hiya had my first fec chemo on Monday. Feel ok apart from feeling very spaced out. Can’t seem to do much due to this. Is this normal. Should it be clearing soon. Week one of my 3 week cycle. Thank you in advance.
I had four rounds of AC which I think shares one drug with FEC. I found the worst side effect was feeling spaced out, like my brain was not its normal size or shape and my eyes were not quite connected to my brain in the usual way! I didn't feel like I should drive and I found it difficult to go to work or even walk any distance when I felt like this. The feeling started while the drugs were going in and lasted for about 6 or 7 days each cycle. By the second week I felt much more like myself again and was able to go to work and do some social activities.
I'm glad you posted because I was quite worried about this feeling after my first chemotherapy as it's not one of the commonly listed side effects, but my body seemed to react the same way each time and by cycle 4 I knew when I would start to feel better and could plan my life a bit more easily.
Don't know if it's normal, but you're not alone. Hope you feel better soon.
Hi Laura Thank you so much for your reply. The way you have explained it is exactly how I feel. Yesterday was day 7 and at last I am beginning to feel a bit more normal again. I too could not focus or concentrate on anything and there was no way I could drive at all. Hopefully I may start driving this week again. Am so glad that someone else has gone through the same and I am less worried about round 2 now. Thank you so much. Hope you are doing well x
I'm glad you're feeling better. Happily I'm now out the other side of my treatment and getting back to life as normal. I didn't find it particularly helpful when people told me I would get through the treatment (though they were right of course!) because it felt like such a long journey ahead, so I won't say that to you. I did find that you can still have a life while on chemotherapy, though, it just means celebrating small achievements and finding joy in little things that you might normally take for granted. It's definitely a rollercoaster, but there are some better times alongside the nasty ones.
I’m too on chemo for breast cancer and have got exactly the same feeling of being spaced out. I cannot concentrate on watching TV or read a book. I feel as though my brain isn’t working at all. I’m extremely scared that I will stay like this? I’m usually quite an intelligent person but now I keep forgetting everything and my comprehension is non existent? I’m upset that nobody has told me that this could be a side effect. It effects me so bad that I’m seriously considering stopping treatment. I’m not able to drive and feel like I’m losing my independence.
Did everything go back to normal for you? I’m so scared I will stay like this. Thanks for any inside.
I have just had my 3rd cycle of treatment, it's a different treatment regime but I also experience brain fog after. It normally starts 2 days after and lasts a couple of days.
I usually find that if I am having trouble concentrating going out for a short walk and getting some fresh air really helps. Also snacking regularly throughout the day helps keep my energy levels up which helps me concentrate.
During this time i usually try to do jobs that don't take too much concentration and after 2-3 days I am usually completely back to normal.
Thanks for your reply Georgina. I’m just so worried cause I’m on my 10th day after my first cycle and I still don’t feel much better. I’m extremely worried that something has been permanently damaged in my brain. And I feel so lost as no one can give me any definitive answers. I’m out of my mind with worry. Even walks and small tasks don’t help me?
Have you spoken to your consultant or CNS about this yet? If not then it may be worth checking in with them and letting them know your concerns. They should be able to let you know if this is expected with the chemotherapy you are having. They may also be able to run some tests to look for other causes such as anaemia, dehydration, UTI etc.
If you have already contacted them then maybe get in touch again to let you know that it hasn't resolved yet. There is alot that can be done to help with side effects of the chemotherapy and there are also different treatment options avaliable so definitely keep letting them know if it continues to be a problem for you.
