Starting onto docetaxel soon

I had EC-T but the first thing I would say is that everyone reacts differently. Some people sail through both, some find one or the other worse and others find them both awful!

I found EC easier than docetaxel. I found on EC, there was a bad week, an OK week and a good week. I was usually back to a slow jog by day 10. On docetaxel, I couldn't have run, my legs felt like jelly and I was breathless just walking.

 Chemo is cumulative as well, so you do tend to feel more and more exhausted as you go on.

On EC I felt more nauseous with a lack of appetite and I felt worse on day 1 and got better and better from there. On docetaxel, I felt find for the first couple of days then day 3/4, I was really sore with chills like a very bad 'flu with load of other side effects on top!

You may sail through docetaxel, I know people who have. I was really worried about it, but you get through it. I was pretty out of it for 10 day with my first dose so the oncologist reduced my dose for the final 2 cycles which I found a bit easier.

Thank you that's really helpful, I suppose yes everybody is different on how they react.  I'm just finding the whole chemo experience awful, but I'm taking each session as it comes and just grin and bear it and getting through it xx

Hi just to say I was dreading Docetaxel as oncologist said it was much worse than EC. I can honestly say I didn't find it that bad, EC made me feel really nauseas and I was constantly taking anti sickness meds. I didn't feel sick at all with Docetaxel but didn't have much appetite. I agree I did feel like I had flu like symptoms at times but paracetamol helped. Main issue for me was repeated thrush, I had antibiotics and mouth wash prescribed after first cycle. Good luck hope it goes ok. Xx

I didn’t feel great on docetaxel but now, on reflection, I would say to  anyone starting to have it to remember it is killing the cancer and thus it is your friend.  
I’m sure many of us have the feeling that if we don’t experience many side effects then the chemo isn’t working.  I’m sure this isn’t true and remember although the chemo weeks looms ahead, it’s over remarkably  quickly and it’s not the enemy.  I found my hair started growing back straight away! 
For me, the chills were a surprise - any change of temperature made me feel unwell. Stick with it and it will be over sooner than you think! 

Hi loke you I have read things about Docetaxel that worried me mainly the red rash, neuropathy,  and joint pain....so at my first oncology review yesterday.... I bought up my concerns as I  suffer already from really sensitive  skin and arthritis....and  she was very open to me changing to paxitoxel which is basically the same but you have it weekly so it's gentler. I'm on 4 x EC first, 2nd one later today...I  would say if you are worried then see if any  alternative x

Thank you for advice really helpful, Hope your session goes ok today, good luck x

Thank you for the feedback really helpful, and suppose yes it is killing cancer just got to grin and bear it x

Yes I was really bad on FEC, really nauseous and no appetite for first 3 days and just that general groggy, no energy very fatigued. Thank you for feedback much appreciated and really helpful.