Hi Rach welcome to this very supportive group . 
I am 57 and was diagnosed with IDC grade 3 in September. I am just coming up to my 4 th cycle of FEC and have to say I am tolerating it ok up to now. I have steroids on the day and again the next day. I am usually ok the first two days after it but then on the 3 rd day I usually become very tired, a bit shaky and a bit brain dead. These pass in about 7 days but I can still function, I just go to bed when I need to. 
Other side effects I have had have been constipated, tingling hands and a bit of a sore mouth but nothing that can't be managed.

My consultant told me to make up a bottle of salt, baking soda and water and rinse my mouth as many times as I can, I do this day and if I get up in the night and it has worked so far.

The constipation I just take Laxido I got off the GP, I start it the day before my chemo.

Another good bit of advice I got off here was to start drinking lots of water the day before chemo, during chemo and for the following days, this helps loads. 
I also drink milk to help my bones, but I love milk anyway.

I hope these tips I've taken from others helps you if needed.

Take care, I hope all goes well for you.

Love Andrea x

Thanks Andrea, 

That's really helpful to know what might happen, I like to be prepared! I'm drinking loads of water now, I find I'm getting a lot of headaches. But I'm just taking paracetamol and it does go eventually. I will just go to bed, like you, if I feel rough. It sounds like you're doing well and up to cycle 4, hopefully I'll fare as well as you! 

Thanks again, I appreciate all advice and information 

Rach x

Hi Rach, everybody is different in what they experience but I have found as you go through the cycles you tend to get a pattern so can maybe  predict how you might be to an extent. 
Just make sure you always take your temperature before you take paracetamol as there are clear guidelines about low and high temperatures and paracetamol can mask one if the most serious side effects such as sepsis which need immediate attention.

Also I always wear my mask when in shops or in small crowds which I do try to avoid, also anybody visiting I ask to do a covid test before they come. My daughters also do the grandchildren, I have 7 of them, it just gives you that little bit more protection. 
 

Take care lovely xx

Love Andrea xx

Thanks Andrea, I am monitoring my temperature but will definitely do it before taking the paracetamol.  I've just realised it's probably because I haven't been drinking coffee,  it's probably caffeine withdrawal.... So I've just had a little half full caf/decaf coffee and that seems to have helped. I will try to either wean myself off or just have a little maybe.

I will meet up with folk but be careful like you. I have lots of health care and radiographer friends so they should be able to test themselves. 

Yes I'm hoping to learn my pattern of good/bad days from my first session and see how it goes from there.

Thanks

Rach x

That's good, you take care and if there is anything I can do please just message xxx

Thanks Andrea, I will definitely be on this forum, I like information !!

Rach x

Hi,

Im also having FEC-T, are you having the injections to help with your blood count,? these give me a dull headache all week maybe that's why you have a headache. I see you have had lots of reply's that's good, I have just changed to Docetaxil.

As the girls have Said drink lots and flush it out, I had awful Nausea with FEC so made sure I had plenty of sickness tablets. I also struggle with Heartburn so have Gaviscon. 

Side Effects only generally last a week then you will get stronger before your next treatment.

I use an antibacterial mouth was ( can't think of the name) that the Doc gave me, I tend too use this for only the week after chemo..

I hope your journey goes well. 

Love Sarah x

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for replying, yes I'm having the injections so that would also explain the headaches... That's good to know, thank you! I'm drinking loads of water and peeing loads of course, but that can only be good really. 

It's interesting to hear side effects are only a week for you, or thereabouts,  but it gives me an idea of how I might feel. Of course we're all different  I'm currently within my 4 day steroid 'good day' block when I feel quite normal. But I realise that can't last, ah well!

Thanks for letting me know how you're doing, it's good to hear about other folks on the same treatment as me. Hope your journey continues OK and mine is just as manageable. 

Thanks

Rach x