EC or TC Chemotherapy

Hi @Kbills820.
Sorry won’t let me tag.     

My story is on profile just click on name to read .  I have no experience or knowledge of TC . EC can be quite harsh with SE but I found d it manageable until cycle 4 as it has cumlative effect ,I had EC x 6 followed by Herceptin and was warned of hair loss but hair loss was slower than expected and grew back from ending chemo in the Dec to needing haircut by summer 

With regards the possible SE of heart damage I was warned of this but the routine is you have heart echo prior to start then every couple of months any damage that may be caused can be reversed while treatment is suspended .

I had no heart damage although did suffer some breathlessness as a SE 

Hope this is of some help feel free to ask any questions 

Thanks very much Northerner , really kind of you to share your experience!

Hi kbills820  I am going for my 4th EC tomorrow and so far haven’t really had any side effects. I’m more tired and had the odd acid reflux which passes but that’s it. I’ve had no heart issues either. I’ve continued to work full time throughout (apart from a few days when I picked up a chest infection) and have even managed a few socials!

good luck with making your decision! 

Thank you so much Shellbell24 , that really does fill me with hope that it might not necessarily be as awful as I think it’s going to be!

I hope your 4th cycle goes well and you’re soon out the other side! 

Hi Shellbell24, I have just started EC chemo and the first few days I was so tired and had a faster heartbeat than normal. After being checked it was side effects from all the drugs so all was ok. I then perked up a bit but found I couldn’t do much before tiring again so had to rest. Today was a good day and felt more like myself so hoping it continues now like this till my next cycle then I have to start all over again knowing the side effects that are coming. I was hoping I could go back to work but I’m not sure I would manage without flagging. My work colleagues are great and are very supportive. I think it’s great you have been able to work throughout is there a secret something I have missed ? I drink plenty (water that is ) eat a varied diet. I continue to do my arm exercises and get plenty of walking albeit up and down stairs around the house but I do go out for walks too as I like to do exercise. Maybe it’s my age  at 52 I guess I’ve started to slow down a bit. 
Wishing you all the best on your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi cuffcake2000  good to hear from you! I’ve definitely felt tired but have managed to push through it! I’m 43 so perhaps being a bit younger helps?! I have gallstones so I’m on a low fat diet so eat really healthily too. 
no secret, I wfh so don’t have to travel anywhere so perhaps that’s it! It’s so odd how everyone reacts differently to the same drug! Compared to others I’ve read I’d say you’re doing well with just being tired! 
good luck with the rest of your journey too! Xx

Hi Shellbell24, are you just having EC or have you got a different one to follow? My oncologist has said I will have docetaxel after my EC, not looking forward to that one as it sounds a lot harsher. Plus I also will be having herceptin (plus another drug) for the HER2 positive too. It’s lucky you have been able to wfh I would have to go to the office. Can they blast the gallstones to get rid of them or does the diet help to break them up. I hope they are not to uncomfortable. How did you know you had those? 

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi cuffcake2000 I have 4 lots of EC so tomorrow is my last one then I start 4 lots of Paclitaxil in the new year. Like you, I’m nervous about that one as I’ve also heard it’s harsher, especially the risk of neuropathy. I will have 3 weeks of radio after all this and then will be on hormone suppressors but haven’t been told what ones. I’m HER2 negative so different to you. 

yeah thanks to lock down when we had to wfh it means I can do it easily and still have access to everything. I wouldn’t go in the office daily due to the risk of infection I think, plus I’d have to get the train which is germ central! 

sadly only cure is an operation to remove my gall bladder so yet another op to have after all this! Thankfully the diet is helping cos the pain when you have an attack is horrendous, worst pain I’ve ever experienced! I wouldn’t wish it on anyone! 

xxx

Hi Shellbell24, sorry to hear you will have to have an op to remove the gallbladder but I’m sure it will be a relief to then be out of pain from attacks. 
Brilliant that you will be halfway through your chemo today . Be lovely to chat about our experiences in the new year when we start our second half of chemo. I think mine will start very end January maybe beginning February. Not sure how they work it as it’s 2 weeks for the EC and then 3 weeks for the Docetaxel but I don’t know if they count the start of that 2 weeks end of EC then every 3rd week or start 3 weeks end of EC. 
I am hoping to have an arm Portacath soon, scared of that really, having something there all the time and having the procedure. I’m more scared of that than having my 2 ops. Sorry I may have mentioned that already in a previous chat. 
Wishing you all the best for your chemo today.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi cuffcake2000  yeah I didn’t really want another op but if that’s what it takes! 
Just got my new schedule and it starts 3 Jan, I’ll let you know what the side effects are like. Mine is still every 2 weeks so will be done by middle of Feb.

I think the portacath is quite good, once you get over the initial “it’s under my skin” thing it’s much better than a PICC line as you can still shower, swim, work out etc. I can’t work out with my PICC line as you’re not allowed to do repetitive motions with your arm and have to wear a waterproof arm sleeve to have a shower!! 

sitting in the chemo unit as I type this, nearly half way through and about to have a break for Xmas! It’s worked out quite well! 
speak soon xx