Chemo EC

Hello, It sounds lime you have had a pretty horrendous time and quite a traumatic start to your chemotherapy. I dont think what is happening to you is the norm. we all feel crap to a greater or lesser extent but your experience of having to be back in hospital straight away with an infection is quite unusual There are really good anti sickness meds avaiabe, but you might have to try a few before you get the correct combination that works for you, but it can be managed so you feel much better. 

Hi Neevy, I had my first EC last monday and by 2am was back in hospital as couldnt stop being sick.  Was kept in for 2 nights. Am now on metoclopramide.  Hopimg they give me a different anti sickness before round 2, I'm terrified!!! Was round 2 better for you?? Xx 

Hi, I vomited for 24 hours after first EC and was hospitalised to get an IV. They gave me stronger anti-sickness after that, on top of the ones that they already give you to take. These ones you take before chemo even starts. I wasn't sick after that though I still had nausea for a week on the EC. The downside is, all the anti-sickness meds can make you constipated so I had to take stuff for that too! I switched to docetaxel for cycles 4-6 and nausea wasn't an issue then, though they kept me on the stronger anti-sickness just in case.

Sorry you have been through the mill and hope they get it all sorted. I will finish my 3rd EC chemo on Thursday, then onto Docetaxel for next 3. I've heard that it's more severe than the EC side effect wise.  I've had Neutropenia,  but change in percentage of chemo sorted that.  I've been very lucky and managed to get through with minimum side effects.  I am a bit concerned though about getting Docetaxel, because of what I was told. Can I ask how Docexatel and it's side effects was for you in the way of tiredness etc. 

Hi there Ceegee

I had EC and later docetaxel. The side effects are different.  I think overall I did not feel nearly so bad in the round with the D. I did get bad diarrhea tho and had it through the whole course. I took loperimide  to the max dose to try to control this. Onc gave me codeine as well, however I couldn't take this. By the end of cycle three I did feel tired with it. I think it built up over the 9 weeks. But not so bad as EC.

Good luck and wishing you the minimum of SE.

Wallydug

Thank you for the info.  Appreciate it as I feel in control if i know what to expect.  Some say they were OK some unfortunately not.  I'll find out in 3 weeks what's happening.  Take care and wish you well in the future. X

I was the opposite to WallyDug, docetaxel was far worse for me than EC. Everyone is different! I was out jogging by day 10 on EC and generally had a bad week, an OK week and a good week. Docetaxel knocked me for 6. Side effects didn't come on until day 3 but then absolutely floored until day 11. I had awful chills and pains (& as I had started zoladex, I also had intense hot flushes every 20 mins too!). 

My oncologist wasn't too happy about the length of time it had taken me to get up and about again as I could barely move off the sofa for those 10 days, so they reduced my dosage after that which was much more manageable.

Everyone is different, you may sail through docetaxel, I know people who have.

I'm 8 months post-chemo and feeling great so you will get through it and come out the other side!

Thanks for your honesty.  I have been fortunate so far in that the only side effects I had was hair loss, and Neutropenia after first chemo. 2nd chemo fine and completing that course of EC in 3 weeks time. Thereafter, I'm on Docetaxel. I suppose its a matter of averages and I can't go through all this and still feel "normal". I do get a bit tired in the afternoon and can't stop yawning, but if i keep going I work my way through it and have only went for a nap a few times. I'm hoping i am still lucky and healthy with Docetaxel.  Take care all.  X