EC

Hi Howzathel  welcome to the forum sorry your feeling rough at the moment .I had EC X 6  my story on my profile just click on my name to read if you wish 

Nobody can predict how we react to chemo as we’re all different but I can let you know how I felt . 
Along with chemo I was given steroids with infusion then 3 days supply to take home along with anti nausea pills .

When steroids finished I used to feel worse for couple days . Make sure you take anti nausea meds even if you feel ok . If it doesn’t go away or gets worse then let your unit know they can change meds . Again if you vomit or have temp then call your unit . They are there to help they want you to be as comfortable as poss .

Best advice I had was to keep a diary of symptoms no only is it a useful tool to help you talk to your team it also helps you to plan for your good days.

Day one is day of infusion by day 10 I would start to feel better usually day 15 would feel almost normal so would plan days out etc 

Its a very definite cycle as your immune system lowers then rebuilds ready for next dose hence the blood tests prior to next dose .

This is how my body reacted and how it was explained to me …hope it settles for you soon 

Hi Howzathel , sorry to read your feeling rough and sending my love and hugs that you improve over the next few days. 
I had my oncology appointment last Friday to discuss my soon to start chemo - ECx3 are my first. 
My BCN was also in the consultation and advised me, everyone responds differently, but most report feeling at their worst on days 4-7, so hopefully you’ll follow a similar cycle and start to feel better soon. 
Take care and be kind to yourself x

Hi Howzathel, sorry you are feeling rough after your first EC cycle. I didn’t feel nauseous as I had steroids and anti sickness meds to take for 3 days after. Hopefully you have been given some meds to take. Do take them even if you think you are ok, as once you start feeling nauseous it can take a while for the drugs to kick in. 
If you didn’t get anything speak with your emergency hotline number which you should have been given, they will be able to advise. If you did get meds have a chat with your breast care nurse or oncologist and let them know, they will be able to adjust your meds accordingly.

Everyone is different in how they cope with chemo and the side effects. Keeping a diary helps you work out when your good and bad days are. Generally the first couple of days I was ok because of meds then after that maybe days 4 to 7 or even 10, I would feel really tired, sore achy bones, muscles and skin and then it would all improve and I would feel fine after until my next infusion.

You can click on my name if you like and see my journey so far.
 
Wishing you all the best on your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

 cuffcake2000 , I’ve also just read your journey, you sound very similar situation to me- type and grade of cancer and oestrogen/ HER2 positive. Many thanks for sharing your journey, it does help to hear about people in similar situations. 
Thanks x

Hi PDarlo, if you have questions ask away, happy to share my experience.

Wishing you all the best for your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi I’ve had 2 doses of the EC now. First session I felt ill for about a week, nausea, fatigue, aching, heartburn. Second infusion was difficult, felt unwell whilst I had the infusion, I was physically sick over the next two days and felt ill for about 7 days so about 10 days feeling rough. It’s tough as I feel good now but apprehensive as my next session is a week on Wednesday! Good luck! 

Hi Pecan14, sorry to hear you have been so poorly with EC. Do make sure you speak with your oncologist, breast care nurse & chemo team about all your side effects. They should be able to help with maybe changing or increasing various pre meds before your next chemo starts and making sure you have plenty of anti sickness meds to go home with. Your oncologist may be able to adjust the chemo dosage to help too. Also make sure you are staying well hydrated and try to avoid caffeinated drinks like tea/coffee, (they are dehydrating) if possible switch to the decafe variety. Try to eat as healthy as possible and include a good variety of fruit and veg. SOme people have said they find ginger or pineapple helpful. I know this can be difficult especially when feeling sick. Eat little and often. Sucking on ice cubes can help with nausea too. It is a tough drug and I found it hard going sometimes too, especially when you actually feel quite good before your next cycle and you know you are then going to feel rough again for a few days. Your 2 done so hopefully only maybe 1 or 2 more of EC to go??

Wishing you all the best for your journey.,

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hope your next session goes ok and side effects manageable Pecan14 

I’ve just received my start date- it’s real again now.