Docetaxel - Experience’s

Hi Morton

They will finish the Ten, only if you become to poorly will they stop, you never know, in the near future I might be having chemo again, at least I know what to expect, although I’m no where near as fit as the first time.

Stay safe

Joe

Hi Joe, yeah I expect they will do the 10, at least I hope so! I hope you stay well enough to not have Chemo for as long as possible. 

Best wishes

M 

Morning. Back for chemo 2 today.  I had my bloods done last Thursdays and oncologist appointment on Friday morning.  She did offer to cut the dose from the current max to something a little lower if the side effects were too bad.  I thought it best to keep dose high for now as I feel back to pre chemo levels side effects wise and it will be good to have a cut in hand if needed.  I will update my experience here later in the week.  

Cheers

M 

I hope this cycle goes well for you, Morton! Let us know!

Hi. Chemo 2 delivered and into cycle 2.  On the day things were a little delayed due to staffing problems and too many patients.  No point getting stressed about that however and eventually I was in my chair.   Pre meds were delivered and then following my half hour rest the Docetaxel itself.  This was a longer infusion and took around 80 or 90 minutes, I am not entirely sure.  

That evening I was completely wiped out and in bed by 7.45 asleep.  Yesterday was a tough day for me.  Many of the same symptoms as before although I have better pain control now.  The biggest problem I have this time is fluid retention in particular in my ankles.  Very uncomfortable through the day yesterday and still there today.  Elevating the legs seems to help and trying to shuffle around a little. Otherwise I feel quite flu like so keeping a close eye on my temp.  My main problem is fighting the need to rest.  I feel a need to keep going but I know I should let the body process the poison. 

Nausea is a massive problem this time but I am finding water and ginger cake is helping a lot with that! Any excuse to eat cake! 

Anyway into cycle 2 and 8 to go!, even the nurse raised here eyebrows at that lol! I am still determined to get them all in if they are helping, I guess that is the million dollar question to be discovered some way down the line. 

Hope this update assists anyone in a similar situation.  

Take care all. 

M 

For the fluid retention, always raise your feet when seated. It might also help to have your lower legs raised slightly on a pillow at night (hospital beds can raise the foot end to achieve this). Also ask if it would help to have compression stockings, but don't use them without checking first as they might not be a good idea in some circumstances. Also ask about diurectic medication, again it can help in some cases, but not if it's due to blocked lymph nodes.

Hi Andy, thanks for the reply re fluid retention.  Very good advice and I will take you up on discussing with my health team.  I am now one week into the cycle and 2 was worse than 1 in my case.  Side effects were and are worse, in particular nausea and inflammation in general.  However I am now beginning to feel back to pre chemo state and all the side effects are doable, nothing serious or that has completely incapacitated me and no serious infection or need to contact helpline etc.  My mind is of course now turning to the “is it actually doing anything” thought and I will ask when I will get a scan at next appointment.  Interestingly I am just about hanging on to the very little hair I actually had although my wife cut it with clippers as usual 10 days or so ao and these has been little fresh growth.  I will try and stay strong and healthy for the next 2 wee while up until I go again for cycle 3. 

One overall side effect I am struggling with is the moon face I am developing due to steroids.  I must try and ask if there is anything short of stopping them that can be done to mitigate this.  

Thanks for looking in and for support and input. 

M

It's good that the treatment is keeping us going but the side effects are something else and definitely more painful than the C

Hi Ulls, yes it is a fine balance between keeping going and acceptable levels of side effects.  So far things are acceptable, just abut anyway, see my next post lol. 

Hi All, I am 10 days into cycle 2 and I have to say this one has been significantly worse than chemo 1.  Of course I am saying this is for me, I have heard other people say the opposite or indeed that they have all been the same.  An issue I am having is that the inner lining of my nose is very sensitive and sore.  It is bleeding and forming scabs and then bleeding etc etc It isn’t the worst thing in the world but it is a little painful, annoying and as at times the scabs just bleed embarrassing.  I did look it up and it is a known issue with Taxel chemos. Alongside this my fatigue levels have been high and some of the other symptoms have reduced but are still present to an extent (fluid retention in particular).

I did want to record my experiences warts and all so others would know.  These are not things that would change my decision to have the treatment or continue with it, I am just being factual.  I think knowing soon whether this is having an impact on the cancer will help somewhat. 

M