I understand that around 30% of people that have it react well to it, and others cannot get on with it. Normal side effects are rashes which can be awful I am told, itches, can effect your liver etc. It is like many other chemos in that respect. The other side effects are to the Ondonsatron anti-sickness tablets you can get - which can cause things like intense constipation, and to the anti-histamine tablets you might need to keep the rashes down - which cause you to feel very tired.
The first two months I felt pretty awful with it, but I recovered just before my next bought. Since then it has been easier each time. I guess my body is getting used to it.
OK lets look at the rashes. My Professor told me if you can put up with it then the benefits can be very good. I have met a patient that had to give up having AZT as the rashes were just too much for her.
What I have learned is that there are lots of things that may help but you have to keep trying different ones as sometimes they work, and sometimes they do not - weird.
Antihistamine tablets - the one a day ones - are good for me. There are several that you can be given - try them about and see which works for you under direction from your Doctor (which applies to all of these)
Steroids. In really sever cases they can prescribe steroid cream - but my Doctors advised me to keep off them if at all possible, as you might more easily catch a skin infection, which is not good. I had one, and was on antibiotics and anti fungals for 10 days.
Creams and potions
To soothe
Evening primrose oil - pierce the capsules and rub on gently. (I have stopped using them for the moment)
To hydrate the skin and reducing the itchiness
E45 - I also use this on areas like legs to re-hydrate before it gets rashes
Calamine lotion
Witch Hazel - advised by a fellow patient - I have not tried it
If you are worried about getting skin infections try using
Allergenics non steroidal cream
Sudacream antiseptic
Germoline
And tell your doctor anyway ASAP
General Cleanliness
Antibacterial hand wash with hydrating components, stops your skin getting too dry.
Other things
The Ondonsatron anti sickness tablets were prescribed twice a day. I now only take them once a day before the AZT injections, and this has dramatically reduced the side effects of this medication.
I try and get exercise every day - sufficient to push my heart. I am sure that helps. So take the stairs instead of the lifts, is a good start. Dogs need walking. Hills need climbing. ...
Not every thing will work for every body. These are just my findings.
re: constipation from Ondansetron
ReplyDeleteI take Ondansetron 8mg every 8 hrs during my three days of infusions and for the first two to three days after chemo. Then I taper it off. Like your side effects, mine (mostly nausea and lack of appetite) have lessened with each round. My most recent round, my 4th of 6, I had very little nausea and took only one Ondansetron on the third day after chemo and took none after that.
When I am taking Ondansetron, in order to control constipation, my nurses have urged me to take ducosate sodium (brand name Colace) a non-prescription stool softener, up to 300 mg daily. It comes in 50mg and 100 mg capsules. It is not a stimulant laxative. The nurses suggest being pro-active, starting the Colace along with the Ondansetron. Mostly I have taken only 100 mg a day, but when it seemed my guts were slowing significantly, I have used up to 300 mg per day. I have found it to be very mild. I take it in a gel capsule form. It should not be taken for more than a week without your doctor's OK.
I am glad to hear that you are done with your course of AZT and you got through it successfully. Did you stop because that was the planned protocol (like my 6 rounds of FCR) or you reached a certain benchmark?
Give my love to all,
Lois
(published by Richard, as Lois was having Software problems)