Hi, I had my first DOXETAXOL session last week, which was my first Chemo session of any type. 10-days later and still no side effects at all or any sickness, which is actually a little worrying as it doesn’t feel like I have had Chemo. Early days though and I know to expect an accumulative effect as I have more sessions. I’ll keep you updated.
Hello. I must be on the same regime as you. I finished my 3 x EC and had my first Docetaxel 5 days ago. I coped really well with the EC so was hoping for the same but not gonna lie it's been a challenge. Fatigue was way worse. I have had naps all day every day which I didn't need prior. Maybe I'd fall asleep watching TV but this is actually going to be for an hour. I have already altered taste - sweet seems normal but savoury is definitely not the same. I would suggest you speak prior about pain management. I can't describe the pain I have had - it is just awful. Hips / lower back and knees especially but also shins / ankles and neck. Shooting pain to feet and hands. I have not been able to manage it at all and will be asking for prescription analgesia for the next rounds - have some just in case. I have been trying to drink heaps of water and keep moving but the pain has sort of prevented me getting up to get drinks and move around so it's been a vicious circle - until I woke today much better. Still aching but not in pain as such.
But - reading through forums not everyone has side effects. Some don't cope with EC / some don't cope with Docetaxel. It's a minefield!! I guess try and stay open minded but ask for pain management just in case. And mouthwash...
i had 3 EC and 3 docetaxel. I can only speak from my experience and you may not be the same, but, docetaxel floored me. I didn’t have nausea or fatigue, it was just everything else. First 2 days after each infusion I felt great. Then mild constipation turned into diarrhoea which lasted for 12 days, only controlled by taking Imodium all the time. I had nosebleeds for about a week. Oral thrush and awful mouth ulcers. I was extremely breathless and my heart raced. I wanted to stop treatment. Then my oncologist reduced my dose and that did make a difference. I still got the side effects but they weren’t as bad. Some people are able to carry on as normal, not me. Give me EC over docetaxel any day !
I am about to start Docetaxel 12 treatments over 12 weeks and I feel like I am preparing for BATTLE.
I barely scraped though my 4 doses of EC with at home daily Filgrastim injections. The bone pain from the filgrastim was the worst pain I have experienced in my life. The only thing I could do was take morphine and actively breathe through the pain.
I WAS hoping that Docetaxel was going to be slightly "easier". Maybe not so much now....but as always I sincerely appreciate the information about your experience at least I now know I can plan ahead for *some* bits, definitely!
This is great to hear! I usually find the first 10 days are the worst then I’m ok for 10 days before the next one so you might be lucky!! How many sessions are you having?
Did they reduce your chemo at all after the first one was so bad? How are you feeling now you have finished all the chemo? I’m just going to expect the worst I think.
Wow your having it weekly?? I agree with you about the injections I absolutely hate taking them. Surely you don’t have to take them if your on weekly sessions? I wouldn’t cope with that. When is your first docetaxel? Mine is on Monday.
How are you feeling now? My first one is on Monday and I’m on 3 weekly are you? My first EC Was bad ended up in hosp with sepsis so they reduced my dose and the last two wasn’t as bad. Had 10 days bad each cycle then 10 days good. I’m guessing yin had to inject for 7 days after aswel? I think it’s these injections that cause a lot of the bone pains they have just told me to take painkillers day before I inject so it’s in my system ready. They won’t prescribe me anything strong yet said to try and manage on paracetamol and ibroprofen at first and if I need stronger ring the helpline. It will soon be over won’t it. Only 10 weeks left of chemo!
Yup - weekly for twelve loooong weeks. Ugh. My first treatment plan was: 4 doses over 12 weeks at 3 weekly intervals but because I would have had to have had the Filgrastim injections on that plan; my team decided to swap me onto: NO filgrastim injections and to give me the same total dose of chemo - but divide it through the 12 weeks rather to hopefully lessen the side effects.
I would rather have had less time at the hospital rather than go every week, but the last batch of home injections on top of the EC had me beaten. I did 4 rounds of EC & Filgrastim.
I *should* be starting Docetaxol on Friday unless my team has other plans - I will find out at my bloods appointment.
My last nuse who syringed in the EC told me if I could handle the EC the Docetaxol would be a "breeze" by comparisson. I know we all react differently to this stuff so I'm not holding her to that - but it would be really nice if this part was "easy". I would even settle for "easier". LOL.
Yes it was reduced to 80% after the first infusion due to the side effects being so awful. I had the last one on 10 December last year. Went on to radiotherapy in January which was a doddle. I am much better now thanks. Only ongoing treatment is letrozole for 5 years and Herceptin injections every 3 weeks until October. Nothing is effecting me like that first docetaxel did. But I have developed a leaky heart valve which wasn’t there before I started on docetaxel. It was only picked up on my 3rd echocardiogram which I had in mid February. I also have problems with my nails but this could be the Herceptin. What a rollercoaster cancer treatment is !
