First chemo - carboplatin/taxol - what to expect - side effects?

@lizziegil
My experience - Drink AT LEAST 64 oz water during Day 1 - 3 to flush out residual chemo. Ice chips or popsicles recommended during these days to avoid mouth sores.
I was exhausted Day 3 - 5 and with flu-like aches/pains. The good news is- I bounced back on Day 6 ! Don’t be discouraged in thinking the aches, pains, exhaustion will last because it doesn’t. You will come out of it.
My side effects got no worse in subsequent cycles.
Stay away from too much acidic foods. I found peanut butter crackers or anything peppermint was stomach smoothing.

@bettydee
Thank you!
I need to remember that every day is different and to take it one day at a time. Been trying to keep up with my hydration and remain positive!
So appreciative of the feedback

@naturegirl5
Yes, unsettling few weeks getting the diagnosis and plan together. I also live in a rural area, so feel lucky I was able to pursue the second and 3rd opinions and am glad I trusted my gut and didn’t stick with a physician I wasn’t comfortable with.
I took a two nice walks yesterday and the movement was helpful
Appreciate your feedback

@lizziegil Again, you made very wise decisions. Thank you for sharing that.

I've learned that exercise is key so I'm glad you got some nice walks in.

Hello. I had same treatment and bone pain with the first cycle and then not with any others. I took Claritan before and day of and after and did well. I did develop neuropathy in my feet so would encourage use of cooling socks Otherwise I was fortunate to have had an “easy” time of chemo (as well as external beam and brachytherapy). Best wishes!

Hi, Lizziegil. I had seven rounds of essentially this same regimen, followed by surgery, then three more rounds. Many people, including my doctor, recommended a plant-based diet during chemo. (There are lots of books with diet suggestions on Amazon, such as Chris Beat Cancer). I also was told to eat lots of protein. I stayed away from sweets and alcohol, which seemed to cause nausea, but was not worried about small amounts of sugar. The pain people experience seems to be caused by inflammation and, for me, a single dose of Claritin would generally knock it out. More would not hurt—there is research indicating it may make the chemo more effective. I know many people skip it, but I think ice is essential. I have three sets of Sussi gloves and footies I ordered off of Amazon. I took them to chemo in a medium-sized Walmart cooler and rotated them. They usually have a refrigerator at chemo as well to refreeze or recool the gloves and footies as needed. I also bought some thin white gloves off of Amazon (I found the socks at my local grocery) and you can use them inside the gloves and socks when the ice is just too cold. This was recommended to me by someone else and did not appear to interfere with the cooling. I did not use the cap, as it appears many people lose their hair anyway. Plus, I did not have the heart to ask my loved ones to stay an additional two hours at chemo. I heard that it could be itchy to shave your head in anticipation of it falling out, so I bought a cute baseball cap and several bandanas with elastic off of Etsy to wear when my hair got quite thin. For me, it actually took some time. As for masking, I did not, but my numbers remained mostly normal during chemo. There is a list somewhere on the internet of foods you should and shouldn’t eat, as they decrease the effects of Taxol. You can look at it. The main one that affected me was coffee, which I limited to one cup a day to be safe, but my doctor at MD Anderson said she had never heard of this limitation and you would think she would know. I also gave up all artificial sweeteners to be safe, as I have heard it can affect immunotherapy because it interrupts the gut biome. I had to wonder if it would do the same for chemo. Initially I took a lot of stool softeners and Miralax, but the Miralax made me nauseated over time and I was told I really shouldn’t be so constipated from these drugs. I pivoted to eating two to four prunes a day, drinking additional prune juice when constipated, drinking my morning coffee, as well as eating lots of fruit (watermelon, pears, and apples were good) every day and using Sennokote stool softener as needed. That worked for me, but I actually had a more frequent chemo schedule than you did, which broke my chemo into smaller doses and may have made it easier. Take a warm blanket to chemo, along with a jacket, and I would opt for a port if it’s covered by your insurance. Use the lidocaine they give you to put on the port about 1.5 hours prior to chemo and you will be set. Good luck! We all wish you the best!

@naturegirl5
I walk everyday 1/2 mile
No matter the weather or how tired I am. I do 10 reps x2 5 lb arm weights daily
Had chemo Monday
Tuesday Accupuncture
No Nausea. But super tired
I get chemo through IV(my choice)
So must keep up arm strength. I’m on a 21 day cycle.

I've had 12 treatments so far. Going to need more but have to get CT scan first. The neuropathy comes after about 2 or 3 treatments. It's been so long I don't remember. My toes and bottom if feet get neuropathy but always get better before next treatment. Be more concerned about the unsteadiness you'll have for a couple days. I did fall a lot but now I just do very little those days. I couldn't handle the cold on my hands and feet for 10 minutes then break for 10 then 10 minutes again. It was just too uncomfortable. I didn't try the cold cap. I didn't care about losing hair. It started after 2 treatment. It will be EVERYWHERE. I got tired of seeing it all over the place and I ran my fingers through my hair and a LOT came out. I started pulling it out. It was so easy to do. Lol
I pulled out most then got clippers and shaved head. I live in Florida so no wigs or turbans because it's just too hot. I go everywhere with no wig or cap and I don't care what people think. I may even keep it like this should I be lucky enough and go into remission. It starts growing back and then it's time for another treatment. The eyelashes too. I hate that because there's nothing to keep the dust and stuff from your eyes. They get in your eyes when they come out so I've been known to help them come out too.
Nose hairs too. You will have hair NOWHERE. After my first treatment I wasn't tired until about the 3rd day and made the mistake of going to several places with my daughter and had to have a chair in one place I was so weak. I couldn't walk up stairs without holding onto something. The knees just would not support me I was weak. I now have a cane but I use it for up and down stairs and curbs etc. I have a stationary bike coming today because someone in the cancer group on Facebook said it helped with the neuropathy so I hope so. Just be careful. I also take alpha lipoic acid.....the R one. There's R and S. The R is made naturally by the body and the S is synthetic. If it doesn't say what it is it's 50% of each. I get heartburn so I take them with a soda and then I don't suffer. Well I hope things go well for you and just be careful and listen to your body. There's going to be a new normal but you will adjust just fine. God Bless ❤️

@ford1929 This exercise regime says so much about your determination.

Hi Maria
I just had my second cycle Carboplatin/Taxol. Ask
for pain meds, you may not need them but have them around just in case.
I have also found Acupuncture is my best friend. No nausea. And helped with the leg pain.
If you go that route ask if they treat cancer patients on chemo? It's important to know this up front.
Mild exercise. Walking is good.
Good luck to you
SkiRossi