New and struggling

Hi 

Sorry to see you joining us here :-/

Assume by first treatment you are referring to being a week post 1st chemo ?  Is this EC or FEC maybe as this is what is mostly offered first. Chemo can speed up or slow down your intestinal rythmn which has an effect on the water content and is the main cause of constipation or diarrhoea.

There is a regular monthly chemo discussion within the Main Breast Group as there are so many members going through chemo at the same time - It is a good place to share side effects and get advice and support from those who have been there.

You can find the October Chemo Chat discussion clicking the coloured text link. Note there is a 'Chemo Tips' link in the very first message taken from breast group members which may be of some help too.

Hope this is of some help for now, take care, G n' J

Hi ,

Welcome, we will all try to help in any way we can.

It’s a real struggle for those of us who have been through chemo and no two ppl with be exactly the same, as symptoms and side effects vary so widely.

First thing I would say is pls don’t suffer in silence, let your care team know. I had a chemo chat before my chemo and was given lots of information about all the side effects (which I gave up reading as there was so many) most ppl will NOT get them all. I got Information on how to deal with side effects and a phone number for the team. 

Macmillan have good booklets on eating well, talk to your GP or oncologist about foods, I just ate what I could as I had an awful taste in my mouth and eventually couldn’t really taste anything I think my taste buds left me half way through chemo.

Rant away anytime x

Yes I had first chemo 1.5 weeks ago. Two chemo drugs plus three targeted drugs. I don’t know what EC or FEC is. I had a check-up yesterday and the doctor is happy that there is no acute problem. If I didn’t have to eat I would be fine! I just have to keep trying different foods to see what works/doesn’t work. The tummy pains are pretty bad, and with that and the faintness, I’m pretty much stuck in the house. 

Hi 

FEC used to be the standard 3 x chemo combo (fec is 3 drugs) More and more oncology units are dropping the F part (fluorouracil) as it can affect the heart and the small added benefit is outweighed by the risks.

So the other two are known as EC Chemo (info link)

Are you trying bland foods like porridge, rice, pasta etc or going the other way with spicy ?

G n' J

Hi ,

Just wondered how you are feeling now?

Side effects are awful for some, and as drugs change you might find you struggle with some more than others.

Which targeted drugs are you on?

Sending hugs and healing vibes too x x

I’m feeling much better now thanks. Hopefully next treatment will be easier as I know which foods made things worse, and I’m on an IBS treatment. 

One of the targeted drugs is herceptin. I only know that because they talked about that one the most. Generally I haven’t wanted to look at the drug names/info (weird as I am a medical writer by profession!!)

Thanks for checking up on me. 
Sharon

Hi ,

Just wondering how your treatment is going 

Tina x