Hi, I am starting Chemotherapy on Friday and I will be having FEC 75, I am apprehensive about the treatment and would love to hear from others who have been through this too. Thanks
Hi Krissie,
I don’t often post here anymore as I finsihed my treatment in May, but I felt for you as your post languished on page 2!
FEC 75 is one of three variations on the basic theme of FEC, and so far as I can tell the number is an idication of how much Epirubicin (the E) is in the mix. How they decide on which mix I don’t know, but it will be whatever is best for you and that you can tolerate.
If you pick up almost any of the ‘starting chemo’ threads you’ll find people on FEC who can tell you how it’s been for them. The most common specific side effect is what I came to know as ‘FEC-flop’ whereby your energy levels ebb away and you are lethargic for about three to five days. The other side effects are simailr to other regimes so far as I can tell - loss of hair, loss of taste, dry skin, sore mouth (sometimes with ulcers and/or thrush), suppression of immune system and chemobrain (foggy thinking). That may all sound very, very scary, but many people, like me, get off relatively lightly - sure I lost my hair (far more quickly than the leaflet said) and I had a rough mouth and a sore throat for a few days each cycle, but basically so long as I did what I was told (and I’m a girly swat so I did) I was fine. I still have mild chemo brain - as you can tell from my spelling! - lots of people do I’m afraid.
My top tips above all else are drink loads of water (fizzy might be better if you feel a bit nauseous) and moisturise you skin from scalp to toe every day. Also, if you can afford it, a digital ear thermometer is a good buy - use it twice a day to monitor your temp. There are some useful ‘top tips’ thread you can find on here, but everyone finds their own balance on what to buy/heed or not.
Here’s the main toptips thread - but don’t feel you need to do everyhting on there!
share.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/top-tips-to-help-get-you-through-chemotherapy-t19110.html
I was wisely advised to keep a symptom diary - daily - which helped me spot patterns in my side effects and so predict when I could do nicer things. For most poeple week 3 is the ‘good week’ and I’d suggest you tentativley plan in treats - nice food, special pamper treats - for them as you’ll get great benefit from having somehting to look forward to.
Hope it goes well and may your se’d be teeny ones.
<<<hug></hug>
Hi Krissie
Just to add that there is a ‘starting chemo in November’ thread that you may want to join. Then you will be able to swap experiences and give and receive support with others at your stage of treatment.
Good luck
Dx
Just to say that Rev Cat and Krissie couldn’t have given you better advice.
RC has told you some of the side effects of FEC- which are different for all of us and in my case very mild compared with other chemo mixes (eg I wasn’t sick and didn’t even feel sick) - and DJ007 has suggested you join a thread of other people who are at the same stage as yourself
You will always be able to find help and support on this forum- whatever you are experiencing or feeling it is 99% certain that someone else has been through it or knows someone else who has
Good luck with your treatment Krissie at the moment you probably can’t see beyond your diagnosis and the way that it has taken over your life…but IT will pass and you WILL come out the other side.
Mary
Hi
I finished 6 x FEC 75 in August. I did ask my ocologist why i was having FEC 75 as opposed to FEC 100 but he said that was all i needed. The chemo wasn’t too bad, i had a few rough times so i was quite glad i was on a reduced dose.
Good luck with everything
xx
Thanks guys for your comments and encouragement, made me feel a bit better, and good to know you are all out there to support.
Much appreciated.
Hi there i too am on FEC 75 i have my last one on Thursday. Ditto to everything that has been said. I was led to belive that it was due to my weight why i was on 75. Good luck to you and keep your friends close and take all the help you can. The time has gone quick and treats are a must xxxx
Hi Khrissie
I am too on Fec 75, I believe that the 75 bit it is the dosage.
I only had a very small lump and no spread so am getting the standard package. I don’t think it’s to do with weight as I am not light!!
After my first session , I was sick but after 4 days felt much better.
I’ve just had my second session and it was a breeze! Was sick once , felt a bit dizzy and that is it!! NO SIDE AFFECTS!!!
Ok I’m being smug I may get them next time. But dont worry you will be fine.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I was originally going to be 6 x FEC 75 as only had 1 node affected i was told it was a reduced dose. But the onc then decided to put me on the standard regime of 3 x FEC100 and 3 x TAX as I could tolerate it.
I have my last TAX tomorrow
Hi Kinsse
I was interested to see your post and wondered how you were getting on. I have been told today that i need 6 x FEC75 in the new year
I had to have a mastectomy and reconstruction in october, which got infected, I had to have a skin graft, and the donar area on my thigh was a problem to as the dressing was stuck to my skin it took 2hrs and a few breaths of entinox for it to be removed. I am still having to have this area dressed at the moment.
I would be interested on how you are doing and you are not feeling to low.
best wishes
xx