I’m getting a couple of new side effects following my 2nd Fec on 17th December (now on day 9 after). Has anyone else had similar and can offer some helpful tips?
I’ve been having trouble sleeping the last couple of nights - feel tired but just can’t seem to drop off, it’s as if the ‘little switch’ that makes you sleep has gone!! Also, shaved my head two weeks ago now I’ve developed a ‘spotty’ head which is quite sore. Is this is Chemo or just a new experience you have very short hair?
I think the sleep disruption is really common - a mix of being “wired”, steroids and all the emotion of Christmas, cancer and the time of year don’t help!
The spotty head - I didn’t shave mine so not sure about whether it is common after shaving . I kept exfoliating and mine stayed smooth - also used conditioner as it soothed my scalp!
Good luck and try not to stress over all these odd things that occur during chemo. I am nine moths post chemo and now have hair again,different to my old hair but hair nonetheless; the only thing that has stayed as a reminder are black lines in my nails.
Hi Carol
I always have a few wakeful nights after chemo, usually from day 4 onwards. Chemo unit have offered me a px for sleeping meds but as I’m not at work and don’t have any day time responsibilities (little ones etc) I preferred to just let it happen.
I did shave my head but haven’t had any spots or anything, although I have read on some threads that people have got spots generally during chemo
I hope things soon settle down and that you aren’t to sore. I think I’m very lucky but I’ve had 5 out of 6 FEC and have new hair about half an inch long already - it seems to be growing incredibly fast.
take care
love, monica xx
I shaved my head recently and developed spots but after a couple of weeks they’ve settled down. Also, I found that one of the wraps I was using – along with my real hair wig – really irritated me so I don’t use them often.
When I went through FEC in 2006 I couldn’t sleep for at least four days because of the steroids they gave me. Now on Paclitaxol (sp?!) and am experiencing the same thing. They gave me some Lorazapam which helps.
Hi Carol,
I found the second week of FEC was the worst for not sleeping, didn’t matter how tired I was as soon as I shut my eyes I was wide awake. I had my FEC on Tuesdays and the not sleeping started the following Sunday and went on for about 5 nights and then stopped again. I’m afraid I had it ater every FEC and now on TAX but I have been given mild sleeping tablets which help me to drop off. I only need them for a couple of nights. The oncologist told me I would not sleep because of the steroids.
I also had some spots on my head, neck and chest after my first FEC but only that one. They itched a bit too but didn’t last for very long.
You’re certainly not alone here!!!
Take care,
Love Jane xx
Thanks everyone - it’s amazing how you feel so much better when you know you’re not alone on these SE’s! On the sleeping I’m glad to know that there seems to be a delayed reaction to the steriods, I had assumed that they had worked their way of the system after a few days - obviously not! On the spotty head I’ll have to treat it gently and be brave enough to give it as much fresh air as possible. For me this is the worst part so far, it makes it all too visable. Thanks again.
Carolx
Hi Monica,
really interesting that your hair has started to grow back already! Does it start at the end of each cycle and then go again? Everything I read says it takes a couple of months after the last chemo to start, so your experience is really encouraging! I have just had 4th FEC and opted not to shave so have a bit of a combover going on. Its going to look strange when the new growth comes through so might have to bite the bullet then!
Happy and healthy new year everyone!
karen xx
I usually can’t sleep (wake early) for a few days before a treatment, and then have a few late nights immediately afterwards. I have reduced my steroids down to just 2 in the morning and don’t bother with the 2pm dose to try and combat this.
I have had a few spots on my shaved head, but I used to get some under my hair anyway, so I don’t think it is anymore than before - I can just see them now! I have a terrible habit of picking…
I use my usual face moisturiser (Olay) across my face and then my head each morning, and also have continued with a little shampoo in the shower.
Although I shaved my head down to a Grade 1 cut just after FEC 2, the bits that didn’t fall out have continue to grow (in fact, I had to give my eyebrows a thorough plucking yesterday!!) so they are back to a Grade 3 length now. It’s still terribly thin, but the bits that have clung on have continued to grow. Not sure if the hair that fell out completely is growing back yet though…
i found i got a lot of spots on chemo. Try dabbing some t-tree oil on them, it dries them up and is an antibacterial so should help prevent any infection if like me you have a tendancy to pick at them. You can get it from wilco’s for a couple of quid - make sure u get the one you can use on skin and not the one for an oil burner like i did!!
had six cycles of fec, two years ago. i found each one was different, and you notice some side effects dissapear and some new ones come. but it helps to just go along with whatever, and just work on what you can do to improve whatever you happened to be blessed with that time.(only joking!).
my hair didnt really come back properly till id finished but it only took a few weeks to start coming back and it was lovely when it did. better than it is now really.
maybe sponging your head with cool water will soothe it, i had no spots but sounds uncomfortable.
i know they advice you to keep drinking water, but i presume yourll all doing that anyway.
take one day at a time, it will soon be over, (doesnt feel like it i know) but it seems an age ago when i had it. like having a baby pain soon forgotten. and hopefully just as good an outcome.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL X
