Hi, I had my first chemo (FEC) on Thursday and overall so far so good. Feel really tired but haven’t been sick. Heart burn is quite bad and struggling to get to sleep at night which doesn’t help.
How do the days progress from here? Do you start picking up and feeling better or does it get worse?
Marysia
You are doing incredibly well!! well done you.
I was sick sick sick for the first three days and could not get out of bed, I had heartburn too.
By day 4 I started to feel better, and by day 7 felt great just tired, every day just gets better and better. I am currently on day 13 on my first FEC and still feeling good. Just worrying about when the hair is about to come out!.
Take care
Tracy
tracy, did you try the cold cap?
Marysia
I have had my 2nd FEC like you heartburn is awful , sicky feeling lasted about a week.I have been awake early hours of the morning, but theres ladies on here that are suffering alot more than me so I count myself quite lucky really.I dont know if it gets better so not much help to you im afraid.I cant seem to see past the next chemo, cant even start to think of the rads after xmas.My brests are gone along with my hair i can cope with that, its the feeling of not being in control of my life anymore i dont like.I hope it goes well for you and it gets easier,keep us posted. hugs xxx
Marysia
HI I did try the cold cap, the first 10 minutes were horrifically cold!!! after that you get used to it and it is not such a problem. I really do not want to lose my hair, so I thought I would give it a go.
I am 14 days after my first FEC now and hair is still ok, however I think next week is the testing point for me as most people seem to lose it the week before their second FEC.
Good luck
Tracy
Hello aIl
I had the worst heartburn - felt like I was being stabbed with a huge sabre. Not dramatic am I?! My onc prescribed Omperazole which I take 20mg twice a day starting day before chemo and usually for about 10 days. If I’m going to attempt to eat anything even vaguely spicy, I take one a few hours in advance if I’ve stopped it. I also found that milk worked really well. it was suprising to me that even water could cause heartburn and foods like chocolate. (ok - not really a food… but necessary…) I have had to cut out alcohol for 10 days - never drank much anyway though so not a big problem.
And now that I am a veteran of 4 cycles (with only 2 to go) I can advise you that it does get better, if not just because you have an idea of what’s coming and how to deal with it. I’m just going on making the most of my good days (usually ok after about day 10, but sometimes still need a nap) and trying not to think of the next cycle.
So try Omperazole 20mg twice daily! And gaviscon of course!
Td x
Ooh - Marysia - forgot to say - watch out for the constipation followed by diarhoea. Not everyone gets it, but lots do. And your mouth is likely to suffer this week too - remember that the chemo knocks out all fast growing cells, like mucous membrane cells. My mouth went white throughout then on day 7ish I had nasty ulcers on my tongue. This has happened each time, but my chemo is different to yours (TAC).
Also, of course, the hair thing. If you’ve had the cold cap you have to put up with not washing or burshing it and the constant worry that maybe it is shedding. If you didn’t, it’ll start to shen about day 10 -14 and will fall dramatically usually before your next cycle. Please believe me - it is rubbish loosing your hair as well as breast, but it is really not as traumatic as you may imagine. I love my wig, my scarves and the occasional ‘commando’ day. I even got my bonce out in the local paper this week!
Good luck
Td xx
Hi Marysia and others.
I had my second FEC on Friday. I feel mildly sick and pretty tired but I know it passes in a few days. I belch a lot but find ginger biscuits very good for settling that. The constipation followed by diarhoea I did suffer from and had a bad night about a week after the first chemo, I’ve started taking constipation relief straight away this time! I didn’t use the cold cap, I resigned myself to losing my hair, in the grand scheme of things I felt I could cope with that. It started falling out after a couple of weeks and was pretty much gone within 3 days (aided a little by a pair of clippers in the end) I was more bothered by finding it everywhere than actually losing it, I’ve got myself some funky hats and buffs and once it’s gone you stop worrying about it.
Hope everything goes well for you all
x M x
Hi everyone
I thought you might be interested in this thread
breastcancercare.org.uk/bcc-forum/discussion/12623/1/top-tips-going-through-chemo/
which gives lots of tips about getting through chemo
All the best
Ann
had my first chemo a fortnight ago. I had no problems except with constipation, solved with the aid of sennacot! 2 days ago I felt incredibly tired and on sunday felt the worst Id felt in a long time. My gums were sore and I had no appetite whatsoever, my scalp also felt strange. This morning Monday, noticed hair coming out not by the handful, butmore than usual. I know its vanity and the least of my problems. Im quite a private person and I just don’t want every body to know I have cancer.