Hi everyone,
I have a triple negative diagnosis and have just completed 12 weeks of Carboplatin and Plaxitaxel. Despite a good response on ultrasound showing that my 2 tumours have gone and only node involvement remains my oncologist has now started talking about changing to EC. As this is once every 3 weeks it would mean another 9 weeks of treatment before my lumpectomy. As I understand it the EC can wipe you out even more that the Carbo /Taxel combination - is this right? Has anyone else had experience of both ?
Hi susie
I don’t have experience of both but EC was my first treatment and, yes, it wiped me out. But you have to factor in the fact that this was the first time my body had experienced chemo (physical and psychological blows) and my age at the time (67). There’s no reason to suppose it will do worse than inconvenience you.
9 weeks seems a long time to wait again for surgery but the smaller your tumour is, the less chance of needing a mastectomy and full axillary clearance. For you, the key factor is the TNBC. Writing as someone with Stage 4 TNBC, I would take no risks. Take all the treatments they can offer because you want this resolved, not live in fear of it coming back somewhere else other than your breast. I had 2 tumours, one of each, but it was never spelt out to me that one was TN. I’m glad in that I had two years with no anxiety during lockdown as unusual symptoms developed and my GP just ignored them. It would have made no difference - it had metastasised anyway and the treatment wold have been the same. Believe me, this is not a condition you want to take risks with.
Trust your oncology team. Good luck with the treatment.
Jan x
Wanted to say hi as I think I am currently on the same chemo that you’ve just completed, I’m having paclitaxel (if this is the same?) weekly and carboplatin every 3 weeks for 12 weeks and will be having EC for 9 weeks after. Was wondering how you got on with it? Sorry I’m not helping with your question though. X
I also have TNBC. I have had chemo after surgery and have had 4 cycles of EC, I am about to switch to 12 weeks of Paclitaxel. EC has been ok for me. Some bowel problems, some fatigue, some joint ache related to the Filgrastim injections they package with it. I found days 5-9 the hardest and was mostly ok from around day 11 or 12 onwards. A bit of loss of taste but never extreme and always resolved by around day 12. No nausea.