You are so strong and so brave. Thankfully, I just finished my 4th and final treatment of Red Devil. Rather than feel disappointed, I actually felt relief. This doesn’t affect the price you pay. On the other hand, I’m nervous about potentially scaring others who might end up undergoing AC chemo themselves. It is meant to slow or stop growth of cancer cells by blocking an enzyme known as topo isomerase. It’s all wrong. I wouldn’t wish it upon any one. Not everyone experiences it the same way and some are very lucky with few symptoms. People love me. Sending so much love to you.   The third Doxorubicin administration method is through a fine tube that is put into a vein in your arm and goes up into a vein located in the chest, or also known as PICC line. Dr Jurgens shares his insights about the Doxorubicin-induced side effects in this brief video: A sudden feel of warmth characterizes this and your face may become red while the drug is being administered. X, Oh thank you thank you lovely Katie!! Kym and I were moved by your account and admire your courage. Other includes swelling of the face, backache, chest pain, abdominal pain and cramping, etc. For guys, the reason has to do with the way chemo drugs target fast-growing cancer cells. Learn more about what to expect from this therapy. It is important to note that chemotherapy reduces the number of white blood cells that help fight infections. When Katherine Russell Rich was thirty-two, a newly divorced, high-powered magazine editor living a glamorous life in New York City, her ten-year (and still counting) ordeal with cancer began. I am really not sure what to say here. The condition is referred to as palmar-plantar syndrome. It requires vigilant monitoring particularly during the sl… #TwinklyTuesday, Thank you so so much Tracey – I desperately didn’t want it to be a horror story – in the grand scheme of things it’s only a few days but it seems like an eternity at the time x, Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Sending you so much love, light and many more big hugs. Metastaticdisease Adriamycin is sometimes combined with Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) and/or 5-fluorouracilto make a cocktail of breast-cancer-fighting chemotherapy drugs. More … My reason for searching is re-connecting with a good friend who has 2 young children; and he also has stage 2 lymphoma. I actually managed to sleep through some of the session, which was quite nice for me and I imagine quite boring for Mr M who was at my side the entire time. I knew it was called the ‘red devil’ and now I know why!!! I also participate in other affiliate programs and may receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Deb said that was brilliant and again was encouraging and gave me all the benefits of doing that too. It’s dark and ugly and unfair but you are standing tall and doing everything you can to get through the other side. x x, Thank you for sharing your story. x x, This is incredible. It is important to note that chemotherapy reduces the number of white blood … It might be temporary to some women while to others it might prolong up to menopause. I have everything crossed for him that treatment will be a huge success x x x. Omg. We’re ALL rooting for you and I tell you this, when this is all over and you’ve kicked that cancer’s ass, it’s the cancer that will be saying a few hail marys ;-) Sending much love. Please do not feel guilty for something you didn’t know x x x. I read this last night and it made me cry, I’m still thinking about it this morning. It doesn’t feel like it now but I know it will end. So far worst has been the dry mouth like you have eaten a handful of flour, but that has now passed. Reading your blog has been the most helpful thing I have come across yet, by far. Round 4 of Chemo 4/4 AC (Dec. 14-Dec. 28): This marks the halfway point in my chemo treatment and my last round of the “Red Devil” AC. Some people think chemo side effects are limited to vomiting and chemotherapy hair loss. You really are amazing. I put my faith in the high chemotherapy success rate. Despite the mouth ulcers, I feel quite good. No it wasn’t for … Some say it gets progressively worse with each treatment. Related: I Thought My Body Was Broken (So I Fixed That). This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It’s all individual though. It’s all over the floor everywhere and Mr M kindly vacuums it away so I don’t have to see it. Kinda anxious because it is a change. Your nurse may also prescribe a soothing cream that should be applied around the rectum. It’s nicknamed the “red devil”. Kym and Roger XXXOOO, Thank you so much to both of you, that’s just so lovely of you to think of me – I AM on the downhill run! It’s hard to see past the treatment while you’re going through it but thank you for supporting your friend x. Hi Mim, Found your Blog while looking for info on side effects for 2nd treatment of Chemo, was a bit scary to say the least, but you came through at the other end so I suppose I will too. That helps. Unfortunately, for some at least, that is the tip of the iceberg. Oh thank you so much and, despite the circumstances, it’s lovely to hear from you. And sitting. There is a high chemo success rate. You sound like an incredibly brave lady and I think you are right to share the harshness of the treatment you are enduring. It’s a very hard thing to go through but you will definitely come out the others side :) wishing you the very best for the rest of your treatment x. I only found your blog last week and I really wish I had found it sooner. Chemotherapy can also result in constipation in other ways – when patients eat less food with fibre due to appetite loss, and low level of physical activity that cause bowels to move less often and stools to become harder and difficult to pass. Doxorubicin side effects. I usually slept while I was getting the infusion. I don’t have to shave my underarms and I have a bit of a Brazilian happening. I had decided to do the cold cap chemotherapy option again and despite it being unpleasant, it wasn’t as bad as I remembered. I can’t move on, I’m trapped in this horrific treatment plan. Tears for everyone going through this and awe for the strength and courage you all have. Like I had a good excuse not to use it next time. I’m angry that my cancer is triple negative – that it’s aggressive and fast-growing. Email me if you ever want a chat – I hope your treatment is going really well :) x. Hi Mim, from friends I have heard how lousy chemo can make you feel and to think that anyone has to go through that in order to get well again makes me shudder, but I have no doubt that it’s better than the alternative. There is absolutely no guarantee that anyone else will experience things in the same way. In general, more research is needed on the effectiveness of cold cap treatments. The first red devil chemo method is through a jab, whereby the nurse inputs a thin tube (also known as cannula) into your vein in arm or hand. It’s as if I’ve swallowed a fireball and it’s burned and bruised my whole mouth. You have helped so many people by doing so. For two days I stay in my room, I’m too down to leave except to cuddle my babies but I’m too weak to play with them. Learn how your comment data is processed. I hope that knowing some of us out here are following your story and care x. Emily #TwinklyTuesday, Thank you so much Emily, that means so much to me x x, I don’t know what to say. There are several ways in which doxorubicin is believed to cause cardiomyopathy, including oxidative stress, downregulation of genes for contractile proteins, and p53-m… I know that I will get through it and after a few days I’ll start to feel like myself again. I knew it was awful but I had no idea about using a separate toilet and the potential for early menopause and fingernails falling off. I am about to make my partner read it as he will be blown away that the struggle is not unique to me. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin that carries oxygen around the body. I’m grateful for that. While each person’s chemotherapy treatment experience will be different, here are some of the common red devil chemo side effects that may happen – including videos from cancer patients who share their personal experience after receiving Doxorubicin treatment: Chemotherapy can damage the healthy cells in mouth, makes it difficult for the mouth to fend off germs and heal, leading to infections and sores. In video below, stage 4 ovarian cancer patient Sharon Nance shared the picture of hand-foot syndrome that she experienced as adverse effect after received Doxil (a reformulated version of doxorubicin): Recommended read: Studies Show Mushroom Extract AHCC Can Help Cancer / Chemo Patients I have the triple neg breast cancer and I am 60. This is because the chemotherapy drugs may affect the child adversely especially in the development of the baby. It’s lonely. It’s so much better than the distress of it falling out. Two to go…keep that in your mind xxx Lots of luck xx #twinklytuesday, Oh I bet they loved you there :) Thank you lady x x, Dear sweet Mim, there are no words but know we are all rooting for you. A popular class of chemo drugs called anthracyclines has been a go-to for doctors for decades. I feel insanely guilty I didn’t realise just how harrowing chemo is when a University friend was going through it. I feel like a ghost in my own home, detached from everything. It will work. I hope you have finished all your treatments & are well on the way to recovery.   Doxorubicin is sometimes known by its nickname, the “Red Devil.” This drug earned its moniker for two reasons (13): its brilliant red color (also the source of the rubi in “doxorubicin”) its often severe side effects. Nothing more I can say except you know that I do understand what you’re going through xo, So so true! And standing. Instead of ‘poisoning me’, it’s killing off those cancer cells (if there are any left!) It’s an awful thing to go through but you will get there and look back when it is over; more positive (esp if you have cut the people out who haven’t called) and be an inspiration to so many others. This takes about 30 minutes and the platelets start functioning right away. Enjoy these next days with your family in the sunshine, and the biggest of well wishes for the next lot of treatment. Recommended read: 93 Chemo Side Effects Remedies that Improve Your Quality of Life It looks like a bruised lump in my chest plus it hurts when touched or they hang the IV. Your attitude is fantastic and I really enjoy your blog. Recommended read: 9 Cancer Patients Revealed ‘Must-Have’ Items to Survive Chemotherapy Sending all my love and best wishes to you xx, Thank you lovely, that is so so nice of you x x x. I feel so ignorant having read this. Oh thank you Christine – it’s all going to be just fine, I know it :) Can’t wait to get through the chemo though! I had diarhea problems on the Red Devil. I have my fourth dose tomorrow of the second round. I do get way more tired at the end of the day, but that is probably the anemia, which is kinda new. If I just stop now, I’ll start getting better again instead of worse. But I made it. I also increase my water intake to 80 ozs per day on day before, day of, and 2-3 days after red devil. Chemotherapy is a powerful treatment that involves taking medications to damage cancerous cells. I appreciate your brutal honesty. Basically, it’s different for everyone. Thank you for sharing your story. The “red devil”, as breast cancer patients often call the toxic fluid, was one of the two drugs I received as part of chemotherapy for breast cancer. Chemo drugs and pain medicines can result in constipation as a side effect. There are things you can do to minimize the side-effects and to make yourself more comfortable. She gave me all the benefits of not doing it. I think you have absolutely done the right thing sharing the full story here as if it were me searching google for answers I would want to know. My thoughts are with you Mim. I wouldn’t recommend Googling “red devil chemo what to expect”. No, again, not for me. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.. There were times when she didn't have the energy to leave her bed. You’re so brave for writing about it so openly when it must be such a scary time. Although I had read about 2nd chemo worse than 1st for some. You will make it through. My immune system has plummeted and I’m so at risk of infection that I can’t go out. x x PS move to Aus! Feel free to reach out to me at any time for a chat – you’re not alone at all x x. This too shall pass. I had absolutely no idea how truly horrific chemo is. Remember mine is AC chemo and your friend might have been on a completely different (and hopefully not as harsh) chemo. Ah you wouldn’t have known, that’s part of the reason I wanted to write about it though, to try and share what chemo is like for some. Red Devil, Alaska, United States; People. Adriamycin (also known as The Red Devil) is the tough chemo that people hear about. If the level of red blood cells is low, then less oxygen is getting to the cells hence cause breathlessness and makes one look pale. Two to go. On Days 10-12 I experience hot flashes constantly which leads me to believe I’m in early menopause. Oh thank you Claire x x please know I am feeling MUCH better since writing the post, it was very therapeutic and the worst of my side effects have definitely gone for this cycle :) Bring on the next one! Sending lots of love and good luck for your next treatment, Mim. In video below, Ewing’s sarcoma cancer patient Jeremy Bolduc shared his experiences with Doxorubicin, and what he found was helpful to battle the red devil chemo drug side effects. The type of chemotherapy involved also plays a role in how effective these treatments are. I stopped after the first chemo. On Day 2, my husband administers the Neulasta injection in my tummy. on "19 Doxorubicin ‘Red Devil’ Chemo Drug Side Effects: A Comprehensive View", 93 Chemotherapy Side Effects Remedies and Tips for Cancer Patients to Improve Quality of Life. Yours will likely be very different and I hope we are all breast cancer survivors x. It’s purpose is to destroy cancer cells. Thank you so much Hayley and the best of love and luck to you too! Is chemo painful as it goes in? First set of Chemo was an intense cocktail chemotherapy, Adriamycin and Cytoxan known as the “Red Devil” that was very potent but for the most part I did very well – nausea controlled by meds, tingling and numbness in hands, some upset stomach, back pain, lost of appetite and food tasting bland and red blood cell count decreasing. After the shot even taking the Claritin I felt weird. Here are my suggestions for how to survive chemo: Drink LOTS of liquids. If you’re wondering what does chemo feel like or is chemotherapy painful, this is purely my experience on red devil chemo. I don’t think anyone could have any idea of how awful it is but more people should. You can learn about Adriamycin, a name brand chemotherapy, on WebMD.Or, if you prefer, you can check on doxorubicin, the generic term, using MedlinePlus, a comprehensive and relatively reliable public venture put forth by the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. 2 down for you – keep strong. 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