Hi  Sallyk  Sorry to hear you are having such a bad time with your chemo.  I think that everyones experience seems to be different and also depends what chemo you are having.  I was never sick and did not need the sickness pills but I did have severe pains in my joints especially in my legs.  This would start about two days after my treatment and last for about four days building in intensity.   The pains were so bad after the first session that the doctor reduced the dose before my second.

I was tired and food tasted metalic, milk, tea and coffee tasted awful for a couple of weeks. I had my treatment every three weeks. 

I kept a diary of how I felt every day so that I could see a pattern emerging I knew to stop any spicy food coffee and alcohol about five days before treatment and for at least a week after until my pains went. When I went to see the doctor the day before my treatment I had this sheet with me of how I had been, really helped as you do forget things. 

They told me to drink plenty of water even during the chemo and especially for several days after (about 2 litres on top of other drinks) I used to make up a drink of 50% cranberry juice and 50% water which seemed to help.

Just to show how different we all are I had a reaction to one of the premeds sent me dizzy so they had to give it me more dilute and slower also I could not cope with the steroids that I had for two days so they had to reduce that dose.

Have a chat with the medical team they should be able to give you advice.

Thanks for your reply.  It's interesting you mentioned pain as I had terrible pain across my back and down my arms after the first session, but not after the second.  I've spoken with my doctor about how I felt but to be honest he's not the best and despite saying he'd prescribe different anti sickness he forgot!  Not great when your life is in their hands!

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well.  The second FEC was the worst for me, I was prescribed the drug E mend for the sickness.  They also gave me extra fluid during the third FEC, which helped. I found that eating small meals evey few hours helped.  I found after the 6th day I felt much better, I know this does not help at this time, but I always clung to this as a way of coping.  I kept saying to myself, it is the third one next, and I am half way through.  I also felt trying to get out into the fresh air for a walk helped.

Thinking of you at this time, and if I can help further please post.

Diane xxx

Thanks Diane, I'm on day 6 today and am hoping tomorrow I might be able to actually get out of bed!  I was awake most of last night with stomach cramp but luckily that's gone now!  I've felt so bad I've been saying to my husband I'm not having anymore.  I know I have to, but as you've suffered too you'll understand when you're having a terrible time it's hard to imagine feeling well.  It's helped to know I'm not on my own and these side effects do happen to other people.

Sally x

I am sure tomorrow you will feel a lot better, make the most of the days you feel fine, and do something nice (I did).Small things like visit friends, and go for meals.

I used to have what is called my chemo bag, which included all meds, thermometre, diary to record how I was feeling for the next session, I bought one of those cooling pads for headaces, I was also told by others to ask the dentist or chemist for a mouth wash in case my mouth got infected.  The one thing I did very carefully was watch my temperature, and during the second FEC it did rise and phoned the nurse who said come in and they gave me intrevenous antibiotics, and I felt better the next day.  On the last chemo, I was so glad it was over that I ignored this, and ended up in hospital for a week!!  I was told to eat pineaple, as this helps with the awful taste, it did not work for me, but maybe for you.

With regard to the sickness, the hospital told me that I need not suffer in silence, and if one lot of anti-sickness does not work there will be others that will.  The drug E mend and the drug Metochropide (i think that's how it is spelt) was the best for me.  

The six sessions did go very fast, and the radiotherapy did not affect me at all.  Sometimes, I say and think actually it was not that bad, but at the time it was unpleasant and worrying.

During my treatment I did not know that this site exists, but now I have found it I feel that I can pass on my experience, and maybe help others.

I am really well now and carrying on with life.  I have had lots of help from family and friends, and also my hospital was great.  There was lots of support from my hospital in Torbay from Look Good Feel sessions to dietry advice, and sessions after treatment which helped me come to terms with the diagnosis.  I hope it is the same in your area.

Please keep in touch if I can help.

Diane xxx

Hi Sally ...........  I just wondered what chemo drugs you are on at the moment.  I have been on several different types over the last 3yrs (for secondary BC) and your symptoms struck a chord with the latest regime I am on xxx