I was just wondering if after you go through the R-CHOP chemo treatments and your lymphoma goes into remission for awhile & then maybe returns, will you have to go through R-CHOP again or do they usually try different drugs. I just finished my second of six treatments 1 week ago & still have no appetite & feel weak & light headed when standing up and really am not looking forward to this every treatment. I know I will get through this the first time, but don't want to someday have to do this again. The first treatment wasn't too bad, but this second one has just left me weaker. No foods sound good & really do not taste good either. I keep thinking everyday I wake up I will feel better but so far not happening. Thanks for any info. Gina
Hi Gina-
You know-I asked my Onccy the very same thing. Can I have R-CHOP again, and he said yes. and maybe there'll be something better by then...
Hmmm-I had no appetite the first couple of treatments, but I think it twas the Prednesone, which left a nasty taste in my mouth. We all hate the Preddyson. I call ''it" Prederick F. Zone. Peppermint tea worked for me...you have to eat and eat healthy. Drink tons of water and choose high fiber to push the treatment outta you. Make yourself eat to keep up your strenght. I was fatiqued as well. Low hemoglobin didn't help. rest. rest. rest. but also force yourself to go outside and take a couple steps. and of course, the Preddyzone keeps you from sleeping because it is supposed to give you a sense of wellness(ha), and boost the treatment. Do you feel better after you stop the Pred.?
Hang in. It's not forever.
Hey Gina if your mouth hasn't broken out try spicy foods like Nachos, Tacos that type. I found spicy tasted better, your taste buds are erradicated with the chemo so your food may taste metallic like and spicy covers that. Also carry pepermints in your pocket for the metallic taste when not eating. If Prednisone is keeping you up...I took mine at 2am so I could sleep at night. Worked for me. Weak comes with the treatments and goes away after all is done. Lot's of fluids to increase your fluid volume and help with the light headedness. Juices and instant breakfast help get the nutrition in. Popsicles and ice cream worked also. Oldanestron also gave me my appetite back, just take it in the am daily for the first week and you will feel better.
Hope this helps Take Care ((HUGS))
Hey Geri & rascal, I was afraid somebody was gonna tell me that you could get R-CHOP again. I was hoping you were gonna say no that they would do something different. Darn. Going through this once in a lifetime is enough for a body. Taking the prednisone really doesn't bother me too much, but a few days after stopping it are the worst. I usually take a sleeping pill which helps me sleep. I was hoping that my appetite would get better when I was done with the prednisone but that constant aversion to food seems to linger. I did get some peppermint tea which did help when the nausea was bad. Next time i am gonna try just taking the zofran daily like you suggested instead of just when feeling nausea & see if that helps. I love nachos & tacos but have been afraid to try them for fear of them coming back to haunt me. I have been drinking smoothies which seems to go the best the first week. I just hope I don't get any weaker than I am now. I am trying to make myself walk & maybe I need to drink more water cause the lightheadedness sucks. Thanks again for all your support. Gina
Keep on keeping on...by the time we all figure all this out you will be done. It is a process, not that want more now that figured out how to control my issues!!
Good luck and take care, ((HUGS))
I'm with Rascal-
I kept trying new and different coping strategies, and before I knew it...I was feeling better. Are you telling your Onccy about yer symptoms? Often there is a prescription drug to help. Many of us are, were, plagued with the lightheadedness. I remember someone suggested drinking Ensure with the Pred. helped her...and it wouldn;t hurt to try.
take care. make yourself walk everyday, and put on that smile, albeit grimmace. on yer face sweetie.
Peace.
I had my first of six R-CHOP treatments 11 days ago. It was awful!!! I had a severe reaction to the rituxan. My throat started swelling and felt as if it was full of razor blades. They had to slow it way down and at one point were thinking of not continuing. The Benadryl made me seriously groggy and yet caused me to have restless leg syndrome. My treatment was on Friday I was horribly sick all week-end. The oncology nurse who runs my cancer support group texted me to see how I was doing and suggested I call my doctor's office. They got me in for IV hydration and stronger nausea meds. Made a huge difference!!! I have learned that there are different kinds of nausea meds that work for different people and that I don't need to suffer silently. They said they will plan my treatment differently next time, including scheduling it on a Monday, so that if I get sick or need hydration, I won't have to wait over the week-end. I thought the whole experience was dreadful!!! I am deppressed and anxious thinking that I have to do this 5 more times!! ARRRRGGGGGGHHH!!!!!
Don't dread it now that they know what happens they know how to plan ahead for it. The Rituxan will be slow I used to nap at times thru the Benadryl groggyness. The more you drink the faster it gets out of your system. I used to call it my spa day because no one could bother me the entire time I was getting my treatments. I would bring my book(s) and mags. to catch up on and enjoy the time alone.
If you get nausea meds. to take at home DON"T wait til you get sick to take them that will be too late. You need to take them routinely for like the first 5 days after your chemo that way you won't get sick. Do you have to take prednisone also? If that keeps you awake at night try taking them say at 2am when you get up to go potty. That way you can go back to sleep and still go to sleep at night the next day. One of the RN's at my clinic told me to do that and it worked fine.
An ativan will also settle you so you won't be anxious and the benadryl won't make you so restless. That's what they use at my clinic. You need to ask for all of this or they won't know to order it.
So that I can get hydrated I buy myself the flavored water as a treat for me after my treatments and I keep track of how much I drink so I can flush the chemo out right away. Popsicles work good if you still have nausea.
Don't worry we all develope these little tricks to help get thru this. It won't be so bad once you get past the first one you know what to expect and the rest will be better. Speak up for yourself you need to be your own advocate!!
Good Luck, Take care ((HUGS))
HI WendyKath, so sorry to hear you went through so much, hopefully they have figured it all out and next time won't be as bad. Take care and smack down the depression with believing in your remission or cure. You can do this because it will make you well! May God Bless you with fortitude during your fight. We are here for you so post when you can! KBeale
Hey Wendykath- Why don't you post your story under the who are we thread. It is nice to be able to understand what is going on, all of us have posted there already so you can read all about all of us. Also we like to have fun on immaginary trips and partys under the lymphonics thread. Come have fun with us and add a few laughs also under the joke threads and Tman threads. If you need any support or are having a bad day we are all there to support you but we like a good time too. Take Care!
Thanks for the supportive comments!!
Rascal1- have not learned how to fully navigate this website. I have posted a few times, but I am not sure what you mean by the "who are we" thread.
Hi WendyKath, I am going to have my third of 6 R-CHOP treatments tomorrow and although I did not have a reaction to the Rituxan I have a week of no appetite, weakness,dizziness but it does get better. Take the advice of Rascal, Kbeale and others who have gone through it all before because they can help us get through the side effects of these drugs. I did get some peppermint tea to drink & it does calm down the tummy. I didn't take the nausea meds except when I felt nauseous but this time I'm gonna take them every day & see if that helps. also I did feel better when I drank so much water that I was gonna float away. Anyway I hope things get better for you.It is very hard to keep a positive attitude when you feel like crap, but stay strong & try to keep as active as you can. Keep me posted how you are doing. Gina
Join the non hogking lymphoma group and we are there.
This has been interesting to read. I was told I can't have Chop-R again because it is so strong, it would kill me. Is it just up to the oncologist? My sister-in-law, who is a nurse and also has NHL confirmed that also. What gives?
Hi WendyKath and Gina.Wendy look down the posts and you'll see a girl with a red shirt and dark hair...click on that thread.Sorry your both having such a rough time of it.Everyone reacts differently to these drugs.Chop knocked my socks off back in 1996..YUCK Rituxan has not caused me great discomfort,some reactions, nothing to write home about.Somehoe we get through it,coming here to vent and chat helps a bunch.