Yes one lady from the September thread carried on with her normal full time job and social life, at least for the first couple of cycles. I asked after her a couple of weeks back and someone who is in touch with her said that she was still doing fine.
I’ve struggled with the nausea and feeling numb tingly and spaced out for the first week each cycle then first cycle I had 2 pretty much normal weeks. 2nd and third I’ve had more like one normal week and the fatigue has kicked in as has bland taste buds this cycle but all manageable and I’ve still managed 3 days at work in the past week and try to keep up as much walking as I can.
Good luck with your ongoing treatment x
Hi Kirsty, I’ve just had fec 4 today and count myself lucky that I don’t suffer too much with SEs. Chemo day is the worst for me the last couple of cycles so they have advised I take more meds this cycle and so far so good. My main SE Is dizziness which stays with me fir most of the cycle but doesn’t stop me working or having good days, just a bit annoying! Just remember to pace yourself. I’ve not suffered from fatigue yet but worry that it’ll kick in during these later cycles and I won’t have the reserves needed if I’ve worn myself out.
Do you think that your dizziness might be blood pressure related? I came over all dizzy and panicky on day 6 this cycle and my blood pressure was really low.
hi Meesh73, glad to hear the side effects have been relatively kind to you as well. I keep waiting on the train to hit and worry that I will suffer later on as well, but trying to just wait and see what each day brings instead of expecting the worst of everything.
I am having the spoonful of manuka honey morning and night, as suggested earlier in the thread so hopefully that keeps my imune system up.
Take care everyone and good luck to those staring this week x
Hello everyone, hope you’re all doing ok. I have a couple of queries which I’m hoping someone can answer.
Is anyone driving to their chemo sessions? When I had the induction on the chemo unit the sister said it was fine to drive there and back, I’m just a bit wary of this.
Also do they class day 1 as the day you have the chemo? or is day 1 the day after? x
Hi Rabbit everyone is different but I would definitely not be able to drive on chemo day after chemo. But I am on FEC and it hits me pretty quickly. I didn’t drive at all on my first cycle as I felt my reaction times were very compromised but I did drive after about 11 days on my second cycle. However I think I get quite badly hit by FEC. I am sure other people may have other experiences that they can share. However you don’t necessarily know yet how you will react so you might want to be cautious about driving on your first cycle just in case. But others will also be able to share their experiences.
Hello December starters, great to hear your updates. The variability is fascinating and considerable. I think it is probably why we’re told not to second guess too much and take it one cycle at a time.
My second cycle has been a bit different from my experience of the first, but not too terrible. I have continued to manage to exercise and work, albeit doing both more gently and at home. The fatigue seems worse in the evenings, but some of the other SEs are lesser like my taste buds being wrecked and constipation (a vote for Movicol here).
I do drive myself to and from chemo which works for me, but I tend to stick to walking in the days immediately afterwards. I am terrible for worrying about what lies ahead, but I maybe am just about learning to take it one day at a time and see what happens.
The tips and hints from others really help - if something happens, I know there will be someone on the forum who can make suggestions and if it doesn’t, I learn lots more about the range of experiences. My oncologist said he is amazed by the variability and unpredictability of how chemotherapy affects his patients.
Hang in there team and for those starting in December but not yet underway, we are all with you. xx
I couldn’t drive for st least the first week and a half after chemo. I come out and already feel spaced. The Cyclophosphamide gives me a fuzzy feeling pretty quickly which has got more pronounced each time. I drove for a couple of hours on the motorway on 2 consecutive days just before cycle 2 and felt ok but it tired my out far more than normal. I have driven very little since. We are able to walk most places here including the hospital but I don’t walk back!
Evening ladies. I don’t drive to chemo as I never know quite how I’ll feel afterwards especially when cold capping. I only live a 5 minute drive from the hospital so probably could at a push but OH always comes with me so isntvreally any need. I usually drive a couple of days after chemo and have been ok. Never really thought about reaction times ?
Chaffinch had blood pressure tested today and they didn’t mention it being low. I did ask cchemo team about it on cycle 2 and they said it is a fec SE and I also asked onc about it Wednesday and she said the same, nothing they can give me apparently. Cycle 2 was the worst and had it for ages, thus last cycle wasn’t as bad. I’m hoping for a repeat of cycle 3.
Hi chaffinch - yep feel completely spaced within about 15 minutes of chemo and on cycle 1 could feel it slushing around my veins. Also got photosensitivity from the F within about 45 minutes but didn’t get that on cycle 2 as maybe body had acclimatised.
I start tomorrow and I’m really nervous!! I’m not on FEC, I’m on PTC - is anyone else on this? Are the SEs much different? Xx
Good Luck SamH37 for today.
I’m day 6 post first chemo. I too was very nervous but the chemo nursing team were brilliant & even asked if I wanted a quieter side room to myself which I declined as was already settled. First evening Friday & following day I pretty much stayed in bed, by Saturday evening I went round to a friend’s house for a small social gathering.
Although I’m struggling to sleep at night last 2 nights because of steroid tablets, I have been surprised & managed to get out & about abit.
Take care Scooter
Good luck Sam, it isnt as scary as you think wheh you get there. Let us know how you get on xx
Sam you could post on earlier threads if no one on Dec thread on same chemo as you, do you can get some support with any se’s. You could private message a community champion too to see if they can put you in touch with someone who has done same chemo. Good luck for today ???just take it one treatment at a time, you will be fine and remember chemo is the good guy, thinkbof jim as an extra dr who is on your side???
shi xx
Shi, is this what Cathysid from the Sept thread is on? I’m sure she is on different to everyone else. Sam you could try Sept thread. Good luck for today.
Day 7 cycle 1 for me and I’ve managed rice crispies and a cup of tea this morning so I’m hoping I’m on the turn now. I was expecting nausea similar to morning sickness but it was much worse (or I have a selective memory). I also had massive palpitations in the first few days, not sure if that’s a SE or me stressing over hot sweats and nausea. I have got out for short walk 3 out of last 6 days.
Good luck to those starting and hope SEs are kind to those that have had their cycle recently. Big hugs xxx
I’ve a few posts to catch up on - I blogged on mine on Sun eve - drbexl.co.uk/2017/12/03/life-second-stage-treatment-commenced-chemo1-breastcancer/ - then post-steroids been a lot of sleep. Just wish the nausea would go!
Hi everyone
I’m starting EC cycle 1 on Friday (8th) and am scared stiff. Heard of a lot of ladies on FEC but Im starting on the EC so not sure what the difference is. Read the pack from the hospital on SE’s for EC and they sound delightful!
Anyone else on EC or due to start on EC. Been told by Incologist that they may add in T at 4th cycle.
Sending good vibes to all of you…!
As I saw on another forum “We don’t have to be brave, we just have to show up”.
Jo x
Hi Runawaygirl, sorry you’re here with us on the form but welcome. I’m from the oct thread and had fec4 yesterday. In answer to your question EC is the same as fec without the f part. There are a few on Oct thread that are having EC apparently they’ve been told by their oncologists reckon that the f part doesnt offer much benefit just more side effects so they’ve stopped giving it. Unfortunately my hospital and many others haven’t got that memo yet 