here I am folks after second tax yesterday, tomorrow should be the day all the yuk starts, so im prepared with thrush treatment. Greasing my feet and hands with loads of cream. Using mouth wash just in case, haemaroid cream at the ready. Its worse than fighting A world war lol but in good spirits and ready for it.
Oh gained 4lb on the steroids so will be ready for the loo rush when the steroids stop. Oh be joyful. Good day and best wishes to you all.
Hello all
Just to say that I’m on my 4th and last Docetaxel tomorrow! I almost gave up after the first one as the joint pains and indigestion were unbearable, but after the second one it wasn’t so bad! And no pain at all after the third one, but eyes very sore and puffy! So hang on there ladies, it will soon be over!
x
been reading this thread with interest and though loads of people have replied with brilliant responses just thought I’d my penny’s worth. First up, tax was hell and I thought I would never get through. the constipation was unbelievable and as for knowing what on earth to eat, almost impossible.
I eventually found custard, jelly, and hot chocolate were my main foods with a bit of raw carrot and celeriac - not the shop bought coleslaw as that is too spiced. But, the main thing I want to say is this - it WILL END and you WILL FEEL BETTER, eventually. I’m now a year on and my toe nails are still ugly as sin from a nasty fungal infection but otherwise I am doing well, now.
It took a long long long time gradually building up stamina and totally with you on the not being able to walk anywhere.
I recall struggling up the road before christmas to buy stamps only to be told they had run out - I just burst into tears because I couldn’t believe the effort I’d made to get there and all for nothing!
So all my thoughts and hugs and best wishes are going to all you people out there struggling away with tax and please trust me, it does end. I was in hospital twice with it (various complications) and at one time remember lying thinking, this must be what it’s like to die, as I simply could not drink, eat, move or anything, but it passed and now I’m buzzing about so good luck and loads of love
Green fingers
Evening all,
Sorry to hear so many of you are suffering with the se’s. Haven’t looked on the site for the last few days as after spending the weekend chained to the loo with cystitis, I’ve had a sudden surge of energy (feel like I’m on steroids again) and have been buzzing round doing housework, shopping and having a girls’(aka grumpy old women)night in.
I did have a sore mouth and dreadful tongue for the first few days but then it cleared overnight, so I’m counting my blessings. Only snag is that I’m relishing food so much (start to plan lunch and supper as soon as I’ve had breakfast) I can feel the pounds going on. Unlike everyone else though, my face is sinking in - hollow eyes and cheeks.
Maybe all these things are waiting to pounce after Tax 2.
Hope everyone is feeling better soon.
loula
hi
I re toenials following tax.Mine are horrible, and could not even wear sandles when I went on holiday last month.Last week I discovered tea trea anti fungal treatment in Holland and Barrett.One week of using and the nails are not cured but certainly looking better, so hopefully will improve further.Would also be more comfortable if I could wear open toe shoes,as well as getting ready for summer!
I’ll let you know if it works.
Lucinda xx
second day after second tax with a 5mg increase due to weight gain and not bad at all, took all the precautions i can. I have just walked the two gentle dogs up the road hard work but did it. Just trying to pace everything. I think the last one was bad because i was ill as well and didnt realise. Thats the trouble not knowing if your ill or a side effect. I still have sore fingers but bearable and am slapping cream on my feet as they are peeling a lot. So ladies heres hoping all will go well not just for me but for you to.
Hi, everybody. Just had my 6 of 6 Docetaxol on Thursday. Feeling yuk today, but know that things can only get better. Really slow now when I take the dog round the park. The slight hill at the end just seems insurmountable sometimes. Has anybody else had heavy legs when they get up after sitting down? Sometimes it feels like my thighs are made of lead and it takes me a few minutes to walk it out and then I feel ok again. Not something that I’ve seen anybody else post about. Perhaps it’s just me?
Hi Ladies, had my last Docetaxel on Tuesday…yeay! First two were awful, but so far this one hasn’t been too bad. May just be delayed I know and could really kick in tomorrow, but today feeling much better than expected. I do have heavy legs though, walking up stairs a slow and painful process. I’m taking ibuprofen regularly this time, as had so much pain last time, particularly in feet and legs. Too early tell if it’s going to help, but looking good so far. I was only taking them at night before, but the BC nurse suggested regularly might help more. Even my tastebuds aren’t too bad so far!! Whatever, I think knowing it’s the last is having a positive effect too! The end is in sight! And radiotherapy is, I’m told, a walk in the park after chemo!! Hang on in there ladies, it’s hard, but you’ll get there. lots of love to you all. x
Good, good news blueyegirl. Let’s hope you escape the side effects this time, that would be an added bonus. I have my second c-Tax on Friday and like you intend to start the ibuprofen much earlier this time.
loula
Hi just wanted to add I finished my tax in November and yes it does come to an end. I had the piles cream ready and my GP gave me lignacaine cream to put up my bum if the pain got too bad and a another tube of an enema you can use at home. I didn’t have them the first time and suffered a lot, so I got prepared. As for the peeling feet etc I tried loads but the best was good old fashioned parafin wax from the gp again, I slathered it on all the time and wore cotton socks over the top. I used well wrapped up ice packs under my feet as well. I never really cracked the taste problems but it didn’t always happen. I had bio sculpt nails done to keep my finger nails looking ok and they did help. They flaked a lot after but its cleared up now. I was told that the heavy legs is actually the steroids which attack the muscles. It has gone off now but lasted until atleast 2 months after the last tax. I went from being someone who wouldn’t take an aspirin to taking in the end tramadol for the pain, it really worked just beware it makes you constipated so keep up the fruit, water and senokot!!! I had rads after and it really was fine. Just beginning to get some energy back. It takes time but we will all get there. love to all T xxx
Hi All,
Thanks to those taxers who have gone through it and psoted reassurance.
Well done chris, blueyedgirl and lazycat for reaching the finish line. I will be joining you to collect my medal next friday.
I am still finding my heels are sore. Puffy fingers are less of an issue 2 weeks in but what has hit me this time is sheer exhaustion. I was warned that fatigue on chemotherapy would be cumulative but wasn’t really preapared for this. I could not run a 30 yards to catch a bus yesterday. I will be so glad to have some energy back when this part of treatment is finished. I did feel, last week, that I’d had enough.
I think achey legs go with the territory though I have found them worse after the white cells booster jab.
I hope everyone’s SEs pass very soon.
Sue
i had my 2nd dose 2 weeks ago, i am so glad i joined this forum, now i know what i have been experiencing is ok i never thought it was possible to feel so ill, the 2 things i find most difficult to cope with are feeling so bloody vunerable, and loosing my independence i hate it, but never mind i wont give in to this load of old %^&* I would rather crawl around on my hands and knees (which i have done) than give in and accept defeat.
i dont think it is stressed enough about the side effects of docetaxel and i defianately think it does pay to speak to someone with first hand experience,
Seven months past last fec/tax and although hair & nails have recovered well I still have residual muscle ache in my legs particularly at night, despite regular exercise it’s not improving much and the onc said at last visit it can take a year or longer to recover from these aches. Hmm, he didn’t mention that before I signed the consent form! Healing thoughts to all. X
5 days in on the tax went to bed last night at 5.00pm slept until 8.00am this morning, been asleep most of the day in the chair. Feel yuk what a yuk day here is hoping tomorrow is better.
I agree elizabethtracey my hospital gave me a sheet which mentioned the possible side eggects, but played them down. Fortunately I’d seen from people’s posts what the effects could be, although I still was bowled over when it happened to me. I’d much rather hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Sorry you’re feeling so yuk hatty, hope tomorrow is a better day.At least you could sleep.
loula
Hi again, yes this forum really does give you relief when you realise that you’re not the only one going through these symptoms! I have such a combinations of drugs to help me through. Medicine for constipation, Loperamide for when everything keeps passing through, anti sickness tables, omeprazole for stomache acid, ibuprofen for pain, mouth washes… etc etc! And before this I’d grumble if I needed to take a paracetamol. At the moment, anything that helps me through is given a go! Regular ibuproprofen has definately helped so far!
I would say to keep your fluids up, lots of water! Have had dehydration a couple of times and it really does make things so much worse! Two days in hospital before christmas when extreme. Not a nice feeling. Hang on in there girls! big hug Karen x
If you find it hard to drink plain water [I found it tasted flat and metallic] then well chilled sparkling water with a slice of lemon or a splash of lime juice really helps.Just keep telling yourselves that tax is the current best there is and even if you are left with residual se’s it’s better than being left with residual cancer cells!![Yes I know there are no guarantees but it does increase your chances.]
relieved to find this thread re tax and hope you lot can help
had first tax last thursday followed by one Neulasta injection on friday - (had four FEC beforehand)
not been able to move far out of bed today - i ache all over and if i am honest i am a bit scared- will the aches and pains subside bewteen TAX doses??
i am living on my own with my three kids and have coped with the chemo journey up 'til now but last night was the first time i felt a bit vulnerable knowing how achey i felt in the middle of the night… achey mostly back, pelvis, legs and feet.
sore mouth/dryness - already kicked in - earlier than with FEC
digestive sytem - belonging to someone else!!
just hoping for a bit of reassurrance/is this normal and will i be likely to feel bit better as time lapses and between doses
claire
feeling a little better than yesterday and yes things do get better between tax but not as good as Fec, thats what i have found. I dont get the aches so much as ive become a rip van winkle and can sleep for England something ive never done im my life before so perhaps im just catching up on what i missed out on all those years lol…
Hope everyone thats feeling yuk soon start to feel better. It seems to me you feel yuk on tax and everyones yuk is different. My taste has gone this time and it hadnt last time so im eating slops oh be joyful and on a good note ive lost 2lb on the strength of it. yuk yuk yuk…
Claire…I am afraid its all normal! Take shed loads of pain killers and soldier on…and really look after your mouth with everything you can get esp cordysyl and difflam. Garlic is also good believe it or bot and sugar free gum helps keep mouth moist. Get Biotene toothpaste and some dry mouth spray…
…and good luck…its horrid stuff tax!