Fluid retention and Hot Flushes on Pertuzumab, trastuzumab and docetaxel

Hi CatnDog,

Im finished my Docetaxel (with P&T) but yes, I totally feel your pain . I found the hot flushes really difficult. I did have a chillax cool pillow that I kept beside my pillow and I could grab it when I felt a flush coming on - it really helped. The taste thing is hard too.

I hope it reassures you to know that all those things are totally normal on Docetaxel and I hope you get through it ok. Sending a hug.

Ruby xx

I had EC-T so just the docetaxel but it really hit me like a train, so much so that they reduced my dosage for the remaining cycles. I started zoladex injections during EC but the docetaxel made the hot flushes much worse and they were accompanied with anxiety For several days after each cycle, I had hot flushes every 20 mins 24/7. In between I would have extreme chills so it was not a fun time!

I had fluid retention from my 2nd docetaxel cycle. For me, this lasted for many months post-chemo and I'd say my feet are only just starting to look like my own again 7 months post-chemo. When I went for my final oncology appointment 4 months post-chemo and mentioned the continuing fluid retention, they said it was early days.

It does get better though! My hot flushes/night sweats are manageable now - i am in a medical menopause with the zoladex plus on exemestane and I probably get a hot flush every 2-3 hours now and they are not as intense and I don't get the anxiety with them much any more.

I was finally able to take my wedding rings off a couple of months ago as the fluid retention gradually goes down too. If you have rings and can still get them off, I would recommend doing that now before you don't have a choice, I now have a bump on my finger (Dr thinks it's a cyst) and I think it is caused by the rings blocking flow when I had water retention