What is it like having chemo? does each treatment get better or worse? how did you feel?

Answer 1

It really depends on what type of chemo you are on....I have been on several different ones over the past 3 years since I was first diagnosed with lymphoma. Most of them have not been bad. The first dose always gives me "chemobrain" or a fuzzy brain feeling...sort of like being stoned....only lasts a few days and after that, any treatments didn't bother me. I've had to do some stronger chemo last year, in preparation for a stem cell transplant....those sucked....I was in the bathroom more than out...really made me sick. Mostly the chemos make me tired....they tend to make your bloodcounts drop and I'm basically anemic for awhile......what I am doing now is not really bad....I still work full time and am a single mom raising two teens, so I don't have time to slow down and let it get to me........Everyone is different, so what bothers one person may not bother another.....Attitude really does play a big part in how you cope with it..I choose to fight my hardest, to keep living a "normal" life while on the chemo...it's hard sometimes, but you get thru it and move on with your life. Overall, other than being more tired than I would like, I feel fine and I am on chemo right now.

Answer 2

Drugs used to destroy cancer cells are called cytotoxic drugs. The drugs circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream and may kill any rapidly growing cells. Good cells and bad cells. When the chemo attacks the good cells is when you get sick. From my experience the second day after treatment is when I would feel bad for about a week. My second treatment was the worst, had to have fluids because of the vomiting and direah. Found out I was lactose intolerant, no and absolutely no milk products, not even 1%. I became very weak and had mouth sores along with loss of my hair. Had breathing problems also. But I cant say that the treatments got worse as I went along. It was just when you start feeling better it was time for a nother treatment. I do have nurlagia in my feet now. That came from one of the chem drugs. Chemo brain also and not able to sleep more than 15 to 20 minuts at a time. Memory has also been effected. But other than that its a peice of cake. You have to do what you have to do! And keep on going! A positive attiude allways helps!

Answer 3

Everyone's "coctail" is different and thus reactions may vary. I have had my first treatment - some 7 days ago now. The anti-nausea drugs worked very well - I actually moved to Graval within 3 days. The "drugs" had a side-effect of a headache for me whereas the Graval did not. I actually didn't feel too bad ... light sensitive for the first day or two, a bit of nausea but no vomitting, and .. the headache. But, I was not exhausted, not weak.

Having done treatment one ... I now know what to expect for chemo day. I "hear" that the effects are cummulative so I expect that to be true. But ... I'm ignoring all the "bad" rumours because as I said ... my first treatment is completed and you know what - life continues, and, not too bad.

I have 18 weeks of chemo (1/3) followed by 6 weeks of radiation ahead ... but, one treatment at a time, one success at a time.

You'll do great ... your attitude to ignore any side effects and continue your day is critical ..

Answer 4

My brother had advanced cancer and so had very high doses of chemo. He must have been in a lot of pain, he was on morphine constantly.

Looking back now, he says the sickness was the worst part - just feeling like he was going to throw up all the time...not nice.

The lighter doses of chemo weren't that bad, he tells me...but then he started off on the highest so I suppose it was like if I had triplets first and then a few years later had a single baby; I'd probaly say the same thing!

Answer 5

I thought each treatment felt bad. I felt the worst on the 3rd day after treatment. I never felt so tired/exhausted in my whole life. Food smelled bad, looked bad, tasted bad. I could only eat bland foods. For some of the drugs I was so dry everywhere and nothing helped. On another drug, I felt I had severe arthritis. All my hair (over my entire body) fell out I had to keep asking "This is worth it, right?" and the doctor would tell me it would be worth it. I went through this for 6 months. You won't feel like doing much. Give yourself a break and don't push it.

Answer 6

My friend is having chemo at the moment and it knocks her out for a few days,she cant get out of bed,gets really bad sores in her mouth,(her hair started falling out after the first lot).and gets really tearful for a few days.She has chemo each month and is bad for a few days.She has two children aged 2 and 5 and I so admire her.

Answer 7

Chemotherapy is a treatment that destroys the blood cells that are causing the cancer. Personally, My mom has Ovarian Cancer and she gets chemo shots quite often, after every one, she is weakened and can't do anything.

Answer 8

Thank you for asking this question. I found it interesting reading some of the answers.

If you are ill and have to go for treatment have may I say that I hope you will soon feel much better. Good luck

Answer 9

When my Mum had it the worse thing was that she had to sleep for much of the day. I admire her courage so much for going through the treatment. It shows so much bravery and love for us that she wanted to continue living.

It is worth it. There are very recent pills that have been introduced that may reduce the painful symptoms during the course of the treatment.

The best of luck to you.
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Answer 10

It really depends on the treatment and the person. I'm on my third hardcore treatment and so far I haven't been sick much but I do get tired a lot. I lost my hair and that is depressing.