Docetaxel

I have had 3 docetaxil. I got leg pains each time but.knew to take cocodamol on day 5 /6 on the second two so wasn't too bad. I had diarrhoea the first time but I think it was because I got constipated and took senna on day 5 which then led to.a week of diarrhea.  I took Laxido for the first 4 days of the next two cycles and was ok. I took an occasional buscopam for cramps .  I had a red fingers on the first one and red face and sore eyes after the second but not with the last one. So seems a bit variable.  Hope your side effects aren't as bad next time xx

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry about your side effects but it’s helpful and reassuring to know that it’s something that happens to others. I think I will take your advice and I’ll be better prepared for the next round

Just going through it myself 3 rounds of ec and had my 1st dose of docetaxel the side affects were bad and I ended up in hospital the pain in back groin legs stomach. Stomach cramps loose bowels . Finally managed by paracetamol omeprazole ibuprophen gavapentin and liquid morphine and now having no 2 of 3 docetaxel tomorrow and to say I’m very anxious is an understatement . They are slightly decreasing the dose and giving me my pain meds and now antihistamines to help too . Drink drink drink to flush it all out which is my downfall and I really wish I the best everyone is different to how they react but good to get an idea 

1. Yes . It's the first time you have a drug as you don't know what to expect. I found the 2nd and 3rd time not as bad because like you say I was a better organised and managed it better  . I'm  just getting over the 3rd now so have finished chemo.  It does come to and end.  You will get there xx

I also found docetaxel much worse than EC. For me, the side effects didn't start for a couple of days but then they just kept coming, I think my first skin reaction ( red knuckles) was at day 10. I also felt so heavy and dull and listless and just couldn't shake that for about 10 days. I had been working from home except for the first 5 days after each cycle, but I couldn't manage work until about day 12 after that first docetaxel dose.

My oncologist wasn't keen on the reaction, so after a long chat about dose reduction and whether that would affect how good the chemo was for me (I had it pre-operation), we did reduce to 85% for the final 2 cycles and although still not pleasant, I did cope with that much better, and was able to work from day 7, so a day later than EC.

For the pain, I actually found paracetemol helped which surprised me, and I was advised to start it before the pain started. I kept a diary so knew this was day 3.

Pleased to say the docetaxel still had a great effect on the lump and shrunk it down very well so that I had a successful surgery with clear margins.

Oh that sounds terrible but glad you got the right meds to help. My 2nd round of docetaxel is next Friday. I will try and drink more, most foods and even water have tasted really unpleasant with this treatment, like I have a dirty sock in my mouth  I had a real hard time walking up and down the stairs because of pain on days 3 to 7. However I managed to ride my bike yesterday, not far but I was really pleased about that.

An oncology nurse mentioned reducing my dose  a little but overall she wasn’t keen to do that. I think I will ask for stronger pain killers too. My hands are pretty badly effected, the palms and back of fingers, sore to the touch like they are burned. I was given some pliazone cream for that and it’s helping after 5 days but still not quite recovered.

I wish you all the best with your next round and I really hope the effects are lower for you

Yes this Docetaxel seems to be troublesome for lots of people. I am very impressed you managed to work, I had to stop as I just could cope with demands of my job during treatment. 
my oncology nurse wasn’t keen on reducing my dose so I’m dreading the next round but I’ll have another chat about it prior. 
Brilliant  that it worked out for you and margins are clear  I had my surgery first.

Yes taste is not nice everything taste off  think I’ve had pretty much every symptom u set the sun good luck to us all

I found fizzy drinks better than water x

I’ve found that too