Chemo

Hello! I’ve just finished EC on my last cycle, moving onto the Docetaxel next one. I lost my hair to the day that the nurse told me I would. I didn’t cold cap, I just went with it. Your hair will start to fall out approx 2 weeks after your first dose. I stopped wearing mascara and eye brow makeup as soon as I started and I have held onto both, I just use powder and pencil that is easily removed so I’m not inadvertently pulling them out. They have thinned but they’re still there! I have found taking daily omeprazole a must, I got bad acid reflux cycle 1 which increased my nausea (very common) but adding in the omeprazole solved this so I’d recommend a pre emptive prescription. I also get constipated so I take daily lactulose to keep me regular and that’s working. Wait until you know if you get constipated though because some get diahorrea which they’ll give you tablets for as a support med. I’m doing ok! There were a few tough days within each cycle I won’t lie, where I felt really tired and like I had the worst hangover imaginable but I have coped, I have a 12 year old so I’ve had to be active and I’ve managed, by halfway through the cycle I’ve felt better and the week before the next treatment I’ve been fine. I’ve never been sick, my nausea was controlled after the acid was sorted. I have had a reoccurring UTI, so I would advise that you be aware of that possibility as I didn’t get a temperature with mine and needed antibiotics but once I was on them I felt better again. See how you go, everyone is different honestly, but most of us can manage the symptoms well. Any questions you have then ask away, good luck!!! 

I had very similar side effects to Anna12345. On the hair loss, I shaved mine off ahead of chemo so it was fine when it started falling out, which for me was around day 20. I lost most of the hair on my head and everywhere else except eyelashes and eyebrows on EC - and by most I mean I looked bald. I then lost all but a few eyelashes and eyebrows when I switched to docetaxel, though my head hair started growing back in a bit. I just wore hats. I got a wig with the NHS voucher, but it didn't feel like me.

I would say you have a bad week, an Ok week and a good week on EC. I vomited for the first dose, apparently quite uncommon now, so take all your anti-sickness meds. I got stronger ones after that and still felt nauseous for the first week. 

I got really bad constipation too and the heartburn - I found gaviscon helped.

I managed to avoid any infections (I already take a daily d-mannose maintenance dose for UTIs and never get them any more) and I also kept working other than the first 6 days.

I found EC much easier than docetaxel and managed to go for slow jogs from day 10.

Thankyou so much. I was tempted to cut my hair short before treatment starts so if maybe not be such a shock. Does everyone switch to docetaxal? How often did you receive treatment? Sorry for all the questions. Just don’t feel like they tell you. How you doing now? Xxx

Thankyou so kuch for taking the time to answer. I don’t think I will use the cold cap especially with what people have said about it I’ll just go without. I have omeprazole now so I’ll make sure I have plenty of that and take it daily I’ll also ask the doctor for lactulose so I have that ready just incase. I’ve got older children and small grandkids so I need to be able to do this as like yourself you have managed it and well done to you.Can I just ask how often they did your chemo and how long it took? Xx

I’m not sure if everyone does have the docetaxel but yes it does seem to be the norm, in any of the stuff they’ve given you can you see a chemo code? If it is EC-T or EC-D then you will also switch, docetaxel is also known as taxodere. Yes I had long hair, I cut it into a shaggy pixie cut first, then it started to fall out and I had a 1mm buzz cut, then when I woke up and that was falling out I went to the Turkish barbers in my village, only place that was open and the wet shaved my head. It was actually a moving moment and one in an odd way I’ll treasure, funny old life. My chemo is once every 3 weeks, the first session took about 4 hours, the next 2 about 3 hours which again seems normal for our regime. Part of the time just depends on what else happens on the ward you’re on, at Wycombe where I’m treated we’re in bays of 6 and it can be elongated if someone has a problem. You will probably have a picc line fitted and you need to go once a week to have that cleaned and checked, that’s usually done in half hour max sometimes quicker. Some people reject them but many of those who do revisit that decision. You get used to it pretty fast and it makes you’re treatment a lot easier, feel free to ask absolutely anything you want to x

Hi. I can’t see any chemo codes yet as she has just told me that EC is what she is organising so I’ll watch for the chemo code. I’ve got quite long hair so going to start to cut it down as I’m sure it won’t survive this next bit. Well done to you for shaving it all off you are so brave I’m dreading that bit. I’m assuming my treatment will be at Durham which is close to where I live so I’ve no idea what the unit is like as my appointments were at Shotley bridge previously but there centre is closing. I absolutely hate needles I hate the ones every month to check bloods for the medication they have me on now but suppose I’m going to have to get used to it as looks like a few heading my way worst luck. What an absolutely devastating disease this is!!! Thanks again for your help I’ll be asking more once she has given me paperwork as I think I need to have a break between my ibrance before starting EC. You stay well and take care. Thankyou again xxx

Pleasure, anytime, the picc line means no needles! If that helps x

Oh really???? Well that could be a definite option if they offer me that one. Thanks I’ll see what they say xxx

1. Thanks Jen. Hope you are feeling a little better at min. I’ve had some lovely advice on here and I’m so grateful to hear how people are getting on with their treatment. I can’t say how I’m going to deal with it I’m just hoping I’m as brave as all of you lovely people. You stay safe and take care too. Thanks again. Helen xx