Hi caz35
Your comment has made me feel better. I have just had 4 EC and have been really good on it, it sounds too good to be true that I will be ok for the next 3 taxotere but i hope so. Got loads of steroids to take so i doubt i will get much sleep but i will plod on as you do when these things face us in life
Ange
Just found this thread.I finished treatment in 2007 4xfec and 4xtax and just want to say that though I had every known side effect in cumulative spades it DOES get better.Just be kind to yourselves.I wish I had had something like this thread when I started chemo but it wasnt routine to give tax for primary bc then and it was rarely mentioned.For me the worst effects were the fatigue,the breathlessness and the diarrhoea.The pains were only really bad with tax one and I had no sickness.I was in a wheelchair by the end but if I tell you I broke my leg 4 weeks ago jumping on a trampoline you will see that even though I am temporarily using a wheelchair again life in general is pretty good.Love and luck to all of you.
Valxx
Hi All,I had 4xfec,4xtax in '04 and worked more or less throughout as an electricians mate.Must admit that just one more taxol and I’d have been floored,as by the end I was getting really tired.But I soon picked up and found the 6wks radio a breeze after chemo! The only bad time I had was after the first taxol when I felt as if I had the mother of all hangovers.I could hardly make it from my bed to the bathroom that night,but I awoke next morning feeling not too bad at all! My stomach bloated ,I’d a taste like poo in my mouth and I ended up with periperal neuropathy in my toes but all very doable symptoms and a small price to pay for kick assing those cells!
Good luck, Josie x
Hi all, great to read all the stories, gives us hope, and we’ll all get thru this treatment and come out the other side. I feel better today, still yucky mouth but pain has eased a bit. Julia, I mentioned on the other thread as well about bio yoghurts, I think you have to be careful as products that haven’t been pasteurised are risky. I’ve just advised that people should just check with their nurse or dr, it’s only that it was mentioned to me and I’ve seen a few pamphlets with dietary advice which mentions it too. Having said that, it’s great when you find something that helps you feel better. Well, sun is shining so I’m off out to enjoy it. Will check in later, hope you all have a fab day, love Pat x
Re bio youghurts: I did a different chemo regime (EC then Tax), but was specifically told to avoid bio yoghurts, so I would endorse what Pat says and check with your oncologist. Julie x
Well, I have tried to post several times, and they’ve been really long winded messages, and I keep losing them, which is so blooming fustrating. Then I’ve felt too poorly to start again. Now i know why! Ended up in hospital thursday, with a white blood count of .2 Apparently that’s dangerously low. Have had yet another chest infection so they admitted me straight away as were concerned I might have pneumonia!!! Eeek, i thought, that’s curtains then, that’s why i’ve been feeling so crap really since a few days after the TAX.But no, chest x ray was clear! Had iv antibiotics anyway and drip and injections to boost white count then turfed me last night as they said more risk of infection in hospital than at home, that’s reassuring i thought. Was upset though coz no beds as usual at the Marsden so had to go to a general hospital and didn’t really feel very re assured the whole time i was there as they didn’t really know wot to do with me and kept phoning Marsden for advice! Oh well at least they did that I suppose!
Can i ask if anyone else has had any problems with periods whilst on chemo, particularly Taxotere .That was main reason for going into hospital in the first place, I was so terrified as I was loosing so much blood and massive clots that the Marsden wanted me to have a blood test to make sure i didn’t need a transfusion! Then they found this other problem with the neutropenia that they weren’t bothered about my period at all. Consequently I’ve come home in the same state i went in and it’s not getting any better! They said I should mention it to the Marsden on Monday as now have an outpatients app to follow up this episode in hospital. Has anyone else experienced this because I’m thinking all sorts, especially with Poor Jade on TV everytime you switch on!
Hi Jo, I’m so sorry you’ve had such a bad time! As for the periods thing, i haven’t had one since mid-December, and as I’m 49 I guess it’s a combo of age and chemo stopping periods, so I can’t help with that one. I too have felt pretty ropey since thetax last week but my bloods were fine on Mon/Tues and dr said that would mean that they’d almost certainly remain fine for the rest of this cycle. Did you phone your on-call oncologist? I was told ANY problem I had, i should phone chemo unit when open, and on-call at all other times. It’s not doing you any good stressing and worrying about what’s happening, someone should at least be able to reassure you that it’s nothing to worry about. Do take care, make the call and try and get some rest. love Pat x
Hi Jo
Sorry you have felt so bad. I am now on day 5 of my first cycle of TAX and my joints all started aching yesterday on my birthday of all days!! and now I have several mouth ulcers - feeling a bit sorry for myself today. Seem to be getting some stomach pains and backache and wondering if this is all usual on TAX. I see my onc tomorrow so I will be able to ask him. Got nurse coming out today also for first injection to boost white blood cells.
pp
x
Hi all, pp I got the backache and stomache aches too, my onc said I would feel like I had flu and very achey, she said it could be quite uncomfortable/painful but that it wasn’t dangerous. Interesting that you’re having your injection today, I had to have mine on day after chemo, is this your first inj and do you have to have more before next chemo? My inj def worked as when I landed up in a&e on Mon night with high temp, they said my bloods were perfect! I’m now on day 10 after first tax and, apart from (I think) a sinus infection - see gp tomorrow) the aches have started to ease. I found the stomach ache and bloating horrible but it’s starting to ease now. Just waiting for my taste buds to start recovering as I find that difficult too as nothing seems appetising when it all tastes the same. Someone suggested a cold lager and I have to agree, it cuts straight across yucky mouth and hits the spot nicely! We have to take our pleasures where we can find them! Jo, I hope you’re feeling a bit better today. Everyone enjoy their sunday, check in later, love and hugs, Pat x
Hi Pat, Yes my first injection was on day 5 of chemo I have to have 5 injections from day 5 -9. Did you only have to have one injection? Feel really achey today still. I saw the onc this morning and he said I can take Ibuprofen - taken one lot and it does seem to have eased a bit. I find even my jaw aches when I eat!! The taste thing is horrible too and with my having a temporary false front tooth even worse with the plastic plate in my mouth!! Did you see your gp today? I don’t like lager - shame!!! I did let myself have a glass of wine on my birthday though!!
love
pp
x
Hi pp, glad ibrufen is helping, my aches haven’t been too bad, maybe it’s cummulative. Saw gp and got antibiotics for infection, apart from that, and the aches it hasn’t been too bad. Having a lager and lime is lovely, but don’t think I can now i’m on tablets, will check. Hope everyone is is fine. Yes, I just have the one inj - neulasta I rhink it is. Jo, hope you’re okay? Check in later, love Pat x
For those of you who drink wine, I found red was much nicer tasting than white while in ‘sludge gob’ mode.
Also those of you taking ibuprofen, try taking paracetemol with it as well; it is more effective. You can take the maximum dose of both medications(according to the packs) at different intervals…but clear it with your dr’s first.
All your comments are very familiar. I also had gcsf jabs for 8 days during each of my chemo cycles. The person that is having just one jab is very lucky! Unfortunately my hospital doesn’t have a licence for it, and I know it is very costly too!
I have just finished my last tax after fec now dont worry about nails mine are long and have stayed that way all along the only thing most people suffer with is joint aches just like the flu symptoms but strong pain killers and rest makes life ok !!! my hair has thinned but still hanging in there eyebrows shaped themselves . just had good news rads not needed thank god it is a good feeling at the end of chemo so chin up everyone . best wishes to all of you and yes red wine does taste nicer than white whilst having tax xxxxx
love to all
jayne
Hi Jayne, congrats on finishing chemo, it must be a great feeling. Yeh, the aches and pains do seem to be manageable although I’ve only had 1 tax - next one next thurs. GReat news about no rads - did they say why? I was tld I’d have a couple of mths worth and I don’t spose that’ll change. Thanx for your positive comments, it’s great to hear. Hope everyone else ok? love and hugs Pat x
Can anyone tell me how long the ‘sludge gob’ mode lasts? Will my taste improve before my next lot of TAX or do you have it for the duration?
On a different note does anyone know if it is okay to use a jacuzzi while on chemo? I am sure I read somewhere that it is not advised due to risk of infection but don’t know where!
pp
x
Hi pp, the sludge gob generally lasts for about 10 days to 2 weeks in my case. I’m on day 15 and my taste is almost back to normal so you get a few days grace before next chemo. Isn’t it just the pits, I love my food and am becoming obsessed because of the taste thing. As for the jacuzzi, I googled it and it’s public ones, same for swimming pools, that should be avoided to avoid risk of infection. Add it to you list for after chemo - my list is gonna be a mile long, although I’m also having couple months of radio so will still not be able to swim etc coz of poss complications with skin. There should be loads to look fwd to, but it’s now when we could do with the boost. I’m really looking fwd to my massage at hosp immediately before my next tax on Thursday. Pamper yourself as much as you can, I love long baths with a nice face treatment on, lovely candle burning and some music - all stuff which, before the bc I really thought I didn’t have time for. Hope all are ok, check in later love and hugs, Pat x
Hi Ladies,
Just fancied adding my pennies worth.
Had last Tax (3 FEC/3TAX) 24/2 so just over a week ago and still got sludge mouth, food tastes awful and makes me gag - how I’d love roast beef or a curry and enjoy it, never mind not too much longer.
On the wine front - I ususally only drink red and have found I can’t touch it and white tastes much better - bizarre.
Still very achey, stiff neck and shoulders, knees and hips, very runny eyes, people think I’m crying all the time, numb finger tips and toe tips, constipated, irritated bladder, infact I feel like i’m ninety when last summer I was a bubbly lively 46 year old. Well think I’ve moaned enough for one day.
Oh had rads planning today as well, that was a breeze and tattoos didn’t hurt one bit and the sun is shining today so not all bad.
x
Hi gingery, welcome. I’m having last but one tax next Thurs and then having rads so be interested to know about the planning appt. I’ve been told about the tattoos. Does the whole appt take long? Are you just having rads to breast or arm as well? The taste thing is weird, I love my cuppa tea but can’t bear it at the mo. Hopefully soon you’ll be SE - free. Take care, Pat x
Hi Pat,
what hospital will you be having your rads at?
It said on the appointment letter to allow 1-2 hours but I was straight in and the whole thing took under 20 mins. You just lay in the CT scanner while they line up the lazers then 3 tiny pricks and your done.
Yes the taste thing is one of the worst I think, can’t even eat for comfort.
Hope your last Tax is ok, it was a real anticlimax, they just unhooked me and I walked out…not banners or balloons 
take care
x
Hi there girls and hello Gingery.
I had my last TAX 5 wks ag today and my eyes have only stopped watering this week…it’s really unpleasant isn’t it. My nose used to run as well without any warning…literally pour!!! My nails are now falling off - thought I had got away with that one, but once I took the dark polish off it wasn;t a nice sight!
I have a few hairs in my nose again (!) some fine ones on my legs and some eyebrows. My hair is getting thicker (I used cold cap and kept most of my hair but it did thin on top)
My legs still ache a bit but not sure if that is due to chemo of the 2stone I have gained and am struggling to shift…I swear that dexa is still doing its’ work on my body!