Hi Everyone,
I’m new to this wonderful site but halfway through 6 cycles of FEC-T & was just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice on what to expect.
My first dose of fec was pretty horrendous with sickness which thankfully was better for the next 2 doses with extra anti-sickness drugs. From everything I’ve heard so far the T doses are harder to deal with & I have to admit I’m more than a tad aprehensive.
I have a very supportive husband, friends & family but with 2 young children would appreciate any advice that can help us through the next 3.
I am at the same point in treatment. Completed 3 cycles of FEC and about to start T and Herceptin for 3 cycles prior to surgery. I suffer from Inflammatory Breast Cancer so the treatment pattern is different. Like you I am very apprehensive about the Taxel and potential side effects. I had a bad reaction from first cycle of FEC but have recovered well from the last 2. My oncologist prescribed a heavy dose of anti - sickness from the start as I explained that I was prone to nausea. the nurses at the Chemo Day Unit that I attend have been very helpful and supportive and have a helpline number that I’ve used. They seem happy to respond even if it’s only minor concerns- in my case constipation. They also have a cupboard of medication e.g mouth wash for routine side effects, which they are happy to supply if you visit them at the centre or ask on treatment days. Intend to ask about some side effects such as heartburn and what I can take at my pre treatment assessment. They’ve already warned me about joint aches and pains and discussed medication that I can use. maybe we can keep in touch and compare notes. I usually only go on this site about once a week.
Hi Skatesmakes Welcome to the club no-one would have chosen to join! You may find it interesting to check out the threads May Moonbeams or June Jewells- can’t work out which month you started in! But they are all excellent! I’m a May Moonbeam and those of us doing FEC-T are all gradually moving on to T so we are all agog to see how they manage but there are some Jewells who are getting there too.
I’m so glad you had an easier time with cycles 2 and 3- I’m down for 3 this week. I had to stay back a week as my blood was naughty. Hoping the sun and rest will qualify me for entrance to the Chemo Cocktail Bar!
Hi Skatesmakes. If it’s any help I certainly found T easier to deal with. I felt rubbish on FEC for the whole time feeling dizzy and really lethargic, but the T was more all or nothing. You will be warned that you will have severe flu-like symptoms from about day 3 - 6 and they do certainly make you feel like roadkill, but if you make sure you take loads of painkillers it is manageable. Once they subsided I felt pretty OK. Added bonuses: I didn’t feel sick at all and your hair begins to grow back!
Good luck with it all x
Skatesmakes, I found FEC almost unbearable but T much easier. Like Benedictus, no sickness on T just aches & tiredness. I really hope you’re the same - good luck! x
Taxotare is a doddle compared with that nasty sicky FEC.
FEC Urghhh! When I did FEC it got to the stage of feeling nauseous justing thinking about chemo. I had the worst nausea ever on FEC, and the anti-nausea drugs they gave me were useless, although I kept asking for the industrial strength ones.
With taxotare there is no nausea and no vomiting. No red urine either. Whoo Hoo!
You do get tired and lethargic for a week or two and food tastes strange, and you to have injections to keep those white blood cells whizzing round. Eyebrows get thin and I was down to 2 eyelashes by the end. A couple of toe nails went funny, I had to go to hospital for a temperature and my hands were really dry and chafed.
But no nausea!!!
Hi, I am starting the T part on Thursday and had been worrying about it but two great things happened to me,first I found this site with people saying the .t is better then Fec and the second is I met a lady at the hospital who told me the T part was very easy in comparison to .fec and she had no problems with it!
i believe the joint pain which it can bring is manageable with paracetamol.
good luck and also thank you to those above who have helped ease fears even more!
Hi,
I haven’t had any FEC so can’t compare, but I am currently on cycle 5 of Tax and Carboplatin with Herceptin. I am tolerating it very well. No nausea or sickness, therefore no anti sickness meds, therefore no constipation. Main side effect is fatigue, and boy, that does get to you. Heavy legs on exertion is another, and of course diarrhoea. (Have some Imodiums in stock, you may well need them). My finger tips have gone numb but don’t hurt. I get a slimy or a dry mouth when food tastes yukkie, but I still eat. Some mouth ulcers but nothing major. (Cordysil mouth wash 2 or 3 times a day to keep them at bay). I haven’t had any bone pains at all, but have been taking regular paracetamol from day 2 for 3 days. On the whole I have been fine with nothing major. It is all manageable providing you drink, drink, drink, rest, rest, rest. Listen to your body and do not be lulled into a false sense of well being. It is so easy to sit at home feeling well because you are doing nothing, and then overdo things. If you do, you may regret it later. The only meds I have needed are paracetamol and Imodium.
Good luck xxx
Thanks everyone for your replies and advice you’ve all made me feel so much calmer.
Pain I can deal with & the lack of sickness is a massive bonus, I’m such a baby when it comes to feeling/being sick!! 
I’ve had loads of really kind offers of help looking after my children over the summer holidays from friends and family too which has really helped my stress levels & takes the pressure off my husband.
Thanks Penny for pointing me in the direction of May Moonbeams - my 6yr old daughter loves this name especially as my treatment unit is called shooting stars. I’m gradually working my way through reading the many posts from all the lovely community members - everyone is so supportive it makes me really quite emotional.
Good luck everyone & hope to chat to you again,
Trish
I also had 3 and 3 last year. I was never sick or nauseous with either treatment but definitely found the FEC easier. The first T was horrible and I was really ill and felt so weird, the next two were not so bad though. My main SE with both treatments was horrific mouth ulcers and oral thrush, but everyone is so different and no one seems to have the same S E’s as anyone else. Good luck with your treatments and I can definitely recommend joining one of the groups as you will be able to compare notes and help each other along.
Take care
K M x
finished treatment in 2008
ii can remember going for my first taxatore - it felt like i was on the way to theguilotine
what a surprise !!!
it was fine
i found i felt very low on days 9, 10 and 11 but apart from that not bad at all
i was expecting the worst and just coldn’t believe it
my feet felt cold and it’s takenyears for them to warm up in bed but that’s ok now too
GOOD LUCK !!!