Hi this is my first post so I hope I get it right. On May 20th I had a left mastectomy and Axillary node removal. My pathology showed clear margins with only 1 node involvement and that, at 51, I am ER+ and HER2+. My oncologist decided on chemo of 3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere, Herceptin, RT and then Tamoxifen, the whole package. I had a MUGA scan pre my first cycle and unfortunately it came back with a score of 47. My onc told me not to worry, I was “not about to have a heart attack” but that we would not now be able to proceed with FEC. I felt very stressed as I thought I’d started to have some sort of control and now suddenly I didn’t. I am now on day 9 of my third cycle of Carboplatin/Taxotere (I am now to have 6 of each) so half way, and my second cycle of Herceptin (which is administered at the same time) but the side effects are really getting to me, and I can't find anyone else talking about Carboplatin. On the 1st cycle I had terrible heart burn and constipation. My GP gave me Omeprazole which since then, thankfully, has put pay to the heart burn. 2nd cycle, terrible constipation culminating on day 8 with a slight temperature and violent diarrhea overnight. 3rd cycle, violent diarrhea for 24 hours on day 7 then constipation (probably due to not being able to face eating) and a slight temperature day 8. I have now tried bran and some fruit and await the results but the windy cramps are pretty bad. I have several of the other standard side effects, aching legs, tingling feet, horrible taste in mouth and hair coming out in chunks (I only managed cold cap for the 1st cycle.) I just wondered if anyone else was having the same chemo with similar side effects or had found something that could help. I have found the threads a great support and, although I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, am glad I’m not in it alone. Good luck and good health to all of you ladies x
