Docetaxel and carboplatin

Hi PG78

I haven't had chemo, so I can't give any advice - but your post has dropped to the second page, so I'm just bumping it back to the top of page 1.

I hope some ladies are around now with advice on docetaxel and carboplatin mix.

Kindest wishes, Lesley

Everyone is different but I’m on that regime is doable. I tend to find that my taste is affected but you get used to that and find the best things to eat. The end of the first week is my hardest part as that’s when the taste change kicks in and my digestion is also affected. It passes in about three to fours days and then I gradually feel better. So it’s a relatively small part of the 3 week cycle. My hair has gone apart from a fuzzy covering but that doesn’t bother me and I haven’t lost my eyebrows or eyelashes - yet anyway.

you’ll be fine!

Hi, I had 6 cycles of TCHP for Herceptin+ breast cancer. I worked throughout, mostly from home and I did have to take it easy on days 4&5 each cycle, but I can honestly say I never had a day that I was completely wiped out (until the Zometa bone infusions which gave me 12 hour flu, but that's another story).  I exercised a lot, just walking, but the oncologist did tell me that she thought that would help. I know I was lucky and not everyone reacts the same way.  Best of luck 

I had the doxetaxal and carboplatin combo, 6 cycles from May to September last year followed by radiotherapy. Been on Letrozole since then. The chemo combo is absolutely doable, or at least it was for me. I coped better with that than this awful misery of letrozole side effects. If you have to give yourself injections in your tummy for 7 days each cycle like I did and if you get bad bone pain like I did try an anti histimine. I was in agony for 2 cycles until one of the nurses on the unit suggested the anti histimine and it was like a miracle, no pain at all. I found out really early on that the info you get varies wildly from doctor to doctor and nurse to nurse. It's a lottery as to what info you get and when. Not great, it would be lovely if everyone was on the same page but unfortunately I don't think they were even reading the same book!! I hope your treatment goes well and wish you well. You can do it!! xx

Thank you for the tip re antihistamine. I got bad bone pain a couple of times last time I used the injections when I had cancer 9 years ago. The oncologist this time said to take paracetamol regularly as a profilactic, but the chemo nurse said to be careful because the paracetamol could mask an infection by lowering the fever. So I'll ask about antihistamine. Can you remember what it was called? 

I hope things improve for you re the Letrozole side effects x

I took citirizine. You can buy it really cheaply over the counter or ask your oncologist to prescribe it. Be warned tho, my oncologist had never heard of anti histimines helping with the bone pain so I was the one to educate him about that. All I can say is that they worked for me. Don't know how or why but they did. Hope they help you too, wishing you well, you will get thru this, xx

I found fasting to 600-800kcal/day around chemo helped me reduce chemo side effects and can have benefits in terms of chemo working better. Well, that, and exercise helped. Gentle exercise, like walking a few kilometres and/or a little resistance training on more tired days and more energetic exercise and resistance training on my better weeks. I was on the NHS safe-fit trial but charities like Penny Brohn also have exercise classes and advice, as should your local macmillan or maggie's centres.  I was not at all in to training like this before cancer. I had to pay attention to regaining weight  after fasting by eating a higher protein diet on non-fasting days to keep up my strength. Maybe read about it and see what you think - is not for everyone. I also had a great anti-sickness medicine pre chemo called akynzeo that lasted for 5 days - amazing - no nausea, no vomiting. And as always with docetaxol, look after your hands and nails - ice gloves and socks are preventative of nail damage (ice packs have to be replaced every hour) , polybalm for the cuticles and dark nail polish to avoid sun damage. There's another thread on nails with lots of info on this. Am so sorry to hear that you have to do chemo again and wishing you good luck and strength to get through your chemo - am sure it is all very doable, and an investment in your cancer free future.