Side effects from EC chemo

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Hi all, I've started a 2 weekly regime on EC. My first round was last week and the nausea, gas, diarrhea, lack of sleep completely wiped me out for 5 days. 

I was given metoclopramide and levomepromazine to help but they weren't great for the first 3 days. 

Has anyone had similar issues on EC and can you offer any advice for dealing with the nausea/upset guts. 

Round 2 is next week and I'm really not lookinging forward to it. 

I have 4 rounds of EC then 4 of Pax to do. 

  • Hi, sorry to hear of your side effects, that sounds rough.  I started the anti sickness pills the day of chemo whether I felt sick or not, and that helped a bit.  I 'd also say make sure your tell your BCN so that they are aware and can support.  There are different anti sickness pills and some can be more effective than others for some people.  Best wishes for next week.

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  • Hello, 

    I’ve had pax and just started EC myself. 
    It has been eventful. 

    I got prescribed different anti sickness which helped. I felt very little nausea. Aprepitant and Olanzapine. Might be worth speaking to the chemo team and seeing whether they can prescribe something else for support. 

    Loose stools - I have had more constipation at the mo with EC. Pac caused me loose stools and they have me Imodium. 

    Have you been prescribed steroids? They could be causing lack of sleep. They do for me.

    i hope it gets better for you xx

    • Hi, Lex, I was supposed to have 3 EC followed by 9 paclitaxel but I reacted badly to the EC after the 2nd dose so I didn't have the full 3 sessions. I had no nausea, thank goodness, but that was probably because I was given ondansetron instead of metclopramide and it was very effective. The significant downside was dreadful constipation which was very unpleasant. My oncologist prescribed laxido and I drank prune juice (100 mls) which helped a lot. You could perhaps ask your oncology team to try ondansetron if you're struggling with nausea - there are other options open to you. I found paclitaxel easier to manage. Good luck with the rest of your chemo - you'll be through it sooner than you imagine. If I survived it, anyone can - I'm a big cowardly chicken, lol. Smile
  • Thanks, yeah the thought of being sick as a dog all through this is def making me feel worse. Thanks for the info. 

    Xx

  • Hi they only gave me steroids on the day of chemo, it's the loose stool and nausea that floored me, I'm over the nausea this week but eating immodium like smarties. 

    Round 2 on Tuesday so def not looking forward to that 

    Xx

  • I ended up with neutropenic sepsis and MRSA after my first round of EC chemo so spent all last week in hospital on IV antibiotics, fluid and paracetamol. 

    I feel your anxiety as I am due treatment on Wednesday.

    I would speak to the chemo/oncology team for support as you don’t want too loose too much fluid

    We will get through this Purple heart xx