Hi ladies, I am recovering from my 2nd round of EC chemo. I was admitted to hospital for over a week due to severe nausea and vomitting. I’m due to have my 3rd treatment later this week but I am very hesitant to go through with it again. Has anyone experienced a severe reaction to EC chemo? I honestly cannot go through the severe sickness again.
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I haven’t been sick on EC myself, but a friend of mine was admitted after her first cycle with severe vomiting. They changed her anti sickness meds and the rest of her cycles were much better. Have the Drs said they’ll give you different meds next time? I agree I wouldn’t be happy to go through that again if they don’t make any changes. There are loads of options of different drugs. From reading on here it seems the protocols vary hugely across the country. I had 3 different drugs at various times regularly over the first 4 days, plus a fourth drug which I could add in any time I needed something extra. I’ve seen some ladies on here have only been given one or two drugs 
I’m not sure what the reason is, but I’d definitely be asking about a change in meds for the next cycle. Maybe another option would be a reduced dose as I know that was mentioned to me as an option due to liver function.
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Hi @bigbird1 I had 2 cycles of EC with severe vomiting. They changed my medication and gave me a dose reduction for round 3 and it has been a lot better this time.
Good luck and hope they can find the right meds / chemo dose for you.
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Yes try cold cap, second session came home and lost all my hair down the drain
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Hi mog2
So sorry to read cold capping wasn’t a success for you too. Hair loss is unbelievably upsetting and hard to deal with on top of all the other chemo side effects.
I don’t know if you’ve seen the annabandana website for great head coverings that are well made, comfortable and arrive quickly.
Big hug.
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Hi big bird,
So sorry hear about your rough time with EC.
I have been on TC (Docetaxel and Clyphosphamide) and felt nauseous and achy but was controllable with medication.
I found it helpto tell my oncologist about all side effects when seeing him or registrar 2 weeks after cycle and he adjusted medication. They can also adjust your dose or change a chemo drug.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you and sending a hug,
Rose
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Hi ladies. Has anyone suffered with low blood pressure on EC? I’m really struggling with it, it’s been quite debilitating, but the hospital aren’t offering any help. They’re telling me to rest and drink plenty which I’m doing but I’m so upset and frustrated with their lack of help and at a loss for what to do.
Sorry to hear of rough times.
My liver Alt was 3x usual limits today instead of last week’s 8.5x so my treatment went ahead with 75% dose. I’ve avoided paracetamol this week - our diet is already very liver friendly but I’m looking at what else I can do.
I started cool mitts and socks today as I’ve had pain in some of my nails (using suzzipad). They’ve said they may suspend a week to help neuropathy taking hold, so if it’s not one thing it’s another. However, it’s a marathon and long-term wellbeing is the aim. There’s no point kicking cancer’s backside if I can’t enjoy the things I did before.
Hope everyone is going on ok.
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Just checking in to see how we all are??
I’ve got treatment no 4 on Monday. Keeping my fingers crossed that bloods tomorrow will all be ok and can crack on with round 4 
I’ve felt so good and “normal” this week. Actually forgot how awful I felt last week, it feels a distant memory.
Hope you are all faring well xx
Fingers crossed for bloods @tracey80 I had paclitaxel #4 this week at a 75% dose. I’m feeling ok but tired. I’ve had a few aches in my fingers and toes so have introduced cold mitts and socks to each session as well as cold capping. 8 more pacli to go and then 4x ec
Hi, just wanted to introduce myself 
. I started EC 10 days ago, finally starting to feel normal again. 2nd cycle on 26th Nov, then I’ve more before Christmas then moving to T-PH. Once chemo is done I’ll be having surgery, then radiotherapy, then hormone treatment. It’s daunting how long we’ll the treatment will take.
Really struggled with the first cycle with fatigue, but the oncologist thinks this may have been also did to having my port put on under GA the day before. We shall see if it’s as bad for cycle 2.
When did your hair start falling out? Nothing so far, but I feel like I’m waiting for it to happen now
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Welcome to the club you never asked to be in, @penguin23 Glad you’re coming out the other side of cycle 1 side effects. My hair started coming out around day 15/16 after my first cycle of EC. Eyebrows are still hanging in there after 2 cycles, although I wonder if they’re a little thinner than they were. P.S. I don’t know why you picked your name, but I love penguins 
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I hear you with the waiting for hair to fall out. I got to 2 weeks post first chemo, started running my fingers through my hair, all seemed normal. Now im 2 1/2 weeks and more hair is in my hand, but nothing really on my pillow this morning. I have noticed some soreness on my scalp as well, doing a bit of reading this looks like a thing, the follicles are starting to give up 
Ive not cold capped, just didnt want more discomfort, its winter, i can hibernate 
Really not looking forward to cycle 2 next week, though they are going to reduce dose of docetaxel in the hope i tolerate it better this time 
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I’m cold capping but have a sensitive scalp - particularly as I can only wash it once a week. I’m finding the eucerin scalp balm to be very soothing on sore bits.
Needing the meds today, I understand that the paclitaxel side effects build up. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Hi Phebe, I had my second AC last Tuesday and I have had the worst headache I have ever had. It seems to be easing slightly, but it has taken a week. I was scalp cooling but I am not doing it again, it’s not worth the pain in my head. I understand how you feel, it is terrible. Hope you feel better soon xx
Hi Kew - I absolutely hate the Filgrastim. I have seven injections and they slay me! Gets worse each round. I’ve got a follow up phone call with my oncologist on Thursday and will be asking him if there is an alternative as they are making me feel so poop! I get aching neck and shoulders, then diarrhoea, then really sore mouth and reflux and absolutely knackeredness!! Honestly, it’s worse than the chemo!!!
Hey birdie28. I had a call with oncologist last week before yesterdays round 2 of TC. I explained the writhing around inpain from the filgrastim and worry about taking paracetamol for the pain potentially masking a high temp. 2 days in I’d already discussed with team about missing out a dose of filgrastim and then starting again, but then i was admitted to hospital because i couldnt control sickness and diarrhoea, and i had an jnfection, so i missed 2 injections and didnt start again. She said theyd discuss possibly give me the single dose of pegfilgrastim, and when i arrived yesterday i saw thats what theyve prescribed. I dont think i needed to push too hard because it was clear it was intolerable for me. They put me in the troublemaker bay for yday chemo, i reacted on first sesh. All good yday though, apart from 6 attempts to get the cannula in
Defo ask about the single injection. I haven’t taken it yet, but im assuming the fact ive been given it means i can tolerate it better I’ll let you know, it goes in 48 hrs after chemo.
Meanwhile its 4am, feeling ok so far really hoping side effects this time are better, my docetaxel dose was reduced by 10%
Keep going everyone, this will pass 
God love ya!!! You are funny!!! I’d be so grateful to hear your experience of the single dose. I guess, even if it makes you feel rubbish, you are going to feel better sooner. I worked out that, with chemo day included, I literally have six days out of every two week cycle when I feel relatively well. I was sobbing yesterday at an NSPCC advert, I felt so low!!!
Keep on keeping on darling!! Nothing lasts forever xx
This is a good reminder, I feel so alone and low at the moment (chemo Friday, the following Wednesday always seems to be the worst day?) gaining weight, barely sleeping, it sometimes feel completely overwhelming. How is everyone doing this week? Sending love to all x
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Oh Phebe - you are not alone, but I honestly know how you feel. This is the hardest thing ever. I sobbed inconsolably yesterday at the NSPCC advert where a little girl hangs up a manky sock and doesn’t get any presents because her parents are shite and keep leaving her on her own!! Heartbroken! I’m putting on so much weight and there is literally nothing I can do about it because I am too knackered to move my lardy arse! But, this will not last forever, and we will get back to a version of ourselves. I actually went to see my GP because of the lack of sleep and she has started me on Mirtazapine at 15 mg a night, but I only take half a tab and it has really helped. I still feel like shite, but at least I do get some respite when I sink into oblivion for at least a couple of hours at a time - before I have to get up for wee!!! Take care my lovely - we are all here xx
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