alternative to iv chemo

can anyone help with this. i have finished 3rd fec and it was the worst of the 3. i now have 3 docetaxal to look forward to with herceptin. i already suffer with arthritis and the muscle pain from chemo has been horrible like being kicked all over. now i have an infection in my right arm and am so reluctant to carry on with iv chemo. does anyone know if there are any oral chemo types i know you would get the same se’s but i’m really scared about my next treatment now.

Hello Dixons, so sorry that you are having a hard time of it. I think that you should talk it over with your onc - I would phone up and make an apppointment if you can. Or go through the Chemo nurses who are usually brilliant at dealing with issues like yours (in my experience). There are almost certainly other ways of giving the chemo other than by injection into your hand/arm. Tax is actually easier to receive than FEC (again in my experience) as it is given in a drip rather than huge injections. But if you have an infection they probably won’t give it anyway until it is better.

I also would like to say that when I have had chemo, the time I felt most like giving it all up was after cycle 3 - and once #4 was done I felt much better about it. I am really glad I didn’t give up although i really wanted to. I guess that most people go through thiat really low point, but I’d say it is worth sticking it out if you can for all the long term benefits it give. All the very best and take care x

Dixons,
I am just finishing the same regime as you. Would just like to agree with Moser - people expect you to be pleased because you are half way through, and all you can think is that it is ONLY half way there. I felt really low at that point, and was dreading Tax. However, Tax can be easier in some ways. My veins certainly feel a lot better, and I have no nausea. The herceptin is fine, no probs. You have done SO well, despite feeling rough, it is hard, but hang on in there. Tell your onc how you feel. They may be able to give you something to manage your se’s more effectively.
Best of luck,
Tracey

thanks so much to tracey and moser for replying. i have read all the horror stories about tax and am just dreading it, but thanks again for taking time to answer i will speak to onc nurse mine is actually very good it was actually her though that said the tax was fierce and maybe thats where my fear has come from. i’ll let you know what she says. i’m not normally a moaner but felt the need for a little moan today. take care xxx

Hi Dixons,
I found TAX tougher than FEC, but not too bad and certainly not as bad as many on here. It is much pleasanter during administration - no horrible syringes of red poison and doesn’t cause the same vein problems. Also you get a couple of days grace before SEs kick in. Half way through is a hard place to be, especially with the uncertainty of a change to TAX. Be prepared for the worst with painkillers, diarrhoea and constipation meds, stuff for sore mouth and probably you will not need much of it.
I felt quite relieved once I’d had my first TAX - I’ve still got two to go.
You will get there. Good luck.
Stella xx

Hi Stella
Thank you for replying, I’m armed with constipation medicine, diclofenic and difflam oh how we party… think i’m just anxious cos ive got an infection in my arm and am dreading the next stage after reading how awful tax is. My se’s take 2/3days to kick in and this time felt rubbish for 9 days. i know its not forever and shouldn’t moan. Hope you are keeping well and coping ok with se’s.

Take care

Sharon xxxx

Well i went to the gp re my arm and the vein had a slight infection and was inflammed apparently the chemo can cause inflammation and thats what they think has happened so rang the hosp and they saw me today and i can still go ahead with tax next week oh lucky me… i feel really normal today and want to hang onto this feeling and i am eating like a horse. no aches or pains apart from my arm which is a relief.

hope everyone is ok xxxx

Could you ask about having a PICC line or a Portacath? These might help. Speak to your chemo nurse before next week, they may be able to arrange it for you, which would probably be a big help with the sore veins. Several ladies on here have these and all have been pleased with the results. I’m going to have a portacath fitted before my 6 x FEC with Herceptin to follow, so it would certainly be worthwhile to look at a subcutaneous port as the Herceptin’s a year’s course.

Give the chemo unit a ring tomorrow and ask. The worst they can say is no…

CM
x

Thanks Choccimuffin

I never thought of that. I have to go on Monday to discuss the herceptin so I will mention it then. The nurse I saw yesterday said not everybody has a bad time on the tax so fingers crossed.

Take care xxx