For anyone waiting to start on docetaxel chemotherapy, here is a "Head's up on what to be ready for. Don't wait until after you've had your chemo, but have in the cubboard at home, prescription meds to stop diarrohea. Prescription mouth wash to numb the pain of the soreness you are likely to get in the mouth and gullet and plenty of Ibruprofen and paracetamol. This is really a fierce drug that affects all of the body in the most unpleasant way and I would advise you that this chemo will make you feel exhausted for very much of the time. Eating is likely to be an uncomfortable experience of heartburn and nausea and pain, so it's best to be stocked up with anti sickness and Rennie's to chew on. With the diarrohea it's a good idea to use a barrier cream after toileting as the skin can become really sore with frequent motions and visits to the toilet.
No one gave me any idea of the intensity of the side effects of this drug and because I always had my chemo mid week, it was usual for side effects to be at their worst at the weekend. And we are all aware that to receive any medical help or intervention at the weekend is extremely difficult. Oncology nurses and Doctors do not work at the weekends and you are left with a skeleton crew to choose from for any relief you may need. My suggestions would be to opt for your chemo to be either at the start of the week or the end of the week. That way, at least there will be someone around to give you medical help when your side effects are at their worst. My personal experience was having to rely on 111 at the weekends, and often their answer would be to send an ambulance crew to check you out, or worst still, get you to go to A&E, which is really not good when your immune system is at it's lowest.
You may be one of the lucky ones who escape most of the side effects, but it's quite likely you will be in the minority of people who it does not effect.
Good Luck !
Hi Babafudge
sorry to know that Docetaxal is hitting you hard! I too am finding it a bit more challenging but I also put this down to the fact that I have had 4 x EC and I am having Docetaxal weekly along with Herceptin & the P one (can never remember the name) every 3 weeks. Fatigue is the worst but my oncologist says this is to be expected as chemo is cumulative and I also suffer in my mouth (using tea tree mouthwash, found a post on here and it really helps, I use after every meal and whenever my mouth starts to tingle Dr Organic from Amazon). I also ha e vowel issues but it’s manageable with Imodium only twice a day for couple of days. I don’t sleep the evening of my Docetaxal for some reason it always affects me this way but I take a few hours and sleep the next day and then I find I can sleep that night too. I take paracetamol to keep the joint pains at bay and I start this the evening after my chemo along with ant acid and 1 anti sickness in the morning, just keeps everything a little less intense. I am very lucky as I still work, though reduced days . My chemo is Thursday and I go back to work on Monday and it’s pretty normal, though I am not so sharp as before chemo but I know this will return once treatment is over, though will take some time.
I also got great advice from my oncologist at the start of my treatment as I have really sensitive skin and was struggling during EC with skin coming off! I swapped all my products to Cetaphil and this is really helping to keep me moisturised and helping with the inflammation around my lower regions 
I also use Vaseline in my feet and hands at night and a little on the inside of my nose.
I am trying to power through, putting on a bit more makeup and aiming to keep as “normal” as I can for me this helps a lot and the fact that I am lucky enough to still be working is huge, I get to see my colleagues and laugh. I work in a small, wonderful business with a team that are all vaccinated and I have my own office and we have space, I am very lucky and blessed!! I am tired when I get home so it’s a dogwalk and then early to bed and sleep 
. I also drink around 3 litres of water a day as dehydration is the worst!
I hope that your side effects improve and reduce, hoping that you are in the home straight and that your chemo will be over soon. I have 9 more weeks to go, count down has begun already, Christmas 13 weeks and Chemo over in 9 weeks.
Stay strong, we are all here for you xx
Hi Xray1 so sorry I habe only just seen this now! yes this disease affects us all so differently. Don’t give yourself a hard time, positive thoughts and kindness is what we all need. I am finding that the fatigue is getting worse and last week on made it to work for 2 days, also when I am in the office I am certainly not operating at 100% but it’s good to be around people 
I thought my hair had stopped falling out but now I am virtually bald and I am all puffed up and bloated, blaming this on the steroids, feel I look like “despicable me” but I’m still smiling only 4 more weeks of chemo to go.
I have found that meditation helps I don’t do it well but I do it as it calms me before bed and also in the morning. I also listen to a visualisation meditation I believe in the power of the mind and I am doing everything I can to remain positive and not let this terrible disease get the better of me, but it’s not easy.
Keep going you are doing it and keep smiling xxx
