Effects of chemo

Hello,

What chemotherapy are you ha5? Is it FEC-t?

Julie xx

Hiya,

So sorry to hear you’re feeling rubbish after your first chemo? What chemo are you having, FEC-T? I so understand what you are going thru I felt absolutely dreadful on the steroids. Although I had the racing heart a bit, I just felt really wired all the time, couldn’t settle, couldn’t sleep so by Day 5 I was exhausted. Is that how you feel?

I didn’t have a headache but I did have stomach cramps but I think it was constipation, so by my 3rd treatment I ended up having to take something to help and it was then much better. I had no idea how uncomfortable constipation was.

I suffered quite badly on chemo, however my first three treatments were better than my last two, so for the FEC ones I would say I started to feel better about a week later. I stayed in bed once, but that was after I’d been sick all night, otherwise I did always get up, but I’m on a staying in bed person. I didn’t do much though, however, I was on my own so I just took everything really slowly and didn’t rush. I found getting up and having a bath exhausted me for the first few days. I didn’t have my 6th treatment because of my side effects (mouth ulcers) and the virus.

I used to have my chemo on a Friday and I would say by the Thursday or Friday things were improving. However, with the T part of the treatment I only managed two treatments and I felt awful for both of them. I got to the third week and I sort of felt ok for two days before it all started again.  But other people react differently and everyone seems to get different symptoms. 

Unfortunately it is accumulative so it does get a bit worse each time. The only thing that’s different is you are prepared for it and you learn to listen to your body. It also does get better even when you think you’ll never feel normal again. I promise you that will be the case. I had my last treatment on the 13th March and although I don’t feel quite my normal self in terms of energy I am certainly much much better and am getting stronger every day. 

Hang in there, take each day as it comes and just take it slowly. Sarah x

, hope you are feeling a bit better now. It's hard to say as everyone is different. Before your next treatment tell your team how you are feeling and they might be able to change your medication to help with the side effects. I used to feel a bit better by day 6/7 on EC and ok by day 10. Doctetaxel felt fine for first 2 cycles then very fatigued now but not to bad. Try posting in May chemo club as it stays at the top of the page and individual posts sometimes slip down without many people seeing them. I got lots of advice xxx

Hi Julie

Yes FEC

Thanks Sarah, same drug, day 5 and I manage to cook so I seem to be getting there.  Just so hard to shake the lethargic feeling, guess it needs getting accustomed to it.  I feel ok for 20 mins and then down, been like a yo yo.

I try to stay out the bed yesterday and today just laze around.   I am learning to work with my body rest,  rest and rest as that's what it is requesting.  Thanks for the encouragement. 

Pq

Ta Cheebo, I will look for that posting. I will definately tell them the symptoms especially my oncologist.

Pq

Hello

I found fec absolutely awful. I hated it but my oncologist did give me different drugs to help but I found all 3 fec very difficult. The next part, the t, docetaxel,  I found easy. I've just done my last one. Didnt mean I had to stay in bed or anything,  just a bit of joint pain and my eyelashes and eyebrows fell out. I found not overloading my stomach a good idea and to take anti sickness tablets even if you dont feel sick. It's tough I know. I'm here if you want to private message me at any time.

Love julie x 

That’s great you’ve managed to cook today, and that’s exactly how I was, I found it all exhausting, although I found the T part worse, just listen to your body and it’s ok to do nothing, it’s just a very different mindset to how we all usually are. You will get there and tomorrow will be a bit easier than today. Definitely talk to the oncologist when you have your next phone chat, list all the symptoms and how it makes you feel. They can tweak the treatment and that may be just what you need. 

Look after yourself and try to go for a little walk when you feel up to it, even if it’s just down the road and back as it really helped me to feel a bit normal and good to feel the sun on your skin.

Sarah

Thanks Sarah, stronger today so definitely getting better.

I try to sit in the garden, not comfortable going on the street yet. At least I stretch my legs and get some sunshine. 

You take care also.

PQ