FEC-T Chemotherapy

[Kim555pink]

Kerry, sorry you've had a rough time having started off so well but try not to look too far ahead - I know it's tempting! Your oncologist may change the injections you're having, as that's what helps with the white blood cells. The T part of FEC-T comes with different side effects, it may be that you cope better with it than the FEC part.
I've just finished FEC and start T in just over a week and I'm looking forward to hopefully not feeling so sicky and hungover. Are you part of the March 2016 monthly thread? Have a look at our Jan 2016 thread who are just starting the T part and the Dec 2015 thread who are well on their way to finishing now. You might find that this helps your worries 🙂
Hope that you start to feel better soon, that your oncologist appointment goes well and you have better luck with FEC2
Kim xxx

[Kerry63]

I had my first FEC  on 2/3/16. The first 5 days was a walk in the park. Day 5 I had to  give myself  Filgrastim injections. Day six, I started severe vomiting. I was admitted to hospital with high white cell count. I now have a very sore mouth.my Onc wants to see me on Friday to discuss my treatment. After reading the comments on here I'm now dreading the T part of my treatment

[Goldfish]

I have had 4 cycles of FEC and 3 T, one more to go and have had manageable side effects on both. Found T a little easier than FEC. First 48 hours after T ok then day 3-6 pain, sore mouth, tired, poor sleep throughout chemo, a little better on weeks 2&3. For me I have managed to work on weeks 2&3 ( reduced days) through chemo as well as exercising, For me it was manageable the worry about scary side effects was the worst part! 

Everyone is different try not to worry about something that might not happen. Good luck with your treatment 😀

[Smurf77]

Good luck for Wednesday Jembossable, I hope you don't suffer too badly. Xx

[Jembossable]

WOW!!! I have my first dose of FEC T on Wednesday. Seriously not looking forward to it after reading this. Hope you feel better soon. 😢

[vic55]

Fred, when my oncologist started me he said they start high, so if you struggle they can reduce. If you are worrying pls talk to your team. When I switched from fec to tax, they said if I struggled on tax they could reduce it, or split it over more doses.

[kelsey402]

Hi Smurf77 thank you for your reply ...I have passed the info on to my Mum we will get some of these suggestions this weekend ready for her next Chemo .

[Smurf77]

Hi Kelsey - I never had Nivistrem but agree with Vic55 that the entire process is exhausting and found my fatigue was much during my T cycles. I took a Spatone (iron water sachet) with a Vitamin C bomb daily to try and combat the fatigue and it did help me a little so maybe worth looking into something like this for your mum.

Fred - I had my final Chemo reduced too as my feet blistered with each dose of T which stopped me being able to even stand. I was also scared about that the reduction would mean I've not had my full dose but my Onc assured me it was often reduced for the last cycle as the chemo messes you up so much, specially if you're going on to have rads.


I hope that has reassured you both, even a little.

Stacey x

[fredflowerpot]

really worried as due  to all the seeping i do my fec is being tweaked for my last one. i would rather keep to the normally lot , i am worried that the tweaked one will have an effect on my further health as i wont be getting the full treament and it wont being doing the right job.... my last bit tomorrow at two and so worried as i am scarred it wont be working as well as my last too. i have no one here to talk too. or share my fearers with .

[vic55]

Hiya, for me it was the chemo that was exhausting. I slept tons the week after. Nivistem boost immune system, but whole process is exhausting

[kelsey402]

Thanks

[kelsey402]

Hi All

My Mum has just finished her first round of Chemo and been given Nivistem x 7 days . However she feels absolutely exhausted..does anyone else seem to feel like this , are the Nivistem expected to cause fatigue.

She has had no steroids and only 6 days post treatment and a LOT has happened plus she may be suffering from low mood. But just wanted to undestand if anyone else felt the Nivistem gae them fatigue ?

[Smurf77]

So I'm starting my 'T' tomorrow and I'm feeling a little better about it after a long chat with my Onc today and a couple beers (smalls ones) this evening.

I'm hoping I'm in the minority when it comes to bring beaten with the side effect stick...

Missmore, I hope you're closer to making a decision that is best for you. I wasn't really given much of a choice so I don't envy the task in hand.

Stacey x

[missmore]

Thanks smurf, I really do feel for you and all you ladies here, still in limbo and haven't decided whether or not to have chemo

sheena x

[Smurf77]

Luckily I don't work with children but I do have to travel on the London underground to the office so maybe I'll take up works offer of working from home part time - will see how I get on. I've already been admitted to hospital once for being neutropenic while on the FEC so onc thinks it'll most likely happen again in the T due to the low platelets - grr!!

I hate all this not knowing, roll on September and my rads...

Going to pray to the hairy fairies to go easy on my facial hair until 14th July as I've got my place booked on the LGFB make up course so I can learn then how to draw eyebrows on 😀

Sheena, you may only be prescribed FEC for the duration of your treatment rather than the FEC-T,I really hope you don't suffer too badly from fee side effects.

S X

[PadFoot]

I couldn't have gone to work after the T. I still can't believe how painful it was, it used to hit like wave worsening at about 6pm giving me shivers a temp and throbbing pain in muscles and joints. I still can't taste anything. I found it difficult to drink and stopped eating for about three days! Lollies were a life saver 😄

[Pod-1]

I didn't have any hair throughout the T part. I lost everything - and I mean everything - from head to toe! I noticed my eyelashes went too. Was a weird feeling when I tried to put mascara on & discovered I had no lashes! But don't worry - all your hair will come back in all the right places !! I promise! xx

[chachacha]

I have had 3 FEC and one T (11 days ago.) So far I have got on better with T. I did take a lot of pain killers days 3 to 7 , but none since. The only medication I'm on now is mouth wash for ulcers. I'm back working part time this week, but I am a bit tired, but it is manageable. I have 2 more T to go so expect to get more tired. Seems people respond differently to chemo. Hope this helps.

[Ash66]

Hi Sheena
T is docetaxyl. Smurf, T doesn't normally affect your hair. Mine started growing back before I'd finished. Also, I stayed off work too. It depends where you work and what you do I'd say. T has a habit of reducing your white blood count and that makes you susceptible to infection. I ended up in hospital on iv antibiotics after my first one. If you work with kids or the public or travel on public transport, I wouldn't recommend it.

x

[missmore]

Ladies,  can I ask a question?, oncologist gave me a fact sheet with FEC details bit what's the T part you mentioned,  or is it all one thing,  excuse my ignorance x

sheena

[Smurf77]

Thanks Pod-1, will see how I go.

Sorry another question, how did the T affect your hairloss??

I've got a patchy shaved head but both my eyelashes and eyebrows are still intact - should I expect this situation to worsen once I'm on T? I know everyone is different but have got used to the change in my appearance and not sure if can deal with (yet) another change.

Stacey x

[Pod-1]

Hi Smurf - I stayed off work the whole time. There is no way I could have worked thru the T part - I was in that much discomfort and pain. I ended up in bed for a good week and a half dosed up with pain killers and steroids. I would recommend not working - but everyone is different. I hope you get thru it ok. Best of luck xx

[Smurf77]

Thanks for the heads up really: T Pod & Padfoot!

I think I'm going to be taking another long list of questions when I see my oncologist next week as I need a clearer idea of what I should expect, luckily she is very honest with me and won't skirt a direct question.

Can I ask if either of you (or anyone else that's been through the T reading this thread) managed to work during this part of the regime, I've resisted being signed off so far as I've managed to work part time till now but I'm concerned I might try and do too much (it's a guilt thing)...?

[PadFoot]

Hi all
I am having FEC-T. Just had the first T 19th June I can honestly say the FEC was easy compared to the T. I had severe pain started on the second day and lasted for 8 days ended up on Oramorph. I am dreading the next lot I couldn't even look after myself. Good luck to all of you who are on this regime. My one tip is a hot water bottle for joint pains 😔

[Smurf77]

I've heard horrible things about the T, my oncologist sat me down and listed all the effects for me and told me to expect extreme fatigue and the limb pain. They have given me extra steroids which I have to start taking the day of my next onc appointment next week so assume that's to help with the pain...fingers crossed it can manage with it all again...


Stacey x

[Pod-1]

Hi All

I went through FEC-T treatment just over 18 months ago. Smurf77 makes some very good points about various tips etc particurlarly about the sore mouth stuff. My freezer was packed full of ice pops too, and I also bought some mouth wash (Corsodyl). The BC nurse also suggested another mouth wash called Difflam which was quite good too.

Keeping up the fluids is another good tip, to help keep you hydrated. My skin became a little dry too - so any good moisturizer would help (probably even coconut oil too as that seems to have many healing properties).

I felt the worse part of the FEC-T treatment was the T part, sorry to say. I was warned that I may get aches and pains from it - and boy did it hit me like a 10 ton truck ! I couldn't sleep properly for days as I was in so much pain and was taking pain killers whenever I could.

I spoke to the BC nurse about it who very wisely suggested asking for a longer period of steroids (for the next cycle) but taper them off. This worked wonders for me and the 2nd cycle was much more manageable - even though I was doped up with steroids !!

Good luck with the treatment.

Pod

[Smurf77]

Oh and Icepoles, keep some in your freezer - great for cooling down and keeping your mouth moist! X

[hopefulholly]

Ginger nut biscuits have got me through this last week!

[Smurf77]

You're more than welcome Rosielea,

Again I hope you don't suffer any of these as not everyone does but it does help to be prepared.

I've thought of a couple more things (sorry) I'd grab keep a packet of ginger nuts in your cupboard as they're good for nibbling on when your feeling a little nauseous.

Also, have scented candles on hand to be dotted around your house in the rooms you spend most time in. I've found that the FEC comes out of your system via your pores and your urine so by the time I'd had my 3rd, everytime I got a whiff of myself it made me gag. Specially when having a pee so q

[Rosielea]

Hi Smurf77,
Just wanted to thank you for your honesty & for taking the time to 'enlighten' those of us about to start this regime. It made me cry but now I feel more prepared so it won't come as a shock, should I get all or any of the side effects you warn about & that my oncologist waved off as minor niggles I was unlikely to suffer from. sending a good sprinkling of supercharged fairy dust to wish you a well with the T and a speedy recovery. Thank you.

[Smurf77]

I've just had my final FEC of the FEC-T regime and can report that it is mostly managable however some tips for getting through it a little easier that I wish I'd known or paid more attention to:

Mouthwash - I wasn't prescibed any for my first treatment even though mouth sores are one of the big side effects of FEC so I suggest getting a bottle of Corsodyl (or similar) and rinsing for 1minute 4x a day. I didn't do this until it was too late and ended up with an ulerated mouth that I couldn't eat solids for a about a week.

Rest - specially during the middle week (if like me your chemo is every 3 weeks) as your chemo goes on your side effects get gradually worse, after all you are just toppig up what chemo is already in your system so when you are feeling tired or sick, make sure you rest and drink lots of water, I wish I could say wine but I personally have no appetite for alcohol at the moment (mores the pity).

Temperature - make sure you watch your temperature specially during the middle week again, as your platelets are already going to be low it is important to make sure it does not drop below 36 or above 37.5, again this goes back to resting during this period and I learned the hard way having been admitted to hospital due to low platets and having to have IV antibiocs overnight.

Coconul Oil - This jar of goodness is my saviour, the chemo makes your mouuth dry out massivly and I find I spoon of this straight in the mouth and left to melt/coat gums and tongue is a fab way to combat dry mouth and also helps prevent the dreaded mouth ulcer. You can even rub on your dry skin for immediate relief.

Unfortunately my hair fell out 3 days after my 2nd chemo despite two goes with the cold cap so I can't offer anything up there except to get a decent wig, I got an excellent one (shes called Teri) from the wig lady at my hospital and no one can tell the difference, its actually quite funny when I take it off in front of people who are'nt aware I have non of my own...maybe thats my own (bad) sense of hulour though...

Anyway, sorry for the long-winded missive I wish all you ladies just embarking on the joyride of FEC-T lots of luck, Guillia (sorry of spelt incorrectly) I hope your Oncologist can change your meds and hope you feel lots better soon.

Ps, Personally I'm dreading the T but I think that's because I don't know yet what to expect and I hate not knowing.

xxx

[vic55]

Okay, have managed to work mornings since last Thurs. Am bit tired now, but afternoon cat nap will sort me out. 2nd cycle next wed. Feel like hair situ is a time bomb, def thining but got short thick hair, so hoping to keep till next wed at least. If not, got my wig / scarfs at the ready.

[Daffodil11]

Hope you're feeling better now GiulianaB? X

[Daffodil11]

How are you doing vic55?

[vic55]

Ahhh, hope they can help you. X

[Daffodil11]

Hi vic55

I'm much better now thank you. Had a bad time with the first chemo, vomiting so bad the Dr was called out with an anti-sickness jab. Lost my appetite for 3 days, had the shakes, anxiety, jaw clenching and constipation. See the oncologist next week and am hoping meds can be changed for next time. Can't believe how ill I felt!
Still feeling spaced out and tired but getting better every day.

Sorry I can't report back with something more cheery x

[vic55]

And giuliana, sorry you had such a toughie, hope sickness meds have worked ok x

[vic55]

How are you doing daffodil?

[GiulianaB]

I had my first chemio on Thursday. Sorry if say so but it was a trip to hell and back. Finished the chemio at 4 pm started to vomit at 6.3 till 2 in the morning. I had to go to emergency for some more anti-emetic drugs.

Then the sickness stopped and I got home and managed to sleep. woke up with a skin rush and went to see, Gp.

The steroids were helpful however the zarzio injection are given me pain and I have to have 8, 1 a day.

Went back to emergency with low blood pressure.

5 more of this,

[vic55]

Started last wed daffodil, ok main tips, tons of water, take all the anti sick meds and eat little/ often when you can. I managed to work this morning as apart from tiredness I did ok. Just be kind to yourself x

[tulips123]

I has my first FEC-T Monday 15th. Haven't been too bad bit nauseous and sleepless. It is a bit like waiting for a bomb to go off waiting for side effects to kick in!! I am hoping to work part time during treatment (have had this week off) but will have to listen to this battered old body I think!

[Janet_BCC]

Hi Daffodil11

Welcome to the forum.  You might find it helps to join the thread which was begun by members who started their chemo treatment in June.  I've attached a link for you:

http://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Chemotherapy-monthly-threads/June-2015/td-p/943252

There's also a thread with tips to help you through chemotherapy.  I've attached a link to that as well:

http://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Chemotherapy/Top-tips-to-help-get-you-through-Chemotherapy/t...

I hope this helps.

Very best wishes

Janet

BCC Moderator

[Daffodil11]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and wondered if anyone else is starting FEC-T chemotherapy tomorrow? If not, any top tips?