Good afternoon, I am 65 and due to start chemo next week, EC x 4 and Paclitaxel x 4, dose dense accelerated. I am 65 (next month ) and I haven’t found much information on the safety and tolerability of chemo in my age group. The information I have seen, studies, papers etc all seem to be in patients under 65. Im very anxious about how this will be for me and how safe, whether I will have more toxicity etc. Is there any help or guidance you can give to me? Thank you 
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Hi, i cant tell you about the technical side of things, studies etc. , but i can tell you about my experience. Although i do know that your oncologist will work out the appropriate dosage for you personally, bearing in mind your age, weight/size, comorbidities and general level of fitness. I am 69 (68 during treatment) and had much same chemo, although i had 12 paclitaxol (weekly). I think i coped with the chemo relatively well, it was exhausting and challenging. I had a range of side effects, for which the oncology team prepared me for snd gave me the appropriate medications. I did have my paclitaxol dose reduced twice because of side effects, but still had complete resolution of tumour (PCR). I know from spending many hours on this forum there is a huge rsnge of responses to chemo and they are nit necessairily age related, some people were able to keep running or going to work, others struggled to get out of bed some days. It is importsnt to tell your team of any side effects as soon as possible so they can help you. I found joining the chemo starters group for your starting month really helpful and the HER2+ buddies thread a lifeline if that is your diagnosis. I finished the main chemo regime July last year, then had surgery and radiotherapy and continued with phesgo until may this year. I am now physically back to some normality, rebuilding my stamina, going to yoga etc. The only residual side effect i have left is some peripheral neuropathy in fingers and toes, but its not too much bother. I would just suggest your concerns with your oncoligy team or give the BCN nurses here a ring. Best wishes for next week, you can do it.
Penny
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Hi there - sorry you’re going through this. But 65 is no age! My aunt had 12 weekly Paclitaxels in her mid 80s and was fine - I had the same at 60 last year and apart from fatigue few side effects (even kept my head hair with a cold cap). Do join the chemo monthly starters - you’re sure to find a wide range of ages and good to share the journey with a group.
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Hi, My Mum had 3 x EC, then 12 weekly Pax. She was 80 and coped really well. Best wishes.
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Thanks so much edp, very encouraging, imagine your Mum going through this at 80 
, I hope Mum is doing well, and you too.
I used to feel very young and not feel my age until I realised I had to have chemo, now I’m finding things to worry about. I’m glad I posted as I feel encouraged by the replies. Thank you so much Lolac, hope you’re doing well.
Thank you Penny For all the detailed information and encouragement. I have joined the September starters. Happy to hear after a difficult year and more you’re returning to normality and recovering. It’s important to look after ourselves, isn’t it, I will work on that and ask for more help from the oncology team or here, I haven’t contacted them yet as it’s just been 9 days since I found out about the chemo and I’m a bit dazed but so glad I reached out. Wishing you a happy weekend, Penny.
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Mum is now 84 and doing really well. I’m pretty sure she would not be here without chemo. I had BC and chemo 19 years ago…I’m still alive and kicking too. Hope it all goes smoothly and whizzes by quickly.
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Just a quick bit of support. I was diagnosed at 70 and had eight chemo sessions. It is not pleasant, you feel pretty lousy BUT it is really doable. Just get in to your routine: chemo followed by 2/3 okay days then 4-6 dog days when you just lie around feeling grim and then its on the upward path again. Try to schedule in real life for the upward cycle part before the next one. You will get through this.
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Hi, I don’t want to be negative but thought you might want to hear my experience. I’m 43 and had dose dense as was told I was under 50 and fit and healthy so I could ‘take it’. I’m suprised they’re giving you dose dense at 65. The first 4 EC, people usually get every 3 weeks so you’re getting ‘topped up’ a lot more. I couldnt take it after last one so they gave me a break (though cold capping and not feeling well whilst undergoing the treatment would’ve contributed to this too). The next 4 pacs, people usually get it weekly but your dose will be double so will need to continue your immune injections (I understand weekly doesnt require this). I had bad neuropathy from pax so my dosage was reduced. I did complete the dose dense regime but it is a lot harder. On the flip side, its less visits and the timescale overall is shorter. They must think you’re strong enough to handle dose dense but dont be afraid to speak out if its too much as they can either reduce the dosage or just go to a normal regime. Best of luck x
Doing fine, although letrozole has been a bit of a challenge. Waiting for results of a bone MRI to make sure my joint pains are nothing more suspicious (I had lots of joint issues pre cancer so not worried - my oncologist is just cautious).
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Hi, I’m on a different treatment regime to you but just wanted to say, I’m 65 started chemo in April, finished August, had surgery last Monday! It hasn’t been easy, but you can do it! Don’t be afraid to tell your team about side effects etc, treatment can be tweaked to help. All the best for your journey
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Thank you yjmc, I appreciate hearing about your experience with dose dense and accelerated. I’d prefer the standard dose and a 21 day cycle even if it’s slightly less effective because at least I’d be able to finish it and not have long term side effects like the neuropathy or cardiotoxicity. Unfortunately that’s all that was offered. I’ll ask again before next week’s start date. So glad you finished your treatment and wishing you a healthy future x
Hi, yes i forgot thats the other positive side to it when I have tried to look it up, dose dense has shown to be more effective but everything needs to balance out with quality of life etc especially when side effects such as neuropathy can be permanent. Remember your can start then change later. It was my 3rd one that began to feel pretty bad, however i was cold capping and that just contributed to it. Best of luck x
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Thanks Sassy3! I’m feeling more encouraged to give it a go. You’re amazing, chemo completed How was your surgery?
It was ok, I was very worried about the surgery aspect of the journey but it went better than I thought. Just waiting for results now to confirm further treatment, radiotherapy is most likely and possibly targeted therapy injections for a year. Us girls are made of strong stuff (just as well) 
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I had chemo (FEC T and Docetaxel) when I was 65 (I’m just coming up to 70). I coped well, I think. Never sick. I did get increasingly tired as I went through the 6 cycles. I recovered pretty quickly. I took all the meds (anti sickness, etc) as prescribed.
Everyone seems to have a different response, but not age- related it seems.
Tick each one off as getting nearer to the last one.
I hope all goes well for you.
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@healed I forgot to mention, remember the dose dense for Pacs takes a lot longer than your EC sessions so better to arrange early morn
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Penny I have exactly the same treatment but add in trastuzumab as well Oct 26 should be when I finish treatment … good to know you are relatively ok after regards Hazel
Hi there I am 63 about to be 64… about to get my last EC 24 Sept then onto 12 doses of paclitaxel weekly and 18 doses of trastuzumab every three weeks … the most important thing I can suggest is be very clear on communication to the team … my onocology team have been great getting me the help I need . The chemo brain is annoying and the fatigue is very real be prepared for that . I did not go for the cold cap the friends how have gone through this found after weeks of trying to cope with the discomfort found it sadly did not work for them … it does for other people like the Princess of Wales . Listen to your body if it is tried sleep but hydrate well that will help support your body . I found eating small meals and things that did not smell or taste strongly helped the first week after EC then slowly go back to eating healthy protein rich meals with plenty of fruit and veg … your digestion might take a hit if you are not dairy intolerant eat live yogurt daily.