FEC - other ailments relieved?

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Hi

I am now 10 days past my second FEC (75) treatment. So far, so good with very little side effects to speak of (except for losing my hair). The doctor said I may feel tired, but can’t say I have felt this and if anything have been more energised than normal (I’m normally asleep at 9pm) and now this is not happening with no naps in the day. I realise that this may change during my course but so far, so good. My question is does anyone else have any improvement in any other existing ailments whilst taking chemo? My experience is that I had been experiencing ball of foot pain for some time (metatarsaligia) and was advised to wear shoe inserts. This was getting to be quite painful I even had to abandon a shopping trip because of the pain prior to the chemo. Also, I have been experiencing problems with my legs ie more muscle pain than anything, I simply cease up if I don’t keep moving and can be quite uncomfortable. The docs are not sure what this is but put it down to my thyroid condition. Almost immediately after taken the chemo it improved greatly (I have had no problem with the foot pain since). Is this the steroids? Maybe my problem is immflammation and the steriods have helped? My husband noted on my first chemo that I limped in to hospital and leaped out! Also I had suffered with piles for many, many years - now not had a problem since been on the chemo at all! I was concerned about my immune system when I was advised to have the chemo (my thyroid problem is immune related and there is immune problems in my immediate family). My consultant said that the chemo may well improve my immune system rather than hinder it and there has been cases of people being cured of Rheumatoid Arthritis after having chemo. So maybe its not all so bad after all!! What does everyone else think? (incidentally I don’t get the munchies after having the steroids for 3 days, in fact perhaps the opposite, it this normal? All I feel is a little hyped up and can’t sleep particularly well.

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Dear Caroline,
I had definite improvement of my lung problems on FEC, had my regular steroid dose reduced as they anticipated that would be the case, and given that there were regular blasts of dexamethasone.
I didn’t realise it at the time, but felt the benefit of it in the months after chemo. Lung problem thought to be auto immune, also have underactive thyroid, and other auto immuneys in the family.
Nice to get some beneficial side effects! Unfortunately I also had the Raving Steroid Munchies and Allnighters.
Lavender
xx

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An interesting little thread emerging I think. Before chemo I had for years suffered with ‘gripey guts’ never investigated or diagnosed, but probably made worse by a couple of food intolerances I have. During chemo I adopted a fairly restricted diet, as some foods really had unfortunate effects on the old tum. Amazingly since then my tum has been absolutely fine, not one day of gripe in over a year. I still have the same intolerances, but otherwise eat mostly the same as pre-chemo (apart from a personal decision to avoid soy and sage as they are high in phytoestrogens and I am on Tamoxifen… what I term my bit of freakery). But yes, for me, there has been one very positive, and unexpected, side effect!

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whilst I was on FEC my pesky athletes foot disappeared. I finished chemo last March and the athletes foot is back. I have to say that chemo is a bit of an extreme treatment for athletes foot

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Funny my arthritis dissapeared whilst on chemo swelling in fingers just went! on the downside it has come back much worse a year on :frowning: I was on chemo pre op and I realised after second chemo my fingers had no pain but then became so tired and so jealous rev cat as it made my IBS much worse , I now have similar probs with Herceptin but much less now I take Piriton for a few days after treatment. One chemo nurse told me she had young nephew in his 20’s who had severe arthritis and he had chemo which helped GULP! Em x

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I found that despite my OH’s house having lots of mosquitoes flying round, they didn’t seem to like the taste so all during 6xFEC I had hardly a single mozzie bite. I would have preferred to use insect repellent…