FEC-T?

33rabk

I was just wondering if anyone has gone through FEC-T treatment and how you felt?  I am starting in a week and I understand this is one of the best chemo treatments for breast cancer?

Thanks

Angie

atw

If you mean 3 rounds of FEC (at 21 day intervals) followed by 12 weekly rounds of Taxol, that is the regimen I am on.  I have my second round of FEC tomorrow, and I won't start the Taxol until the first part of Sept.

I did not have any problems while they were doing the chemo.  By the time I got home, I was quite tired, but did not start having problems with nausea until that evening.  I did have aloxi before they started.  I did have the best results controlling the nausea and delayed nausea with Kytril, and I took it for 4 days after the chemo.  Then I had a major problem with acid reflux, but am controlling with one dose of protonix each day.  I expect to keep that going for a while.  The good news is that both kytril and protonix are now out in generic form, so my cost was $10 and not $589 for the kytril!!!

I would recommend to you that you get stocked up on senekot (especially if you already have hemhorroid issues) because all that anti-nausea medicine can cause you problems.  Also be sure to drink large quantities of water the first 7 days--the E in FEC is hard on your kidneys and bladder, so you will want to flush out as much as possible.  I alternated flavored water (I like dasani because it is not carbonated or sugared) with plain water and weak tea.

I am really into tooth care, because I did not want those mouth sores.  I used an antibacterial, non-alcoholic mouthwash twice a day.  My sister is a dental hygienist, and she recommended CloSYS which you can get at Target or Walmart.  They have a toothpaste also.  Or you can ask your dentist for something.

I had a big drop in white blood cells after about 9 days.  I am sure they will have you in to check your levels after a week.  I took neupogen injections for 4 days in a row (use your leg or tummy, it hurts less!  It didn't hurt much anyway, but I am all for avoiding pain!) and my white counts rebounded well.  I had bone pain the second night and after (when the marrow really started to increase my cells) , but it was not terrible and I could control with acetamenaphen.  I was extremely careful during that time with avoiding raw or undercooked foods, wearing latex gloves, using clorox wipes, and staying at home.

I lost my hair at 13-14 days.  I had it buzzed after 3 days, and it is much nicer!  Breezy but weird.  However, I will say that the morning routine is much shorter!   I recommend a Harley do-rag.  Very comfortable and hides more than some caps.  Although I have already gone around with just a wide headband on!  It wasn't so bad.

This last week before round 2, I felt very well.  In fact, my husband took me to see Mama Mia and it was great. So I start again tomorrow.  I think I will rebound less and less well with each subsequent round, but at this time I think I can handle it.  I will say that I am a teacher and off this summer.  Doubtless my situation is much better than many folks.  I wish you luck!

atw

KKing

I have just finished round3 of FEC and then I will receive 3 rounds of T...taxotere.    This is day 4 after #3 and I am feeling fairly normal.   For me,  the first night after treatment I am throwing up.. the side effect meds do work for most but I think my stomach is sensitive.  Otherwise by the 5th day I feel back to normal and stay that way until the next one.    Yes, I agree with atw, you have to look after your mouth.. so you don't get mouth sores.  I did a lot of rinsing with either baking soda or salt whenever my mouth didn't feel right and I brushed my teeth quite a lot during the day.

Honestly, It is doable, you just have to look after yourself during the treatment times.   Also, hydrating your body is so important.   I try to drink a lot prior to treatment and then I drink a variety of things... anything that tastes okay just to keep up the fluids once I have the treatment.

Hope that helps.

Good luck with your treatment.  Karen

snowyday

I also had the FEC then T treatment.  The FEC was easier for me than the taxols but not everyone is the same.  For nausea prevention, I took my puke pills starting the day before and four days after treatment, I just didn't want it to start at all.  Drink lots of water and rest as often as you can.  With the FEC you'll have what they nickname the Red Devil, the only thing that I noticed with this right away was to wear a minipad so your underwear don't get stained.  They also gave me a drip, it was yellow and the nurse asked me to let her know if I started getting a stuffy nose or headache, the first time I just ignored it because I just wanted to get the heck out of there, but ended up with quite a headache so next time asked her to slow the drip for me, no bad headache!  It's hard to believe but I have to go back and look at my old posts, I forgot alot. Oh make sure you take stool softeners as the steroids really constipated me and it was awful.  Watch your temperature, one onc explained that the 4th to 7th day after treatment can be the worst for temp issues and if it hits 100 get in to the hospital.  I also ignored this advice and he explained (one my very last treatment) that this is the time that your body is working the hardest and infections can happen the easiest.  rockthebald has some great chemo tips she compiled look her name up and take a look at the thread it's great and they are going through chemo right now so you'll get so much info and many chuckles there.  Good luck Karen