I have had 2 EC chemo so far and have one more to go before moving on to 3 docetaxel . At the beginning of my chemo journey I only saw oncologist briefly and was told I wouldn’t see her again so I paid for a private consultation at royal marsden as I had questions and just wanted to check my plan. They agreed with the treatment plan and hormone therapy but that they would give Paclitaxel instead of docetaxel for both their private or nhs patients as it’s kinder ?
I mentioned it to my oncologist when I finally saw her after my first EC and she said she felt there was not much difference between the 2 so it’s up to me - she will change it if I want but has not yet confirmed how many doses it will be . Anybody have experience of both ? I don’t want to be difficult but if Paclitaxel is a bit kinder than docetaxel I’d rather have that ?
Hi
I read the NICE guidelines regarding these 2 different types. Paclotaxil is more easily tolerated, however it is given weekly, or even 2 weekly I believe. It is therefore more resource intensive, more appointments to fit in and more staff. It is therefore more expensive to the NHS , whereas docetaxel is given once every 3 weeks and therefore cheaper. I had my first docetaxel yesterday.
I’ve had both well am having Paclitaxel weekly. I had 4 Docetaxel in 2018. I would say Paclitaxel is easier although I missed a week as my neutrophils are low and so I’m now having Pegfilgrastim the day after chemo. With it being weekly you don’t get many good days but I’ve managed to work from home every day. It may help as chemo is on Friday so I have the weekend to chill. Happy to answer any questions.
I was due to have 3 x EC and then 3 x docetaxel but I was changed to 9 x paclitaxel instead of the docetaxel as the Trust I’m being treated at stopped using docetaxel. Whilst paclitaxel was weekly so a lot of back and forth to the hospital as opposed to going every 3 weeks for docetaxel, I found it very doable and the side effects with much less than those for EC. It might be worth having a read of some of the monthly chemo threads to get a gage from others. I’m in the June chemo starters thread and there are a lot of people in that group that had or are having docetaxel. Just remember that everyone is different and side effects differ massively between people.
I had docetaxol over ten years ago, 4 sessions 3 weeks apart. I was unlucky with painful side effects.
I am now having Paclitaxel which is soooooo much easier. No real side effects, just tiredness from the piriton they give alongside chemo. It takes 30 minutes premeds and 1hr for the Paclitaxel, both IV, obviously Overall longer as they have to set you up etc. Also there is a blood test required the day before each session. So many more hospital visits than the three weekly taxotere. And more pin pricks, vein searching etc
Hope this helps
Hi @epic1
I’ve just finished 4x docetaxel every 3 weeks. On the whole I found it much easier than EC. You will be given more steroids to take. I was given 16mg/day of dexamethasone and took these the day before treatment, on the day and the day after. The only issue I had with these was insomnia and a bit grouchy - so my family say! 
On the day of treatment I was given anti sickness and then some to take home for the next day. The first treatment the nurses will stay with you to see if you have a reaction - I didn’t. Some people have a reaction on their second treatment but I didn’t, again you will be closely monitored. After EC I always felt drunk leaving the hospital and so tired by the evening. I never once felt like this after docetaxel. This may have been because of the higher dose of steroids but it was nice to come home feeling the same as when I arrived.
The first treatment was a learning curve as side effects are different. I never once felt sick but did have diarrhoea which I managed with Imodium. The fatigue hit quick after the steroids wore off and started on filgrastim injections. I found my joints ached and felt swollen more than on EC but managed pain fine with paracetamol and ibuprofen. The last thing is it completely messes with your tastebuds so be prepared for nothing to taste the same. This lasted about 10 days then started to get back to normal.
I was very lucky to not have any reaction to docetaxel but if you do then you will be switched paclitaxel. The best part was my hair started to grow back however my eyebrows and eyelashes gave up 
I would say don’t be afraid, you will be well looked after!
All the best with your treatment xx