Hi all, I am now day 5 after my second TAX. I am doing better than the last time as I was in A & E then on day 5, so that’s a bonus!
I have a very sore mouth too and everything tastes awful.
I have spent the last 5 days very light headed though and have managed to end up on the floor on several occassions each time I have tried to do anything! I don’t remember this happening quite so much during the first cycle and wonder if it is an accumulation of the TAX that is making the s/e’s worse??
Has anyone else had lots of dizzy and fainting spells. My limbs are very twitchy when this happens also.
Hope everyone is coping as well as can be expected.
Signet - try not to be so scared (easier said than done eh). I think the thing for me was I didn’t know what to expect and it was a bit like starting chemo all over again. Once I knew how my body responded I was in control. The first one was the worst for me (but then so was the the first FEC). TAX for me was better than FEC as I didn’t feel nauseaus. Yes, I did get muscle and bone ache, which was controlled with paracetemol, but still managed to do most of the things I wanted. It wasn’t until cycle 7 and 8 that the tiredness really hit me. I did have a horrid mouth and lost sense of taste and found things that were really tangy helped. On the positive side, once I finished FEC my hair started growing back! Once you’ve done one, you will know how to handle it. A lady who was having treatment with me, sailed through her TAX and even went back to work she felt so good, yet on the FEC she was really poorly and spent most of the time in bed. It really is different for everyone. You can do it!
Even though I feel a bit weak and wobbly today, I have managed a 1 hour walk outside, so I can’t be too bad, can I?
I have the funny tasting mouth now - OH just asked what I’d like for dinner - chocolate sponge with chocolate sauce!! I just want carbs and sweet stuff!!
I have only had to have one lot of ibuprofen and paracetamol, and agree it is all about knowing what your body is going to do and then getting it back under control again. I think I’ll feel in control by tomorrow.
I have also just realised that I am now past half way, and the mental hurdle is amazing. Only 3 more to go!!! Yay!!!
Agreed, mental hurdle is amazing, keep ticking them off and it will soon be a distant memory. I was just like you Flora, all I wanted was sweet things and I don’t have a sweet tooth at all. I used to make home made rice pudding, that did the trick… An hour walk can’t be bad, fresh air is good.
Take care of yourself, rest up and drink lots
x
I’ve had 3 FEC and 2 Tax, I more Tax to go. I agree with a lot of the postings, I had a lot of SE with the 1st of each with the next dose had less SE. The tiredness is worse with TAX. It is do able. The runny nose is annoying though.
Hello, I also had 3 FEC, went on to have Taxotere but had a bad allergic reaction, my steroids where increased and went back two days later for a second try, I still had a bad reaction and was switched to taxol,which so far i have found okay; although this delayed my treatment by a week,
My fifth cycle is now the 3rd feb, it is a question of just wanting to move on with the treatment
Thanks Jayney xxx i suppose at least i know what might happen and that its normal. Just worry cos i was floored with FEC and hoped i would get on better but then i might.
I think your all very brave dealing with these horrible effects x
Hey signet
Just to reassure you that I am feeling much better today. Was wobbly and achy from Sunday to today, but have managed to mop the house floors and potter about today, and am planning on going back to work tomorrow.
I’m just not good at being ill, as it doesn’t happen often!
Nothing a few paracetamol and being kind to yourself cannot sort out.
Hugs xxxx
Hi Flora
Like you I am not doing too badly, aches and pains, but with the help of Iboprofin, that is under control. The taste buds are okay but I too crave sweet things or crisps! My hair loss was not complete, so have a stubble head! My eyebrows are very thin now but that is easy to do something about. The wig is okay but uncomfortable after too long.
Did ask about steroid and told that it is part of the drip. Used the cold mittens and that was okay, so we shall see if it works. I did have a face massage while I was on the drip though, that took my mind off the cold hands.
Skin is very dry despite constant creaming. Using Boots own Aquaeous cream. Feel tired but am able to get on and do things in the mornings but give in and have a long siesta. Feel the cold.
Find it difficult to get to sleep though, have to read for ages.
Yes we are over the half way mark - yippee.
Hope you cope with work well.
XXXX
Hi Mammie
I’m interested that you’re also having trouble sleeping. I was awake until 4.30am last night, so didn’t go to work (luckily I can work from home fairly easily) today and had an extra couple of hours kip this evening. I have one more sleeping tablet from the 5 they gave me, so I am going to use that tonight to make sure I get a decent night.
I know I am on the up - been feeling a little better every day until last nights lack of sleep - so hopefully next week will be much better.
What are the cold mittens? I wish our hospital offered massages and alternative therapies. I may contact a local practitioner as I feel in need of something relaxing, but know we can’t have anything that requires the lymph nodes to help drain.
I’ve just eaten TWO Gu chocolate souffles. TWO!!! With extra double cream!!! But they tasted gooooooodddd!!!
Mammie have almost exactly the same SE as you which is rotten but comforting if you know what I mean - no mittens so painting my nails dark tonight as I head into TaxII out of 4.
Flora my GP was happy to give me sleeping tabs saying that it is better to get my sleep and we can worry about the addiction effect later - there are sleeping tabs that are not addictive but they can be constipating and I have enough issues there already !!! the tabs from GP are Zopiclone they are not on my repeat as she wants to keep an eye on it but I just call the surgery now and get a script left. I have to say my GP has been nothing short of magificent in this whole process.
good luck everyone we are heading towards the end post now… LR xx
I haven’t started my tax yet - one more FEC tomorrow to get through first. But just wanted to let you know my 77 year old father had tax last year for bladder cancer, and sailed through with very little more than tiredness and minimal peripheral neoropathy - so maybe some of us wil lbe as lucky. Take care xxxx
Hi Flora
The mittens are thick insulated mittens but frozen and he idea is to keep your hans cold much as an ice cap for the head. We are lucky to hve this lady to come round, she also talks about scarf tying etc, but the face massage is great, especially as skin is so dry.
Am having terrible trouble with feet, have blisters appearingon each heal, have anti-inflammatory tablets to take but no effect so far!
Makes it impossible to walk far and was hoping to do so with the sun making an appearance. Mouth is swollen and dry and lips(corners cracking)
I too bought a couple of those GU soufflees and keep looking at them in the fridge and think they will be tonight’s treat. Taste buds re not brilliant.
Finger tips looking like prunes most of the time despite plenty of creams.
You are lucky to have sleeping tablets to resort to, I just read! Have to find a boring book!
Hope this is a good week. Love XX
Hello Recs, just rad your mesage properly, and apart from everythin else I don’t have constipation but the opposite - at times! Maes going out a bit risky!
Watched MO last night and if she can do it and in the public eye then so can we!
Keep warm all
Hi Mammie
Are the mittens to stop damage to your nails? Mine feel a bit tender, but are otherwise OK.
I am completely back to feeling fine again now - I was by last Saturday (and probably would have been by Friday if I had been able to sleep the night before!).
Only thing I have now is broken blood vessels in my nose - it itches as the blood dries. Not proper nose bleeds, just when I wipe.
I am sure the next 2 weeks will fly by towards the next one. Only 3 more to go, cruising downhill…!!!
Sorry you are experiencing so many other symptoms. I feel dry, but not as much as you by the sounds of it. I was joking the other day that for all the time we save on having to do our hair, we spend it slathering moisturiser over every inch of our bodies!! I have a whole row of different oils and moisturisers in my bathroom!
Hello Flora, just read my last messages, did on the laptop and keep missing the keys! Heels are slowly improving, thankfully. Taste buds are not, had ‘soapy’ toast with apricot jam today. Yummy. I do think my hair is trying to grow again, but I believe Tax kills it off too. Yes mittens are to stop damage to nails, they feel okay still, also have some solution to paint on nails, feet and hands that is supposed to stop damage. That cost £20 so hope it works.
Otherwise I am okay. Have 4 week break with this session so not going back till 22 Feb. So you will finish before me. Am back to UK to see family this weekend, looking forward to that, always a boost. Keep smiling, hugs