Starting FEC-D... Please share your experiences!

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mommy13
mommy13 Member Posts: 127
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi I am starting chemo this month. I am told I will given FEC-D treatment (fluorouracil,epirubicin & cyclophosphamide) for the 1st 3 cycles then Docetaxel the other 3. 

I am Her2+ so I will be doing Herceptin for 1 year as well. 25 rounds of radiation after chemo. 

I'm getting my port on the 21st

Anyone experience this regiment? What should I expect? any tips or advice?

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  • fighter13
    fighter13 Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2014

    Hey mommy13, I have just finished my six cycles of FEC-D and I managed quite well I didn't even have to take any of the anti-nausia meds that they give you for the FEC the day of the infusion and the next day I felt a little queasy and had simple small meals like soup and toast and that helped. Drink plenty of water before you know it you will be half way and on to the Doceltaxel which I found a bit worse mainly because it gave me some bone and muscle pain around day 3-9 (after you come off the steroids) but again this is manageable with anti-inflammatories & paracetamol. I managed to do a 2km walk everyday during my treatment and I found this helped. I also had a port and it is so worth it! I also did the cold cap with this regime and managed to keep about 40% of my hair! Good luck with your treatment! 

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  • mommy13
    mommy13 Member Posts: 127
    edited January 2014

    I'm glad to hear you felt not too bad during treatment. I really hope I am as lucky as you. I am being put in a study for nausea so they will be trying to manage that through their study I guess! But the better I feel the easier this will be! 

    Good for you for walking 2km a day!! I will think of you if I'm having a lazy day ;)

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  • Rakovina
    Rakovina Member Posts: 132
    edited January 2014

    Hi Mommy13

    I had FEC-D, and found it very doable.  I would get a bit more tired about days 4-7, but apart from that I was fine.  I did take all my nausea meds, easier to keep it from starting rather than try and get rid of it.  Bananas are great if you do feel queasy. 

    I just remembered, I did lose all my toenails from the Docetaxol.  It wasnt painful, they just fell off.  I was told that if I had painted them a dark colour (to exclude light) they should have been fine.  I know a few other women who had the same chemo and they didnt lose any nails, so perhaps it was just me.

    Drink lots so you stay hydrated, especially in the first 24-72 hours after treatment.  You will pee pink/red for a few hours after the FEC infusion, thats normal.  The port is the best thing you can do, I regret not having one, as do my veins.

    Good luck 

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  • Oncearunneralwaysarunner
    Oncearunneralwaysarunner Member Posts: 252
    edited January 2014

    here is my experience with FEC-D: overall I found the FEC much harder than the D. I was nauseous and slept for about a week with FEC but only had to deal with bone and muscle aches with the D. I also react strongly to medication that causes sleepyness and nausea so I'm sure that is just part of what is normal for me, not everyone is as fatigued as I am. The only SE from Herceptin that I have is a runny nose.

    I would give the following advice based on my experience:

    1. You might be sore after your port placement, it will go away in a couple of weeks. My neck and back were really stiff for a few days, then the soreness was just at the port site.

    2. Emla cream is my friend! You can get it over the counter in Canada and it numbs the skin, put it on before going for a treatment and you won't feel the needle going in.

    3. If you have your blood work done at a lab and not through your port, make sure to keep well hydrated and your arm and hand warm. It makes it easier to find a vein, my veins disappeared during chemo.

    4. Take the anti-nausea meds and let your MO know if they don't work, I had to have mine constantly adjusted.

    5. Take pain meds as prescribed when on the D. I was alternating between Advil and Tylenol every four hours and it worked great. I learned my lesson when I skipped a dose :)

    6. Ask if they have hand and feet ice packs when on the D. I used them and it saved my nails. They are slightly more brittle than before but they look normal. 

    7. If you have not had your flu shot yet, double check if you can get it before you start chemo. Having to deal with seasonal sickness while on chemo sucks. 

    Hope you have little side effects with chemo.

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  • mommy13
    mommy13 Member Posts: 127
    edited January 2014

    Thank you for all the great advice! I know it affects everyone differently but it's good to know some of the more common affects.  The nurse implied that the FEC part of it would be a little more difficult.

    Where do you apply the numbing cream before treatments?

    I'm trying to put together a shopping list for chemo supplies so I will add that to the list. 

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  • Oncearunneralwaysarunner
    Oncearunneralwaysarunner Member Posts: 252
    edited January 2014

    I put a dab of the Emla cream right over the bump of the port, rub it in a little, then put a piece of plastic wrap over it. The plastic makes it numb better. I make sure to put it on about an hour before my appointment time so it has time to work before they hook me up to the IV. 

    If I forget to put it on before, I'll ask for some ice once I get to the chemo centre and numb the skin over the port that way. I'm a wimp with needles :)

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