EC, docetaxel, perjeta and herceptin

Hi Pumpkinpie2002, I had EC & Docetaxel, 3 cycles each, to help shrink my ER+/PR+ tumour prior to operation. I wasn't HER+ so didn't have perjeta or herceptin. Everyone's experience of chemo is slightly different but I can summarise my experience for you. 

When I had the first EC, I didn't notice too much other than a slight wooziness for the first few hours, so I overdid things a bit and ended up vomiting for 24 hours, unable to stop, and had to be hospitalised to get an IV of anti-sickness. It's hard to know what to expect the first time, so be kind to yourself. I got stronger anti-sickness meds for the remainder of chemo and was OK after that.

EC tends to make people nauseous so take the anti-sickness meds as prescribed and don't miss them just because you don't feel sick. It is far easier to prevent sickness than stop it once it has started, as I experienced

I kept a diary of symptoms (I would really recommend this!) and so I got to know that I had a pattern for the chemo. With EC, I was washed out for about 4 days and found it hard to eat or drink as I felt nauseous but I kept up 3 healthy meals a day and forced myself to drink all the time, but not gulping so as not to trigger sickness. I stayed in bed/on the sofa for the first 4 days, but on the 5th I had the energy to do a bit more, going for a short walk and by day 6 I was back at work (I work from home). By day 8 I wasn't really nauseous any more and by day 9/10 I could manage a short jog which I did every day until the next cycle. I never felt normal, always felt very tired out and I had to have a sleep at lunchtime or after work but you definitely have a 'bad week', an 'OK' week and a 'good' week. 

Other side effects were bad constipation the first few days, indigestion, hair falling out after 3 weeks etc. I had donated my hair and shaved my head ahead of chemo so the hair falling out was fine for me. In fact it was the easiest side effect by far as it wasn't painful and I knew it was going to happen!

Docetaxel was much worse for me. Some people find it the other way around. My first dose knocked me for 6 and I could barely get out of bed or off the sofa for 10 days I was absolutely wiped out. I had no nausea but a lot of pain, like a really bad 'flu, and I had terrible chills and because I was put into a medical menopause with zoladex as well, then I would also get intense hot flushes! I could not control my temperature at all. I also found the first couple of days of docetaxel OK, but then it hits you about day 3 and then stays longer.

They reduced my dosage for the final 2 cycles, but I still had to take an extra day before I was back at work (so day 7) and as the effects of chemo are cumulative, I didn't ever really feel that great for the final 3 cycles and was super tired out. Docetaxel also made my muscles feel like they weren't working so even short walks were hard work. I could not jog. My bloods were also pretty battered by the end, so I was very breathless going for a short walk.

Chemo is not a pleasant experience, but you do get through it and if you are having chemo before your operation then you get to see it shrinking too! That is a big boost.

My operation was 4 weeks after chemo and I still felt really worn out at that stage, But I would say a couple of weeks later, I started to feel OK again and could have gone for a run if I hadn't had the wounds from from op. I finished chemo in January and I am still tired out but haven't needed to sleep during the day for a couple of months and I am back to doing the things I love (I am pretty active). I don't' have my pre-chemo energy levels, but they reckon it takes a good year or so to fully recover.

Good luck, you can do this!

Hi Pumpkinpie,

The thought of chemo can be very daunting. Everyone is different and has different SE although there appear to be some similarities.

I was to have 3 EC then 3 D with P+H but changed to 2 EC as my tumour wasn’t shrinking enough. Click on my name to read my profile.

EC wasn’t too bad for me. My main SEs were constipation, tiredness, dry skin and excessive thirst. No nausea. I had some mouth ulcers too (a soft toothbrush and mild toothpaste help). I would ensure you have meds, creams etc to treat any/all possible SEs and use them straight away. Contact your BCN or chemo team if you have any severe SE.

I’ve just had my 5th Chemo (D with P+H). My main SEs are tiredness and diarrhoea. I have taken Imodium which has worked well (my oncologist warned against dehydration). I’ve been OK joint pain wise only taking paracetamol or co-codomol some nights (order this, or something similar, from your GP so it’s to hand).

Not sure if you’ll be given white cell boosting sub cutaneous injections to self administer. Quite a lot of people have. They can cause bone pain (back and legs). I’ve not been too bad but have taken co-codomol a few times after giving evening injections.

I’d say tiredness lasted a week after EC and 2 weeks after D with P+H. 

I only have one more chemo to go so it is doable!

Check out the April/May chemo thread for some great tips.

Good wishes for your treatment.

Bluebell xx

Thank you both so much for your replies, it really helps to hear from people that have had the same types of chemo I’m going to have. It is interesting that you have differing SE so I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what I’m faced with. I have 2 young children to look after so I will really struggle with the tiredness which sounds like it is inevitable!

Hi Pumpkinpie,

Everyone is different but you probably will be tired. I forgot to mention that exercise can help with this. Even a short walk, if you can manage it. It helps with other SEs too.

 I’m paying my neighbour to come and do a few hours housework a week. It’s really helped me out. 

Small children can be tiring at the best of times. Hopefully you can get some support with their care. I love looking after my grandson but he does wear me out!

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/chat-breast-cancer/f/questions-about-diagnosis-and-treatment/214737/april-may-2021-breast-cancer-chemo

Here’s the link to the chemo thread.

Bluebell xx

Hello.  It sounds like you will be having similar treatment to the plan I had.  My son was 5 when I started treatment, and has ADHD.  it is tough, but I just took myself to bed the day of treatment, went to sleep when he went to sleep, and then generally I was able to cope. The “flu” like symptoms are painful, so make sure you have paracetamol at the ready, there is no need to be in pain.

Unfortunately I got a “bad batch”, and a bug at the hospital, so I don’t know if my symptoms then became linked to that. I started to bleed when having a poo (which was very frequently). It felt like glass ... and was for me the worst part.  I also got bad thrush from the acid ... they can give you creams and tablets to help with this, don’t be embarrassed to mention it.  

make sure you drink a lot of water. I also took tonics - Hawthorne, seaweed and artichoke. I also drank / drink forever aloe gel to help with the tummy.  You can get them from amazon and if interested I can give you the make. I switched to filtered water only, and organic where possible. 

Remember, each person is different. I had them flush saline through at same time / between chemo bags because I reacted ... this took longer but also helped I think. They are there for you, what will make your journey easier.  

it’s scary, but count them down!! You will get through it. It will go much more quickly than you think. 

positive thoughts and energy to you and your family x