Starting chemo EC and Paclitaxel

Hi all.  My mum is about to begin her chemo with 3 x EC 3 weekly then 9 P taxol for 9 weeks.  She’s 75 so we’re a bit worried about SE but your experiences are helping understand how it might be accepting everyone is different.  Can I ask how long your in for the actual chemo sessions. I’ve read the taxol is about an hour but can’t see anything about the EC.  She will have pre chemo discussion in next couple of weeks but just wondered if you knew in advance.  Good luck everyone you’re all amazing x 

Hi... i finishrd my ec 2 weeks ago... the first part was only about 8mins then a flush then the 2nd part was half an hour... i had the cool cap on so i was there longer... they gave me steroids and strong anti sickness tablets on the day... and then 3 days worth to bring home plus injections i had to do for 7 days... i hope this helps you... the injections were easy to do..

With the EC I was on there for approx 1.5- 2 hours depending on how busy the unit was.

I haven't started Paclitaxel yet, I start on the 21st. I did ask how long I'd be there for with Paclitaxel and they said around 3 hours including pre-meds xx

Hi 

Is that all your chemo finished now or have you got radiotherapy as well? 

Take care xx

Thank you all the best on your next round x 

Thank you, I’ve read about injections and the oncologist did mention some to help with your white blood cells I think he said.  

Hi I had 3xEC 3weeks apart and 3xDocetaxel 3weeks apart. I had the cold cap so was in for longer about 3hrs in total. Also had the injections to self administer for 7days post chemo starting on the 3rd day.
Side effect wise - I endured the EC better, had tiredness and constipation. With the docetaxel I had a lot of lower back pain, painkillers and hot water bottle helped. Nausea with docetaxel. Gone off most of my food. Sticking to soft foods that I can just swallow quickly. Also had a sore mouth mucositis. Still recovering from my last docetaxel that I had on the 30th April. Everyone is different. All the best for your mom.

Hi, 

I had 4 x EC 3 weeks apart and 12 x weekly Taxel, so very similar.  I finished last month and now I've got surgery coming, so mine was the other way round.  The chemo itself they administer over 1 - 2hrs, I had a cold cap, which adds a lot of extra time. 

I found with the EC, I couldn't read, or listen to podcast or anything...felt really listless, but had a great team whom I chatted with throughout my treatment.  I had my chemo mid-morning, so they offered me lunch...I couldn't stomach food...the only thing I could eat was fruit and some cheese and crackers.  It took me a week after my treatment to feel more like myself on the EC...I was really tired and headaches, also a bit constipated (sorry if too much info :) some days I had heartburn (thankfully I wasn't vomitting at all).  My sleep also wasn't great during this.  I have very thick hair, started losing it in week two, I think it was...I didn't loose all of it (so the cold cap worked for me).  My hair was very patchy, but so that I didn't need to shave it and it started growing back when I was on Taxel. (Also, my bushy eyebrows became very thin).  I was also sent home with two days worth of steroids and a Neulasta body injector on my arm (which I took off after 72hrs).

  The taxel side effects for me were much less harsh, I usually took the afternoon off after my treatment and then the next day felt more myself...again it was tiredness and headaches for me.  Something quite common with Taxel apparently is neuropathy, so much so my oncologist said that they sometimes have to stop treatment for a week.  It usually causes pins and needles in your toes and fingers...for me the neuropathy didn't start until about three or four weeks before the end of treatment and I didn't have pins and needles but pain in my fingers and toes.  My nails also discoloured and still have very deep purple colour under some of my finger and toe nails. 

I always took some dried mango or pineapple to nibble on, during my Taxel treatment and stuck to my fruit and cheese for lunch :) 

As you say, it's different for everyone.  I hope it goes well for you.

Hi Fifitrix, how is your chemo going and did you get your full results?

I had my surgery in mid April, a lumpectomy and affected nodes removed. It went well and all my results have shown no cancer remaining so I had a full response with the chemo. I am having a week of radiotherapy at the end of May as a preventative treatment. 

Thanks  for all the info it really helped x

I'm a week after my 3rd and last EC  and I have to say the side effects have lingered longer this time. 

I've read about the neuropathy,  this is something I am nervous about. I've also read that dark nail  polish may help your nails when on taxol regimes so I've bought some to be prepared .

Hope you're recovering OK after chemo and good luck with your surgery. 

Take care xx