Anyone familiar with TC regime or CMF? I

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mircann
mircann Member Posts: 45
edited May 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

My onc said I could do( Docetaxel +Cyclophoshamide ) TC   OR ( Cyclophoshamide + Methotrexate + Fluouracil)  CMF--

He said the TC is more toxic and more likely to reduce white blood counts but is only done for 3 months. The other CMF is less toxic but you have to be on for 6 months and will lose hair for sure.

Im going to google both...but was wondering if anyone out there had one of these chemo regimes and what their experience was like? I have a 2 year old son so its gonna be hard to care for him if Im getting sick a lot (he is in day care 2 days a week) but I have no family where I live. I live with my boyfriend...any info helps! thanks..

And how soon does your HAIR fall out? after first session? Any recommendations for wig websites?Singing
Ann

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2015

    There are existing threads for these regimens and posters have relayed lots of experiences - you can read through:

    For CMF.  This is an older regimen, thought to be a bit milder in terms of side effects.  It is longer, but not everyone loses their hair - you are likely to have thinning:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topic/243424?page=260#post_4389630

    For TC, shorter regimen, definite hair loss - usually starting at day 14-16 or so, although mine hung on until day 24:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/800978?page=139#post_4391798


     

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  • mircann
    mircann Member Posts: 45
    edited May 2015


    Thanks for sharing the links I will check them outSmileI noticed you were on Arimedix. I think that is the drug Im supposed to go on after chemo. Did you have any nasty side effects from that?

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2015

    There are three drugs for post-menopausal ER+ patients - Armidex (anastrazole), Femara (letrozole), and Aromasin (exemestane).  Pre-menopausal, and some post-meno with specific reasons, use Tamoxifen because it allows circulating estrogen to remain.  My oncologist favors Femara, so I started on that.  I had the typical side effects, mostly some joint pain, but nothing major.  After about six months I developed a trigger thumb on my dominant hand - annoying, but not serious, so my MO casually changed me to Arimidex.  I was on it for a year - same joint pain, but nothing that exercise didn't improve - again, annoying, but not debilitating.  After a year I had some knee pain/swelling that was severe enough to require a cortisone injection, so I asked to go back on Femara since that is the drug my onc prefers. I figured if I was going to have these problems I would rather have them on the drug he likes.  When I filled the prescription it was a different manufacturer - made a world of difference.  No joint pain, and I have been back on it for almost two years.  Moral of the story - when filling generic AI prescriptions if you have issues, try a different maker - they add fillers and dyes that can cause side effects for some individuals.  Good luck!  There are also threads for all of the hormonal therapy drugs too, but be aware those who take these drugs with no issues don't usually post, so you may read more negatives than positives.

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  • scarlettohred
    scarlettohred Member Posts: 28
    edited May 2015

    I did 4 rounds of TC..no treatment is easy but here are a few of the problems I faced: Major fatigue, weight gain (depressed the hell out of me as I wasn't expecting that), skin issues - darkening in the corners of my mouth - thick layers of skin peeled from my hands for a couple of months, my taste buds didn't work after the 2nd treatment. I never got sick to my stomach which is what I thought would happen. My hair started to come out in the shower on the 15th day after my first treatment. I took Tamoxifen for 5 years and just started Exemestane a week ago. All come with SE's but considering what it could have been, I have learned to live with them and get past it.

    Good Luck with everything :)

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  • mircann
    mircann Member Posts: 45
    edited May 2015


    thanks for the input...I signed up for CMF and it starts next week...ugh...scarey...Scared

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