Docetaxel

Hi Wendy, I found Docetaxel different and in some ways easier than my other chemo drug which was EC and it is not known for sickness so hoping you should be ok.  Love Ann

1. Ah, thanks Ann. I really hope the vomiting and nausea is less. I appreciate you replying 

I had a lot of sickness with FEC but not with Taxotere( same drug) so you may not have the nausea. That's positive.

The most important advice I can give you is to keep your BCN or doctor informed about anything that doesn't feel right. Let them decide if it's trivial or important.  If you do have side effects the dose can be changed but if you don't say how you're feeling,you will get the same and side effects can be cumulative. I made that mistake. I just thought my problems were normal and I just had to put up with it. When it was too late for changes , I wrote on this site and some very helpful replies sent me straight back to oncology.

Over the years I have read lots of posts from people who have very little effect from Taxotere. There are plenty of positive stories. My story would be less so until the ending.....it is now nearly six years since my lumpectomy and my cancer has stayed away. However awful the chemo was, it did work. 

I hope all goes well. You have probably read more than you should have about side effects but don't put up with any of them without discussions. 

Take care. Love Karen 

Thank you so much Karen. It is so good to hear the positive stories as I opted into chemo based on my Oncotyoe result so I am hopeful for a positive outcome as well  I will listen to your advice and definitely report all issues straight away 

1. Wendy

I found docetaxel easier than the four AC treatments, and my hair even started to grow back during it. Your body will still be dealing with the cumulative FEC but you're almost on the home stretch now!

I spoke to someone who had been through EC-T when I was just about to start doxetaxel and she had sailed through it, said EC was far worse for her and that she barely had any side effects from docetaxel.

That wasn't my experience but people do react differently and there are definitely people that find it completely fine!

Try not to anticipate it too much, it will be what it will be for you, no matter how much you read up on it beforehand. 

One definite plus is that I don't think you will feel sick on docetaxel. I vomited on EC too and didn't feel sick at all on docetaxel, though my taste was affected. 

Edited to say I don't know why it is showing emojis and I can't remove them, sorry! 

Thank you so much for the reply  reading these does help me to feel calmer. So true. We all experience it so differently. I really hope for less nausea bit either way, it will be okay. Much appreciated

Hi, I managed ok and worked all the way through, maybe a few hours off each cycle. This blog post might also help. Good luck

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

Thank you so much.  Going to look at it now

I had EC then docetaxel. I found the D was better for me. No nausea at all, but I did have diarrhoea with it. There are meds to help with this, which you will be given if you need them. You are about to enter the home stretch now - congratulations on getting this far. If we others ahead of you could do it, so can you. 

It is only for a short while. It is worth it, to kick the butt of the nasty BC.

Wishig you all the best

WallyDug