Am about to start 6 cycles of TAC in a couple of wks and just wondered if anyone has any experience of this regimen and what I should expect from it?
Thanks x
Hi Mummy29,
I am having 3x FEC 3x TAX, I am sure someone else will be or has had that regime.
Just bump it up for you!!
Best wishes
Donna
Hi,
Last year I had 6 cycles of TAC. Felt very tired for a couple of days after each, and sometimes felt sick, but never actually was. Had lots of mouth ulcers, and oral thursh everytime. But we are all different, and it’s really important to tell the chemo staff if you suffering badly as they can give you help and support.
Hope it goes okay for you.
Dotty2x
I looked for similar info when I started chemo last November and struggled to find anything about TAC so happy to share my experience - please do let me know if there’s anything else I can answer. There is a TAC info sheet on the Macmillan site if you haven’t seen it yet.
I’ve had 6 x TAC so far - planning to do 8 in total, 7th on Wednesday this week.
I was led to believe TAC is a gruelling regime, but I’ve continued to work full time around the treatment, taking out a couple of sick days each time when I’ve got really tired. I have chemo on a Wednesday and I find it “hits” me the following Monday so I normally make sure nothing is planned for that Monday and Tuesday. But even with the fatigue life’s continued as normal (had to really I’m a single parent!) - never missed the school run etc (in fact I found the walk in fresh air helps on my “bad days”). Other than the tiredness I’ve had mild side effects (taste changes for about a week each time is most disheartening), indigestion type pains after later treatments and my toenails are starting to suffer now.
My only “low” point was after 4th cycle when my red blood cell count dropped dramatically and I need a blood transfusion. But I think that could happen with any of the regimes so not particularly related to TAC.
TAC has worked for me - PET scan last week showed cancer left after surgery has been killed off and officially I am now cancer free! I’m having extra 2 chemos just for a little extra insurance because I’ve coped well with the chemo.
Hope this helps a bit. I was really daunted by the fact I was having TAC, when everyone else seemed to be having FEC, but for me its really been OK. As I said do ask if there is anything in particular I’ve missed.
Bump for smiles. Am sure there was another one too.
Dx
breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=29573&p=535550#p535550
loads of comments here about tax.
I’m currently in the middle of 4 x AC (3 down 1to go) then have 4 x Tax to get through. Is that considered as the TAC regime I’m not sure?
Hi
Just wondered how u were getting on. Due to have my 3rd TAC later this week. I have found that i don’t get out of bed for the 1st week but feel ok for the next 2. Hair has more or less disappeared, just got some tufts left!Felt really sick and had stomach pains as well as the aching joints. Sense of smell really heightened as soon as am home from hospital. Everything tastes weird and have to have really bland food when i can actually face eating. Week 2 and 3 have been ok so far though (fingers crossed)and have managed to drive and do the school run. I have also found it hard to find info on TAC as everybody seems to be having FEC.Having 6 cycles altogether. Please can u share your experiences so i dont feel alone in having this treatment. x
Had my 3rd TAC on Friday. They gave me Emend this time to help with sickness, which has helped, but I still feel rotten! The tiredness is a killer and my mouth feels like its full of fluff (thrush!)but hopefully by this Friday I’ll have picked up a bit.
Its really hard going but all I can advise is to just take one day at a time, and getting through a day feeling like we do is an achievement in itself!
I’m half way through now but it feels like a long way off!
Hope you’re getting on ok.
xx
Hi Ladies
I had 6 x TAC last year, finished on 7th October. I can relate to everything you said. I had Emend with every chemo and didn’t feel sick once. I also had the neulasta injection the day after chemo and my blood count was always fine.
The worst things for me which got worse with every chemo was no taste buds, aching legs and tiredness. For the last two chemo’s I did spent most of my time in bed and walking short distances made me really tired and out of breath. However, I was back at work on reduced hours in January this year and went to Florida in March this year which involved a lot of walking round parks and I was absolutely fine. I now feel really good and have lots of energy. I can’t believe how quick it has gone since my last chemo, I don’t really think about it now. For me it helped to rest as much as I could. Although my legs ached I made sure I had a walk everyday. Re the taste buds all I could eat during my last two chemo’s was custard related food ( I couldn’t stand this sort of food during the first four chemo’s, really weird).
Just think you are half way there now and once you have had number 4 you will feel a lot better knowing you will just have 2 more to go, it helped my mindset going through the numbers! Also remember everyone is different and you may not get as many side effects for your last 3.
Take care and good luck
Amanda xx