Hi all
Whilst I while away the hours awaiting dates for my first chemo cycle, I’m doing my research and information gathering ahead of my forthcoming Taxotere and Cyclophosphamide cocktail, I’m expecting 4 cycles followed by 12 months of Hereptin then rads.
I’m intereted to know the differences between the various chemo drugs, FEC seems to be a popular one and I’m keen to know if SEs vary depending on which drug. I’m realising I’m lucky at the moment only having to endure 4 cycles of chemo, however as I’m a hair loss paranoid case I’d like to know if this is common with TC chemo.
Herceptin is another story and at the moment I’m not too phased about it, although i am starting to wonder how it is going to affect my existing aches and pains brought on by arthritis…
Thanks for any advice.
Trish
Hi Trish,
I’m on TC plus Herceptin, but my “C” is Carboplatin. I have had 4 cycles, 2 more to go. I have the Herceptin at the same time as the TC, which is good because it saves me 18 weeks in time. The rads start a few weeks after chemo, running at the same time as the Herceptin.
The bog standard regime is FEC or FEC-T, but some people are excused this as there may be contra-indications. In my case it was my age (65) because the FEC regime is harsh on the heart as is Herceptin, so it is thought that as older people are more prone to deteriorating hearts it is best not to have the FEC cocktail and Herceptin. I had the usual heart scan prior to starting, which found my heart to be absolutely fine and normal. There are other reasons, too.
Each chemo regime has a mixture of similar side effects and also different ones. With Taxotere there is slightly less hair loss and no nausea, but more fatigue. However, there is hair loss with all regimes and you need to be prepared for this I’m afraid. You are unlikely to escape. Most hospitals offer the Cold Cap, which is designed to help prevent total hairloss. Some ladies use it with varying success.
As soon as you can estimate when you will be starting I suggest you join the relevant monthly group of people also starting that month. It looks likely to be late june or July for you. There is a group of June starters, and someone soon will be starting a group for July starters. I am a member of the February group (although I got delayed with unexpected additional surgery so didn’t actually start till April) and I couldn’t manage without the support, friendship, help, tips and advice from those wonderful February ladies. We also have a lot of fun along the way.
Good luck.
Trish I had the same combo as you for 4 cycles. I started off with fec but had some heart problems. Chemo takes a bit of getting used to and I found the first cycle of Tc horrendous. Constant throbbing in my legs and a horrible mouth were the worst bits. However once I knew what I was going to experience I found it much more bearable. Record your symptoms and the days they occur. I did this and I felt a wee bit more in control. Chemo is an unpleasant but finite experience. Take it one day at a time and you’ll get through it.
Oh and make sure you get omeprazole for your stomach if you get even a hint of heartburn.
Hi there
I had 4 x FEC and then 4 x TAX, with my Herceptin starting on my second to last cycle. I read loads of posts about the dreaded ‘Tax truck’ so prepared myself for getting in some Tramadol from the doctors for when the bone pains started - as they did on the 3rd day after treatment. I’d suggest getting some in just to be on the safe side (everyone’s different and you might not need them) but remember that you can take other pain killers with them if you need to and not lie awake suffering all night like I did!!! I also found that the pains didn’t seem as bad after the first treatment although the fatigue built up and I was just about done for after the 8th lol!
My chemo finished in November and I’ll be on the Herceptin until the end of October this year - I’ve noticed that I’m a lot stiffer when I get up, but once I’m up and about I’m fine (managed to walk the Race for Life on Sunday so I can’t be that bad!)
Although it’s certainly not a walk in the park, I didn’t find chemo to be what I expected at all and still have an unused bucket that used to travel everywhere with me - just in case!!!
good luck
x
Thank you so much ladies for your replies, tips and advice all gratully received and noted.
I’ve had confirmation this morning of my treatment dates, my first cocktail in on Friday 21st June so looks like I’ll be joining the lovely June Jewells! I’m getting my head round it all better now and each day, all the info on here and from the Macmillan nurses has been invaluable. I’ve just made an apointment for a wig fitting next Thursday as I’m under no illusion that I’m not going to have hair loss so I’m getting on with it! Witchy, did you lose your hair?
Thank you again and big hugs
Trish x
Trish- I had that chemo x4. I was a bit poorly days 4 and 5 but that’s all really. I had a 48mm tumour that was no longer there after chemo.
wendy x
Thanks Wendy, that’s encouraging, did you have hair loss?
Just read your profile, sounds like you’ve been through the mill! Hopefully end in sight…
Trish x
Hi Trish - I did reply last night but for some reason it seems to have disappeared! I’m almost exactly one year ahead of you (I started chemo on 25 June last year) and my hair started to come out on July 10. For some reason I had a mental block about wearing my wig so just wore pretty scarves all the time. My chemo finished in November and my hair had already started coming through - it’s very slow though and I think the Herceptin is stunting it - having said that, it’s nice and thick (if extremely fluffy!!!).
good luck with your treatment - it really wasn’t what I thought it would be and I was never sick once.
Julia
x
Hi Trish 1303 .
my regime is exactly the same and although it’s over a year you had yours I am hoping you can tell me a bit more about it as I have tried to research but there is not a lot of straight forward evidence based literature out there why anthracyclines should be omitted.
How did your treatment work out?
Thanks x x