Chemo fatigue

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Hi all

i have now had 3 rounds of EC chemotherapy on a fortnightly basis. Each time I lose a week where I can barely eat or get out of bed and sleep constantly.I’m lucky that hubby is wfh and kids are older but I didn’t realise how weak I would be. I have 1 EC left and then I go onto T (Docetaxel) - just wondered how others had found this in comparison?

thanks in advance and sending positivity to all x

  • I have started EC last week so I'm still not sure how bad my fatigue is going to get.  I'm on a 3 week cycle,  perhaps it's more difficult to recover for the next session when you have only a 2 week cycle?

  • Hi Clarabel1968,

    I, like yourself did 3 ECs (though every three weeks rather than two) which I reacted to severely each time. Bless you. I found every three weeks enough so you have done amazing to get through that. I then did one Docetaxel and it didn’t agree with me so I have now been put onto weekly Paclitaxel (Taxol) which I have found so much more bearable. It is a hassle having to put up with the discomfort (I use a cold cap too) of weekly sessions, however, it is making it possible for me so far. I just wanted to offer you hope that there are alternatives if you are finding things to be too much. I told my consultant how bad things were and he gave me various options.  Good luck with your treatment.

    Sending you positive vibes and hugs,

    Bekky

    x

  • I should of said that some find Docetaxel more doable so please don’t take my experience as being typical! I have had bad side effects from all my treatments so told am overly sensitive anyway.

    x

  • Hope you’re feeling better now x

  • Thanks Bekky - sorry to hear you found it tough too. I’ve just found out that I might be having Paclitaxel instead. 
    How did you get on with the cold cap. I just resigned myself to losing my hair.

    Hope your treatment is going ok.

    Hugs and positive vibes back x

  • Hi hun,

    Right, can I just say that I was so worried about going on to yet another drug after having really bad experiences with everything so far. I have literally been ticking off pretty much every symptom in the book!!

    I want to offer you reassurance that since my first Paclitaxel last week I have not felt up or down! I felt a bit tired with slight sickness but the meds stopped that completely. I have been able to play with my son again and feel I have a bit more of a semblance of a life again! I am getting it weekly so it could be down to the fact that on a low dose? How often have you been told you will need it? I was told that this dose of this drug is given to ladies in their 80s so I was hopeful it would be more bearable? I know everyone reacts differently but I was so worried having been in and out of A & E on the other drugs. 
    I can honestly tell you that I feel more like me again. I am due my next on Thursday so I will report back to you how I feel then in case it has an accumulative effect. I was worried they would stop my chemo all together as this was discussed due to my reaction to it but I am more hopeful now that I can physically and mentally see this to the end before I start my radiotherapy next. 
    I am continuing to use the cold cap but will see if I last the next 5?! Rolling eyes
    I hope this helps you? Let me know if you have any more questions. Warm hugs. 

    Bekky

    x

  • I meant to say too, if I loose my hair, I will accept that. You just want to be here don’t you! I keep saying that I don’t care which bit of me is left as long as I am here. I may stop using the cold cap, I’m not sure at the mo. Xx