Docetaxel - Experience’s

Hi Morton

If you are getting bone pain I just wondered if you are also having Zometa (Zoledronic acid) with the chemo? This can help with that side effect. I'd think carefully about stopping as chemo often reaches peak effectiveness after 6 to 8 cycles    

Hi Sussex and worriedwife.  Thank so much for your feedback.  Although I reflect on the chemo I don’t think I would be stopping it at the moment I promise.  It’s just the thoughts of quality of life that I have.  One of the problems is so far it hasn’t had any positive impact so that is an issue.  In saying that as you say Sussex, there may be a future point when it does start working! So the plan is for 10 and if it is working I will probably hang on and get it done. Thank you so to the both of for your support and encouragement.  I do also have good support here and they are helping and encouraging me.    Sussex I am on Zoebronic acid.  It has helped a little I will keep monitoring and liaise with my oncologist to see if there is anything else I can do

Thank you again 

M 

My PSA was nothing more than stable during Docetaxol. It did not come down and was rising again in the 90s after 10 cycles.  I'm now about to embark on Radium 223. This is more a QoL drug but we thought it would be worth trying before embarking on yet more chemo and it is supposed to target cancer in the bones.     

Hello Morton, we are all rooting for you and cheering you onwards and upwards! Take good care of yourself and let us know how you are doing! Xxx

Hi, Morton,
It sounds like you are having a tough time, hang in there if you can.
My second round of chemo was awful, the prospect of another eight more was daunting and in the dark days I didn't know if I could actually do it. Thankfully cycle three is proving much easier. I was told that often by cycle three or four it gets easier for some people so maybe next turn around it will be true for you. It can happen.
Tiredness is so dispiriting. It could be because of white blood cell count crash so if your bloods show that is the case and you're not on Filgrastim, you should ask why not.
I too had bone pain in cycles 1 & 2 - then it faded. I took it to mean the treatment is working, butythat's just a guess.
Like you I was in good health before diagnosis. Take heart from that, because your body is otherwise good and strong and you are well set to take this on.
My very best wishes to you.

Hi Sussex this is good to know that perhaps I shouldn’t expect too much of a fall given the situation.  I know in my recent oncology report that the the doctor is quite clear that it is a Palliative Chemotherapy so obviously not curative but aimed at symptom control.  It is good to know there are other symptomatic options around, especially for the bone pain.  

M 

Thank you worriedwife, that means a lot and gives me that little extra bump to dig in and get on with it with a positive attitude.  Thank you so much.  

M x 

Hi writerdave, yes I am finding the crushing tiredness really tricky.  I don’t think I have finished a chapter of my book for weeks! I had read that Docetaxel is a less severe chemo than some others.  I guess this may be true for many it’s not been my experience  so far.   As you say though things may begin to settle down after 4 cycles or so.  Hope things are getting easier for you now. 

Sending best wishes 

M 

An update as I have come to the end of cycle 3.  This has been, in terms of fatigue, the hardest of the cycles so far and it is only today at the very end of  the cycle I have felt energy levels come back up.  Disappointed to have been hit so hard given how often I hear this chemo is less severe than others.  My oncologist was saying yesterday that the fatigue is certainly cumulative and this may and probably will keep happening as, or if, we keep moving forward.  I had a meeting with her and she had to tell me that my PSA is still rising rapidly, up from 237 to 538 and they would have hoped for a levelling off at least but more so a reduction.  So I will have a scan between 4 and 5 to see what is fuelling this rise and hopefully it is just a flare from chemo and not developing cancer and new mets (in particular in the organs rather than the bones).  So finger crossed that this cycle sees a fall and then the side effects will be worth something.  I feel that there is a response just round the corner and am positive my body will start to respond soon.  I will keep this thread updated.   Thanks in advance for reading.  I hope everyone is well as can be. 

Cheers all 

M 

Hi, my husband found 2-3 rounds really bad in terms of pain for some reason, he did get pain every round but those were the worst.  he still has no feelings in his feet, mainly toes and balls and still has fatigue but he says it is worth it if it’s done his job.  hopefully things will get better for you but try focus of the end goal 

all the best J