Docetaxel

hiya!

Everyone is different but I found docetaxel more manageable, I was very achy but was able to take pain relief which eased pains. EC completely wiped me out, sick pretty much for a week. I have 2 young children and definitely found home life easier with docetaxel. 
All the best 

xx

Hi, I had Docetaxel (also known as taxotere) along with carboplatin, Herceptin and Pertuzumab and, honestly, I managed fine through 6 cycles. I worked full time, had a few hours off each cycle, but was ok.   You can check out my blog on the blog page, it's called One !life live It, to get more details of how I managed.  Good luck x

I found Docetaxel better than EC and it is not known to be a bad one for sickness so hoping you will be ok.  Love Ann

I was a bit floored after my first dose of docetaxel and thr BCN recommended taking Paracetemol regularly before the pain starts which for me was day 3. That definitely helped, I didn't think it would as Paracetemol is usually only good for mild pain for me. 

Hi Merlin

I had EC followed by Docetaxel. The D was not nearly so bad for me, although it did give me diarrhoea. I think that was about the only symptom apart from tiredness at the end.

The onc gave me loperimide which I took every day and did help. She also gave codeine for this, but that did not agree with me, so I did not take it beyond one day. Maybe make sure you have some of these types of meds at home just in case.

Wishing you all the best

WallDug

 Im having 3 cycles of Docetaxel and after my first cycle i too suffered very badly with diarrhoea. Does the diarrhoea continue through all 3 cycles . 

Hi Mikki h, yes it did so stock up with "Loperamide Hydrochloride" which is the unbranded version of "Imodium" and much cheaper to buy.  Love Ann

If you ask your oncologist they can include it in the pack of support meds you are given to take home. The 'over the counter packs' do not have many tablets in. I had to take the maximum dose per day, and some, so better to get a reasonable quantity of them. 

Hi!

With regards buying medicines......If you live in the UK you should be able to apply for 5 years of free prescriptions so if you need it you can ask the doctor to prescribe it.

I had 7 cycles of chemo every 3 weeks, the last 4 were docetaxal with pertuzamab and trastuzumab.  My first round of docetaxal was okay, my second was horrible! I said I didn’t think I could face another round but they reduced the dosage to 80% for the next two cycles and they were bearable. so just remember if it seems too bad tell your oncologist and ask for help.  Do not suffer in silence.  They want to help you get through it. 

 I was never hospitalised and worked throughout.  But I am lucky to be able to work from home and worked my hours to suit. Plus all my children are grown up now. 

Started out with a 59mm lump and one lymph node affected.  At the end of my chemo I had no trace of cancer and only had 28 grams of tissue removed at my lumpectomy. It is so worth it. Keep strong and let them know if you need help and you will get there. Good luck x

Hi Mikki H

i am at day 9 of having my second dose of docetaxel and have to say the diarrhoea and stomach cramps have been the worst part of it, making me feel miserable and because all food passed straight through I was lightheaded and generally felt awful.  Some of the days I just stayed in bed as felt too weak to do anything.  I envy people who seem to be able to overcome the side effects as I was given the Loperamide as part of a pharmacy pack to come home with but it had little effect, possibly due to the Filgrastim injection which I will be asking my oncologist before my next treatment.

Amazingly from day 9 I feel like a different person and can build up my strength and appetite ready for the next dose.