@ivy-cat my oncologist said the same about doxecetal- really not helpful to be so negative I feel, I know they have to tell us the facts, but I felt my oncologist went OTT. I need to know what I may experience but please in an objective manner. Hugs xxxx
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Hi guys sorry I haven’t been messaging the last few days. Been quite rough so just hunkered down. Unfortunately when I’m on the steroids it really throws all my sugars and insulin doses and just adds another stress! I hope everyone else is OK good luck for everyone about to move over to the Docetaxal. Has anyone had any experience of the Abraxane? If so how does it compare to the EC side effects? Helen xx
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Hi everyone, sorry I can’t help as I’m on AC and just starting to realise how many different types of chemotherapy’s there is.
Each seem to have so many different side effects.
My bloods came back today, Hemoglobin Is low so have to get them repeated on Thursday as this is what is causing Nosebleeds. dizziness and headaches.Dr said if still the same on Thursday I’ll have to get blood transfusion
I really don’t like to come on here and complain but feel as I’ve had every side effect on this chemotherapy. All anyone tells me at Hosiptal is this is a tough chemotherapy.
I know I’m fortunate that I’ve only 4 cycles to get and then radiotherapy but don’t know if I can cope with much more.
Hopefully tomorrows a better day xx
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Epsom salt baths helped a lot of us back in 2017 with bone pain during docetaxol and Imodium and upping carbs, it can also give you aunt sally rosie smacked cheeks but always ring your unit if you don’t feel quite right after the infusion when you get home it scan also give you what’s been described here on the forum as a slime mouth, things like ginger biscuits and pineapple have helped with that sometimes docetaxol can make you have a reaction, it’s happened to a few of us over the years, your teams have seen it all before and know what to do, just wanted to share because if it happens it can be a bit 
but wanted to let you know it can happen and your in safe hands with your teams your onc might suggest abraxane as alternative and lots have switched to that and been fine 
Shi xx
I’m now even more worried about doxecetal 
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Good morning lovely ladies, I’m sorry a few of you are having a tough time, hope today is a better day and sending lots of love to you all
I’m day 13 today following 3rd EC and feeling a lot better 
it’s been my worst so far, sickness lingered , constipation horrific, head felt like it was in a vice, ( just a few of my side effects) but really think I’m out the other side and onto Docetaxal next, like some of you said my oncologist also said it’s basically going to be awful in comparison to EC which if I’m honest was awful so heaven knows what docetaxel has planned for me 
but on a positive note I joined a chat on here and a couple of people said how much better docetaxel was compared to EC , I’ve added the link below, so think like people keep saying, everyone is different and maybe we will be the lucky ones sending you all lots of love , hope you all have a good day xx EC (Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide) vs. D/T (Docetaxel/Taxotere)
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Gromit a lot of people fly through docetaxol 
just take it one treatment at a time I didn’t mean to cause you any worry with my previous post, sorry if I have. I had a reaction on my 2nd docetaxol and went into orbit with so just wanted to let you gang know if you do get a reaction it can happen and your teams have seen it all before and know what to do. Sorry Shi xx
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Hi @Shi did you have Abraxane? If so how did you find the side effects I’ve got one more EC left then 9 of Abraxane x
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Morning @pollyanna1 it really is pants isn’t it! There’s nothing I can say to sugar coat it. I just keep thinking it’s one more done and soon I can focus on nice things like holidays! The head aches I struggle with too as it’s hard to get rid of them and they are constant. You can do this! Sending you an extra big hug Helen xx
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My 3rd EC has been the same. Just lingering awfulness.
Weirdly, my oncologist and my clinical lead both say that I should find Docetaxel better than EC and that most of their patients do. There seems to be such a breadth of experiences with Docetaxel. It feels like a total lottery. You and I have had such identical cycles each time and seem to have experienced it the same so here’s hoping we sail through Docetaxel with just some joint pain! As always, I’ll be a day ahead of you with mine starting next Thurs so hopefully I’ll have good news to report!
My team tapered my steroids this last cycle and it’s 2 pills for breakfast on Day 4 and 1 pill on Day 5. I’ve fared better mentally this cycle after that so don’t be afraid to ask to tweak the steroids or ask for an extra day if you feel you need it on the next cycle.
Hilariously, I threw up this cycle but it was on Day 9. Someone was talking about orange Calippo lollies (which they make me eat throughout the EC administration) and the mention of them made me vomit! 
. I’m finding even someone mentioning chemo to be enough to evoke nausea at the moment which is bonkers!!!
I hope your last week is a good one before we start the Docetaxel! I’ve got to be a maid of honour in Glasgow (I’m in Bath!) on the Saturday after mine (Day 3) and have to take all three kids up there with us. I feel I have bitten off more than I can chew but a promise is a promise! Eek!
Sx
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@elle16 and @swk1981 thank you so much for posting this! I know @gromit12 and I are both so worried about switching to docetaxel and this is really reassuring. I guess the anxiety is worse because I currently feel so rough and the thought of feeling even worse on docetaxel has pretty much tipped me over the edge 
Fingers crossed that docetaxel is easier for all of us
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Hope @ivy-cat and @altoan are starting to feel ok? And everyone of course!
I have the same levels of anxiety about paclitaxel to the point I don’t know if I can do it. Supposed to start on the 27th. Is there anyone out there on paclitaxel on 2 weekly treatments that would share their experience please?
@mlp74 Hi, I am on the February chemo starters thread but thought I could share my experiences with Paclitaxel. I started on 4 x EC and then 4 x Paclitaxel every two weeks, currently have had 3 of the Paclitaxel sessions. I would say that I have found them ok and not too many side effects. Had a lot of muscle/bone pain after the first session but spoke to the team who prescribed pain killers which have helped to ease the issue for treatments 2 & 3. I also have some neuropathy in my toes and fingers, but its not too bad, feels like what your fingers/toes feel when you have been out in the freezing cold with no gloves on!
Just remember to tell your team of any side effects and they will adjust accordingly.
My oncology told me st the start that if I had any bad side effects that I was struggling with, then they are not doing their jobs properly !
X
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I’ve got 2 more EC (3rd cycle tomorrow), then if all being ok I move onto paclitaxel on 13th for 4 cycles (every 2 wks), am seeing my oncologist on the 7th so see what she says.
Bloods yesterday were a nightmare, took 3 attempts on my “good arm” then eventually got them in my “chemo arm” I think my veins just didn’t want to play, but I’m hoping they play nice tomorrow as I get a cannula in my hand.
Been a mixed cycle this time compared to the 1st & I’ve had lower back pain since Thursday, walking, streching & wheat heat bag is helping ease it off but Wednesday last week wasn’t a good day as felt so exhausted so will say about this tomorrow.
Hope everyone’s doing ok & best wishes for people getting treatment this week. L xx
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Have you not got a PICC Line or Port for bloods to be done through? My team wouldn’t let me have chemo through anything other than a central vein as they said it would permanently destroy my veins because of the strength of the drugs? May be worth chatting to them about it?
Hi HC1973 - I had 3 FEC, then 2 docetaxol and then 1 more FEC, I was offered Abraxane or to have another FEC, I opted to have another FEC (I knew what I was getting with a FEC) - I was TNBC. There has been others move over to Abraxane when they have has a reaction to Docetaxol and I hope one of them will pop on here and answer your question about any SE’s from Abraxane. You can always ring the number on here and speak to a nurse or write in the ask the nurse section on the forum about Abraxane. Just take it one treatment at a time and tick them off as you go, I had a post-it note up in my kitchen and ticked each one off, felt like getting control back a bit in all the craziness if that make sense, remember to reward yourself with a little treat after each treatment, I found that helped too. Love and Sparkles Shi xx
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@swk1981 yes I agree we have had very similar reactions to EC, anything I eat on chemo day I can no longer think about without feeling sick, I thought it was in my head but obviously not, I’m still having waves of nausea but the sickness tablets go help, and I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, I don’t realise I’m falling asleep in till I wake up and think ooo I must of dropped off
Hope the travel and the wedding goes well for you, what a massive achievement that will be
@ivegotthis01 good luck for tomorrow, hope it goes well for you, and sending all my love to anyone else who has treatment this week
@pollyanna1 ive not suffered any nose bleeds thankfully, but that sounds awful, especially during the night that must of been scary, hope it resolved quickly for you,
I keep trying to write back individually to people but keep forgetting, getting lost and muddled , my brain just doesn’t function like it used too 
hope I’ve not mixed any names up, but sending my love to you all
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Nope just a cannula in my hand, hhmmm will ask tomorrow & see what they say. Thanks L xx
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