Hi Bossacapella,

Welcome to Cancer Chat.

I am afraid that I have never had chemotherapy, so know little about the side-effects. From what I've read on this site, they seem to vary widely. In respect of whether or not you have to take all your drugs, why not ask your care team? I expect that this is a common question and the staff in chemo department should be able to answer this for you.

Why don't you use the search engine on the blue band at the top of this page? Pop in 'Chemotherapy side-effects' in the search box then click search. This should bring up previous posts on the topic. There are 4,000+  posts, so you should find some useful information here.

Please let us know how you get on. There is always someone here for you whenever you feel like talking.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hubby was fine for first few doses then it kicked in the more he had.   Chemo is meant to build up as each course is done.  You need to take the advice given, not do your own thing!  The team will guide you in any problems and contact your nurse if you have effects you are not happy with.   Good luck, we are now through it and hubby is 71 years old. Caz

Hi, I've not long finished my cycle of chemotherapy for lung cancer. I had various side effects but class myself very lucky they were only slight ones. I guess the hair loss after the 2nd dose was the worst not that it bothered me, I also had like a metal taste which rained food( fresh pineapple helped) and of course nausea but I found eating helped even when I didn't want to eat ( I gained 8 kilos  lol)

everyone has different side effects  those were mine. I spoke to others at chemo sessions amd each had a different story to tell.  My advice is stay positive and do what needs to be done and find your own personal way of dealing with what effects you have..... use my motto I have cancer cancer doesn't have me x

good luck and you can do this 

vicky

Hi, I'm in same situation but I'm 2 weeks into first cycle of chemotherapy, I feel like I'm kind of stuck just waiting for these side effects to hit me like a brick.. part from a bit sickness & tiredness I have been ok. Had occasional meal & nights out even a few drinks, waiting for the unknown to happen I found harder. Although yesterday I had noticed my hair is becoming a lot thinner, mainly when I styling it so I'm avoiding over washing, hair drying, straightening, Im now gentler brushing  & remove bobbles/grips etc.. I hope everything goes okay Vicki x

Hi Scottishbird,

im due my 2nd chemo this Tuesday in Glasgow.

After 1st chemo I didn’t feel any different and took the anti sickness meds anyway.

Only pain I felt was some joint pain, not bad enough to take pain meds so I’m hoping

the second lot of chemo is much the same. Today my hair is falling out rapidly....cropping it tonight.  Sorry you’re feeling sad and I know exactly what you mean, might be a good idea to speak to nurse about side effects.

Donna

Hi,

I'm afraid the old answer "it depends" is valid here. Similar patients on exactly the same chemo can have different chemo experiences. Keep taking the anti side effect drugs - the fact you aren't having side effects probably means they are working! 

Goid luck

Dave

Hi,

I'm about to have cycle 5 of my chemo tomorrow. I must say, I was pretty nervous going into it all, especially as I'm emetophobic. However, I had great anti-sickness pills from my consultant (after a little experiementation) and other than hair loss (day 17 after first chemo), the side effects haven't got much worse since cycle 2. My first cycle seemed quite easy apart from nausea. 

Since then, I do get an odd taste, dry mouth (very dry sometimes), restless sleep, bone pain (from the GCSF injections), stomach cramps (after coming off steroids) and ongoing nausea. BUT... while this sounds like a long list, nothing has been that awful and I find I can manage.

Hopefully yours will be the same and you will not get significantly worse with each cycle. 

I was worried it was cumulative, but I wouldn't say that necessarily. Each cycle has differences, but all in all it's managable.

I hope all is going well for you so far.

Emily

Thanks for tips. How often did you receive chemotherapy and for how long?

Hi Beingme,

I am sorry to hear that you are still suffering sickness and tiredness after chemo.  Have you tried any other anti-sickness tablets? There are many different tablets that they can give you, until they find something that will work for you.

You are going through a hard time at present, but I hope that things will pick up for you soon.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx