I just had my first chemo treatment last week and?

Question

my mouth is starting to feel 'dull'. It's as if I have no real taste anymore. Also, I'm getting small sores like crazy wherever I scratch. Finally, I have an AWFUL rash on my neck that I think was caused by a reaction to a necklace I got as a gift the day before I started the chemo and wore. Even though I've never been allergic to any metal, this made my neck red and itchy and now it's a mess. A huge rash.

All that being said, what are the top three foods I should be eating during chemo to keep my skin healthy and my energy up? If you have any advice on the rash or sores, I'd to hear about that as well.

Thanks!

Also, I'm on day 10 since my last (and first) treatment and I am on an AC therapy of chemo. When will my hair start falling out and how long will it take for it all fall out? (I know this is different for different people, but I'm just curious to other peoples thoughts)

Answer 1

I understand what you are saying. Some foods will taste metallic, and you find that your favorite foods just don't do it for you anymore. That is normal.
Has your doctor given you any topical cream for the sores and rash? Make sure he is aware of these - they could be an indication of an allergy as well.
Jello is a great food to keep your hair, nails, and skin looking good, it's easy to make and comes in a lot of flavors.
Any fruits you can still eat will help supply the vitamins you need (you should probably ask your doc about a vitamin suppliment as well, the chemo drains a lot out of you). Be careful of lemons, oranges, and tomatos as they are highly acidic and may upset your stomach.
Pasta is what got me through. Plain butter over noodles with some parmasean cheese. Yum. Or, noodles with a little olive oil and shredded mozzerella. The carbohydrates in pasta give you an energy boost.
My doc also had me take an injection called Procrite a couple of days after chemo - that gave me an incredible energy boost for the next three days. Ask him if it's right for you.
About your hair, not everyone looses it. It depends on the dose and the length of treatment. If it does happen to you, you'll wake up one morning and look at your pillow and see clumps of hair. What they don't make clear is that all your hair falls out. Eyebrows, lashes, arm hair, etc. It's easier to just shave your head after it starts to fall out, otherwise you'll have to carry the vaccumm around with you.
Good luck with your treatment - stay strong.

Answer 2

Those symptoms are a possible reaction to the chemo, but to be sure you should talk with your docotr or his nurse. No all chemo treatments cause the same side effects.

As to the foods, just following the recommended daily servings in all foods groups is the best recommendation I can give you, but again some foods may not be tolerated well with your type of treatment.

As to when you will lose your hair, you may not depending on the drugs used. When I was treated for colong cancer, my hair did not fall out, but it did thin out some.

Answer 3

When I was going through chemo I lost taste all together, everything I would eat which wasn't much tasted like pennies. They told me it might have been from the radiation too. The one thing I could taste was chocolate, try eating lots of chocolate.

as for the rash make sure it's not an allergic reaction to anything and if its just irritated skin buy some Palmer's Cocoa Butter and it will clear up in a few day's.

Answer 4

My mother had Leukemia when I was a kid and my cousin found out a few years ago that she had cancer. They both had to have chemo treatments and they suffered really bad. Sorry to be the one to have to tell you this. There is no easy way but I have seen alot of commercial's for a pill that is supposed to relieve the symptoms of chemo. You might ask your doctor and see if you can get it. Sorry I don't know the name of the pill but if I see the commercial again I will try and post it for you...Good luck honey, I know you are going through a living nightmare and I will be praying for you. CarolynB.

Answer 5

The first thing that went on me was my taste buds, everything tasted like cardboard, I do mean everything except for: Smoothies, ensure, sherbert, milkshakes w/milk. & these are all ok & help. I know it sounds kinda crazy, but that is what they gave me in the hospital. Also you can become nutrapinic, what that means is: when your blood counts are way down you are very suseptible to infections, your body is not able to fight off the simplest things. I was told I could NOT eat raw vegetables, or any kind of salad as those things are not cooked & can really make you sick if you are nutrapinic. Nor could I touch things like banana or orange peels, any kind of fruit peelings, I did not find any of this out until I was admited to the hospital w/a fever of 103, as nutrapinic, & stayed for 9 days. The nutritionist came & saw me and explained my menu to me and why I couldn't have the salad I kept checking for every meal. You can eat the fruit if someone peels it for you, but that does not apply to salads & raw vegetables.

I shaved my head before it fell out, it actually made me feel better & one less thing that I had to deal w/while I was very sick. Not to mention it gave me some sort of control over my situation even as small as it was.
My chemo was also AC
Good luck to you & stay strong!!

Answer 6

My dad has been on chemo, and strangely (in a good way, that is), his hair don't fall out much, and only for a few weeks. It wasn't until the third chemo that his hair started to fall out.
His doctor tells him to drink milk and eat healthy food.
I know you might not feel like eating, but the doctor prescribes Megace to make him want to eat.
My dad's diet consists of the usual daily food, but we try to give him more energy, so he drinks lots of milk and fruit juice, eats more vegetables, more meats if he can handle it.
And usually, I make him drink green tea. It's a great drink.

Answer 7

My girlfriends daughter was going through chemo for Hodgkins and I suggest some vitamin supplements she should take to help her :
1. Shaklee Performance: Prevents dehydration as it delivers just the right amount of fluid,electrolytes and carbohydrates so it enters the bloodstream quickly and stays there longer.

2. Nutriferon: Optimizes your natural immune response process cell-deep-without overstimulating. Keeps your immune system finely tuned and on "ready alert". It takes the defences you already have and makes them better
3. Vitamin C. supports cancer treatment..
Above all your attitude is number 1 always say to yourself I can beat this stay positive. I'm praying for you.

Answer 8

Hi -

I'm sorry to hear you've been having some reactions to the chemo. Here are a couple of videos that may help you, especially on what to eat during chemotherapy treatments (the second link below)...

http://www.healthination.com/chemotherapy.php

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid275898337/bclid263781178/bctid263783186

Answer 9

When I was on AC my hair fell out about 2 weeks after the first treatment. I was told that it is next to impossible to NOT lose your hair on AC. It's not nick-named The Red Devil for nothing. I still get a yucky feeling when I see other people getting it. Good luck, I hope things go as well as they can for you!

Answer 10

-You should take more orange juice, milk and beaf to keep you skin healthy
-Patient 's hair falls soon or late, few or much depends on nutrition of the patient and nature of the drug was used.For exemple, with Taxol, patient 's hair startsfalling out after 2 weeks and complete about 2 -3 month