Hi, this is my first post on this (or any!) forum so here goes… I have just finished 3 cycles of FEC and suffered horribly with nausea and been generally unable to get out of bed for 8 days. Depending on what you are told or what you read, the side effects for docetaxol can be worse - if thats the case, I am seriously considering having no more treatment - I am really unable to tolerate any more but am beating myself up about giving up and feel like I am letting everyone else down. Can anyone assure me it won’t be so bad??
Hi Elsbels
I found FEC much harder than the T… horrible constant nausea and feeling generally blurgh and out of it.
My first T wasn’t great with a lot of bone pain but they reduced the dose for the next two and I found it much easier… Exhausted and weak, but pain managable with painkillers and no nausea.
Given the option of the two, I’d take T over FEC any day! I certainly found it far more manageable. x
Hi Elsbels I have just finished 3 x FEC a and 3 x Docetaxol. Both were manageable. I didn’t get any joint or bone pain with the Docetaxol. I had acid sickness for a day with the first dose but that was brought under control the next day by Omeprazol and I didn’t have it again for the whole of the entire treatment. Any side effects that I had my onc had a drug or cream that sorted it and my onc said that people who have a hard time on FEC usually find Docetaxol easier.
Please don’t give up, you are half way through your treatment you only have 3 more to go. You can come on here any time to have a moan, there will always be someone to offer you support and encouragement. You can do it!! Good Luck.
Hi Elsbels - I have had 4 cycles of EC and 2 of Docetaxol with 2 more to go. I have suffered different SE’s with docetaxol with joint ache and tiredness, the joint ache arrives about two days after chemo and lasts about 3 days, but I haven’t had the nausea that I had with EC which is a huge relief. I force myself to go for at least a 20 minute walk every day even when I hardly have the energy to move and it really makes a huge difference. The last week before the next cycle is the best, the energy levels come back up and taste almost back too. It isn’t easy, but I find it manageable and do persevere if you can.
Hi Elsbels. Sorry to hear you have found FEC so difficult. I have completed my 3 FEC and had my first Tax last Thursday. I found the first few days after FEC quite rough, with sickness and nausea. I was prescribed Lansoprazole after my first FEC due to horrible gastric problems. I have been advised to take it throughout my chemo. I’ve only had one Tax but my experience seems to be the same as many others so far - no nausea or vomiting at all, but aches and pains kicking in after 2 days. I am just taking paracetamol alternated with ibuprofen and it’s manageable at the moment. Everyone is different, but in my own personal experience so far, Tax has been better than FEC. Don’t beat yourself up over anything and you are definitely NOT letting anyone down feeling the way you do at the moment. Make sure you tell your onc about all your SEs so they can help. I hope you start to feel better really soon - sending hugs xx
Thank you so much everyone for your thoughts and advice on this subject - I have been quite encouraged to continue - my first dose is due 10th April so I’ll report back afterwardsxx
Dear Elsbels,
Like you, I have had 3 x FEC and am very pleased that part is over!
We’re half way now.
I am due to start the T part on Thursday 9th, so we’ll be having our treatments at the same time.
Please feel free to message me, or join us on the February Starters monthly thread (my name, Nattyoo is the starting name). All of us on that thread are at the same stage of treatment as you. I have found these wonderful women to be a huge support, especially in that first week after chemo.
Keep going if you can, we’ll be finished by the end of next month…
Love Natalie
I have just had my 3 rd docetaxel on Tuesday and although FEC (x 3) was quite horrid tax has been ok. The first one I had bone pains for a couple of days but no nausea really and I realsied the steroids I took the day before the chemo made me feel horrible so I only took them that day and then only 4 tablets the day of chemo and felt so much better. Tax is definitely easier than FEC so don’t give up you can do it. If you get diarrhoea take Imodium straight away, paracetamol for headaches and drink lots of water. Good luck xx