FLOT side effects, in particular hair loss and fatigue

I started losing my hair after the 2nd cycle and it started coming out in handfuls so decided to cut it off myself 

Hi ! Also lost my beautiful blond thick Bob after my second cycle of chemo !! It became so thin my daughter put the clippers over it !!  That was the end of January it is coming back now but will be a long time before I have it back as it was but hey I’m still here so for that I am eternally grateful ! And I’m sure your wife would rather have you here with no hair than not here at all !! 
Re fatigue I was lucky that I had very little during my chemo neuropathy was the only thing I really suffered with in my hands and feet and stay away from really cold drinks ( they hurt your throat) other than that I wish you well Tricia 

Hi hope your doing ok xx

Hi,

Regarding hair loss, mine started to come out after 2nd FLOT. I never lost it all but just got a number 2 all over. Didn’t lose any other body hair (some people lose it all) but shaving went from a daily event to once every four or five days. I found that the fatigue hit harder and lasted longer as I went through the cycles. A few days of fatigue after cycle 1 up to nearly two weeks of absolute exhaustion after cycle 4. Afternoon naps became part of the norm and, if I’m honest, very often still are (even 18 months post-op).

I always got a lift home from chemo sessions (I was told that the cocktail of drugs they use could potentially put you above the drink driving limits) and didn’t do much driving in between - not because I couldn’t but because I didn’t really go anywhere. Partly due to tiredness and neuropathy (I had my pre-op FLOT in December & January) and also because having chemo makes you more vulnerable to infections as it destroys white blood cells so I generally avoided contact with people outside of immediate family. Everyone’s experience is slightly different. Hope this helps. CB

I got my hair cut to number 2 all over just before chemo started to prepare for no hair. It all fell out during both the pre and post op FLOT. I bought a baseball cap (known as a chemo cap to me) as a fashion statement.

Each chemo followed a pattern, I was fine during it but 3 days afterwards came the exhaustion for 3 days and then I would recover ready for the next course. I would do the 50 minute walk to and from the hospital for the 3 days (chemo, disconnect of the pump and blood tests) as it was in the time of Covid and I didn't want to take public transport.

I’m getting there although my taste buds as all over the place affecting my appetite x

Yes you spend all this time watching other people eat ! And then when you can nothing tastes as you remembered it !! But it will come back although my tastes have changed slightly it’s good to be able to eat a meal like a normal person lol xx