Had my Carboplatin earlier today.. When do the side effects kick in?

[Stevo70]

Hello again everyone, finished my single dose Carboplatin 6 hours ago and feel pretty good. The only thing I have noticed is that I need my sunglasses on outside now as the glare really hurts my eyes more than usual. Mind you I am outside mowing lawns and doing the homely things so it can't be all that bad.

I am wondering at what point the common side effects (eg. Nausea, vomting etc) are likely to start. Like I said currently I am feeling good and the hospital has given me various meds to ensure we keep most of the side-effects at bay, but I expect they will start eventually. I have read numerous other member "carboplatin diaries" and the common theme is that day 1 is good and by days 5-6 they seem to be over it. How bad does it get in between???

I coach my kids in basketball Friday, Saturday and Sundays (day 2,3 and 4 after Carbo) and I am hoping to be able to get to the training/games.. What are your thoughts? Any tips on beating the Nausea when it starts?

Thanks again,

Stevo

4/11/10 - Hard, swollen right testicle
8/11/10 - Ultrasound identifies mass in R/T
10/11/10 - R I/O
11/11/10 - CT Clear
14/11/10 - Pathology Report, 100% pure Seminoma (Classic Type), Patchy Lymphoid Infiltrate present however Lyphovascular invasion not identified. All else appears clear. Stage 1A
19/11/10 - 40th birthday (Hip Hip Hooray)
9/12/10 - Single Dose Carboplatin, Blood Markers Normal.

[Owls]

Hi Stevo,

Mine was the following morning. I felt like I had a bad hangover and that lasted for 4 days or so. I have chemo on a Wednesday, Thursday was not pleasant, Friday was horrible and Saturday I basically slept, but I think this was due to the anti nausea pills I think. This was the same pattern both times.

Its not pleasant but it is bearable. I was working from home throughout and went back into the office the following Monday/Tuesday. I think I needed something to take my mind off it. Other people have said its like a prolonged hangover, tired, feeling sick, upset stomach, spinning head, headaches

I was pretty tired for a few week afterwards especially after doing anything physical. 7 weeks later I still feel exhausted from time to time as well but nothing a good nights sleep does not sort out.

Everyone reacts differently but just listen to what your body is telling you and drink lots of water and i found eating Doritos help with teh nausea. Also, I had some taste changes (still cant stand eating grilled chicken) and hunger pains seems to be intensified near lunch/dinner time etc.

As I say it’s not a pleasant experience but in under a week’s time or so you will be over the horrible feeling and maybe just a bit tired.

Good luck!

p.s. sunny in Melbourne, i thought you were under water over there? (i am in Perth)

[Andycoles]

Hi Stevo,

Glad to hear that you are doing well so far. Like Owls said, the effects didn't really kick in until the second day, and I just had really bad fatigue for about a week, sleeping about 14-15 hours a day. The secret I found was to start doing things when you feel able to, building up slowly at first. I took a half mile walk on day 3, but it took me 1.5 hours because I didn't force myself.

As long as you stay on top of your anti-emetics, nausia shouldn't be a problem. I tended to stick to bland food for about a week, but it is different for everyone. You will probably notice that everything tastes metalic for a while (due to the platinum in the carboplatin I think ), but that goes after a couple of weeks.

In general, the side effects are not that bad, compared to the ones from BEP and TIP. It does still affect your germ-fighting ability though, so it might be advisable to stick clear of the kids with all the coughs and colds that they spread around for a week or two .

[Stevo70]

Thanks for the quick replies guys, I will be taking your tips on board to ensure the next few days are as comfortable as possible.

On the sun glare issue, it is the first time in Melbourne we have seen the sun in about 3 months so maybe it was just new to me. Anyway, you would be happy to know it is pouring rain again.

I'll keep you posted on my side effects for the info of anyone else who may be considering Carbo.

Regards,

Stevo

[andy26]

Hey Stevo

From what I can recall, my worse day was day 3...a little nausea but nothing 2 bad...I've had worse hangovers...haha. I didn't even use my anti-nausea pills with the exception of the ones they gave me right before starting the chemo and I think one pill on day 3. I think drinking all the water I drank really helped out. Even my urologist and oncologist were surprised that I didnt' have any bad side effects. Best tip I can give you...drink LOTS of water.

Hope all goes well dude...and hang in there when you least expect it you'll be the one giving advice...I can't believe it's almost 2 yrs since I was diagnosed and since having chemo...time sure flies.

Andy

[singhy73]

Hi Stevo,

My side effect were similar to Andy, I had one shot of Chemo on wednesday was fine thursday and friday, then saturday I felt sick. Sunday felt a bit tired but then after that I was fine.

I know just have to have 3 month regular check ups.

All the best mate.


Paul

[coggs]

I had my first of two single agent carbo infusions 8 days ago and quite honestly I never knew I had chemo despite watching that bag drip into my arm. No nausea, fatigue, "hangover". Just a slight metaliic taste in my mouth the first day. I can live with that! Guess I was a little luckier than most. I drank like a fish for the first 3 days and did religiously take 2 of the 3 anti-nausea meds they sent me home with until they were gone on day four. Let's see how I do on round 2 in a couple weeks.

I feel like I should have to do one round of BEP just to be true member of the chemo club.

[Stevo70]

Hi again everyone and again thanx for the responses. Having this support forum and getting your experiences has been great.

For those interested or weighing up the Carbo option, I have now passed the 48 hour mark when it is supposedly gone from my system. Had trouble sleeping and a bit "backed-up" in the toilet department but otherwise nothing more than a hangover. I am certainly not being stopped from doing anything I would normally do (other than heavy exercise). If it keeps like this I would be very happy.

As per your advise/s I think plenty of water and bland food is getting the job done. I hope I am not speaking too soon.

Regards,

Stevo

[coggs]

Sounds good Stevo. Us Carbo guys sure seem to have a easier go than nearly all other forms of chemo treatment. Just keep on top of the nausea meds for the next few days. All will tell you it's harder to knock nausea down once it gets ahold of you than to keep it from showing up in the first place.