Glad it went well, hope this session is gentler on you with the side effects this time. Each one is a learning curve isn’t it! You kind of get used to the pattern but something new pops in to say hi!
Thank you yes I had a look on some earlier forum feeds regarding the pounding heart and seems standard. It has eased since I posted I’m wearing a Fitbit which keeps track and hasn’t alerted me so that’s good but I can feel it in myself easing when I move about now but still taking it easy. I’ve got a Heart scan Monday anyway as a check.
Also had a call from the breast nurse I saw yesterday. My surgeon can’t fit me in to the required window so I’ve been allocated to someone else. So looks like it’s all go for the 16th December.
Hi @emma-jayne, the pounding heart may be due to anemia? I suffer with some breathlessness, which I know is due to anaemia, which is caused by the treatment.
Oh wow hadn’t given that a thought thank you. I appreciate you letting me know this as it’s things I wouldn’t have known could be linked. I have suffered with anaemia lots of times before treatment so I know I’m susceptible. I had a huge head rush on standing up from sitting on the floor earlier which I had to hold on while it passed before moving.
I have a MUGA heart scan on Monday, my second one. Will see how I am with it. I did mention what was happening to the team when they called. All they asked really was if I had any pain which I don’t thankfully. So just keeping an eye and a record of everything in the meantime.
No worries. I’m suffering a lot more fatigue which i know is anemia, and i read that breathlessness is linked to it as well. Im going to mention this to my medical team next week and see what they say. Hopefully you’ll get some reassurance and answers on Monday when you have the scan. I keep wondering if i need an iron supplement now, as bloods lower each time. Wishing you well x
Hi everyone, just to ask anyone who is on weekly Paclitaxel, if they are suffering aches/pains in legs, back, arms? If so, how are they dealing with it? Is it just with Paracetamol/Ibuprofen?
Been suffering with flu like body ache since day 2, difficult sleeping, had to keep getting up every few hours to take more tablets. Wondered if anyone else has had the same, and how long it lasts.
A bit concerned as I have treatment 2 coming up later this week. Any advice appreciated!
I’m on weekly paclitaxel. Yes, aches and pains - mostly in legs for me. Haven’t taken pain relief for them (need to protect my liver - a different story). I have found drinking loads of water seems to reduce them. Have also used ginger tea, for its anti inflammatory effects which seemed to work.
Most of my side effects are days 4-6. But I guess everyone is different. Is your temp ok?
@pg92 I’ve been getting leg and hip pain through the week between my weekly Paclitaxel. It tends to ease off 2 days before my next round. I take paracetamol in the day and co-codamol at night as this reduces the pain enough for me to sleep.
I was warned that this is a common side effect. I’m using over the counter meds right now, but if it gets worse I’ll get stronger co-codamol on prescription.
Xxxxx
Aww thank you @toad, appreciate it. I’ll ask my medical team later this week about co-codamol. As I suffer with constipation, I would need to counteract that with even more laxatives. But if co-codamol helps to get through the night, then it could be worth it.
I was hoping the pain might get less as the body gets used to a weekly dose of the drug, but from your reply, it doesn’t sound like thats the case
Thank you for the advice xx
Hi @buggeringon, thank you for the reply. Yep my temp has been okay, its just the achey legs, sometimes in the arms and lower back. Feels like aches you get when you have a bad cold/flu like symptoms. Difficult to walk, sit, stand, sleep. Taking paracetamol and Ibuprofen alternatively. Will speak to the medical team how to deal with it. I have been trying to keep on top of water intake, and drinking some ginger tea mainly for anti-nausea. Maybe need to increase further. Forgot to take Vit D tablet today, maybe that will help? I know it states its a ccommon side effect, but didnt realise it would go on for days. Had a soak in Epsom salt bath this evening, which was lovely, and helped ease the pain during & for a couple of hours after. Shame I had to get out, because it really did help… xx
Some other things I’ve remembered to share overnight: the pains were worse for first couple of weeks- which I worked out were down to 3 things : vit d low (added more eggs, now on supplement too), dehydration (I now aim for 3 litres a day) and being too active days 1-4.
I was also quick to have peripheral neuropathy and was very keen to stop it getting any worse - so adopted a rest approach days 1-4, so I’m not pumping the chemo to hands and feet (it takes about 72 hours to leave body) - same principle as cold capping (reducing blood flow to areas you want to protect). Adopting the rest approach does seem to be responsible for reducing leg pains too x
Also have leg pain, back and hip pains. I haven’t really looked for a pattern. Been using hot water bottle for them which is nice. Not using anything else. Paclitaxel effects in general are cumulative sadly. Exercising seems to be good in general so i continue to do it.
Hi @buggeringon and thank you for the advice. I’ll try to remember to take daily Vit D, and up my egg intake. Im not drinking anywhere near 3 litres, but will try to increase fluid intake generally with fruit teas. I guess it varies from person to person, as @outdoorsy is finding its cumulative, whilst you found the first 3 worse. Previously it was steroids causing insomnia and now its achey legs keeping me awake!
Ive been going for daily walks and stretching, as that helps. Maybe shorten the walks a bit on days 1 to 4, hot baths, hot water bottle.
Today is day 4 for me, and again last night difficulty sleeping, took paracetamol 6am. I can still feel a slight ache in legs, but its not as bad. Hopefully will disappear during the day. Thank you for all the advice xx
Hi @pg92 not sure if this is helpful or not but unlike others my leg/hip aches have lessened as I’ve had more weeklies (if bloods okay today, tmor will be my 5th Paclitaxel). In fact I’d say everything has got better apart from the headaches which never seem to go away. Just assuming my body is getting used to it but who knows x
Hi @pollypox, aww thank you, thats reassuring to.know, and I’m glad to hear you’ve had a more positive response after each one. I will ask my medical team this week, although I’m sure they’ll say everyone is different. I’ll try and stay positive and hope it lessens each time. But will keep up with the Epsom salt baths, and need to increase water/fluid intake, which I’ve been told will help. Wishing you well for tomorrow x
Hi all, just had my first cycle of Doxetaxel today. Was fine for the first 8 minutes, then got mild lower back pain which is apparently a reaction to the drug. I got told off by the nurse who came to see after 15 mins because I hadn’t rung the bell to let them know something was happening, she rang the bell herself, four nurses all came over, chemo was stopped, antihistimes were given. Sat for 30 mins whilst they took effect, then chemo was restarted. I honestly didn’t realise it was that bad. What made things worse was today is my 66th birthday, I’m officially an older person with a state pension and a bus pass and I had a chemo. Still all things considered was my 5th of 8 cycles so more than halfway through. Sending best wishes and hugs to everyone on their various chemo journeys.
I can relate to the leg and hip pain, before I was diagnosed I had a hip replacement so had suffered dreadfully for a few years with hip pain only to have it back now . I’ve had my fourth of nine weekly Paclitaxel today along with my Herceptin injection, I come out with 2 Steroids 1 per day for two days and anti sickness 4 per day for two days. I tend to take a dip on Thursday, Friday and Saturday but pick up Sunday ready for the following week. I have found Paclitaxel easier to tolerate than EC.
Hi all, sorry to hear about those suffering with leg and hip pains - I was the same after my first round - I’m on two weekly. It’s interesting about the rest more approach for days 1-4 as I was definitely more active this time without the nausea and headaches.
My second round was due to be today but I was in A&E Saturday night with a fever, home after 4 hrs thankfully, and probably an ear infection, but as I need 7 days of antibiotics I’ve had to delay until next week - annoying!
Has anyone started having menopause symptoms yet? I had a very sweaty Sunday night but put it down to the infection. But it happened last night as well and I’ve a horrid feeling the menopause has kicked in and I’m getting night sweats xx
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