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Chemo: What Tips & Tricks Helped you Through?

Posted by fastrategizer @fastrategizer, Aug 4, 2021

I’m on week two of my CapOx chemo treatment for stage 3 rectal cancer. Chemo sucks! The constant feeling of unwell & side effects are quite unpleasant. There are several weeks left so I’m curious…
What side effects did/do you have? Do you have any tips or tricks that helped you through chemo?

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 2, 2021
In reply to @fastrategizer "Here are a few things that have helped me. Tingling feet: Two drops of each essential..." + (show)
@fastrategizer

Here are a few things that have helped me.
Tingling feet: Two drops of each essential oil: Frankincense & Peppermint mixed with Unscented lotion applied to the feet.
Nausea: Keeping food (mainly carbs & soups) in my belly during chemo weeks helped reduced nausea however it’s difficult to keep eating.
Cold Sensitivity: Still trying to find solutions to the inability to drink cool liquids. It’s challenging to drink hot liquids during 90+ degree temps lol

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And how are you doing now? How many treatments do you have left?

REPLY
christih2 | @christih2 | Sep 4, 2021
In reply to @texasduchess "I endorse what @auntieoakley said about letting your doctor(s) know about the tingling in your hands..." + (show)
@texasduchess

I endorse what @auntieoakley said about letting your doctor(s) know about the tingling in your hands and feet—I knew several fellow breast cancer patients whose tamoxifen treatments ended early because they were developing neuropathy and their doctors didn't want to cause permanent damage.

I'd also mention the fatigue. My third Adriamycin chemo was reduced to about 80% as my blood counts were getting dangerously low on the full dose (my oncologist assured me it was still effective). Also, I was very jittery for 2–3 days after the first two chemos because of the amount of steroids I was given, so he reduced those to half beginning with the third treatment.

A niece and her husband gifted me a nice selection of Queasy Pops to combat nausea. These can be ordered online and are available in a variety of flavors and sugar-free options as well as lozenges.

I recommend Red Oval Farms Stoned Wheat Thins Crackers and Nabisco saltines; when nothing else tasted good, these DID and got me through months of not feeling like eating anything.

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Is the nausea reduced by queasy pops and do they really work?

REPLY
1 reply
texasduchess | @texasduchess | Sep 4, 2021
In reply to @christih2 "Is the nausea reduced by queasy pops and do they really work?" + (show)
@christih2

Is the nausea reduced by queasy pops and do they really work?

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My nausea occurred mostly later that night, or within a day, or so of having a treatment. So after my first treatment, I LEARNED to take my two nausea meds (ondansetron and prochlorperazine) PROACTIVELY and NOT let one wear off before taking the other one. I didn't end up using the queasy pops and donated them to the oncology center for other patients to try.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 5, 2021
In reply to @texasduchess "My nausea occurred mostly later that night, or within a day, or so of having a..." + (show)
@texasduchess

My nausea occurred mostly later that night, or within a day, or so of having a treatment. So after my first treatment, I LEARNED to take my two nausea meds (ondansetron and prochlorperazine) PROACTIVELY and NOT let one wear off before taking the other one. I didn't end up using the queasy pops and donated them to the oncology center for other patients to try.

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Great choice!

REPLY
k8kent | @k8kent | Sep 15, 2023

Hi, so sorry to hear that you feel unwell. ♥️♥️♥️ I also have stage 3 colon cancer and am on Capeox. I have had 1 IV and am on my second week of pills. So far I have had no real side effects, except for the tingling when touching cold. I walk a lot!!!! There are days when I am tired, but I walk and drinking a lot of water!! My doctor said I could feel sick anytime during the treatment.
I take three pills in the morning and four at night.
Hope you feel better real soon!!! Take care! We are going to beat this!!!

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