Hi Anthony
So sorry to hear the start of your CTD treatment is not going particularly well. We all react so differently to the drugs, with some lucky patients not suffering any side effects during treatment. You might find it useful to complete a daily diary to monitor your reaction and emotions to the different drugs throughout your treatment/cycles because you do tend to forget after a few months.
I had four cycles of CTD and the level and range of side effects slowly began to increase throughout the cycles. By the end of cycle four, I was in bed most of the day unable to walk up and down stairs due to muscle weakness, bone pain, constant sickness, shortness of breath, a urine infection, bed sores, constipation, mouth sores and required a walking stick for support. At the end of cycle four and prior to my SCT, I was admitted into hospital in a wheelchair due to anaemia for blood transfusions which really improved how I felt, increased my energy levels and enabled me to walk better.
The whole period whilst you are undergoing treatment causes a huge stress on the patient, carer and family members especially when dealing with the unpleasant side effects of the drugs, combined with the constant worry about the effectiveness of the treatment. Remember, you will always have the opportunity to talk through your specific side effects with your consultant/nominated nurse at the end of each cycle. Although the cycles seem endless, at least there is treatment available and it is for a relatively short period of time. Like others have said, it does get better.
Jan x
