My wife has recently undergone her first treatment of Epirubicin (on an Epi-Capecitabine combination). The main side-effect she seems to have suffered so far is an almost total loss of taste. Can someone advise if this is normal, and whether this normally returns after Epi has finished?
Finally she has not really suffered any serious attacks of nausea, etc - is it wrong to assume that this will be the case throughout her Epi treatment, or could she suffer this as the course progresses?
hi allyballyhubby, i was on the ec chemo too i had the loss of taste plus a very very sore mouth etc for some reason currys helped me since all food i ate seemed bland i had it all the way thru the ec chemo and if shes not had any serious nausea then thats the way it`ll continue plus they give her anti nausea tablets ask the chemo nurse or her bc nurse anyway all my best to you both plus this site is very good for any querys you may both have…caroleann
hi there. I had epirubicin as part of FEC regime. I was very sick the first time and completely lost my sense of taste - could only drink hot water with mint leaves in it¬! Everything else tasted disgusting. This lasted about 14 days although my favourite - a cup of tea - hasn’t tasted the same since. I can drink milk, and I can drink hot, milky coffee but tea with milk in is a no no. I have had 4 FEC treatments and the change of taste/smell has varied from session to session. I can no longer tolerate toilet rim cleaners!! The taste sensation gets better about a week to 10 days after the treatment. I have now changed treatment to Taxotere and the same thing has happened but not as bad - but tea doesn’t taste the same.
As to nausea my first FEC treatment was by far the worst due to the sickness, but the hospital gave me more anti sickness drugs the second time and that seemed to work. I was told to drink as much water as I could before my treatment in order to flush the drug through the system more quickly too!
I had FEC - the E being Epirubicin. Everything tasted metallic. As I also had Crohn’s, I only ate mashed potato, poached eggs and clear soup, until even they gave me severe diarrhea and went onto hospital prescribed Frutijuice for 4 months.
Her taste buds should come back after finishing chemo.
I took my anti-nausea tablets religiously (I had enough problems at the other end to also be concerned with vomiting) and although I felt nauseous, did not have retching or vomiting. I think the important thing to do is to take the anti-nausea meds even if you are not feeling nauseous. Once you are, it is too late. Sounds as if your wife is doing fine - and, she has a great, supportive husband - which is the best medicine! I found that when I did feel nauseous I drank litres of drinks with ginger - ginger beer, ginger ale, and occasionally Stone’s green ginger wine , just about 2" topped up with ginger ale and ice. I don’t know why, but ginger does stop you feeling nauseous.
Can only give you my own experience, and I am sure others will come on here soon with their own feedback.
You all know how it works - I can suggest she tries foods with a stronger taste and I get stared at. However when you make the same suggestions it somehow seems to be taken on board alot easier We both had a wee smile at your repsonses. I’m off to stock up on Vindaloo’s and Ginger Beer!
Regarding the nausea - thanks very much for the comments also. My first post on here, and it’s been incredibly useful.
We both had a wee smile at your repsonses. I’m off to stock up on Vindaloo’s and Ginger Beer!