Side Effects of chemo Paclitaxel+Carboplatin

Hello.I had 4xEC too and had no side effects then they wanted to put me on the trial to add to Paclitaxel a Carboplatin but I refused so I just had 3x Paclitaxel.

For me Paclitaxel was like a hell, had awful joint pains especially in my knees and I was only 39 at the time of diagnosis.I was meant to have 4x Paclitaxel but i refused the last one because of the pain and because my 4.1 cm tumor shrink almost to nothing.I had to take strong painkillers for the joint pain.The good news was also that my hair started to grow back with Paclitaxel.

Anyway you dont have to have the same SE as me but if you have any issues just call the BC nurse or the 24hr line.

I wish you all the best.You are almost there.

Denisa

I had 4x EC and for me it was hell. I then had 12 x weekly paclitaxel, (plus herceptin and perjeta). I was fine on paclitaxel. After EC it was so much better.  I was very tiered and slept a lot, but nothing compared to EC.  

Everyone is different.  It might be fine for you. 

Wishing you all the very best of luck with it. It will end and you will get through. 

Ps because of side effects I had both my EC and my paclitaxel reduced to 80% dose, but I still had a complete pathological response.  It does work so it is worth the pain. Cancer stole over a year from my life but hopefully it is gone for ever now. xx

Thank you Denisa. I need to wait and see. Because of my age 37 doc said carboplatin would be good to be added. Let's see.

Thank you Sandy. Good to hear that.

Hi I had the same diagnosis but in March.

I am having the  same treatment but the other way around. I've done 2 cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin. I've been probably 80% fine so far. Obviously there are side effects but nowhere near as bad as I'd dreaded. The week you get the two drugs together has been tougher for me, two days of fatigue rather than one. I've had no nausea although have taken all the medication they have offered me.

To battle constipation I have senna at night and lactulose twice a day.

I've shaved my head but suspect you're in the same position if you've done ec.

Like you I'm nervous about changing medication because the majority seem to find ec tough.

Xx

Hi Haysie,

Thank you so much for your reply. We are going by the same timeline I guess. Yes I shaved my head as it was really unmanageable. With EC after 3 days of steroids, I do feel fatigue for another 2days. Hope I take new medicines with not much side effects.

All the best to you!!