Hi not sure how to use this forum yet , i have had surgery in november and started adjuvent chemo i have had 3 cycles so far of Ec and then 4 pac , it would be good to connect with more people going through the same plan as me as i am getting very nervous about the next rounds of treatment . Wondered how everyone is finding it so far ?
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Hi @cazgib10
Welcome to the forums. I agree that the number of different posting options can be confusing at first.
There is a thread for people that started having chemotherapy in March. March 2026 chemo starters You should be able to find some people there on the same chemotherapy plan as you.
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Hi I can see the thread but as yet i have no idea how to actually join it or post anything ?
Hi 
I’m on the same plan as you! Started late March and due my 3rd infusion this week. I’m not sure exactly how these forums work, new to this, and might not be on them often, but definitely good to connect with others in the same boat as us! I’ve been a lurker and can see what a wonderful community there is here. Hope it’s going well for you so far. 
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Hi @cazgib10 I’ve completed 3 of EC (I’m currently day 7) I have 4 paclitaxel after this. Also nervous about the change.
I’m trying not to think too far ahead though. 1 more EC to go and I can not wait to be half way though!
Below is the link for people who started chemotherapy in March. I think all you have to do is click on it and reply to a post there and you will start getting notifications for it.
Thankyou for replying yes, its difficult trying to navigate all the chats on here , thankyou for replying . I had my 3rd EC on Friday , sadly this time i had quite bad sickness shortly after the infusion. This hadnt happened before but i think it was the taste of the drug that got me this time i just couldnt get rid of it they are going to give me extra anti sickness this time round which hopefully will work . Its a shame as i was doing ok before that . How are u finding Ec?
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Hi, I started with 4 EC in December and then 4 Pac which I finished 3 weeks ago. I’m starting radiotherapy on Thursday (15rounds) I found the EC hard going but the Pac was gentler for me- no nausea. I did have some joint and muscle pain on day 4,5,6 after chemo. Now that I’m finished I have a bit of neuropathy in my toes but it is totally manageable. The fatigue is a lot at times but I have learned to rest. Hope this helps. Happy to answer any questions. X
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Hi I also had the same treatment plan as you and just finished my 4th Paclitaxel today. I found the first 2 rounds of Paclitaxel gave me quite strong bone and joint pains and the paracetamol and ibuprofen the nurses suggested didn’t touch the sides. I even used codeine left over from my operation, covered my legs in hot water bottles and had Epsom salt baths but still no help. Eventually my oncologist prescribed liquid morphine and I took the painkillers before the pain in line with a time plan (chat gpt helped me make it!) and this was a game changer. So I recommend that - preventative painkiller useage and push for stronger painkillers if you need them. Good luck you’re getting there and it feels good getting through it! Xx
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It is very reassuring to hear people’s experiences on the 4 rounds of pacs thank you all 
I have 1 more EC to go so it’s definitely on my mind that there will be changes and challenges that ive not had so far.
Just wondering did you have to continue the filgrastim injections during pacs? I have these for 5 days after EC and would be overjoyed if I didnt need them for the last 4 rounds. They haven’t caused me bone pain I just absolutely hate them
Also was you told the reason for for bone/joint pain during pacs?
Hi @foxgem yes I still had the injections on Pac.. I too was hoping I didn’t need them, also had the awful bone pain mentioned I got prescribed codeine which helped as over the counter pain relief didn’t touch it, but not everyone gets the pain as bad as I did it was all manageable once I had codeine x
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Hi, I’m on the same schedule as you but only had my first treatment on Tuesday. Feeling very swimmy and woozy, a bit foggy, but the tiredness is wearing off now. A little nausea but only a very little and the metoclopramide sorts it out. No pain yet thank heavens, though my lips are starting to fray a bit just today. I couldn’t take the filgastrim, half an hour after my first dose my face swelled up like a tomato. Three days later, I’m still waiting for my consultant to reply to the email from the oncology nurse asking her to prescribe something else for me! Wondering if the next three cycles are likely to be much like the first, or better or worse? Crossing my fingers as I still have my hair so far (early days, I fear), and found the cold cap really quite bearable, just a cold head, no more.
Good luck to all,
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@chopwell hi thats pretty much the same exerience i had the first time . Im not to sure about the filgastrim because i havent had much problem with it only on the last few days when i get a bit of muscle weakness , it sounds to me as though u maybe allergic to it possibly as it doesnt make my face swell up as yet . Yes it is early days and although im only cycle 3 in , its still climbing further up that mountain . Glad u are tolerating the cold cap I didnt find it too bad either its more the waiting around for ages for it to finnish thats a pain especially when u dont feel great . My hair is getting a lot thinner now so il probably have to put a surgical cap on or something next time . I dont want to shave it just yet as i feel its easier to cold cap when u have some hair but everyone is different
Hi, I had 4 ec followed by 4 paclitaxil. I had mine fortnightly - back in summer 2023. I found the paclitaxil a breeze in comparison to the ec. I found the ec made me feel quite ill. I did cold cap too and by the time the 4th ec came round, I couldn’t stand the smell of the cold cap! They do give 10 mils of piriton in the veins before the infusion of paclitaxil and I kept falling asleep during these ones! It’s not a bad thing as the infusion takes about 3 hours- without the cold cap, so I was there most of the day. Feel free to ask any questions and I’ll help if I can. Good luck 
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Thank you for this @sprout78 I have one more EC left then paclitaxel. Definitely nervous to know how my body will react. I can’t imagine falling asleep in that chair haha
Did you have any neuropathy symptoms?
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Thankyou @sprout78 i hope u are now doing ok ? just hate the unkown did u have any bad side effects if so were u able to manage them ok ?
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Hi @cazgib10 I just had a great reply from Hertz82 on the March chemo starters thread. I’ll try to post the link for it here…
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Thanks @foxgem those jabs seem to be a problem with pac not sure what makes them worse. I havent had too much trouble so far but i do lose my balance sometimes which is odd
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Hi cazgib10. Not really going to me much help just yet. But I am starting the same plan a you on 8th May.
Ive not been told about all the other drugs people are taking with this. Perhaps they are breaking me in slowly.
But like you, Im nervous of chemo. I know nothing about all the many different types and I get in a head muddle when I read up on all the side effects.
Seems like a tough few months ahead.
Sending strength, hugs and love to everyone going through this.
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@poppy261 good luck with it all it isnt a breeze but 1st one is never as bad as u think it is .
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Yes some tough days but also some really good days the one thing that’s helpful is you will very quickly get to know your pattern. Your good days and harder days will fall within the same time frame. So it makes it a bit easier to juggle life around.
For example I’m day 3 after my last chemo (the day of chemotherapy is your day 1) and I feel great so ive done a few chores today ready for my days 5-7 that are more difficult
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