Paclitaxel & Carboplatin chemotherapy

Hi Sallyjac,

Sorry that you're having to go through this experience but hope you find this forum helpful. I'm having the same chemo drugs as you but the other ways round. Had 2 out of my 3 cycles of EC before moving on to 9 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin. So far I have only had minimal side effects on EC and able to carry on pretty much as normal. Worried how I'll react to the change in drugs to paclitaxel and carboplatin because I don't know how they'll affect me. Overall so far though I have to say chemotherapy hasn't been as bad as I feared, although I may have been lucky. I'm not looking forward to weekly visits either and wonder if that will affect me more but I get the impression everyone reacts differently so you just don't know until you're in it. I decided not to use the cold cap so can't comment on that.

Best wishes,

Becky

Hello can i first welcome you to the community none of us want to be a member of but under the circumstances the best place to be.

I had FEC-T chemotherapy so can advise on the EC but not the other. 

I would say try posting this in The breast Cancer group too as there are more people in there who may be able to help, there is also a monthly chemotherapy chat that you may find helpful, you will be able to talk to people who are going through the same or who have been through the same as you. This is the link for June Chemotherapy chat 

I found when having my treatment to take it each treatment at a time, try to focus on now and not whats to come. Count them down as so many done and not however many to go, until your nearer the end.

Chemo is tough there is no getting round that but it is doable and it works, i am now cancer free.

Keep talking to us we will support you through xx 

Hi

I have completed 10 weeks of carbopaclitaxel. I'm having 12 weeks (4 cycles). I've tolerated the chemo really well. I have a couple of tired days a week but then seem to bounce back for the next treatment. 

I've had to miss 2 weeks when my white blood count was low and I've had a uti and another infection last week but the hospital are quick to treat if you make sure you catch them in time. So far I've avoided any hospital visits. 

It hasn't been anywhere near as bad as I'd feared x

Hi haysie, hoe you don’t mind me asking, was your treatment the carbonplantin and taxocel? I’m just about to start these for my 4,5 and 6 round of treatment for triple negative breast cancer and I’m so worried about side effects. So far on. Fec treatment I’ve been my normal self so hoping that lasts. Hope your well. Lots of love xx

Hi

I have found carbo/paclitaxil not too bad at all to be honest. I have one day per week (I am having it weekly) where I am fatigued but 80% of the time I'm tolerating it well. I've had no nausea or vomiting. I was constipated at the beginning but found that senna at night and lactulose twice a day does the trick. 

The hardest thing I've found is when I've caught an infection which has been twice in 13 weeks treatment. That knocked me sideways but with early antibiotics I was OK after a couple of days. 

Like you I am nervous about the change in treatment as I go onto EC in two weeks. 

Any questions please ask x

Hi Haysie

Thanks for letting me know how you found the carbopaclitaxel. I was due to start this yesterday but got a phone call on Wednesday to say I needed a PET-CT scan. I was all ready and willing to get this started and now I've been knocked for six as I'm now thinking is there something that has been found and I have not been told.

I've been booked in start chemo next week but I suppose it depends on the PET-CT scan. I'm quite deflated at the moment .

Hi Sallyjac, 

I was really worried when they told me I had to have a CT scan and terrified getting the results. My nurse was very laid back about it and just said it was procedure with Tnbc, so it doesn't necessarily mean they have found anything. Maybe you would find speaking to your nurse reassuring if you can ring her. I have to say that for me that wait was the hardest time so far, keeping busy helped me to distract myself. It was good to get the results and confirm there was just one small lump confined to breast and then focus on treatment. I will be thinking about you and hoping it's the same for you. Best wishes xx

Hi Haysie, 

Had my last EC yesterday so start PC in three weeks. You mentioned a day or two tiredness, just wondered when this happened, was it the day after? X

Hi

I have my treatment on a Monday. I find that I am fine until Thursday when I started flagging a bit. For me Friday and Saturday have been the worst days. I've got better at listening to my body and resting when I should.

Xx

Thank you for getting back to me. You’ve put my mind at rest. I hope your next lot of treatment is just the same as this one. I had FEC, which I’m assuming is the EC your taking about, if it is I found that to be fine. I find staying positive helps and I keep telling myself I’m not going to get poorly. I have three young children an they don’t need to see me ill. Anyway. I hope your ok. Lots of love xxx