Just had 1st cycle of chemo

Hi there, I had 3 X FEC first and had nausea for a few days immediately afterwards. That subsided but a few other side effects kicked in later, sore throat and thrush being the main ones, I was able to take thrush medication with the second cycle. Everyone is different and I hope your run of no side effects continues x

1. Thanks so much for replying to me, I really appreciate it. Im hoping I do continue to feel so well but I know its inevitable it won't last. I cant believe I've had no nausea which is what I was dreading but if I do I know there are meds to help deal with it. Do you mind me asking you what FEC is as I'm on EC? Thanks 

Hi again glad your run of no side effects is continuing! I'm not sure what the difference is , my chemo regime is 3 FEC and 3 'T' . I know FEC are the initials of the names of the drugs involved. Not very helpful I'm afraid lol .. all I can say is the T which I'm on now for me has less side effects than the FEC... 

Hello both,

I am so pleased your chemo is going well and that you are not feeling too many side effects. Jools-50 mentioned everyone reacts differently and it is possible to have very few effects. When I had my chemo FEC-T, someone else was going back to work after 2 days. So whilst Charlie Sue you can be prepared for reactions next time( It's  a good idea to use mouth wash daily from the start even though you have no problems and use Evo nail regularly on your nails....just in case.)  you don't need to expect them. You may not have them. Sometimes the drugs accumulate and things can get a bit harder with time but again this is an individual reaction.

Jools-50   you are right about the initials representing the drugs

F= fluouracil

E=epirubicin

C= cyclophosphamide

T= taxotere.

Five years ago almost everyone had FEC x3    T x3

but more research has found that the F isn't always necessary so often now oncologists prefer EC and the T can be given weekly especially in situations where someone is reacting badly to drugs. Why do they differ from area to area? I think the personal preferences of the oncologists may also be a factor but the fact is.....whether you have side effects or not.....there is a high success rate with both combinations of these drugs. I can't tell you how many times in the five years I have read..'..my tumour shrank and the mastectomy I expected became a lumpectomy ' or 'my fourth/ fifth year mammogram is still clear of cancer.' In my own situation, I will be having my fifth year mammogram for a TNBC( triple neg) in mid November.It has been clear since 2015. More evidence the side effects of FECT were worth the few months they last!

I wish you both well with treatments and hope the side effects continue for you in this mild form.

Love Karen

Hi Karen, thank you for your very informative reply, it's very reassuring to know how successful these chemo drugs are... I've tried to think they are good friends that have my back against the enemy, helps with the side effects!! I'm so glad you are still doing so well after your treatment x

Charlie Sure hope you are ok and managing through without too many side effects x

Hi, I am having 3 fec & 3 t and had very little side effects so far. A little bit of nausea, tiredness and a few aches but nothing bad. I’m having cycle 3 on Tuesday so fingers crossed that goes as smoothly. Hair started to fall out on day 14 of first cycle. I can honestly say that so far it has not been as bad as what I was expecting . Each cycle so far I was given sickness tablets for the next 2 days which helped. Good luck that you continue to have a smooth ride x

Thank you all for your informative helpful replies, it really is much appreciated. This online forum is amazing, so many helpful suggestions. Im pleased to say I'm still feeling okay on day 4 of 1st cycle, long may it continue. Mouth wash and evo nail is now on my shopping list, thanks for the heads up! Many thanks again x

Hi my story on profile if you want to read .

I had 6x EC I found it very helpful to keep a diary of symptoms as you can then see a pattern emerge and make plans accordingly .

By day 10/15 would as close to normal so planned days out or a week at our caravan before next treatment .

I took temp each evening so always knew I was infection clear.

Definite hair loss mine hung around for about two month is so before starting to shed although you can lose it immediately.

I had my hair cut to pixie style so washed it less and no heat used just finger dry . Organised wig to be same style as pixie cut but didn't use it much . Started chemo in August didn't lose hair til Oct /Nov so  wore hat when out .Went into shielding in March Bald came out in July needing haircut lol .

My advice would be take anti nausea drug ..prevention better than cure . As Lacomtekp Has  said mouthwash and evo nail .

We all react differently but I had minor / manageable SE . 

All chemo drugs can be cumulative with SE and I found this so with EC .By no 5 & 6 had less good days but it SE  does make you aware chemo doing its job .

Good luck going forward have a look at the Sept chemo thread there will be lots of tips and hints on there .Awake thread is good as well if you get insomnia on steroids lol

take one step at a time 

margaret x

Hi there, I didn’t have a problem on EC just the hair loss, it was Docetaxel that I found harder, unbelievable tiredness like couldn’t get of bed a couple of days, I would drag myself up and walk round my bedroom and felt absolutely exhausted, I lost few toenails, developed red sore hands and feet, everyone is different, others have an awful time in EC x

Thanks Margaret for that helpful advice. I feel I'm quite prepared for all eventualities, I've got a wig on order from Brown's, and a few scarfs and hats. My daughter who is a carer is being shown how to flush my picc line out on Monday in oncology and once they feel she's competent she can then do this for me at home so one less trip to the hospital every month. I have also mastered how to injext myself in the tummy on days 4 to 9 (very proud of myself) x

MU16 so pleased that your side effects aren't too bad, hopefully this will continue x

JOOLS 50 - thank you for asking  yes all good with me so far x