I have just been to see my oncologist and got my (very protracted, it seems to me) chemo regimen: 3 x Epirubicin, 3 x Taxotere, 3 x CMF. As each cycle of the CMF is being given in 2 halves this means I’ll have to have 12 chemo sessions! This will all be followed by further surgery (axillary clearance), then radiotherapy. So I’m probably looking at next Sept by the time that’s all finished. And then 5 yrs of hormone therapy. It feels like a very long road from here.
Is anyone else on the same regimen as me? Just wondering what I can expect for side effects. Also, if anyone started on Epi when did you start to lose your hair? My onc says 10-14 days, Cancerbackup literature says 3-4 weeks. As my first session is 12th December (day before my birthday!) I’m wondering if I’ll still have hair for Christmas!
welcome to this awesome site. Not sure I can answer your questions as not on the same regime as you. I am on 3 fec and 3 taxotere - about to have 3rd tomorrow. The E in FEC stands for epirubicin and I found my hair coming out about 14 days after - could not stand it so had my head shaved and now wear bandandas all the time. Have a wig upstairs -but prefer bandanas. I think everyone is slighty different - but I culd not stand hair droppping everywhere so just shaved it to a grade 1.(quite liberating).
Can’t help with the regime you’re on, but I started with Epi and Cyclophosphomide (EC) and found my hair started to fall out after about 14 days, but it doesn’t all come out overnight, so think you’ll be fine for Christmas! I took the decision to shave my hair back to about a Grade 3 length (can help when it does fall out, less of a shock, and also you don’t keep finding hairs in your food!!) Also from other posts, I think it helps to use a very gentle hair regime, use a gentle shampoo, and as little as you can manage on the mouses, gels, heating and brushing.
I started my 3xFEC, 3xTAX and found the hair starting to fall out after about 14 days, another week on and it was coming out quite a lot and as I have quite thick but short hair I found it quite difficult to cope with. Eventually I got my hairdresser to shave it off and then reverted to scarves etc.
The compliments I get about wearing my wig/headscarves are nice but I wish the reason I was having to wear them was different!
Dea Scampernutt, welcome to the site. I was planned to have exactly the same regime as you, and my onc says it is a very effective one.
I lost my hair in the first 10 days of Epirubicin (I have very fine hair) but it starts to grow back when you start the CMF. I cut my hair very short a few weeks before starting, and really enjoyed my short hair, then shaved it all off the minuite it started to come out.
I could not have the Taxotere as I had an allergic reaction, so I am having 4 Epirubicin and 8 CMF, so still 12 treatments.
You may have an echocardiogram before the Epirubicin to establish a baseline for your heart.
I found it helpful to ask for a PICC line for the Epi as if this leaks outside your veins it can cause scarring. Having said that, a Hickmann line or Portacath I think is better - my PICC line got blocked and had to be removed after 5 treatments, and cannot be reinserted.
Best of luck to you! The Epi was very kind to me, but the CMF a bit rougher.
Thanks for your comments and advice. I have fairly short hair but I think once it does start to fall out I’ll have it cut very short - ease myself in gently. I think I read someone on this site saying they shaved their head but kept their fringe which must look very weird but I’m tempted if I’m able so that I at least have something peeping out under hats and scarves - it’s never suited me not to have a fringe.
And I’ll certainly ask about the risk of scarring and portacath et al when I go for my first epi - thanks Flyright.