Hi
I’m starting Paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks and Phesgo every 3 weeks for 1 year, tomorrow.
Any advice to prepare myself? Specially with Phesgo. Not a fan of needles.
thanks
Mucca
Morning, good luck with your treatment. I was on ECT so can’t help with the Paclitaxel but had phesgo. I personally tolerated it very well and had no severe side effects. When I had the first doses with the chemo you can’t really tell because they come as a package but when I was just having the phesgo I went from work and didn’t need any time off (I work in a primary school so very busy). Wear loose trousers and just ask the nurse to inject it as slowly as possible, the slower the better in my experience otherwise it can sting a bit going in, don’t rub the site afterwards as that seemed to sting too. My thigh went a bit red and I had a slight raising the day of and after the injection and sometimes my leg felt a bit stiff but other than that I didn’t have any major side effects. I do think it affected my hair growth, my hair grew back well but slightly slower than ladies I knew who didn’t have phesgo but that may be my imagination!! I did have nurses who I preferred to administer it who just seemed to get how slowly it needed to go in. But overall, for me it wasn’t as bad as it sounded and I got used to it fast. Good luck xx
I’ve just had 12 paclitaxol and today is my 6th Heston injection
the needle is tiny for the injection and doesn’t bother me at all
for my chemo I had a port fitted which wasn’t a nice procedure but made all the treatments and blood tests so much Easier
I found the chemo much less of an issue than I was expecting - was tired the first few weeks but that settled, my hair fell out after about 6 sessions. My main side effects were diarrhoea and my nose used to bleed - not major big nosebleeds it just oozed all the time as I think the lining was damaged
all in all it was way better than I was expecting but obviously everyone is different
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007