EC and paclitaxal tips

Hi Meadow15 

I had 3 rounds of EC, one every 3 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of paclitaxel. I didn't cold cap so did lose my hair but it was growing back towards the end of my paclitaxel treatment.

My main side effects, other than losing my hair, was a loss of taste and feeling 'under the weather '. The latter would last for about the first 10 days of each cycle then I'd feel back to normal again. 

I did go out for a gentle walk each day, which I'm sure helped.

I got round the loss of taste by eating spicy things like curry or chilli and pineapple always tasted like pineapple.

I didn't have any side effects on paclitaxel.

Thank you so much for your reply. Nice to know some specific symptoms I could get. 

Can give you neuropathy so consider cold hands and feet packs.  Your hair will grow back but the neuropathy is difficult and painful.  It is a very effective chemotherapy though 

Hi 

I hope your treatment is going okay.  I'm about to start the same treatment this coming week and feeling quite anxious about it too.  If you feel up to it, could you let me know how you are getting on with the sideeffects (if any) and any tips in your experience. Wishing you much strength!

Hello

I have now had 2 rounds of EC. The first afternoon/evening I’ve had nausea and heartburn which I was able to curb 2nd time round by taking omeprazole and an anti sickness. It’s mainly felt like a bad hangover for a few days. Weak, headache and tired. Then roughly a week later it all just stopped and I felt normal again for another week before my next round. I have been using the cold cap but today I’ve had some hair loss, not quite big clumps but a few strands while washing my hair and brushing it. That was hard to see. 

My advice would be to rest where you can and talk to those around you how you are feeling. It’s an emotional rollercoaster which I’m sure you’re already experiencing. 

Sending strength. You can do this. 

Thank you so much for the reply and well done you! Sounds like you've got this

I had my first session this morning and also used the cold cap. Up to now I'm feeling well enough but aware that the side effects are likely to kick in tonight and tomorrow. The cold cap was bearable but had to dig deep the first 15 minutes or so.  I hope it works for you and that the loss will be minimal. Keep standing strong and all the best for the remaining ones.

Well done for managing the cold cap! I am starting to shed a lot of hair but so far no bald patches. I’m hoping this might mean I can retain a lot of it. My advice would be to make sure you listen to your body and rest when you feel you need to. Get ahead of the side effects. I quickly needed to ask for omeprazole and I bought some gaviscon as well. The headaches for me have been bad so make sure you’re stocked up on pain relief. I found the tough side effects kicked in day 4 onwards. The first night being mainly tiredness and nausea. 

you can do this!

I’m due to start EC in two weeks for 3 times every 3 weeks. Followed by 9 x paclixatel weekly. I’m so scared and frightened of the hair loss the most which I know is crazy compared to cancer but I can’t help it! The comments here are helpful. I’m considering the cold cap which my oncologist said would be 50/50. Is there anything special I need for my head or just a normal beanie? 

Hi Nico1a,  I'm now on day 9 of my first cycle of EC.  I opted for the cold cap, not so much to prevent hair loss, but rather to better the chances of regrowth. I was also made aware that the chance of hair loss remains good despite  wearing the cold cap.  Thus far I haven't noticed significant shedding, although I believe it may start at any time.  My scalp is definitely more sensitive and itchy.  At the moment I'm still wearing a normal beanie out and about, but got a soft cotton sleeping cap to wear to bed at night.  I know this is all so daunting and before the chemo I was so much focused on all the potential side-effects and imagining worst case scenarios.  However, at the assessment just before chemo, the nurses were so lovely and really put things in perspective, so I felt much calmer during the chemo and also the subsequent days. I'm really fortunate so far in that I haven't experience any extreme side effects; I haven't experienced any nausea as the anti-sick meds they gave me seem to work well for me.  I only have very mild ache/fatigue towards the evening now being on the white blood cell booster jabs and other than that I have lost my sense of taste.  I did drink a lot of water (> 2.5L) the first couple of days and still try to maintain around 2 L intake/day.  Also, more frequent small meals (fibre rich) helped me the first couple of days to manage/avoid constipation. And as above poster also mentioned, try to get some light exercise/short walks in if you are able to.  All the best, you've got this!

Still following this with the day looming for my first EC round on Thursday. How is everyone getting on with it?