Hi Bonch
Here’s the link to BCC’s publication on FEC chemotherapy, I hope it helps. The helpline staff are also available if you need anything explaining more clearly.
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/fec-chemotherapy-bcc96
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Shelle, I was on the pill at DX and I’m ER 6+ so had to stop that. I asked my onc about a coil and she told me I shouldn’t have anything hormonal such as the Mirena, but an ordinary copper one was fine.
However, when I went to have it fitted the nurse told me that she’d checked and although the Mirena is not advisable if you’re PR+, it should be OK for ER+. I was PR- so technically it should have been OK, but I followed my onc’s advice and had the ordinary one just to be on the safe side.
I know someone else who had their Mirena taken out and an ordinary one fitted but I’m not sure of her hormone status.
I really think you should ask your BCN and/or Onc and follow their advice.
Oh, and Happy Christmas!
Jae xxx
Hi, it was probably me who also had a mirena coil taken out, hi Alto, hope all is well. I am e+8/8 and p+8/8 and was told in no uncertain terms not to use contraceptive pill, mirena or HRT at any time. I’d had a mirena coil for years (well two actually one after the other, about 11 years in total) and even wonder if that contributed to my bc dx. Didn’t want to take any chances.
That said, copper coil is fine, not causing any probs and tamoxifen is accounting for no heavy bleeding (which can be SE of a traditional coil) xx
Hi MG, yes, it was you I thinking about - and I’m very well thank you - I hope you’re well too! Surprise, surprise - I’m making a lemon drizzle cake for Children in Need this week - come on down here if you want some 
Shelle, I’m on Tamoxifen as well and haven’t had a period since starting chemo in late January, despite having the coil (which caused me to have awful bleeding when I had one many years ago which is why I’d been on the pill since). I was worried about that but it’s all OK.
Jane xxx
I’m fine thanks and your Lemon Drizzle cake is divine xx
Hi All
Judes - Hope you are soon home and feeling better
Jean - Hope you are ok and not suffering too many side effects
Lulu - My hair was driving me mad by the weekend with it falling out all over the place that I just couldn’t put up with it any longer and my head was so so sore if I tried to move my hair. So I gritted my teeth and had my head shaved. It felt a bit sore at first but not too bad now. I have been wearing my wig and it looks lovely I am really pleased with it and feel years younger. I have plently of hats and scarves to wear when I don’t want to wear my wig. I am pleased that I plucked up the courage to have my head shaved it has now happened and one less thing for me to worry about.
I an having my second FEC tomorrow and really hope that the Emend will work and I won’t be sick like last time.
Good luck and best wishes to everyone who is having chemo this week and also to everyone who is suffering side effects from last weeks chemo.
love to you all
A
Hi All
well first proper fill of expander tomorrow(last one two weeks ago was just a token amount because of pain) but looking forward???!!? to the real thing,then Oncologist on wednesday for first consultation (different hospital) so hopefully will feel justified in posting here cos I should start my chemo before the end of the month.I hope my expander will be sufficiently stretched before the end of chemo so that I can have the transplant before my radiotherapy begins.It’s not meant to be good for scar tissue,I mean it makes it go hard.Since my mastectomy in September I feel as if I’ve been put on hold,maybe after wednesday,I’ll feel like I’ve really started this journey.
Good Luck to all on the same journey regardless at what stop you are waiting at
Carolexxx
Hi everyone was doing really well until today seem to have hit a bit of a wall and not feeling too good, checked temp that is OK but just feel so tired and low this is day 4 thought it might be the immune system trough but think it may be too soon.
never mind will keep an eye on it and see what happens.
I hope you get your dates sorted soon caroleog nothing like being in limbo and not knowing.
Hi to everyone hope you all doing OK.
Jean xxx
Hello Jean
Just take care and hang in there, don’t expect too much of your self too soon. If you don’t feel well and are worried then you can always ring the chemo nurse and discuss your concerns . Because I was very sick the first day, night and next morning after my first chemo I can remember on day 4 that I was very weak and tired but I put this down to being so sick and having trouble eating. I was also exhausted and couldn’t do much. I am having 2nd chemo tomorrow so I don’t know how I will feel this time. Just rest and let everyone look after you.
Hope you have a good night’s sleep and are feeling better tomorrow.
love
A
Shelle
I had the mirena inserted following my diagnosis of hormone positive BC er 7/8 for very heavy bleeding on tamoxifen. Surgeon, oncologist and gynaecologist all happy for it to be inserted as it has preventitive properties in preventing endometrial ca that has an increased risk from tamoxifen.
However the research i have read on the topic says there may be an increase in recurrence for those who have it in at diagnosis, where as those who get it inserted after diagnosis it appears to lower the risk of recurrence… Its an area they are doing quite a lot of research in but what i would suggest is be guided by your professionals.
The amount of hormones released by the mirena is tiny compared to pils which shoud be stopped asap.
Hi bonch welcome to the november gang… Hope you raise lots on the 25th… Good luck with the EC-T.
Audrey good luck tomorrow i really hope they get the antisickness meds sorted out for you… My head is still sore too feels like its growingbthe wrong way but still enjoying it falling out… Yes i am mad.
Carole good luck with your expander fill… They dont usually do the exchange surgery so quickly but might be different in your area… Would have thought thye oreferred to give rads on the expander as it will be getting removed anyway rather than the permanent implant… Good luck anyway.
jean sorry your feeling poop… Just take it eas and have one of those wee nana naps and and an early night (and hopefully a longer lie in).
Im fine i dug out all my pink party wigs and been contemplating wearing one to my next chemo on thursday to go with my pink chemo heels!
Lxx
Hey all
Just checking in to say hello to all xxx
Jean - I kinda hit a brick wall yesterday - no sickness or nausea but just cannot seem to “wake up” out of myself just want to lie down all day. When I get up - my head spins! Like motion sickness!
Weird!!
Hi Lulu
They have given me Emend anti sickness drugs for tomorrow. I have to take the first one an hour before my chemo, so I do hope these work. Good luck for your chemo on Thursday, thought I would say it now incase I am not well enough to go on line for a few days.
A
Good luck for tomorrow Audrey be thinking of you.
Hi Libralady - Like you I have no sickness or nausea but it just felt like I had dropped in an air pocket.
When I eat I just feel like I haven’t eaten.
I remember reading somewhere not to eat too much dairy but that is the sort of food I am craving like rice pudding and custard don’t know if this relates back to my previous stomach problems.
What is the reasoning behind low dairy.
Lots of nana naps today and defo early night will be going soon.
Jean xxx
Hi Jean
Not too sure about the diary issue - whether its to do with the precaution zone post chemo (Days 7-14) - or the oestrogen issue in milk (if your BC was oestrogen positive)
I am a tea-aholic - but right now - just cannot stand the taste of milk in my tea - so ive just stopped drinking it. I usually drank a good 8 mugs a day!
Hello everyone
Starting chemo on 18th. Had a mx 5 weeks ago and they will pump up the volume of my tissue expander just before (nearly filled when it was originally put in).
Prepared for the chemo being horrible; just hoping it works.
jean - i was eating rice pudding just after my 1st chemo, nobody told me to avoid dairy, and it was what i fancied, and was easy to eat
LL - I don’t fancy tea at all either, i had a coffee yesterday which i really enjoyed, but not had 1 today, i’ve been drinking gallons of Ribena (the pineapple juice made me felt worse)
Audrey - fingers crossed you’ll be better this time
Lulu - wear the pink wig!! defo
Hi to Carole, Bronch and Mary grace
i’ve got a bit of a concern, since having my mx end sept, and gradually getting worse i’ve been getting spots, they’re on my back, upper arms and chest, can anyone advise on this? it can’t be the chemo drugs as i had them before. could it be hormonal, i’ve been getting hot flushes?
Gill x
Jean it’s good to have dairy as Chemo causes menopausal symptoms as does hormone therapy so dairy is a good way of getting calcium… Also when your on Chemo and feel rubbish just eat hat you fancy… It’s not a good time to go on diets or worry about what your eating… Like gill I lived on creamed rice for the first 10 days too.
Gill hope the spots clear up soon… Not come across that one before… It’s not stress related maybe?
Lulu x
Hi everyone,
I’m just checking in before bedtime, had a mental weekend, been busy all the way through! Have been pre-chemo shopping, feels like going on holiday, extra soft toothbrushes, mouthwash, ulcer stuff, baby wipes, pineapples, ice lollys, etc etc!
I’m confused about what to eat and what no to eat, went to see the dietician but still confused, just gonna eat what I fancy, I like rice pudding but not sure why I should have it? My appetite has returned big time…had large portion of cottage pie for tea with lots of veggies, then strawberry cheesecake, never going to lose weight at this rate, oh well, will live off my fat during chemo lol.
Hopefully should be ‘going in’ this week, bit nervous, but I guess you all were as well, and by all reports you all seem to be doing just fine, thank goodness.
There are so many posts, getting hard to keep up with you all after a couple of days! I always read your progresses.
Have a good sleep (((group hugs))) lol
Nite nite - Paula x
(aka Daysie)
Hi ladies, glad to hear everyone is ok. I’ve been away for a few days as I now feel mostly ok after the first chemo. My gums are now getting sore and my head is beginning to hurt so I think the hair will start to fall out next week.
It’s gone 1am and I should try and get some sleep really
night all
Lizzy xx
thanks for all your comments and i am just going to eat what I fancy I think, which is mainly rice, jelly and soups.
Woke up about 3 and then really fancied a cup of hot manuka honey so that is what I am doing while catching up on the forum.
Hope there aren’t too many of you out there reading them.
Jean xxx