Hi, I’m new to the forum and wondered if anyone else is starting FEC-T chemotherapy tomorrow? If not, any top tips?
Hi Daffodil11
Welcome to the forum. You might find it helps to join the thread which was begun by members who started their chemo treatment in June. I’ve attached a link for you:
forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Chemotherapy-monthly-threads/June-2015/td-p/943252
There’s also a thread with tips to help you through chemotherapy. I’ve attached a link to that as well:
I hope this helps.
Very best wishes
Janet
BCC Moderator
I has my first FEC-T Monday 15th. Haven’t been too bad bit nauseous and sleepless. It is a bit like waiting for a bomb to go off waiting for side effects to kick in!! I am hoping to work part time during treatment (have had this week off) but will have to listen to this battered old body I think!
Started last wed daffodil, ok main tips, tons of water, take all the anti sick meds and eat little/ often when you can. I managed to work this morning as apart from tiredness I did ok. Just be kind to yourself x
I had my first chemio on Thursday. Sorry if say so but it was a trip to hell and back. Finished the chemio at 4 pm started to vomit at 6.3 till 2 in the morning. I had to go to emergency for some more anti-emetic drugs.
Then the sickness stopped and I got home and managed to sleep. woke up with a skin rush and went to see, Gp.
The steroids were helpful however the zarzio injection are given me pain and I have to have 8, 1 a day.
Went back to emergency with low blood pressure.
5 more of this,
How are you doing daffodil?
And giuliana, sorry you had such a toughie, hope sickness meds have worked ok x
Hi vic55
I’m much better now thank you. Had a bad time with the first chemo, vomiting so bad the Dr was called out with an anti-sickness jab. Lost my appetite for 3 days, had the shakes, anxiety, jaw clenching and constipation. See the oncologist next week and am hoping meds can be changed for next time. Can’t believe how ill I felt!
Still feeling spaced out and tired but getting better every day.
Sorry I can’t report back with something more cheery x
Ahhh, hope they can help you. X
How are you doing vic55?
Hope you’re feeling better now GiulianaB? X
Okay, have managed to work mornings since last Thurs. Am bit tired now, but afternoon cat nap will sort me out. 2nd cycle next wed. Feel like hair situ is a time bomb, def thining but got short thick hair, so hoping to keep till next wed at least. If not, got my wig / scarfs at the ready.
I’ve just had my final FEC of the FEC-T regime and can report that it is mostly managable however some tips for getting through it a little easier that I wish I’d known or paid more attention to:
Mouthwash - I wasn’t prescibed any for my first treatment even though mouth sores are one of the big side effects of FEC so I suggest getting a bottle of Corsodyl (or similar) and rinsing for 1minute 4x a day. I didn’t do this until it was too late and ended up with an ulerated mouth that I couldn’t eat solids for a about a week.
Rest - specially during the middle week (if like me your chemo is every 3 weeks) as your chemo goes on your side effects get gradually worse, after all you are just toppig up what chemo is already in your system so when you are feeling tired or sick, make sure you rest and drink lots of water, I wish I could say wine but I personally have no appetite for alcohol at the moment (mores the pity).
Temperature - make sure you watch your temperature specially during the middle week again, as your platelets are already going to be low it is important to make sure it does not drop below 36 or above 37.5, again this goes back to resting during this period and I learned the hard way having been admitted to hospital due to low platets and having to have IV antibiocs overnight.
Coconul Oil - This jar of goodness is my saviour, the chemo makes your mouuth dry out massivly and I find I spoon of this straight in the mouth and left to melt/coat gums and tongue is a fab way to combat dry mouth and also helps prevent the dreaded mouth ulcer. You can even rub on your dry skin for immediate relief.
Unfortunately my hair fell out 3 days after my 2nd chemo despite two goes with the cold cap so I can’t offer anything up there except to get a decent wig, I got an excellent one (shes called Teri) from the wig lady at my hospital and no one can tell the difference, its actually quite funny when I take it off in front of people who are’nt aware I have non of my own…maybe thats my own (bad) sense of hulour though…
Anyway, sorry for the long-winded missive I wish all you ladies just embarking on the joyride of FEC-T lots of luck, Guillia (sorry of spelt incorrectly) I hope your Oncologist can change your meds and hope you feel lots better soon.
Ps, Personally I’m dreading the T but I think that’s because I don’t know yet what to expect and I hate not knowing.
xxx
You’re more than welcome Rosielea,
Again I hope you don’t suffer any of these as not everyone does but it does help to be prepared.
I’ve thought of a couple more things (sorry) I’d grab keep a packet of ginger nuts in your cupboard as they’re good for nibbling on when your feeling a little nauseous.
Also, have scented candles on hand to be dotted around your house in the rooms you spend most time in. I’ve found that the FEC comes out of your system via your pores and your urine so by the time I’d had my 3rd, everytime I got a whiff of myself it made me gag. Specially when having a pee so q
Oh and Icepoles, keep some in your freezer - great for cooling down and keeping your mouth moist! X
I’ve heard horrible things about the T, my oncologist sat me down and listed all the effects for me and told me to expect extreme fatigue and the limb pain. They have given me extra steroids which I have to start taking the day of my next onc appointment next week so assume that’s to help with the pain…fingers crossed it can manage with it all again…
Stacey x
Thanks for the heads up really: T Pod & Padfoot!
I think I’m going to be taking another long list of questions when I see my oncologist next week as I need a clearer idea of what I should expect, luckily she is very honest with me and won’t skirt a direct question.
Can I ask if either of you (or anyone else that’s been through the T reading this thread) managed to work during this part of the regime, I’ve resisted being signed off so far as I’ve managed to work part time till now but I’m concerned I might try and do too much (it’s a guilt thing)…?
Hi Smurf - I stayed off work the whole time. There is no way I could have worked thru the T part - I was in that much discomfort and pain. I ended up in bed for a good week and a half dosed up with pain killers and steroids. I would recommend not working - but everyone is different. I hope you get thru it ok. Best of luck xx
Thanks Pod-1, will see how I go.
Sorry another question, how did the T affect your hairloss??
I’ve got a patchy shaved head but both my eyelashes and eyebrows are still intact - should I expect this situation to worsen once I’m on T? I know everyone is different but have got used to the change in my appearance and not sure if can deal with (yet) another change.
Stacey x
Ladies, can I ask a question?, oncologist gave me a fact sheet with FEC details bit what’s the T part you mentioned, or is it all one thing, excuse my ignorance x
sheena