Hi -
I am on E-CMF and I am now in the rest phase of my first CMF cycle. I am currently on the following regime
Day1 M&F as I.V. start C in tablet form for 14days.
Day8 M&F as I.V. continueing with C in tablet form
2 week break.
I hate taking the tablets - i feel sick, exhausted, dizzy. hot flushes etc. after taking them. I have tried taking them all at once and splitting the dose. So far I have felt sick for 3 weeks, my stomach feels like the lining has been striped out.
I understand it is possible to have the whole lot as I.V. on Day 1 and 8 with 3week break.
Has anyone followed this regime - how did it work out for you? - I am thinking of asking my Onc. if it is possible to follow this regime instead.
Thanks - Swanie
Hi Swanie
I had exactly the same problem and was switched to iv for my third and fourth cmf. I then had no sickness at all, my chemo finished on 29th June so I am now looking forward to being chemo free. One word of advice my onc told me I may loose my hair with the iv but when I asked the chemo nurses they had never heard of anyone loosing theirs, maybe the iv is more expensive and he was trying to make me put up with the tablets.
Good luck
Julie
ive been on e-cmf. I have the cmf all on day 1 via i.v and then again on day 8 by i.v. Ive had no problems with it, well apart from the next day being a bit ropey, bunged up constipation wise (but thats the antisick stuff). I have my last lot on wednesday and am really looking forward to the back of it, yet worried about not having anymore at the same time if that makes sense. Weird, you cant wait for it to be all over…yet when you get to the end of chemo you start to wonder all sorts of bizarre stuff.
My hair all went with the epi side of things, but was told that the cmf wouldnt make your hair fall out.
Thanks Julie and Buttons - I will push ahead and try and get my onc to switch me to the IV. I think even if initial side effects are a bit worse I would rather go for the short sharp shock. I lost my hair with the Epi so that is not a consideration anyway.
I can’t wait to get this over - then I just have rads to get through. I want to get my life back on line!
Thanks again for your support - it makes all the difference hearing from the people that actually have to go through it.
good luck for the future
Swanie
the initial side effects arent that bad, but chemo hits peeps differently. I like the cmf, and have found it soo much nicer than epi. I feel ropey the next day due to waiting for the pills to kick in, but thats really about it, after that im fine, just a bit on the go slow if that makes sense. Id have a chat about switching to the full iv if the pills are not doing it for you. You never know they might agree with you and change your treatment plan. Im just waiting on rads dates so I can look forward to glowing in the dark, i know its not true, but its amusing to think of it lol
I had the same prob and like Julie swapped to having my 3rd and 4th CMF via IV. I was so ill on the tablets and like you swanie felt my stomach ling was being torn away. I do suffer from IBS though and put it down to that.
I did find that having it all IV i felt slightly more sickly initially but ok after a day or two better than 14 whole days of misery.
I actually hated CMF found epi easier strange how we are all so different, My poor friend could not get up with epi, but sailed thorugh CMF.
Good luck not toomany more to go now. I finished this time last year.
Rx
Hi Liverbird
Thanks for your comments - like you I found that the Epi was not so bad. This CMF is the the pits. I see the onc. on Thursday so i am going to push for the I.V. My main worry is that I do not feel she really listens to what you are telling her and can be rather dismissive. Still fingers crossed I get my point across I will find it easy being assertive knowing that others have been through the same thing.
Good luck with your treatment - hope all goes well
Swanie