Feel like I'm losing my mind after EC

Hi there

I have had 1 round of EC and felt similar.  Yes it is horrendous and in sorry that you are going through this.

They are talking about reducing my dose for round 2. 
It might be helpful to keep a diary so you can give accurate feedback to your oncologist.

Hang on in there.  I tell myself that if it’s that potent imagine what it’s doing to the cancer cells x

Thanks so much for your response, it's a relief to know it's not just me feeling this way.

I'll make sure to write everything down and try to speak to the oncologist before the next round. 

I get upset because I start to feel like myself then the next morning I'm back at square one. 

How does reducing the dose impact your treatment plan? Will it take longer to complete?

Vicky

I don’t know how it will affect treatment yet - if I find anything out I’ll let you know

Yes it is upsetting Vicky because you just want to feel normal and live your life don’t you.  It’s not nice waking up feeling like that x

Hi Darceysnowball, I didn’t feel like myself whilst I was having EC. The first few days were the hardest and then by about day 7 onwards I began to feel more like myself just in time for the next cycle. (I had 4 EC and 4 docetaxel) I think it was a mixture of the EC and steroids. Whilst I felt crap at times and wanted to stop or reduce the meds I knew it was only for 4 sessions and then it would change to docetaxel. It was hard but I pushed through and tried to do little things to make me happy. Anxiety and stress is difficult to push through but we are putting poison in our bodies to try and give us the best chance of killing all the cancer cells to minimise any reoccurrence which all adds to the stress load. 
Have a chat with your oncologist or breast care nurse and perhaps they can give you some other meds to try. 
Try and do lots of things that make you happy and plan the following day the night before to give you something nice to look forward to when you wake up. 
Sending lots of love and hugs cuffcake x x x x x

Thank you for your insights, this forum is so great for reassuring me and my busy brain 

Was the docetaxel easier to manage? I'll be switching to paclitaxel after 3 more EC's.

I'll take your advice on board and make a list of things which makes me happy and plan them into my day. I spoke with a chemo nurse earlier who has referred me for holistic therapies so that sounds promising xx

Hi Darcysnowball, yes I found docetaxel more manageable. The steroids would give me a high and keep me going. I did flag a bit and the filgrastim injections made me feel down but I perked up once ey were done and as it got towards my next cycle. Holistic therapy sounds good hope this works and helps to calm things for you. 
Keep chatting on the forums as we are all at different stages and can offer advice or just be here for a rant if you need one

If you click on my name you can read my journey and dateline.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x 

Brain fog and feeling out of body was also the hardest side effect for me. It can settle quite quickly with the change of chemo. But if still on EC try reducing the dose. I gather it still works well but you get less side effects. Maybe speak to your team? X

Hi again

i had my second EC yesterday and it was reduced to 85% of the previous dose to try to make it more manageable.  My oncologist said it would not reduce its efficacy and I wouldn’t need an extra dose at the end to compensate.  She was very sympathetic about the way it has made me feel and hopes that I sail through this dose in comparison.  I do too, but I feel more prepared this time which I think will help to some degree in itself. 

That's so helpful, thanks for getting back to me. I really hope it's easier for you this time ️

I started feeling better at day 7 but then picked up a raging UTI and oral thrush - one thing after another!

I'm just glad I have mental clarity at the moment x