Hi All, I have had 4 FEC so far and changing to docetaxel next thursday which I am dreading after reading all the horrid side effects. So far I think I have been quite lucky with the side effects of FEC, sickness better after changing tablets, constipation was the worst thing but have medicine to help that now. Any tips please for next week? thanks everyone. big hugs to all xxxx
take it as you find it as we are all different and really its so easy to come on here and moan when we are really feeling crook and not come on and say when we are having splendid days for that very reason we are out and about. Keep in mind the SE people have reported be prepared and hope that none befalls you. Good luck.
nessp - I also start docetaxel next Monday and have been reading the threads here … I’m scared to death! The oncologist today said I might have a few joint pains so take paracetamol and I might have sickness and I might have tingling fingers … that would be it!! I had such an awful time on FEC with the worse sickness and nauseau and general miserableness (is that a word?) that I am dreading next Monday.
Top tips to help me and nessp to stop panicking will be gratefully received!!
DAY 6 post TAX1 and almost afraid to say that i think aches and pains may be subsiding tonite - take heart everyone
but…
mouth is soooooooo horrid - can’t beging to describe it -just can’t physically seem to eat at the moment it hurts so much - got some of that nystatin but please tell me do you have to swallow it??? sounds dumb but it makes me feel so sick that i don’t really want to swallow it.
i like the sound of sorbet - may go and get some later.
constipation given way to diahorrea - joy -not!!
anyone else having trouble sleeping at night ?? i not had a decent nights sleep since before TAX treatment and that doesn’t help matters
hugs to everyone - hang on in there
claire
Hi Clare,
Try sucking fruit iced lollies - I found they helped a little. I made some from pineapple juice and also bought a pack of children’s iced lollies. They’ll help the mouth. Get your GP to prescribe something for diarrhoea - worked for me.
Hope things improve soon.
Stella xx
Hi all
Well all, had my 2nd tax today and so far so good. Nurses gave me ‘ice mitts’ to wear whilst administering the tax, as apparently it helps with the fingers/nails.
Bit of a long day so shattered now, had appointment at a different hospital than chemo at 8.45 this morning to see an orthapeadic surgeon regardng my frozen shoulder. Really worried as onc wants to book my dates for my rads but has said that I definately can’t have them until I can lift my arm (can only lift half way). Since my lumpectomy and node clearance I’ve had lymphodema in the breast and arm and despite regular physio went on to develop frozen shoulder, so am in a lot of pain and can’t raise above my head ready for the rads. Surgeon said he’ll try cortizone injections and if they don’t work then he’ll see me “on the operating table” (which I really don’t want).
Just pigged out on a chocolate sponge as I know my mouth will go back to ‘minging’ shortly and I’ll go off my food.
to everyone worried about starting Tax, I know there’s a lot of us suffering se’s different/worse to FEC, but they DO get better and you will get through them - take all the tips you can from here and as long as you’re prepared you’ll be fine. We’re side by side with you.
Big hugs
Barneypaws (Debbie) xx
Little angel,
I always ask my onc for 5 days of sleeping tablets to cope with tax. I’m truely not one for pill popping but they have been my life saver and you feel so much better after a good nights sleep.
Sarah x
Hi all,
nessp and pinkrose - be prepared by stocking up on:
painkillers for the boneaches, something for the constipation (but by the timne my oh had soaked prunes and spent £10 on Movicol for me I had diarrhoea!)so Imodium or Boots loperamide which is cheaper, mouthwash for dry mouth, cream to prevent cracks on hand and feet.
I’m also putting nail strengthener on my nails and wearing dark nailvarnish to protect them.
Drink a lot - I went off tea and coffee and tap water tasted strange so I had fizzy water with a slice of lemon, tonic water and elderflower cordial.
Now for the good bit - by day 9 I was a whole lot better and from day 12 I’ve felt my usual self, apart from forgetting things.
So it’s doable. Have my second c-Tax on Friday so hope I won’t be eating my words!
Hope you all sleep well.
loula
Day 8 of second tax and feeling great this morning. A little sore down below. Appetite returning to normal. I did during the first few days suck Morrisons fruit ice lolly with ice cream in the middle and they were really nice. I feel well enough to walk the dogs and muck out the horses today so ladies it really is getting better and no where near as bad as that first tax.
I have to say im truly lucky and had no muscle aches and not had to take pain killers. Thrush, haemarroids and tiredness has been the main thing for me. Lots of rest in the first week and build back up gradual over the next few days. Have a nice day all. The sun is shinning here in sunny Devon.
Snap Hatty - this second dose does seem easier to cope with and I have the same SEs as you and day 12 I’m feeling energy is returning and have been out for an hours walk this morning to help the Bondronat get absorbed well. So hang on in there everyone - and my advice is to head to the GP as soon as any Thrush develops - I stopped it at the mouth/throat stage as soon as my tongue started to go white so it’s been better than with first dose and am now enjoying eating again. Really hungry all the time - think that’s because of the diahorrea… Still topping up the dark nail polish as even with nail strengthener my nails do not keep the polish on (but they never did…).
Little Angel - I’m not sleeping well either having come off of the steroid phase when I do take a sleeping tablet I’m now just lying awake for ages and that is so draining - needing to nap in the day to try to cope.
Heading for third dose next Friday and feeling pretty ok about coping with side -effects - just wish the weird sensation across my scalp would go but it is also much better than after the first dose.
Interesting to hear that you’ve been given ice mits by your hospital Barneypaws - I will definitely keep on with my frozen peas when having the chemo - did you put them on beforehand or just during the chemo session?
Best wishes to you all – and hoping SEs are being managed well
Fran
Hello,
I was also interested to see that you were given ice mitts, Barneypaws. Which hospital to do go to?
I, too will continue with the peas, I used them on my feet and hands, despite some grins from all the nurses and scepticism from my onc. I wrapped the peas in insulation to try to keep them cold. I haven’t had any neuropathy so far, but don’t know if that is just luck or the peas. We’ll see what happens with the next two doses.
My second dose of TAX is next Thursday - should have been this week but delayed due to having appendix removed on Saturday.
I find sleep a massive problem on steroids. I take a sleeping tablet on alternate steroid days - perhaps I should give in and take one every night - but only manage 3 or 4 hours even so. Takes me a few days after to get anything like a decent night’s sleep.
Good luck with all the SEs everyone.
Stella xx
Hi Fran & Stella
I go to Maidstone Hospital and I just asked about the ice mitts (as I had read about them somewhere else). The nurse though had never heard about them and went off to ask. She came back with a pair which she never knew were in their freezer!
Funny thing was, when I put them on one was different to the other - turned out to be a foot mitt! Anyway, I still wore them just whilst the tax was being administered and when they started to warm up a bit the nurse got me another fresh frozen pair (both hand mitts this time)!
Felt fine with them on so it’s definately just worth asking if they have any in their freezer!
Hope your next tax sessions go well and se’s aren’t too bad
Love Barneypaws (Debbie) xx
Hi all,
Just wanted to say thank you for all the encouragement trying to get over the SE of docetaxel, I can honestly say that its a week ago today since I had the 1st tax and I feel quite normal today, the pains have subsided, the tiredness is going and my appitite is comming back, never thought I would get through to this day and it feels fantastic,only another 5 tax to go!!!
Jillxx
Brill - thanks for all that loula.
Barneypaws - I’m also having chemo at Maidstone, will ask for the ice mitts on MOnday!
xx Rachel
Hi All,
I have my last docetaxel tomorrow. The dose is being reduced due to peripheral neuropathy that is mild at the moment but Oncologist concerned.
It is do-able but today is the first in ages that I have had energy; also bloated and moon faced. Must be the steroids then.
Sue
Sue - woo hoo, last TAX for you! Good luck, hope the se’s have got bored of hassling you and move on… just not in my direction, please! I have my 1st lot of TAX tomorrow morning… bricking it just a tad!! Esp. as I got through FEC quite lightly… not with enjoyment, but with no nausea, so am trying not to count chickens that TAX will be fine!
Sophie xxx
Is the taste thing diff. with TAX to FEC? FEC I felt like I had a layer of felt covering my mouth and tongue, but it didn’t really affect my taste too much… sounds like TAX is more radical than that? Hey ho, could do with shedding the odd stone…lol, so have stuffed my face with pick’n’mix tonight at cinema (went to see Paul with OH, funny, but not as good as Hot Fuzz) and THEN had kebab on way home… well, there was salad in it…
Jilli so pleased you are coming out the other side!
Sue good luck for last Tax, what a feeling, sorry for your problems but you are nearly there , all the best and to everyone for few or no side effects
Good luck for tomorrow Sophie, hope the SE’s are kind to you!
xxxxx
Scrapper
Good luck all!
sophie…yes the mouth thing is quite different! With Fec the burnt mouth thing lasts for about a week and gradually improves but for me on tax the burnt mouth started at day 3-4 and everything tasted really weird…everything…and I mean everything tastes like its covered in lard…yuk!
Thanks for good wishes. I’m so glad to be facing the last one and a bit anxious about next phase ( mx and clearance)but it’s nearly done!
Good luck for tomorrow Sophie. I’m sure you’ll be fine. I was very worried after reading about effects, particularly hospitalization with sepsis but my experience so far has been ok, just as doable as FEC and in some ways easier.
Unlike with FEC, I had no nausea at all, no funny taste in mouth but did get mucositis ( cleared up with some meds (fluconazole and difflam) and manuka honey. I think Tax has been easier in this respect as though the effects are hard they are more manageable than with FEC. Also no hyper sensitive sense of smell.
Each chemo for me has been on schedule every time and I still have my hair ( 1 eyebrow but missing one is hidden by a fringe). I’m looking forward to cracking open the champers but maybe not tomorrow eh?
Best wishes those in recovery today and on the weekend.
Sue