Managing chemo side effects - what actually helped you?

Patricia, I'm on cycle 4 of the same combo. Here's what actually helped me:

- Ginger candy before and during infusion days (it actually does help with nausea)
- Small, frequent meals instead of 3 big ones
- Ice chips during the infusion itself
- Staying hydrated. I aim for 8-10 glasses of water on infusion days
- A short walk every day, even just 10-15 minutes. I know it sounds impossible when you're exhausted but it actually helps with the fatigue

The side effects were worst on cycles 2 and 3 for me, then I adjusted. Everyone is different though. Hang in there.

Had the same chemo cocktail back in December after my surgery. Fatigue was worse than anything I dealt with in the Corps, no joke. What helped me, and I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, some days nothing helps, was just staying hydrated like crazy. I mean drinking water constantly, not just when you're thirsty. The nausea got better for me around day 5-6 of each cycle, so there's that to look forward to at least.

Mark's right about the ginger, that stuff actually works. I also found that getting outside even for 10 minutes helped more than I expected, just sitting in the sun. Couldn't do the full walks at first but even that little bit made a difference. The fatigue didn't really improve cycle to cycle for me. It was just about managing expectations and not beating myself up on the bad days. Some vets I know swear by low dose CBD for the nausea but check with your oncologist first.

One thing nobody tells you. The anti-nausea meds work better if you take them before you feel sick, not after. Don't wait for it to hit. And honestly, small frequent meals like Mark said... I lived on crackers, ginger ale, and protein shakes for weeks. Your body needs fuel even when eating sounds like torture.

Hang in there. Cycle 2 is rough but you're past the worst of learning what your body's gonna do with this stuff.

Hey man, the fatigue is real, I'm dealing with the same thing after round 2. What helped me most was just accepting I'm gonna be useless some days and not fighting it, plus my wife made sure I was eating protein even when I didn't want to. The nausea got a bit better by round 3 for me so there's hope.

Yeah man, I hear ya on the fatigue. That tune-up they got me on really knocked me sideways too. What I found is you gotta treat it like your engine just needs some downtime, ya know? Can't force it.

For the nausea waves, ginger helped me a little bit but honestly what made the bigger dif was eating small stuff constantly instead of waiting til I was starving. Like just crackers or toast every couple hours, nothing fancy. And cold stuff seemed easier on my stomach than hot, ice cream, popsicles, that kinda thing. Sounds dumb but it worked.

The fatigue didn't really get better til like halfway through my cycles, but by round 4 or 5 I kinda knew what days were gonna be worst and just planned around it. Told my wife "okay Tuesday and Wednesday I'm basically a lump on the couch" and we just accepted it. Took the pressure off trying to be normal.

One thing, and this is just me being practical, make sure your insurance is actually covering all the anti nausea meds they're throwing at you. Mine tried to cheap out after round 2 and I had to raise hell about it. Don't let em do that.

You doing okay otherwise? How many rounds you got left?

Ugh I feel this so much. I'm not even through treatment yet and some days I can barely make it through teaching, then come home and just collapse. My mom's been dealing with the same nausea cycles and honestly what's helped her most is like, really cold stuff, popsicles, ice chips, even just sipping ice water. Something about the cold seems to help more than the ginger did for her.

The fatigue thing... Mark and James are right that you kinda have to just let yourself rest. But what I've learned is that even like 15 minute walks on the days you feel slightly less terrible actually helped my mom's energy a little bit? Not like it makes you feel great or anything but it seemed to help break the cycle of just being completely wiped out all the time. On her bad days we don't do anything though.

Also ask your oncologist about adjusting the anti-nausea meds if they're not cutting it. My mom switched to something different after round 2 and it made a real difference. Everyone's different with what works.

Sending you strength for round 3. You're doing something so hard.

My brother is going through the same thing right now and man its rough to watch. He's on his second round too and the fatigue is crazy. Like he sleeps like 14 hours and still feels wiped out.

For the nausea he said the ginger stuff helps a little bit but honestly what worked better was just eating small stuff constantly instead of waiting til he was hungry. Like crackers, popsicles, broth, stuff that doesn't sit heavy. And cold stuff seemed to help more than warm food which was weird but thats what he said.

The fatigue though... I dont think he's found anything that really makes it better except just accepting it and not pushing himself. He tried to work on some stuff around the house and that just made it worse. His oncologist said the side effects can get better as his body adjusts but it doesn't always happen til partway through the treatment.

One thing, make sure you're drinking enough water cause that seems to help with both the nausea and fatigue from what we've seen. And if the anti nausea meds aren't cutting it tell your doctor cause there's other ones they can try.

Hang in there, I know this sucks.

Didn't do chemo myself, had the surgery route back in August. But I watched plenty of sailors deal with heavy meds and rough recoveries. What I'll say is don't underestimate the small stuff. Mark's right about the ginger, but also what helped guys I knew was just getting up and moving a little even when it felt impossible. Not a workout, just walk to the galley and back, you know? Keeps things from getting stagnant.

The nausea waves thing, that's your body working hard. The anti-nausea meds are doing their job even if it don't feel like it. And like William said, some days you're just down for maintenance. That's not failure, that's your body being smart about where to spend its energy. You're three weeks in, S. Give it time. Each cycle got a little easier for the guys I knew who stuck with it.