Just finished 4 fortnightly cycles of EC and at times was pretty rough. Glad to get it over with and still have a head of hair ( much thinner) thanks to cold capping ( not pleasant for the majority but battling through)
Next 4 cycles are Pacitaxel and hoping the side effects are not any worse than EC. I know it will be be through a drip rather than the nurse manually doing it though my port and the time spent coldapping will be slightly reduced (hurrah) I also have to take 10 steroids at midnight before chemo day and 6am on the day. At least I can say I’m halfway there
anyone else had similar experience please share.
Good morning Csf, I will be having my 3rd treatment of Paclitaxel today after 4 of EC. Let's put it this way, the only meds I have left the hospital with are the injections. No nausea, no heartburn, chemo brain not as bad.
However, personally I have had an allergic reaction to the two treatments I have had which means that they slow the treatment down and my treatment will take around 8 hours. I have had a cough and been a bit breathless and occasional diarrhoea, but definitely easier than the EC or at least very different.
My hospital doesn't give steroids to take at home but delivers them by drip together with antihistamines prior to treatment, then 30 minute wait for the Paclitaxel.
I have given up with the cold cap, just couldn't do 8 hours and have lost around half of my hair, anyway but I have got some regrowth as the Paclitaxel isn't as harsh on your hair.
In short, if you're not allergic to the stuff you should feel a lot more like yourself and the memories of the EC side effects quickly fade.
Congratulations on reaching half way, I found it an important milestone, currently at 3/4 soon to be 7/8, doesn't quite have the same ring to it!
Good luck and hugs, I hope it goes well for you and it will be finished before we know it!
Morning csf
I hope you are well. I had 12 weekly Taxol and 3 weekly Pembro to start with. Then went onto 3 weekly EC/Pembro of which I've had 3 and 1 more to go. I found Taxol easier than EC as I didn't suffer with nausea but I've been given extra anti sickness which has helped. Having ultrasound and mammogram tomorrow so fingers x it has shrunk a bit more since my last scan in Feb. Then it will be lumpectomy followed possibly by radiotherapy and then 6 weekly Pembro treatments x 5. It's a long slog but looking back time has flown by. Wishing you well on your treatment xx
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