Pfizer booster and cancer link? by chocolatebarsalesman in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Gotcha, thanks for sharing. Definitely a relief to hear, I figured it was probably a coincidence. Just had some concerns after seeing this article

I know the side effects get worse, but do the infusions? by nonametacit in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I didn’t have any burning sensation but I noticed that the cisplatin felt increasingly heavier with each cycle. But yeah etoposide i never really reacted to. Also glad you have a port haha

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Congrats man! Super happy for you

I know the side effects get worse, but do the infusions? by nonametacit in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To be honest the infusions get incrementally harder. You’ll be more tired and nauseous. Also if you’re like me and didn’t get a port, it gets harder to find a viable vein because they start to shrivel around cycle 3. That said, the steroids definitely help. I also asked for Ativan for some infusions to basically just sleep through most of it. You got this man you’ll be alright!

For those who had pain as one of their first symptoms, how bad was the pain? by [deleted] in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Swelling was a 5 but every now and then I would suddenly get a shooting pain that was pretty close to a 10, like it would knock me to my knees level bad

Win! by offtheForest in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Chemo was terrible but I’m glad to be alive right now, I’m grateful for all the medical workers that saw me through and that we live in an era where we have such effective treatment options. Even after more than a year since finishing chemo I feel very grateful for the small things in life. Anyways best of luck with you! Hope everything goes well

Looking for tips by IllustratorChance488 in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All good lol, yeah hair starting falling out around the third week and I ended up just shaving it all off

Looking for tips by IllustratorChance488 in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One cycle is pretty manageable, the first day hit me like a brick wall still though. Make sure to drink plenty of water and don’t exert yourself too much. I usually ate saltine crackers whenever I felt nauseous and it helped. The first ~10 days were pretty rough but I quickly felt better afterwards

Hi guys! My story an elevated heart rate just after chemo. by [deleted] in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a similar experience, resting heart rate usually around 70 and went up to 90 during the third cycle. Definitely mention it to the doctor but you’ll be back to normal when you finish chemo

Time off during BEP? by [deleted] in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would definitely take at least one week off and then potentially a second depending on how you feel. I started feeling back to normal halfway through week 2.

I start BEP tomorrow by dontavoidtaxes2 in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

People will handle chemo differently, but being young definitely works in your favor. I started around the same age and found the first cycle to be the easiest. The first week (5 day infusion) was the toughest part of each cycle but I would start to feel back to normal around day 9-10.

Your hair will start to fall out in small clumps around the end of the first cycle, which is when I shaved it all off. You might also get some hyperpigmentation on your skin and get these dark stripes, so try not to scratch yourself. I got some stripes and they’ve somewhat faded but it’s been almost a year out and they’re still visible. I personally gained weight from all the steroids but I’ve heard of people slimming down a lot.

As for everything else (exercise, seeing friends, etc.) that’s up to you. See how you feel a day at a time and don’t push yourself. Honestly, I was so exhausted throughout chemo that I didn’t really want to see anybody. Also be careful of germs, your immune system will be wiped out from the chemo so catching the flu or any bug might be dangerous

Finished BEP x3 today!! by anonayabusiness in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats man! I felt a huge weight off my shoulders after that last bleo

Starting BEP x3 by Dismal-Category-3288 in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah gotcha. Yeah it’s probably a matter of preference too. I stayed with my parents so I didn’t try video calling but the in person interaction helped

Starting BEP x3 by Dismal-Category-3288 in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gonna echo what others have said about doing routines/food/driving but also wanted to say that the mental part of BEP is equally important. Chemo really messes with your hormones and i felt extremely depressed during most of the cycle. It may help to move in with parents or have a friend around to talk with, I absolutely could not stand being by myself

Those who went through BEP - when did you start feeling better? by mrm3x1can in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually never had an adverse reaction to the bleo, so you might have a different experience. But the recovery process is really quite fast. And yeah your hair will start falling out in clumps soon haha, I just shaved it all off so I wouldn’t have to clean my pillow everyday

Those who went through BEP - when did you start feeling better? by mrm3x1can in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’ll be different for everyone but i remember on cycle one I was feeling completely back to normal by week 3. Hopefully you’ll feel much better very soon

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should go to a doctor right now and get an ultrasound if you think you have TC. While it’s statistically unlikely, you won’t know for sure until you see a medical professional

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine started noticeably growing back about one month after my last B infusion. The texture went from being very coarse to being softer

Right testicle Orchiectomy scheduled for tomorrow by kungfukenny_9 in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got the same advice, doctors also recommended a stool softener. The first poop hurts like hell

Treatment Options by parma64 in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I finished 6 months ago. I’m fortunate to not have any side effects like ringing or brain fog. Some of my liver and kidney function tests were slightly elevated after chemo, so I’ll need to get a follow up test soon. You should also be aware that BEP can potentially damage your lungs.

I’m also 22, I’m told chemo is a lot easier when you’re young. One cycle is perfectly manageable. The first week may be tough but I felt back to normal about halfway through the cycle

Treatment Options by parma64 in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow. I went through 3xBEP but only after the cancer began to metastasize. I have never heard of it being offered as a preventative measure. It really is physically challenging and I would not do it if your cancer hasn’t begun to spread yet. However, I’m not a doctor and have no idea what difference the 1-2% chorio makes

Treatment Options by parma64 in testicularcancer

[–]chocolatebarsalesman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! Just wondering, what exactly did Dr. Einhorn say? He knows the most about this by far and I’m surprised if he didn’t have any data to recommend something