When can i expect the FEC side effects to kick in?

Hi there,

Keep in mind we all react to treatment differently but when I had my FEC treatments I would start to feel it about 3-4 hours after the infusion. The anti-nausea meds worked wonders for me and that was well controlled. I did sleep for about 7 days. I was basically a total zombie for that time after treatment. As for the hair loss, it took about two weeks for my hair to start falling out and it was gradual. It took about 5 days to all fall out.

Hope that helps and that your side effects are not too bad.

I didn't find that FEC especially made me feel tired but it certainly made me feel sick and the anti sickness meds worked. I lost my taste, in fact everything tasted horrible and I had some weird stomach things going on. I got mouth ulcers, picked up a few infections which needed intravenous antibiotics (although I didn't feel particularly ill) and was a bit tired but nothing unbearable. I found the Taxotere extremely difficult in terms of tiredness and fatigue and zombie mode

Casey - I had FEC four years ago and found that each of the three infusions were slightly different. My first one I was ok except for a bad headache about five hours after the infusion. Days three four and five were my worst - in terms of altered taste and feeling queasy. I never threw up - the anti nausea meds kept that at bay, but did feel queasy from time to time.

Sometimes it was days three and four, sometimes it was days four and five that were my worst. The fatigue started soon after the infusions, and were cumulative - it got worse with each treatment. Taxotere was the worst for fatigue - I felt like I was walking though wet concrete most of the time.

My hair fell out at around day 16 - first had a "weird" feeling in my scalp. Sort of like when you have your hair in a really tight ponytail for too long.

I didn't have constipation - just the opposite lol. But everyone is different.

Sending you ((((hugs))))

Trish