Thank you @anb1. Yes that was my 2nd ec chemo. I am devastated at the moment. Shed about 70% of hair since weekend. In the night I saw a huge black thing on my pillow and screamed out loud thinking it was a massive spider, but no just my hair! I have fine hair anyway so I will get it shaved off next week I think, if there’s any left that is! I am sure it must get easier day by day. Not there yet!
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Good morning ladies. Just wanted to say how gratfull Im to read all the messaged. To know what in this word we can support each other in this horrible journey non of us would rather not have to do.
Im sorry to hear that things are tough. I just hope im as brave as you are when week when its my turn.
Im in Dundee in Scotland. So its been raining a lot, so i cant go out much at the moment. But driving to my friends for lunch tomorrow to trwat myself before chemo on Monday. Ive been manic cleaning aorund the house yesterday, in preparation. I found out in theprapy that how I cope with anxiety and I think in scared I won’t be able to do it when chemo starts. I think self compassion is like a life lesson in getting to learn from scratch.
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It’s sooo good to read all these messages and to know that things are up and down for everyone else. Absolutely exhausted today with no energy whatsoever and yes like everyone else there is disaster in the head area. Beginning to shed which I find utterly tragic. Of course I knew it was going to happen, but I just wished it wouldn’t, and yes I did hope a little too that I wouldn’t lose too much! It’s sort of sets a sign for everyone who sees you that things aren’t okay. The thought of going bald I find appalling, even if I can cover it up with a wig it’s still horrifies me. But onwards and upwards I have booked a wig fitting this coming week….
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@kav50 im with you there on the night sweats but I’ve not started chemo yet. But having stopped HET on diagnosis this new symptom has gripped me with avengeance.
I hope they stop some day but I feel they must be there for a good while yet!
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Hi all, started chemo this week EC thru PICC line, after a whirlwind of scans and hospital appointments since diagnosis the week before Christmas (great present huh?). All found via routine mammogram. Still learning all the lingo but have a large mass 10cmx7cm G2 IDC and it is HER2 3+. Also in 1 armpit node although they are still not sure on that. Have escaped relatively well symptom wise this week, just v tired and bunged up a bit. 3 more EC to go then T Paclitaxel for 12 weeks and Phesgo every 3rd week, then surgery and anti HER2 drugs, Zoledronic has been mentioned. Seems a long long way off til life is a bit normal again (will it ever be?) and the appointments are relentless. I found out a lot just by reading my NHS app letters which isn’t great. Luckily my oncologist and specialist nurse are lovely and more informative than my breast clinic consultant who is very clinical and just wants you out the door asap. Going to read lots of forums to gain some more personal rather than medical insight.
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Hi @jacx70 Welcome to the forum. These monthly chemo threads are a wonderful way to support and get supported by others who are having a similar treatment to you.
As you are HER2+ your treatment will continue after chemo and you may want to consider joining a thread that has been going for more than a year call HER2+ and need some buddies. Everyone is at a different stage of their treatment but it’s such a friendly bunch.
Here’s the link
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Hi @jacx70 welcome to the forum. As said before, everyone is friendly and we pick each other up when we’re not feeling so good. Plenty of support on here, and there’s no such thing as a stupid question 
How did you get on with your EC so far?
x
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Hi WBA
I haven’t a clue how to introduce myself, stating chemo today and so nervous
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Thank you. I have had a range of symptoms after my first EC last Tues but touch wood nothing major. I was shattered afterwards and in bed by 9pm. Was badly constipated for a few days and then the floodgates opened once I finished the anti sickness meds 
, felt better though! 1 week on I am having indigestion problems and my sugars are dropping at night (T2 diabetic). Sleep is also broken, usually once or twice for a wee but I am drinking tons of water which I didn’t do before chemo. Round 2 next week…
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Welcome @marymop
Entirely normal to be nervous about first cycle. It’s the unknown. For me, by far the hardest part was the waiting for appointments, more investigations then results which seemed to go on for months.
When the day arrived to start treatment I was relieved. I decided to turn my fears on their head and looked at it is a day out, opportunity to sit and people watch, a new experience and it felt positive that something was finally happening to address ‘it.’ For me it was a good experience, staff kind and I felt well looked after. The waiting for side effects was interesting as again it’s the unknown, they’ve so far been tolerable but a bit of a nuisance. It’s reassuring to read on the thread that others experience the same. I’ve had a couple of bad days, better days and this week feel nearly my old self, then on Friday it’s chemo etc again. Then I will be halfway through this stage of my treatment. Time is flying by and I am getting through it, as will you. We are stronger and more resilient than we know. Xx
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Thank you for answering I will hopefully feel less anxious once I’ve started
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Hope all goes well today. It is all a bit daunting I know seeing other patients and the realisation “OMG I’m one of them”! I took a puzzle book, reading book, some sweets, fruit and water. I had a cold cap so couldn’t listen to music unfortunately. I had a wonderful hand massage from a therapist and the hours flew past. I also wore a jumper which was a bit warm and awkward with the picc line sleeve so tshirt and zip up hoodie next week for sure.
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Ahh thanks for this, yes I’m wearing a cold cap so fingers crossed x
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Hey all,
Hope everyone is doing as well as we can with the Chemo. Keep going ladies and we will come out the other side.
Just wanted to ask a question to the group about the headaches. I’ve had a permanent one since starting Chemo ( is it the injections, the Chemo, the HRT) and what are you doing about it?? Paracetamol don’t really touch the sides!
Thanks
@kav50
Hi I had terrible migraine after the 4 filgrastim injection. The assessment unit said it would be combination of the chemo I’m on and the injections but it lasted 9 days. I do suffer with migraines and am on preventative medicine but nothing would take this one off and it kept switching sides of head. It’s gone now thankfully but nearly ready for 2nd chemo.
It was annoying as apart from that I was ok.
Hope your headache goes it’s awful
Xx
Had first chemo on Friday. Didn’t feel too bad over the weekend but felt I had been hit by a bus on Monday after my first filgrastim injection Sunday night. Today been slightly better but just totally exhausted with painful achy bones. Taking some paracetamol and having to have naps. Nearly fainted this morning talking to a friend. Any advice really appreciated.
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Hi @bbluna123
That was my experience after first cycle. The steroids buoyed me up for 3-4 days then that bus got me too! The deep gnawing bone pain was in my hips and lower back. The back discomfort came in rhythmic waves. Reminded me of labour…
I’ve read on other threads that antihistamines can help with the bone pain. Chlorphenimine (Piriton) is sedating so may be helpful to take before bed especially if you are having your Filgrastim injections in the evening. Buy the generic brand as Piriton is 5 times more expensive. Others report taking fexofenadine which isn’t sedating. I’ve yet to take either as I found it settled after a few doses. Hot bath with Epsom salts may also help or hot water bottle.
Make sure you drink plenty. The nurse who does my weekly PICC care has twice told me that water is my medicine. If my husband says it one more time to me I’ll brain him! X
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Keep an eye on your temperature and please just check with your unit about any dizziness or feeling like you are going to pass out 
Shi xx
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Hello everyone & welcome to the new ladies to the thread.
Not logged on for a few days as unfortunately side effects hit me big time after 5 weeks of doing so well.
UTI has floored me.
Called red card 3 times then ended up in A& E yesterday as high temperature.
Feel like I’m in lockdown at moment 
absolutely no energy at all Hopefully the antibiotics will start to work soon:crossed_fingers:
Wishing everyone well who having their treatment this week.
X
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Hi everyone
@ wba sorry to hear you have awful UTI.
I’ve just felt so tired last few days and slept a lot. But also quite down and tearful. Crying quite a lot. Worrying my neutrophils will be down again as I’m coming up to the Thursday when they were down after previous chemo.
Is anyone getting support from outside agencies. I’ve been referred to McMillan join the dots and a nice lady rang me yesterday.
Thinking of you all as you go through this.
Xxx
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