cumulative effects?

Public Archive
1

I’ve just had my first chemotherapy session yesterday (3xFEC, 3XTax), and have been waiting for the bombshell to hit - so far, so good, no nausea at all. Is it too soon to celebrate, or are the effects of treatment cumulative? Will it be worse next time? Or indeed, might it still kick in this cycle, maybe later this week?

Any comments welcome!

Hippolyta

2

Hi Hippolyta
Everyone’s different, so it’s hard to tell. I had 6 FECs earlier this year. I was nauseous on the first day and then felt ropey for a couple of days after that. I was told that women who had bad morning sickness (I didn’t) often had the worst reaction to chemo. I would just play it by ear and hopefully you’re one of the lucky few who doesn’t have any effects.
Sarah
XXX

3

Hi Hippolyta

My onc told me the only cumulative effect is the fatigue - and she was right. I was never sick but the tiredness got worse and worse. She said to me if I hadn’t been feeling more tired she would have checked with the pharmacy to make sure I had had the right dose. I had 6 FEC - the last 5 weeks ago and I am still kna****ed

Take care of yourself

Sharon x

4

Hi Hippolyta
I had my 3rd FEC on Friday and although I haven’t felt too bad will be fine tomorrow.
Not only is everyone different, I have found that each of my reactions to chemo have been different. Mind you I have had to have a bit of adjustment on anti -sickness as that was awful the first time…I am one of those motion/travel/pregnancy sickness women. you might not get it at all.

But…it is the tiredness that gets me and also I suffer from a touch of feduppedness as well. I find a five minute weep sets me up for another fortnight…don’t discount it!!
Love x

5

Thanks folks, I guess it really is just a case of suck it and see! (not sure my metaphor is well-chosen!)
xx

6

Guess I’ve been really lucky in that I haven’t really felt particularly fatigued and I’m now 17 weeks into chemo… only 7 more to go :slight_smile: I too was worried when I heard that the effects of chemo tend to be cumulative, but my experience hasn’t been like that. Losing the hair is by far the worst side-effect, but it will grow back… just have to be patient… phew! I’ve even continued working for most of the time, to keep some kind of normality in my life… only had a few days off after the first 4 chemo sessions… had no time off since starting on Xeloda tablets. Everyone’s different…

Good luck…

AliS