Hi, I have had 3 cycles of FEC and due to start 3 Docetaxel soon. I am worried about the side affects I have read about, in particular the neuropathy and possible allergic reaction and wondering if I want to go ahead with it or stop where I am. I have heard the affects are much worse than the FEC and I am finding them tough enough. Have people found it much worse, or similar, how common are bad reactions? Thanks in advance, Paloma
Hi Paloma
I’m in the same place as you at the moment completed 3 cycles of FEC and start Docetaxol on March 27th, the thought of neuropathy really has me concerned so will be following this thread with interest to see people replies. I’m on the January chemo thread and a couple of the ladies have had the T before the FEC and it seems that the side effects are very diffrent to FEC in terms f less sickness more aches, sore mouths and numbeness.
Hello Paloma and shocked,
I had FEC-T from Nov 16 to March 17. Please bear in mine we all feel and respond to a different degree. I did not find it a joy ride on Taxotere/Docetaxel but got through it and you will too in your way.
So on Tax treatment it was:
* Goodbye nausea.
*Hello GCSF injection or as I call it that “effing injection”. Unfortunately it was protocol to give these so many hours after Tax treatment to reduce risk of neutropenia. Due to the excruciating side effects of this, I refused all others and said I would stop chemo if they insisted. The effects delayed my next chemo and first herceptin. I still find it traumatic to reflect back on that time. I continued without GCSF with no ill effects. At start of Tax my neutrophils were at 4000 and stayed within a normal range for the rest of treatment.
*Hello to painful legs,feet and toes. Painful toes affected my ability to walk at times as it was painful to have anything on my toes, even a sheet. I refused specific neuropathic painkillers as had enough of side effects vicious circle. Was prescribed the “chilli pepper” cream though. I found taking 1 x dihydrocodeine with paracetamol before pain kicked in about 3 days after treatment.
*Goodbye and hello toe nails. Last one dropped off Dec 2017!! Not as bad as it sounds. Numb feeling near toe end of foot reduced as they came off. The new ones are nicer than the old ones.
*Goodbye eyebrows and hello red facial blotches on eyebrow area and cheeks after the final treatment. In my opinion, I looked like an alien. Thank goodness for makeup.
* Hello to weakened finger nails. I had no pink colour, they were all white. I just kept them very short.
*Hello to hair growth. Noticed new hair after during treatment. I used coldcap to protect follicles rather than saving existing hair.
* Hello to increased breathlessness and fatigue. My upper leg muscles were sore and tired easily. I found it difficult to bend my legs. But that could also have been from accumulation of everything!
It is difficult to isolate any effects post treatment as so many other things thrown into the mix. However, I would say it has affected my body hair regrowth, I get minor stabbing pains in my feet and have a slight numbness in my toes. By the way, I also had a complete pathological response - so not all bad stuff eh!
Good luck and best wishes to you and all x
Hello again,
Forgot to say re: Tax treatment effects included increased dry, sore nose and mouth and decreased ability to taste. However the latter did not last long and I just ate healthy-ish tasty foods.
All went away without major issue.
Regards X
Hi. I had my first T on Wednesday, so far a feel ok just tired and very ‘heavy’ legs. However, I am due to have my first of 8 days injections and I’m putting it off for fear of side effects. I haven’t even been shown how to do them bar be told to inject into belly whilst holding the skin (or fat in my case!) together! No instruction in regards to how to use the syringe or anything. Marie x
Thank you shocked. Do I need any specific antihistamine? Xx
I’m a scardy cat ? and my partner has refused to do it in case he hurts me! Xx
Hi Paloma. I just jabbed it in and hoped for the best!! ??. Xx
Hello Paloma,
Thanks for your response too. Yes the injections are the same thing. Mine was supposed to be once per cycle only during Tax treatments but as others have indicated, injections may be over a few days. If you have been having them already and can tolerate them then that is really excellent. They are not essential to the chemo but may prevent people from developing febrile neutropenia due to strong chemo, which could be very serious if it occurred
I really wish you well Paloma. You are already halfway through - show that Docetaxel who’s the boss!!