Lightheaded after 1st AC

I just had my first AC today.  (It was Dose Dense Adriamycin/Cytoxan.)  During the infusion, even before the Adriamycin or Cytoxan were administered I started feeling light headed and a little dizzy.  It continued to slowly get worse over the rest of the infusion time.  On the drive home I developed a headache behind my eyes.  The chemo nurse said she hadn't really heard of that as  a side effect so suggested I take a Lorazepam when I got home in case it was anxiety related.  After I took it I read the side effects sheet and realized that Lorazepam can CAUSE dizziness and lightheadedness.  I'm still experiencing that, but maybe it's now from the drug.  :)  About an hour after the Lorazepam, I felt the first twinges of nausea.  I took one of the pills right away, Prochlorperazine 10mg and tried to take a nap.  I dozed off and on for a couple hours, but woke up still feeling the same.  The nausea is worse and the headache is still there.  I just took two Tylenol for the headache and am waiting for them to kick in.  I've been drinking TONS of water, 5 1/2 24oz bottles so far today and I had hydration in my IV.  I don't think it can be dehydration related.  Anyone else experience anything like this?

HOC,

1st.......glad your first chemo is completed.   Now, you and your team can tweak the plan for the
next time.....discuss with your oncologist and chemo nurse your 1st chemo experience and see what
they recommend for a better 2nd chemo.      
And many times, one finds the 2nd chemo better as many have more anxiety with the 1st chemo.   

Good that you informed your chemo nurse about how you felt.
Mainy gave some very good tips.
Thinking that since you said you felt light headed and a little dizzy before the adriamycin and cytoxan,
if your blood pressure was checked then, it probably was not too high or low or else they would
have mentioned it.
Sometimes, it is hard to find the cause of a lightheaded....difficult to describe sensation.
With an initial chemo, one has the factors of anxiety as well as the pre-chemo meds (and one of
those could be the cause and just need some adjusting).
Most likely, the light-headed feeling will be less or gone in the morning.   And if not, you can call your
   treatment team.....just to be sure.
Hydration is important. As you said you are well hydrated. If one is drinking mainly water, might be
     good to include some other liquids and variety of tolerated foods to maintain normal electrolyte
     balance (and you are probably already doing this.)
If you still have nausea in the morning, consider calling your provider and review when it started and
what you have done and what are the next best steps for YOU.

Hoping you have a good night's sleep.


With caring and positive thoughts,
Grateful for today............Judy


Edited by Grateful for today - Mar 08 2013 at 1:47am

Thanks, Lori!

HOC

Thanks, BamaRachel,

HOC,

Hope you are continuing to feel better after your 1st AC.
You did all the right things.......informed your providers, tried various things and got additional     
information.......and now you and your providers can tweak your pre-chemo and chemo plan for
a better next chemo experience.   Pat yourself on the back........you knew your body and kept on
top of things until things started to improve.


With caring and positive thoughts,
Grateful for today.............Judy


PS: Had posted some thoughts/considerations on chemo on your other thread:
      http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/topic10978_post111229.html#111229
      If that is too much to read, just disregard.

So, yesterday was my 2nd round of AC and again I got lightheaded and dizzy.  It was definitely from the Aloxi since that was all that was running besides saline.  This time the nurse wasn't willing to let it go.  She got on the internet and started doing some research since dizziness wasn't listed as a possible side effect on their site.  Well, on the manufacturers web site she found a clinical trial where 688 people were given the drug and 6 of them reported dizziness as a side effect.  A little less than 1%.  Figures I'd be in the 1%!  Anyway, next time they're not going to do Aloxi.  I think it'll just be Zofran and I'll have to keep it up at home to prevent the nausea.  The nice thing about Aloxi is that it lasts 3 days.  I had one other little mishap yesterday.  When they accessed my port for the blood draw, they covered it with the bandage for sensitive skin.  By the time I was ready to go home, my chest was all red, especially under the bandage.  I had to stay late to consult with a dr in case it was a problem with the port itself.  However, after replacing the cover with a regular one (NOT sensitive skin) and giving me Benadryl through the IV the redness was much better.  Guess I not only have a rare allergy to Aloxi, but am also sensitive to the sensitive skin bandages!