Am I likely to feel different effects from docetaxel, compared to Fec?

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Have been told likely to get joint pains, do the steroids have side effects as well?

 

Any tips to help? Thanks

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I started T-FEC in October so I’ve already done my Docetaxel  and I’m due my final FEC on Tuesday. 

 

My experience of the T - day 1 felt fine, day 2 tired, days 3-6/7 joint pain, exhaustion, muscle fatigue, general feeling of ‘pants’ if I’m honest. Days 7 to 14 were instantly better pain wise. The fatigue remained but less than week 1. By week 3 I felt OK. Very tired but OK.  Over the course of my 3 cycles I found the muscle fatigue to be lasting longer and longer though. I would get puffed out so quickly. Best way to describe it was like having flu without the temp and cold that goes with it, my recovery was also comparable. Tired tired tired. 

 

Compares to my FEC so far. Apart from 24/7 nausea for 5/6 days and the occasional vomiting episode ( 2 times on round 2) I’m recovering quicker and feeing much less poorly over all. For me anti nausea Meds haven’t really helped, I have issues taking tablets at the best of times so is a a real problem for me to take them when I’m already feeling sick as taken tablets makes me feel sick. 

 

I lost !y hair after my first t treatment, by day 16 it was gone. Had some issues with bruised nails on hands and toes which look hideous but are growing out quickly. 

 

Sorry I can’t tel you that it’s easier. Its not harder necessarily just a different set of problems. 

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My tip would be to consider taking antihistamines or similar for pain (nerve, muscle or joint) with Tax (Docetaxel) or from the injections if you get them (GCSF). I took Clarytine and Benadryl.

 

In my case I was just as sick with nausea and vomiting on Tax as I was on FEC. Had to try a few more drugs beore we found a partial solution.

 

Another symptom of Tax is peripheral neuropathy so if get these symptoms you may wish to talk to your consultant

 

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The main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can include:

  • numbness and tingling in the feet or hands
  • burning, stabbing or shooting pain in affected areas
  • loss of balance and co-ordination
  • muscle weakness, especially in the feet

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and also maybe give some thought to the nails on your hands and feet. I lost a few along the way. There are lots of tips on that in this forum and I’m not sure what works best.