August 2025 chemo starters

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy monthly threads
603

Hey all, hope everyone is doing okay. I’m feeling so pants today and the weather is just awful. I seem to be getting terrible headaches each round now with the Filgrastim injections, is anyone else? I start them on a Thursday evening and the headache kicks in after the 2nd and 3rd ones. I’m also starting to worry about Paclitaxel side effects - is anyone else on 2 weekly Paclitaxel? If so, how have you found it compared to 2 weekly EC?

Going to head back to bed now and hope I feel better tomorrow!

604

Thank you @pg92, for taking the time to reply to me, I haven’t used ice mitts for my EC and haven’t bought any for tomorrow but I’ll get some Difflam mouthwash and definitely use the sodium bicarb rinse more often. Wishing you well for your next treatment xx

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605

Thanks @louise15, appreciate the reply, I’ll use the bicarb and buy some Difflam mouthwash as I had a sore throat last time but then some strange mouth symptoms like a swollen tongue and not being able to swallow my saliva which scared me. Wishing you well for your treatment :slight_smile: xx

606

Hi everyone, I’m having my 4th and last cycle of EC tomorrow which they have lowered to just 60% as my toxicity levels were far too high for me to cope with. I’m supposed to be starting 4 cycles of doxetaxel in November, but I want to speak with my oncolgist before then to see if they will still want me to have it. I’m so pleased that the EC is almost over. Best wishes to everyone for their treatments, hope it all goes well xx

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607

@sunshine-smile, hello, and sorry to hear about the headaches. I’ve had back and leg pain with the Pelgraz injection I have, which is a single one, rather than daily. It tends to kick in day 7, and been tild just to take paracetamol. If you are still the same tomorrow, I would report it to your medical team, in case they can offer something stronger. Sending hugs xx

608

@louise15, Bonjela is nice and cooling on the inside of the mouth, and so I just comforting on mouth ulcers. I’ve found Biotene mouthwash (from Boots) really good for a sore mouth, so I would recommend that. Ive just used Difflam too tonight, and it kinda numbs the mouth, but also been using standard Listerine mouthwash as well. I’ve not ulcers too badly other than first EC, but have a very dry, sore mouth for over a week each week. Take care xx

609

I’ve got my third paclitaxel Thursday. Dvt clinic Tuesday.

@pollypox i have hip pains too but not too bad mainly at night. Mouth ulcers are mild.

@healed must confess to being too lazy to use any of the hand mits or mouth things. I did use ice cubes during ec to distract from the horrid taste though. They were nice.

@sunshine-smile sorry yesterday was so grim. The filgrastin sideffects are really nasty. Im lucky not to have any with the paclitaxel. My team only introduce them if bloods get bad becauae of the sideffects.

@louise15 sorry re tinnitus…

@pips12 hope today goes well. Yay for final EC.

Im going to ask about stopping dexamethasone today. Could be an unpopular discussion with the team…

Today will be spent doing art with a friend i think. Maybe a run. Im over the bald look now!! But setting myself challenges is a nice distraction.

610

Hi @sunshine-smile I’m on 2 weekly paclitaxel too, but a few days behind you I think - I had my first one on Friday. So far no real side effects to report, my thighs were a bit achy yesterday but nothing major. And my feet were tingly when I walked out of the hospital on Friday but they’ve been fine since. Had my first filgrastim yesterday and that’s been fine, it wasn’t an issue on EC so will be interesting to see if it’s any different for me with paclitaxel. But so far, so good :crossed_fingers:t2:.

Hope you’re feeling better today - the weather certainly isn’t helping at the moment :weary:

611

Hi all, had my last EC today, dose lowered to 60%. Knowing it was the last, felt quite good going into unit, which is where it went slightly wrong. Apparently my bloods which were taken on Friday weren’t test worthy (they clotted before testing, which according to chemo nurse could have been where they were stored before going to the lab) So had to have another blood test this morning, but no blood would come through the picc line (it has every other time they have done it). The nurse tried for 45 mins, flush with saline, try extracting, more saline, you get the picture, before finally blood decided to make an appearance. Ironically, I now feel more sick with all the bloomin’ saline than with the EC. Thanks heavens it the last one of those. Best wishes to all xx

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612

Hi all,

Apologies, I feel very rude for coming on here yesterday and not responding to any of the other comments and then just having a moan, so sorry! I didn’t mean to ignore everyone just a little at the end of my tether.

@bramble1 I haven’t had my Paclitaxel yet, just in the last throws of the EC4 side effects, so you’re a week or so ahead of me. I’ve been told nothing to take ahead of my first one, but I’ll have IV steroids and antihistamine beforehand. I don’t think I can cope with additional filgrastim injections, they are making me feel awful. Must speak to the consultant about that this week!

@toad glad EC4 seemed to be okay, hope it still is and that you have a good break!

@woodstock77 I take my hat off to you still working and managing all of this as a single parent, honestly I don’t think I could even focus on work - I can barely focus on the TV most of the time. You are not a misery at all, you are doing great :heart: xx

@dianne3 how did your first Paclitaxel and Herceptin go today? Hope it’s been okay :heart: xx

@pollypox I’ve got tinnitus but had that since EC3 and no idea what to do about it. I’m really worrying about the bone/leg pains but glad to hear that paracetamol is helping. Can you take Ibuprofen? xx

@emma-jayne know that feeling, sending a virtual hug and hope you’re feeling better xx

@louise15 I’ve had similar mouth pain and the burnt feeling on EC. I tend to get it in my second week. I’ve changed my toothbrush and toothpaste and it seems to be a bit better (toothpaste is Kingfisher, it came in my Little Lifts box and I’ve moved from an electric to a bamboo manual toothbrush) just seems to be less harsh on the mouth. Sorry to hear about the rest of your side effects, that does not sound like fun, lets hope what the nurse says is true and the next ones are better :heart: xx

@healed I haven’t used any compression socks or gloves for EC, but will do for Paclitaxel. I just sucked on some lemon sweets during the last infusion of EC but hasn’t really helped prevent the sore mouth I’m afraid, just the change of toothpaste and toothbrush as mentioned above xx

@pips12 yay for getting through your final EC! It’s such a good feeling xx

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@pg92 thank you, started getting leg pains this morning and thought enough is enough. Been on the phone all day chasing an update, but finally got agreement from the consultant that I don’t have to take my final injection tonight, thank god!! I’m absolutely dreading more injections on the Paclitaxel, especially if achy bones are already a side effect.

I love @louise15 idea of sharing a positive, I don’t think I could have found one yesterday :joy: but today I have paid the deposit for our new puppy!! I’m so excited and this poor pup is going to be my focus from when I finish chemo, getting me out the house for walks and training and who knows what else. I’ve loved seeing all the pics of your pups and counting down to December when my boy will be ready to come home!!

Hopefully I’ll sleep better tonight, minus the evil injection, and maybe feel even more positive tomorrow. Hugs to all :heart: xx

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614

Hi @sunshine-smile was in the unit for six hours today but all went well. Herceptin injection was very stingy but dooable. Pre meds were, tummy protection and anti histamine. Steroids were administered intravenously. 1 bag of Paclitaxel which took about an hour to infuse. Managed the cold cap which was harsh and made me feel really cold, had some tomatoes soup which helped. Came out with anti sickness 4 Tabs per day for 4 days and Steroids 1 per day for two days and NO FILGRASTIM INJECTIONS :grin::grin::grin:. I am tired so having an early night. I can’t help thinking that if I had 12 Steroid tablets when on EC and only 2 on weekly Paclitaxel it’s got to be easier​:thinking::thinking::thinking:

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Hi @sunshine-smile, heres to a better tomorrow, as I’ve been feeling pretty rough after my 4th EC, and quite tearful with it all, I feel so done with it all.
Glad you got decision on the injection front. Sometimes I think the medication given to counter the side effects, make you feel a lot worse :see_no_evil:. Hope you have a restful night !

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Hello, I have popped over from September chemo starters - yes I had terrible headaches, optical migraines and bone pain from the Filgratim injections. They got so bad on round 2, that my Oncologist said I didn’t have to have them on round 3 and they would just test my blood count to make sure I was high enough. I have decided to have just the 1 injection though, just to make sure, as there are lots of bugs around this time of year. So I would speak to your oncologist about your symptoms. Jane

617

I’d had a single Mastectomy in July, just enough time to recover and then started EC chemo.

I had very few side effects but was fatigued for the full 3 weeks, breathless and my heart rate was high. I managed though and actually thought myself very lucky.
I had 2 cycles and then caught COVID, so my third cycle was delayed.

In the last few days I’ve felt more normal than I’ve been since July and now am absolutely dreading EC3, because I know I’m going to feel like crap again.

Not one bit of me wants to sit in that chair on Friday but I’ve got no alternative :sob:

Bloody hell though!

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618

@preferablywithfood, hello, I feel for you, because I feel the same before each one. Maybe ask if they can reduce the dosage to make it a bit easier on you?
I did ask before my last one, but the Oncologist said she would only reduce to 80%, I decided to be brave and stick with full dose. But another member on here said they did get theirs reduced to 60%. So I think its worth asking, especially given the side effects you’ve already experienced. Sending big hugs xx

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619

Oh! They are reducing this dose! I’d forgotten!

I’m in for bloods today and then EC tomorrow - I’ll double check that they’re still reducing it!

I keep reading about ladies getting to Day 10 and feeling pretty normal, but I’ve never had that, I’m knackered for the full 3 weeks. But then I’ve had hardly any other side effects - no pain from the injections, no nausea, so I’ve not felt “ill” really - it could be much worse, but I’m just worn out already.

More than a quarter of the way through now though. Yay :roll_eyes:

620

Hello @preferablywithfood, its best to mention the extreme tiredness to your medical team, in caee theres something they can suggest to help. Also maybe ring Macmillan, as they may be able to advise?
Ive had more fatigue this week too than previous, but they said thats the cumulative effect. Hopefully you’ll have the lower dose, & less effect over the next few days. Best wishes xx