Well ive seen my oncologist and he;s now put me on a course of chemotherepy i will be having FEC chemotherepy 6 sessions over an 18 week period and then a 3 week break before i start a 3 week course of raditerepy they did say that i would most deffinatley lose my hair which im not overly worried about no doubt when it happens it will freak me out a little i’d be lying if i said it wouldnt but they say the only side effect i should feel is the nausea and hair loss
Just wondered if anyone else was on this treatment and how they coped with it
You’re welcome to join the February 2014 group Tiz1952 on the monthly threads! From what I’ve read, it helps to talk to people who are going through chemo at the same time!
I will be starting AC type on the week of the 3rd Feb. Went to see the chemo day unit yesterday which helped me get my mind set. Defo something I’d recommend! x
Hi , my hair fell out 2 weeks after my first FEC cycle, you cannot believe how much hair you have until it starts falling out! Ended up 7 days later with the hair of a 95 year old woman! Got my husband to shave off the remnants as it looked ridiculous. Stll have my eyebrows and eyelashes. I have a nice shaped head and neat flat ears, who would have known? I am wearing lots of hats and mascara. I considered using the cold cap but as a migraine sufferer decided against it. Cylce 3 of FEC next week.
Thanks guys doesnt sound to bad then apart from the hair loss got a very good friend to come and cut my hair short when i found out i had to have chemo as figured that may happen like i said i think it will still come as a shock my daughter asked me today if i would lose my eyelashes so its nice to know you didnt ive chosen not to use the cold cap as i do suffer with headaches and hadnt heard great things about it either will check the monthly feed out tho
I’m on day 9 of the first cycle of FEC and still feeling sick… I’m presuming this is a little extreme - has anyone had persistent nausea and were you given anything particularly effective? They gave me 3 days of steroids (dexamethasone) to be taken along with Metoclopramide, but that alone a) didn’t work effectively and b) soon ran out. I shall ask for something different next time as the constant nausea is intolerable, but would like to know what else is out there. And this is only cycle 1!
Hi Alice, I started my FEC-T in December like SJB. I’ve been very fortunate with my side effects so far but several of our December Angels have suffered like you. Have you looked back in some of the older monthly threads, it helps sometimes to learn your not alone & usually someone else has already walked your path before you- just don’t let things worry you, we’ve all had completely different reactions to the chemo.
I think what I wanted to say to you is be kind to yourself, if u feel like a little weep or you feel down don’t fight it, you have to do whatever your body needs in order to get though this terrible time & get through it you will. The early cycles are harder emotionally, when you get further along (FEC-T # 5 on Monday) you feel better coz you can see the end. We need to look at chemo as a friend-it’s helping us to stay alive for as long as possible.
Good luck, hope u get the sickness under control x
Hi Alice, you need a prescription for Aprepitant, it’s brilliant, very expensive and they don’t like to prescribe unless absolutely necessary, but it really does work. I was extremely sick after my first FEC, my onc prescribed this before my second and I wasn’t sick again, I did feel nauseous on occasion but nothing that was really too troublesome.
I’m 31, I’m having 8 cycles of what my oncologist said is the strongest FEC-T he gives!
I am on cycle 5 now, I did 4 FEC and just had the first tax. I was so scared before I started! everyone is different of course, but Im here to say it’s been totally, totally fine! straight after the FEC I only felt a little bit queasy for a couple of days, and maybe 1 or 2 days I’d feel very tired suddenly. With taxotere, I got a little bit of muscle aches for a couple of days and a runny nose and that’s it so far. Of course my hair fell out too.
The main thing I think is to stay active and carry on with your life. It can feel isolating but if you can keep working and doing the things you always do I find it really helps keep me happy and sane!
Best of luck and remember, everyone’s body is different, you may not suffer all the side effects so don’t stress out about them too much beforehand!
Hi new to this thread. Diagnosed end December. Mum of 3 DD and 46 yrs old.Had lumpectomy on right breast and SNB mid Jan only to find out that high grad cancer cells found elsewhere. Will have mastectomy and reconstruction after last FEC probably June/July.Had my 1st FEC last week. First 5 days were hellish. Stil have really blinding headaches temple lobe feels like it will burst! Hair cut really short waiting for the loss. Sleeping hygiene all over the place!
Realy happy to join the forum as your responses are helping with the adjustment. :heart:
Hi, I’m also new to this forum. I was diagnosed on December 30th with early stage bc. I had breast cysts drained for the third year running in Nov and purely by chance, the nurse spotted a lump that she wasn’t sure of. I feel lucky in one respect as the consultant said I wouldn’t have known until the lump was prob 20mm or my next mammogram (I’m 44). One biopsy later confirmed stage 1-2 and an MRI later confirmed three other lesions. I had a mastectomy and reconstruction Jan 28th. Had my results and I actually had three lesions, 2.5mm grade 2, 5mm grade 2 and 6mm grade 1. I had lymph nodes removed and only a Trace was found in my sentinel lymph node but all other 18 nodes were clear and consultant said that was good news as they had taken away the breast and it hadn’t spread! I go to see the onc next tues as still got to have 6 x fec-d chemo which my consultant said was as a precaution, followed by tamoxifen as mine were all oestrogen fed. I’ve also had my hair cut short and having a wig fitted Monday to match my new short hair, previously had long hair and a friend who’s been through the same advised me to cut it short now and get used to short hair and it’s also easier to cope with once it starts to fall out. I’m feeling really positive but have moments of feeling scared about what to expect from the side effects. I think I can cope with most things as got through drastic surgery less than 4wks after diagnosis but still have moments where my nerves get the better of me. I just keep thinking that my hair will grow back, I’ll be through It by July etc and I have our first grandchild to look forward to as my daughter is due in August. Any advice on the fec-d or just getting through the chemo would be appreciated. Thanks x
First cycle of Fec yesterday, hardly able to eat or drink nausea is nasty bt worst of all is this metal taste in my mouth it i do try and drink. Any susgetion please? I am new to the forums
Hi all. I am new to this forum. I got diagnosed with bc in jan this year. I had a mastectomy on 14th Feb. All went well and was out of hospital the day after the op. Mine was a grade 3 aggressive 8.5cm. I will be starting FEC tomorrow (weds). I have been speaking to a lady near me about how she got through FEC. I am starting to worry about it now but I know it’s somehting that has to be done. I know this forum will be a god send to me
Does anyone else have side effects of turning into a crazy woman for a few days? Stands to reason that chemo must poison part of the brain…well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Seriously, I get to the point where I go a bit nutty, not thinking straight and being bad tempered. If this sounds familiar please share then I will know it’s not a different issue; if husband stays he should get a medal x
Emphasise with you mrs moomin I also started on 1 April. Sorry to hear re bloating and it seems odd you feel you have put on weight why don’t you try speaking to your BCN I find mine brilliant she might have great advice. All the best. Also there is a monthly April 2014 chemo tread for us starting in same month But good to have a fellow 1 April chick. !
Hi moonin well day 6 if I count from Tuesday and first dose confess after feeling generally ok yesterday I hardly got out of bed and no shower grub. Today feel fluey but have showered and 2 short walks. Very tired
Hope to go to work Monday. On Tuesday want to go to a maggies centre open day and Thursday a headstrong in london. Have wig ordered but still a little freaked at thought of losing hair
My next step now is to try to actually meet people although forum is a good send. Best to all
Ps anyone else suffering heartburn plus tips for being constipated. ? 2 new fun things in last few days
I have just finished fec-t a couple of weeks ago and also suffered constipation and heartburn as side effects.
Please dont let constipation last long as I did and suffered quite badly with it, despite trying everything including senokot. I eventually got Lactulose prescribed by GP and it worked wonders I also got omeprazole for heatburn so dont suffer and get meds from GP.
Ouch I don’t have those symptoms mrs m but day 8 for me and I feel like crap. Been in bed most of the day feel fluey. Yesterday got into work managed a pale 3 hours stomach pains. Mmmmmmm that was constipation but thinking I’m getting that under control.
But for anyone else of your boobs or boob and underarm hurt. ? I know mine is aggressive but feels like a growth spurt. Oh fun. Still on the plus side 1 down 5 to go