EC Chemo side effects

Hi DreamA

We all react differently but I had EC x 6 and was told it was very cumulative with SE . Relatively speaking I wasn’t too bad not to say easy but could plan around bad days .

I kept diary so I could see pattern up to no 4 started to recover by day 10 /15 then 5 and 6 delayed by week each time not because of bloods but because SE were still there from previous cycle like the nausea and tiredness .

Hope you better on next one 

Hi, 

I had EC on a three weekly cycle, Initially I found I had one week when I felt awful - constant nausea and retching at night (the meds stopped me actually being sick after first cycle but couldn’t stop these), exhaustion etc then a week where I gradually started to feel better then by the third week I felt relatively normal.  By cycle three, my last one, the awful stage was lasting over two weeks and I only started to feel ok the final weekend so definitely think it’s cumulative.

I have since had seven cycles of weekly Paclitaxel (12 in total) and I have found it much easier to manage.  Main side effects now are that exhaustion seems to be worse (breathless climbing stairs, only able to walk short distances, needing to rest/nap after small tasks), I have a constant horrible taste in my mouth and am having regular hot flushes.  Medication has helped massively with my other/new side effects (constipation, acid reflux, mouth ulcers and this time also controlled the nausea which I am delighted about).  I am also having Phesgo injections three weekly now with the Paclitaxel so some of the side effects may be down to this too, it’s hard to tell which causes which!  

My experience is the Paclitaxel etc has been much easier so far than the EC - hopefully you will find it the same.  My chemo nurses call EC the Red Devil and I could definitely see why! 

Like Northerner, I have kept a side effect diary too which has been helpful when talking to my oncologist/GP and sorting out medication. 

Good luck with the rest of your treatment

Tis x

I had a very similar experience to you and same with side effects. Paclitaxel was so much easier to cope with.