Pheebster, is it normal to have the really sore throat too? On FEC I seemed to have it, and the taste thing is the pits, but the throat thing is horrible as it feels like I’ve got tonsilitis or something. No temperature so I know I’m not ill, just weird. I’d heard about the breathless thing so will be prepared for that, lungs aren’t 100% anyway so I’m glad I was told about it otherwise I’d have thought something was really wrong. The lager sounds a good idea, it really needs something sharp and tangy to cut thru it, tea just tastes vile now, as does most things. Aches and pains manageable, hope it stays that way. Have a great sunday everyone, love and hugs Pat x
A few tips for when your mouth is bad:
- drinking straws help get the fluid past your taste buds, so I often had those little cartons of ribena to drink when I went out
- Hot bovril worked for me when I couldn’t face coffee, although I know it wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste!
- I found fizzy water more palatable than still, and the colder the better.
I think the moral is to try anything, because normally I don’t drink Ribena or any other squashes, or bovril, or bottled water!
Good luck,
Julie x
I have one more Taxadere to go out of 3, and for me its a walk in the park compared to FEC which made me sick as a dog but I know everyone reacts to it differently. I have had oral thrush, the taste thing is horrible, I have been living off Oxo drinks and soup. My onc prescribed me anti fungal tablets and antibiotics for the mouth infection which did help a bit, although on the 2nd tax she gave me 2 weeks worth and told to take then after day 2 of chemo instead of day 8 to nip it in the bud before it starts.
I do have aches and pains, the only way I can describe it its like having the flu without the snotty nose and headaches, but again everone is different. My onc said to me if I was reasonably ok on the first Tax, it should get any worse for the rest of it. I too heared horror stories about this one and was totally petrified. I hope its kind to you!
M x
thanks everyone for tips on TAX, crikey sludge gob or wotever they call it has really taken it’s hold now day 7, yuk!!! a nice ice cold glass of sparkling wine went down well at lunchtime though, think we might need to treat ourselves ladies to plenty of champers for medicinal purposes throught TAX???
Experienced horrific pains last night, absolutely everywhere in my entire body, took to my bed for a couple of hours and just wept, felt really sorry for myself, eventually neurofen kicked in and felt a bit better, much better today though so i’m hoping my down days are done but we shall see, will keep you posted!
Incidentally to you TAX vetrans out there, did anyone else’s tummy bloat out on TAX, i’m currently looking about 6 months pregnant???
Jo X
Thanks for the tips, it really is try anything isn’t it. The taste thing drives me crackers! Do feel quite achey and flu-like but onc warned me about that. I am just eating whatever I fancy and hoping I can taste it! Jo, the bloating thing, I’ve got that too, mine started day after the inj in tummy, don’t know if it’s connected, feel a bit like a beached whale! I seem to just cry at the drop of a hat, but am accepting it and hope it passes soon, I guess it’s better out than in. Hope all are having a good day, love Pat x
Hi Pat…I had sore throat on every cycle too. It was worse at night and when I woke up in the morning… I too used to take my temperature but it was always ok.
I also had the bloated stomach…hard and uncomfortable, but it does pass. Runny eyes and runny nose were also a symptom. My eyes are still watery now.
It all sounds very familiar. I had days of feeling very sorry for myself and crying too…more sobbing really. Again, it passes.
Hope you are all feeling brighter today x
Hi all, Pheebster, thanx again. It’s so comforting to know it’s all par for the course - these SE I mean. Tax is very dif to FEC and not getting the nausea thing is a blessing. Just had a really spicy chicken curry and could taste it so will try and have really strong flavours to get something out of it, going to go with the oxo and bovril drinks, too. I also find hot ribena quite good. Yesterday I had a fancy for liver and onions, did a lovely casserole with loads of tomatoes, bacon and creamy mash, and it tasted like cardboard! At least everyone else enjoyed it…Have a good evening everyone, love Pat x
Hi ladies, well, spent five hours at our local a&e last night, got home at 4.30am. Temp went thru the roof last night and coz I had dreadful headache, sore throat etc on-call onc at hospital said I should get my bloods checked. What a night. I tell you, whatever a&e staff get paid they should treble it! It was a nightmare. Happily, no infection and they said bloods were fine, so prob no risk of neutropena this cycle. No water infection and chest x-ray was clear, dr didn’t know why temp was up and heart was racing - probably the 4 hours in reception with handcuffed abusive prisoners mouthing off didn’t help! Well, still feel rotten, throat is the worse thing, but at least I know it’s not dangerous, will see if onc can give me something to take at start of next Tax to maybe avoid this again. Well, off to get some lunch, although only had breakfast when woke at 11.30! I can’t stop eating! Hope everyone else is doing well, and enjoying their day, looking forward to a nice quiet uneventful evening, early to bed! love and hugs, Pat x
Sorry to hear you had a rotten night Pat. A& E is a nightmare isn’t it.
Hope you pick up soon - take it easy
Hi Pat
You do seem to be having a rough time of it I hope you feel better soon.
My bloods are okay today so I will be having my first TAX tomorrow.
Went to the Look Good, Feel Better workshop today had a lovely time and came home with a nice bag of goodies.
pp
xx
Hi Ladies, thanks for the comments and I’m sure it’ll be better tomorrow. PP good luck, you’ll be fine, the first one is a learning curve, I’ll be better prepared next time, especially for the sore throat and feeling poorly. Glad you enjoyed your LGFB session, I’m looking fwd to mine in April, I’ve heard the goodie bags are great. And it’s your birthday soon, make sure you celebrate in style. best wishes to everyone else, love Pat x
Pat:
Been meaning to ask, what dog do you have is it a retriever? S/He has a lovely face !!
Pheebster is actually my weim in my avatar!
Hi Pheebster, loving your dog too. Millie is a black labrador retriever, utterly mental, naughty, greedy but soooo adorable. We had a labrador/border collie cross before her and I just love their temperaments and personalitys. How old is your Wein? They’re very elegant dogs aren’t they? My ones all legs and wagging tails? Couldn’t show her at all, but we have the best fun with her - as you can see by pic. She tolerates everything as she’s knows there’s always a nice pay-off at the end. Feel bit better today and will just keep taking the paracetamol. Hope you and everyone has a good day, love and hugs Pat x
Hi mijjje
About the bloated stomach on Taxotere - yes, me too. Mine was like a board, a combo of fluid and constipation, I think. On the plus side, it was one of the first side effects to disappear when I finished.
X
S
Hi girls…
My Pheebs will be 4 next weekend…and yes…we have cake!!! I have a doggy cake recipe which we said we would make this year. She is as energetic as you can get but at home she is the best companion and on the rare occasions she is left alone, she is such a good girl. She is what makes me get out in the morning…at least 1.5hrs in the farmland before 10.00. I don’t show either (not a fan) but we are joining the Pat Dog Scheme as soon as I finish rads.
Glad you are feeling better today. Onwards and Upwards Girls
Had first TAX today and so far so good even had a spicy curry to eat tonight! The onc has agreed I can have the injections to boost my blood count for the other cycles so nurse is coming to house to administer.
Tomorrow I get my temporary false tooth so I will be able to smile again!! It’s been horrible having a big gap.
Feel I will just be waiting for all the SE to start!!
pp
xx
PP you’ll be fine, it’s quite a good feeling getting the first one over. Pheebster, you must give me the doggy cake recipe, and tell me about the pat dog scheme. Love Pat x
Hello there,
I would just like to say thankyou for all your advice on Tax. Been to
see my onc today and I am having my first one of three on Marc 10th.
Hope to buy some dark nail polish tomorrow. I will stock up on ibruprofen for aches etc. Dread the thought of a major reaction, but as you all know we have to plod on and get through these things. Will keep you posted
Ange
Hi… Ive had FEC and can tell you my biggest tip is to eat plenty of bio yogurt before your each one… I dont know how it works but it does, it stops any sick feeling and makes you feel so much better afterwards. I tried with and without and i was REALLY ill without it so try it!!
My next ghemo is in 2 weeks time and its a new cycle of Taxoter… I’m so afraid of the unknown tho… How was yours? How did you feel afterwards?? Any tips? Goodluck with it all and i hope to here back soon!! X
Hi
I had taxotere after FEC and I felt it was alot better. The FEC made me very sick but the Taxotere didnt. I still had the lack to taste, hair etc to deal with but it seemed to affect my joints more. I felt old and creaky (at 36) and I had massages which really helped before each chemo dose. Hope that’s helpful.