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Becky · 02-12-2011, 03:14 PM

I had AC (Adriamycin + Cytoxan) followed by Taxol. The AC is very much like the EC portion of your chemo. Adriamycin and (E) epirubicin are in the same family of drugs (just like Taxol and Taxotere are in the same family of drugs but a different family than A and E).

The A and E family of drugs cause a lot of dryness (skin and eyes). I had issues with my eyes while on the AC portion of my chemo and my skin was dry and I had to moisturize (I normally have very oily skin). During the AC portion of chemo, I could not read well as my eyes got tired. I could watch TV or do crossword puzzels but reading was very, very trying due to eye dryness. This improved over time (6-12 months).

I was also your age when I got cancer (6+ yrs out now) and my periods stopped at the end of the AC portion. My period returned less than 6 months after my last chemo. My last chemo was Feb 1 of that particular year and I got my period in July sometime. Because I was also ER+ and wanted to take Arimidex instead of Tamoxifen, I had my ovaries removed so (duh) my periods did stop then.

Are you also getting Herceptin?

02-12-2011, 03:14 PM	#2
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Re: Finished chemo, have a few questions I had AC (Adriamycin + Cytoxan) followed by Taxol. The AC is very much like the EC portion of your chemo. Adriamycin and (E) epirubicin are in the same family of drugs (just like Taxol and Taxotere are in the same family of drugs but a different family than A and E). The A and E family of drugs cause a lot of dryness (skin and eyes). I had issues with my eyes while on the AC portion of my chemo and my skin was dry and I had to moisturize (I normally have very oily skin). During the AC portion of chemo, I could not read well as my eyes got tired. I could watch TV or do crossword puzzels but reading was very, very trying due to eye dryness. This improved over time (6-12 months). I was also your age when I got cancer (6+ yrs out now) and my periods stopped at the end of the AC portion. My period returned less than 6 months after my last chemo. My last chemo was Feb 1 of that particular year and I got my period in July sometime. Because I was also ER+ and wanted to take Arimidex instead of Tamoxifen, I had my ovaries removed so (duh) my periods did stop then. Are you also getting Herceptin? __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"