FEC-T

[Anita-B]

Starting chemo tomorrow getting FEC-T, anyone else get this? What can I expect side effects wise?

[Jennymary]

Sending good luck wishes your way for tomorrow xxx

[Hidden]

Hi anita

I too had FEC-T. You will get the FEC over first 3 sessions and then just T or docetaxel as its known over last 3 (or usually if been prescribed 6 rounds altogether). As you can imagine, side effects vary from person to person. I remember quite clearly feeling really tired after my first round and just waiting to sleep but felt nauseous, this soon passed though as took anti sickness tablets. Mainly for me it was the taste buds that were affected and the sensation of a scalded tongue. I managed to work in between cycles of chemo so wasn't as detrimental as you sometimes think.

I wish you well, rest when you can but equally treat yourself with things that just make you smile, simple pleasures just always seemed more precious to me. xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hidden

How are you feeling after your surgery, hope your resting & taking it easy.

Best Wishes 🌺

Mrs N x

[Hidden]

Hi Anita-B

Hidden has given you a good explaination, a lot of us have FEC/T & can affect us all differently.

You are given an antisickness tablet & steroids before they start the Infusion. As it's cold at the moment, take a shawl or pashmina & make sure you keep your hands warm while you're traveling to the Unit.

They will give you anti sickness tablets & steroids to take home for 3 days afterwards & additional antiemetics just incase, there is no need to actually be sick any more.

Like Cazlav says the effect on the tastebuds can be pretty grim but improves during the third week, I couldn't eat bread at all or anything with a rough texture.

I found a runny porridge for breakfast & homemade soup for lunch was good; I couldn't manage red meat, so l ate lots of chicken! I liked Melon to freshen my mouth & Lainey66 recommends a couple of cubes of Pineapple before you eat.

I bought several soft toothbrush's & changed them often, l had to change my toothpaste too! Lots of cream for your hands & feet as the Chemo can make the skin on your hands peel, I wore dark nail polish to try & protect my nails.

I was pretty good after my first Chemo & managed to get to a Concert on day 5 but it can make you progressively tired after each round.

Are you having a Cold Cap? I chose against it & lost my hair as predicted between day 15-17. I got my wig in advance so it was to hand when l needed it.

I hope it all goes well tomorrow 🍀 The Nurses give you lots of instructions but if you have any questions just ask & we're here if you need us or have any questions or just need a chat!

Take Care 🌺

Mrs N x

PS Drink lots of water & take some to bed with you too!

[GinaD19]

Hi Anita,

My worst side effect was constipation so they gave me lactulose, which, for the second and following chemos, I started taking a few days beforehand as taking it afterwards was too late. I used to feel ok immediately after the chemo session but only once made the mistake of eating butter on toast, which I promptly vomited. I would suggest light food in small doses to start with, if you feel like eating at all. Listen to your body and rest as much as you can. The tiredness got worse with every session for me, probably because I tried to do too much. Everybody is different though. Best wishes xx

[Kirmy]

As everyone noted side effects vary. FEC-T is pretty much scorched earth. For me I had gastrointestinal issues every treatment causing bacterial over growth and thrush from mouth to arse. I took fluconazole the day after each treatment for seven days and avoided the dreaded sleep shitting and general disaster that was my gastrointestinal tract.

I'm a foodie and the for me the worst part was the altered taste for around seven days. I found gross sugary things were ok but the stuff I wanted like meats and green leafy veg were gross. Just get in your calories.

For me I simply wrote off seven days every three weeks. I just slept, watch really bad tv and walked once a day if I could with the dogs. Fatigue and dizziness were my friends. So too was low blood pressure as the treatment progressed. Remember this is controlled poisoning. By God it works (100%) destruction of my tumour mass but it is designed to kill each part of the cell cycle. As a result I was dry and crispie, lost all my hair, nails and mucosa.

I lived on dream cream from Lush. My hands needed moisturiser every hour or so as I wasn't producing oil from my skin. My face was lathered every morning noon and night due to my dry state. Like I said your mileage may vary. I got the works! If you need someone to chat to about this you can add me on Facebook and I can private message you.

Kirstin Mackay. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Kirmy]

Hi Kirsten

Sounds like you went through it!

Did you know you can private Message on here? Using the two speech bubbles at the top of the page.

Hope you're making a good recovery now?

Mrs N x

[Vic1970]

Hi Anita,I had 8x fec-T.The first lot was all about stomach cramps and sickness and constipation, so ask for anti sickness tablets from your doctor,take senokot or ask doctor for movicol powders.Drink 3 pints of water at least and keep eating plain and simple food ,you'll soon find food that you can eat and others that you can't.Also don't take your steroids too late in the day if you want to sleep at night. Above all tell your nurses if you have any problems they may be able to give you something that helps.Ask people to help you when you don't feel well and stay positive,it is only temporary.Good luck with your chemotherapy, my fairly large lump went after the 2nd round of fec-T so it does its job really well ,just deal with the side effects best you can.Post any problems on here you will get loads of support and advice from the ladies on here.Good luck and hugs.Vicky.

[Chrissie2]

As mentioned it affects everyone so differently. Just try and take things as they come. No point worrying about it before it happens as it might not for you. I guess you are bound to get some side effects. Any problems you have, just mention to your breast care nurse or oncologist and they may be able to give you something to help.

I tried not to go near crowds of people and, if anyone came to visit, I had hand gel ready for them to use. Also I gave them a hug rather than kisses to try and avoid infection. Make sure people do not visit who have a cold or sickness etc.

My main problem was having neutropenia (lack of infection-busting white cells) after my 4th treatment. This is a stronger dose and knocked out my white cells so was hospitalised for a week. Something I couldn't have done anything about

You may feel a bit rubbish some of the time but try and take advantage of the times when you feel better - this is usually about a week before the next treatment. Just take notice of what your body is telling you. You will get through this and think of the benefits of it all at the end of the treatment

Big hugs coming your way xx

[carolinenailsea]

Hi Anita

I hope the chemo went ok this week. I had my first chemo FEC on 14 Feb. For me the fear was much worse than the reality. Having the chemo itself was no problem at all. For a couple of days after for some reason I experienced a crushing sensation in my chest. It was bearable though. I did feel sick quite a bit but haven't actually been sick at all. A minor headache but that has been it.

A week in I am resting quite a bit - actually feel asleep on Monday at 5pm for an hour.

The tablets they give you to counteract the side effects really seem to work - I took steroids for 3 days, omezaprole and metoclopromide for 4 days but nothing since. I have had 7 days of zarzio injections ( I hate injections but by day 4 got quite expert) which should minimise the impact on my blood cells.

So all in all my experience has been nothing like the fear. I expect it will get tougher each cycle but at least I am not dreading the next session.

I hope your experience too proves much less horrible than the fear. Good luck. Be kind to yourself. Caroline XXX

[jackie_gooch]

I had FEC-T As said symptoms vary and you just need to take each day. I found small walks meditation warm baths and very gentle exercise helped. Also sleep when needed. Aprepitant is an excellent anti sickness. Keep your fluids up. Avoid alcohol. Wishing you well x

[ChrisChambers]

Hi, everybody is different so can only tell you how I was. The FEC made me feel sick. But I was only actually sick on the 1st night. After that generally just felt queasy for 3 days. So just make sure you drink plenty. I wouldn't worry about eating if you don't feel like it. Everything can taste odd as well. Ginger biscuits helped. It does pass. The T didn't make me sick but achy, sort of when you have the flu. So take painkillers before. Again it passes. I made the mistake of not drinking enough water on T and got dehydrated so the toxins built up and I was admitted for 1 night. I was also constipated. Once I got tabs for that I was absolutely fine. So if I can give you any tips drink gallons , don't get constipated, take your anti sickness before and if they don't work ask for others. You will come out the other side. Take care and good luck. 😘

[Hidden in reply to ChrisChambers]

Hi Chris

How are you keeping? Hope you are doing well?

Angela x

[ChrisChambers in reply to Hidden]

Hi Angela,

Am fine, I think ! Just want to get April's mammogram over with. Feel in abit of limbo at the moment. Results 10/5. How are you doing ? Chris x

[Hidden in reply to ChrisChambers]

Hi Chris

Yes waiting for the next results can play on your mind. I'm struggling with my knees, the Taxol left its mark but it could be worse. Off on our 40th Wedding Anniversary Cruise soon, so lots to look forward to 🚢

Keep Well & let me know how you get on with your next results

Best Wishes

Angela x

[ChrisChambers in reply to Hidden]

Have a lovely time Angela, I will let you know. Aren't your results around the same time. Hope everything goes okay for you too x

[Hidden in reply to ChrisChambers]

Thanks, my next Mammogram will be due in June x

[ChrisChambers in reply to Hidden]

Fingers crossed then for us both. Nice to hear from you. Keep in touch. Xx