. The main effect of the chemo was tiredness, and that was primarily the first two days after.
Also, not all chemo drugs are alike. I have an EGFR Exon 19 mutation, so platinum-based chemo is recommended. In my case, I had Carboplatin and Pemetrexed. Before chemo, I asked my oncologist about nausea, and he replied, "No, I won't let that happen." He had me take two 4mg tablets of Dexamethasone the day before and after chemo treatments. Also, the first bag they hung during treatment was Dex.
I'm a huge fan of asking, asking, asking questions. Your oncologist is probably the most cancer-knowledgeable person in your world, so get your information from the source. I have an Android phone that lets me to create Notes. I start one with each of my doctor's names as the title. Every time I think of a question, I add it to the note. The next time I see them, I take out my phone and ask away!
Also, if you're seeing your oncologist by yourself, I strongly encourage you to bring your spouse, relative, or friend with you. This can be an emotional journey that doesn't help memory. Plus, these things happen when we're older and are already starting to forget . . . What was I saying? Oh yes. Memory. You get my point. 🙂
All the best to you. You've found a good support group. Let us know how your next visit goes.
@babs1956,when listening to peoples' experiences, remember that every body is different. That's why doctors can't tell you how you'll react to treatment. For example, I also had 4 rounds of chemo after surgery back in 2018. In my case, I had 33 rounds of radiation going on at the same time. Zero nausea. No hair loss. The main effect of the chemo was tiredness, and that was primarily the first two days after.
Also, not all chemo drugs are alike. I have an EGFR Exon 19 mutation, so platinum-based chemo is recommended. In my case, I had Carboplatin and Pemetrexed. Before chemo, I asked my oncologist about nausea, and he replied, "No, I won't let that happen." He had me take two 4mg tablets of Dexamethasone the day before and after chemo treatments. Also, the first bag they hung during treatment was Dex.
I'm a huge fan of asking, asking, asking questions. Your oncologist is probably the most cancer-knowledgeable person in your world, so get your information from the source. I have an Android phone that lets me to create Notes. I start one with each of my doctor's names as the title. Every time I think of a question, I add it to the note. The next time I see them, I take out my phone and ask away!
Also, if you're seeing your oncologist by yourself, I strongly encourage you to bring your spouse, relative, or friend with you. This can be an emotional journey that doesn't help memory. Plus, these things happen when we're older and are already starting to forget . . . What was I saying? Oh yes. Memory. You get my point. 🙂
All the best to you. You've found a good support group. Let us know how your next visit goes.
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I’ll be starting Tagrisso. I also have to do four rounds of chemo. Did you lose your hair? Were you very sick from the chemo?
I didn’t lose my hair. Worst side effect was nausea - severe after first treatment, not as bad after my abti-nausea meds were adjusted. First few days after chemo I felt fine. Nausea set in around the 4th day and lasted about a week. Last week leading up to next chemo round I felt OK. Try ginger chews or strong cheddar cheese for terrible taste in the mouth. Also lemon drops. You may have to experiment to see what works for you. Some say dill pickles! Good luck. When do you start and what are they giving you?
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Thank you so much. I don’t know when I’m going to start. I just finished radiation I had 10 treatments of radiation. This Friday I have to go for bloodwork and EKG. I guess he’ll let me know when I’ll be starting the pills and chemo
Babs, where are you being treated and what stage is your EGFR? There are many reasons to be optimistic. Big hug.
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1 ReactionWe will see the doctor tomorrow and ask him directly about the cough. Following surgery, his coughing continued but lessened after he was released from the hospital. His cough had gradually minimized after a couple of weeks, but has become prominent again after his second chemo shot.
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2 ReactionsI am at stage 4 but my tumor is contained, I'm being treated at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck,NJ Thank you
@babs1956,when listening to peoples' experiences, remember that every body is different. That's why doctors can't tell you how you'll react to treatment. For example, I also had 4 rounds of chemo after surgery back in 2018. In my case, I had 33 rounds of radiation going on at the same time. Zero nausea. No hair loss. The main effect of the chemo was tiredness, and that was primarily the first two days after.
Also, not all chemo drugs are alike. I have an EGFR Exon 19 mutation, so platinum-based chemo is recommended. In my case, I had Carboplatin and Pemetrexed. Before chemo, I asked my oncologist about nausea, and he replied, "No, I won't let that happen." He had me take two 4mg tablets of Dexamethasone the day before and after chemo treatments. Also, the first bag they hung during treatment was Dex.
I'm a huge fan of asking, asking, asking questions. Your oncologist is probably the most cancer-knowledgeable person in your world, so get your information from the source. I have an Android phone that lets me to create Notes. I start one with each of my doctor's names as the title. Every time I think of a question, I add it to the note. The next time I see them, I take out my phone and ask away!
Also, if you're seeing your oncologist by yourself, I strongly encourage you to bring your spouse, relative, or friend with you. This can be an emotional journey that doesn't help memory. Plus, these things happen when we're older and are already starting to forget . . . What was I saying? Oh yes. Memory. You get my point. 🙂
All the best to you. You've found a good support group. Let us know how your next visit goes.
Sending good thoughts your way.
Thank you so much
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