Docetaxel & carboplatin

I had EC-T, and the T was docetaxel. I was really nervous before my first one and even worse when they changed to docetaxel half way through!

I did find docetaxel pretty harsh, but some people sail through it. I would recommend keeping a diary of symptoms as it is so useful to look back on in subsequent cycles.

Everyone experiences different side effects but I can tell you my experience. For me, the docetaxel didn't really kick in until day 3, when it felt like a bad 'flu with aches and pains and chills. Paracetamol surprisingly worked to keep the worst at bay. I found my taste really went though my appetite was better than on EC (EC made me nauseous). I had mild skin issues - my knuckles went really red and eventually peeled. The soles of me feet peeled. I kept my nails (not everyone does) but they grew in with funny lines and bumps. They have only just about grown out now, 5 months later. My toe nails are still odd looking and barely growing. 

I started growing my hair back on docetaxel, but very fuzzy and very slowly.

I was much more wiped out on docetaxel - so much so that they reduced my dose for the final 2 cycles. My muscles felt very weak - as someone else on here put it, like jelly, and that lingered for maybe 6 weeks after I stopped. I was also more breathless when I did anything than on EC, but my bloods were really low by then after so many cycles so it was more likely that. I also had bad constipation the first few days.

I found docetaxel tough, but once my dosage was reduced, it was completely manageable. I still worked throughout chemo and other than that first dose of docetaxel I was back to work on Day 7 (Day 6 on EC). 

Oncology really want to help you through it and will give you things for your side effects. Take all the anti-sickness meds as prescribed. 

Have a supply of painkillers, laxatives, cream like E45 or dermol 500 (I had nose sores so found cream helped), a plain, non-perfumed soap as your skin might be sensitive, immodium in case you go the other way.

You'll get through it, it is not pleasant but it is manageable and you will get to know how to manage it best as you go through your cycles. You may also find it absolutely fine, as many do.

I cut my hair off and donated it ahead of chemo then shaved it so for me, the hair loss was the least bothersome side effect and it is now growing back in buckets.

Hi, yes these are part of my treatment along with protein receptors.  I'm in cycle 5 of 6, been having this 3 Weekly since March.

i have found it all to be really quite manageable to be honest, nowhere near as bad as I feared.  Sickness and heartburn were a challenge the first time, but I got some meds to get that under control.   Check out my blog, link below, which might help.  Best of luck x

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/one-life-live-it/posts/chemo-side-effects---hints-tips

I am soon to get my third cycle of Taol and carboplatin. My first round I lost my taste the second day but I drank some lemon water and it came back. My second round I had constipation so I bought a bag of prunes and a bottle of prune juice and that eased my bowels. I find that on 3 day I get  numbing pains in my feet so I have been taking panadol. And the bottom of my feet are sore. I took some time off work been home two months but I am going back out in august. Only thing is the needle would not go into my port. Lol so still had to end up using my hands. I am in Barbados and it’s a bit rough because I do not have health insurance so the treatment is expensive but I have a great surgeon and great oncologist.