I just started ABVD on Thursday, 5/21/09 and still feel aweful. Will I ever feel normal through this treatment or will I always feel like I'm trying to escape a hangover? I am hoping there will be at least 1 day where I don't feel bad all day.

cigarsANDvino:
The ABVD regimen is regarded as a gold standard for treating Hodgkin's, but it uses some brutally tough drugs. So your first treatment was 5 days ago, meaning, I assume, that you have another 10 days before you complete your first cycle with another day of treatment.

In that case, it's not surprising to hear you still feel like hell; individually, the side effects of doxorubicin, dacarbazine, bleomycin or vinblastine can be tough.

A lot of people on ABVD report feeling like they have the flu (or flu-like symptoms) for as long as a week following treatment. All things considered, when you set that against some of the other potential side effects (a link to a blog entry with all the ABVD drugs and links to the ACS drug index is HERE) of this regimen, it doesn't seem as bad. That's probably shitty consolation to you right now.

So to answer your question, yes it's likely there will be 'at least 1 day' in which you don't feel hideous all day- in fact there should be many more days than just one- but for the ABVD the 5-7 days following treatment can be tougher. I'm sure your doc(s) told you to drink lots of water- take this seriously, because the benefits are worthwhile. Water helps get the drugs out of your system more quickly, and water will also help to keep your mouth from getting too dry and/or developing sores or ulcers.

By the way, the Bleomycin can cause lung problems, especially for people who smoke (although I guess you don't inhale cigars right?)

Good luck on your treatment!

I also just started ABVD for Hodgkins. By the fourth day out I seemed to have gotten over "yucky" and gone to plain tired. It's now one week out and I'm still feeling tired/run down but it is getting better.

I'm also taking Emend, as well as zofran and Compazine as necessary for vomiting. I held off the Compazine until day 2 out when I had cramps and some vomitting in the morning. It basicallly knocked me out for the day. And the next. What I've been told and am finding out is you have to figure out what routine/drug combinations work best for you. For instance in the future I'll probably take the Compazine at night for a few days and hope it carries over to the next day.

cigarsANDvino-
I think today marks your second round of the ABVD chemo regimen; I hope you started to feel better well before today, and that you have a better idea of what to expect. Good luck. You'll be enjoying a Fuente Fuente Opus X along with a good port soon enough.

Ross