Hi,
Has anyone else experienced runny nose and eyes as a side effect of Chemo? I’ve had two sessions of FEC and I feel as if I have a constant cold - runny nose and eyes … plays havoc with the make-up!
If you have, is there anything to take or do, to help it?
Cheers
Amanda xx
Hi Amanda,
yes i had a runny nose and eyes throughout all my chemo. Losing your nasal hair means that drips can’t be caught and the chemo drugs seep out through your eyes making them water more to flush it away. It’s a pain, but perfectly usual.
Al
x
Yup I get that too. It’s the cyclophosblahblah (soz can’t spell!!) bit of the fec that does it and lack of nasal hair. Very odd feeling isn’t it. Sometimes what I do is put Vaseline around the inside of my nose as I find it helps a bit.
Em x
I didn’t get the runny nose till on Tax, & it got progressively worse. Couldn’t move without pile of tissues. Saw onc after last chemo & mentioned it. I’d seen a leaflet on hair loss, which said that’s why your nose runs, but onc told me Tax affects all your sinuses also. I thought the most annoying part was not being able to brush my teeth without my nose dripping in the sink !
It’s ALL BETTER now though.
Me too, although it is worse on taxotere than it was on FEC. Cumulative I suppose. I get small nosebleeds with this too and it feels like the ‘scabbing’ itches inside my nose, makes me want to blow it and starts it all off again.
I have found wearing contact lenses seems to help (obviously, not a solution everyone can try!), plus sunglasses in the sunshine to stop your eyes straining.
Mucron tablets can help with the runny nose, but beware as they have paracetamol in them which lowers temperature and could mask an infection. I just wish I had some left as I’ve been streaming today!
Thanks ladies for your replies, at least I know that I’m not alone.
Amanda xx
I too found it worse of Tax than FEC. I had my last dose of tax 6 wks ago and the last week my eyes and nose haven’t been as bad. I had the nosebleeds on Tax as well. On a sunny day like today i have to wear sunnies outdoors or my eyes will start to stream again.
me too! I always make sure i have tissues with me , now.
eva
I’ve just had to buy myself some sunglasses today as my eyes are so sensitive to the light. They are running constantly and very sore.
I’m pleased I saw this thread. The last few days my eyes are permanently sore and feel like they are going to water all the time (sometimes they do) and my nose is like a tap. Its weird cos I’ve never had any bother before. I’ve only had two FEC and this side effect was never mentioned, yet a few people seem to suffer.
Krissy x
Lots of side effects are never mentioned. I’ve not decided whether it’s cos we might not get this one or that, so best not to worry us unduly. Or could it be if they told us all the possible side effects. we’d maybe tell them where to stick the treatments ? Maybe they just don’t have time at clinics to go through them all.
Nobody mentioned runny nose or eyes to me either. Neither did they mention falling off nails, or neuropathy in feet as well as hands.