Finishing EC, Starting PAC advise please

Kimbo56

Hi Kimbo

I would have replied sooner but technical challenges abound (mainly user error I suspect based on historical evidence).

Anyway for starters, and its probably not what you want to hear as I do know its good to have some certainty and manage expectations (something I am always telling the boyfriend to do!) but chemo doesn't work like that unfortunately, yes you may have the same side effects as others but chemo may not produce the same reaction in you as it does in others regarding side effects.  You'll only know how you react when you do so.

Anyway, that said, I was generally fine on EC (you can read my bio for my details) and particularly was lucky to have no sickness, nausea and could eat normally, I did have some hospital visits but was able to take these in my stride. "They" say that people are much better on one (i.e. EC or one of the taxols) than the other, EC for me was the better.  Most people do however react better to the taxols and find them much easier going than the EC.

I do hope you fall into the majority and have a relatively good time on paclitaxel.

Sam

Thanks for reply and advise

keep safe xx

Kimbo......hello.......

Yorkshire is so right when she says how different we all are. I hope , as she says, you slip into the ... not very affected group.....of which there are many.

But......you asked for advice ...and as someone who was not in that group.....I do have some. I had Taxotere but all the tax drugs are basically the same thing. They can affect you with bone ache and foot burning sensations which cause skin to peel. I described it like standing in a bowl of boiling water you can't get out of and the skin eventually came off in large sheets.It is important if you feel these symptoms , however slight,you tell someone.....the bc nurse, your GP or your onco. It doesn't matter if once someone has checked you are told it's not too important,because there is just the possibility it could be more serious and the drugs need adjusting. I made that mistake which I is why I would always advise anyone if you think your symptoms are not quite right.....act. Don't  wait because you think the symptoms are only what everyone suffers and you'll get through it. You probably won't.  I certainly didn't.  By the time I told the onco about my problem just before the third dose....it was too late. I had to have my treatment cancelled because my feet were already damaged. Last year ......nearly four years on....the neurologist showed me the results of tests where nerves had been permanently damaged. There were reasons why I didn't act........but I don't want others to make my mistake. 

I hope this isn't frightening. Most people never even get warm feet.....when I went on to have radiotherapy, limping into the waiting room, none of the others in the waiting area had experienced it......I am telling you now just to be aware. 

I hope all goes well for you. You are half way now. Just stay safe in these difficult times. 

Love Karen