Aa
after chemo
Hi, I had a full hysterectomy following a diagnosise of ovarion cancer, it was followed two months later by chemo therapy, three doses of paxitaxol with carbo platin, followed by two more of carbo platin. My last dose was on March 30. I thought the effects of the chemo should have eased a lot more by now, I still have ulcerated mouth, prickly eyes and off balance vision, I have no appetite and have lost my confidence completely. I have not driven and even get nervous at the thought of going to a shop. I think I am suffering depression so my doctor has prescribed me lorazepam 1ml 3 times a day, and cipralex 10ml 1 a day. I have boughts of nausea, not actually throwing up just heaving which may be anxiety, I have been on the lorazapam for two months and the cipralex for three weeks but no possitive effect yet. Can you tell me when I am likely to feel an improvement and start getting back to normal............Val
My daughter did green, sage, sleepytime, ginger teas, lots of fresh veggies and fruits, yogurt, snack foods of trail mix with nuts, raisens, cranberries, soy beans, took 2000mg of Vit C daily along with her reg one a day for women, the yellow and orange and red fruits and veggies are the best. ate what she wanted, but cut her meat down to 2 times a week.
Let me make some quick suggestions:
1) For appetitie: Ask for a prescription of Megace or Megace ES (http://www.megacees.com/index.html)
2) For Nausea: Antiemetics are plentiful (Onadestron/Zofran, etc.) and one should help you. You can even try Scopolamine patches (yeah the same ones used for sea sickness). Those worked for my mom or at least helped a little more. The tip about ginger is a good idea as well.
3) Overall: Try glutamine supplementation (L-Glutatime...you can pick it up at GNC, etc.). Go for about 10g per day. You can even swish around in your mouth to help with the ulcers. They have prescription medications for mouth ulcers also.
4) After Chemo Nutrition: Try Juven (http://www.juven.com/) to help you with getting back after chemo. You can pick it up at Rite Aid or directly from Ross.
Alan
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Ovarian Cancer Research Website (In BETA Testing)
http://cancer.alanpeto.com/
1) For appetitie: Ask for a prescription of Megace or Megace ES (http://www.megacees.com/index.html)
2) For Nausea: Antiemetics are plentiful (Onadestron/Zofran, etc.) and one should help you. You can even try Scopolamine patches (yeah the same ones used for sea sickness). Those worked for my mom or at least helped a little more. The tip about ginger is a good idea as well.
3) Overall: Try glutamine supplementation (L-Glutatime...you can pick it up at GNC, etc.). Go for about 10g per day. You can even swish around in your mouth to help with the ulcers. They have prescription medications for mouth ulcers also.
4) After Chemo Nutrition: Try Juven (http://www.juven.com/) to help you with getting back after chemo. You can pick it up at Rite Aid or directly from Ross.
Alan
------------
Ovarian Cancer Research Website (In BETA Testing)
http://cancer.alanpeto.com/
Hi Val,
Welcome to the forum if this is your first time. I am on it about 2x a week. I feel so bad for all your symptoms. I have had this cancer for 4-1/2 years and been thru the wringer too. I find that when doing the chemo that the younger you are or the older you are it is very tough with side effects. I was 47 when I did my first line of chemo with Carbo/Taxol and I didn't have a lot of the side effects you are mentioning. My side effects were aching all over and nerves and by the time I was finished I was so stiff. It wasn't easy, I was ready to quit on the 5th. Also these drugs really hurt your nervous system along with surgical menopause.
I am sorry you are depressed and I hope that you find the right medication that helps. Your appetite should be getting better by this time. What helped me with my anxiety nerves and energy was a sublingual B12. The anxiety was awful--it would come in bursts out of nowhere. It was nothing I was thinking about. I see a naturopath and she recommended that.
You really want to eat well when you can. Green tea is proven to enhance overall survival. And it has an ingredient in there that relaxes even though there is caffeine in there. It is called L-Theanine. I am not crazy about green tea straight so I have Chai green tea with rice milk and a touch of raw honey. And you could try the chamomile or peppermint tea for nerves also. And I would take a multi-vitamin in case you are missing something (most likely since you don't have an appetite). If your eyes are bothering you try eating more spinach.
A few of us on this forum have found that ginger helps with our nausea. I take it in capsules because it is a spice that has been found to kill ovarian cancer cells (in the petri dish). So instead of ginger snaps I take ginger because I don't want the sugar.
Well by now you can tell I have turned into a health nut after getting this disease. I hope this helps you in some way. If you live in Long Island I'll take you to the stores! Believe me I know what it's like not to drive after I had my brain surgery. I couldn't drive for 3 months.
Take care and be well,
Helen
Welcome to the forum if this is your first time. I am on it about 2x a week. I feel so bad for all your symptoms. I have had this cancer for 4-1/2 years and been thru the wringer too. I find that when doing the chemo that the younger you are or the older you are it is very tough with side effects. I was 47 when I did my first line of chemo with Carbo/Taxol and I didn't have a lot of the side effects you are mentioning. My side effects were aching all over and nerves and by the time I was finished I was so stiff. It wasn't easy, I was ready to quit on the 5th. Also these drugs really hurt your nervous system along with surgical menopause.
I am sorry you are depressed and I hope that you find the right medication that helps. Your appetite should be getting better by this time. What helped me with my anxiety nerves and energy was a sublingual B12. The anxiety was awful--it would come in bursts out of nowhere. It was nothing I was thinking about. I see a naturopath and she recommended that.
You really want to eat well when you can. Green tea is proven to enhance overall survival. And it has an ingredient in there that relaxes even though there is caffeine in there. It is called L-Theanine. I am not crazy about green tea straight so I have Chai green tea with rice milk and a touch of raw honey. And you could try the chamomile or peppermint tea for nerves also. And I would take a multi-vitamin in case you are missing something (most likely since you don't have an appetite). If your eyes are bothering you try eating more spinach.
A few of us on this forum have found that ginger helps with our nausea. I take it in capsules because it is a spice that has been found to kill ovarian cancer cells (in the petri dish). So instead of ginger snaps I take ginger because I don't want the sugar.
Well by now you can tell I have turned into a health nut after getting this disease. I hope this helps you in some way. If you live in Long Island I'll take you to the stores! Believe me I know what it's like not to drive after I had my brain surgery. I couldn't drive for 3 months.
Take care and be well,
Helen
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