Been chatting a lot on another thread since chemo started in October, but now I need all the helo I can get. Like many of us I’m on 3 x FEC then 3 x Taxotere. Well, FEC wasn’t nice, but it was a walk in Epping Forest compared with Tax - so far. Just want to know from someone how long this misery is going to last??
Had Tax no 1 last Weds (10 Dec) and the bone pains kicked in on Saturday - but at least that was treatable, with regular Nurofen/paracetamol. The worst thing is the taste problem. Couldn’t taste things properly over the weekend, but by Monday, anything I ate tasted like it had been scraped from the bottom of a skip - really so revolting I couldn’t force it down. And it’s lasted till now. And the nastiest bitter/metalllic taste in my mouth all the time.
On top of that I tried to go back to work as usual after a week post treatment, and I only lasted till just after lunch - felt so ill and whacked. And still don’t feel much better now. So far this week I’ve missed dinner out with iold friends, and an office Xmas lunch. Touch and go whether I’ll make a carol concert tonight.
Please can anyone tell me how long these awful SEs go on. Basically, are they going to ruin my Christmas? And how do I face doing it all again - twice?
I’m feeling the same as you. Did my first Tax on the 11th, completely wiped out. The bone pain is excruitiating and on top of it I’ve gotten a throat infection and lost my voice. From what I’ve been told by other ladies who’ve already done Tax, it knocks you off your feet for about a week, then takes a second week to recover. So hopefully you’ll feel normalish for Christmas Day. I’m missing my school reunion tonight because I just can’t physically manage to stand around attempting to chat to people. One side effect I didn’t expect was slight swelling and pain in my mx scar and arm.
I’d really value anyone else’s input on this so I can figure out where I’m going with it, too.
I only got mine yesterday and the metaillic taste has rooted itself already.
I am on quite a long(ish) course of steroids though…they go on for 8 days, so I am hoping they will bring me down lightly…hope said tongue in cheek! I am also getting the anti-sickness down too.
Help needed all round I think (see you on the other thread)
Drawn to this thread to find established friends. Hi from me.
Blood counts knocked for 6 - excruciating bone pain - intermittent pins and needles in feet and hands - sore sore mouth and foul taste. On top of that a possible viral chest infection so back in hospital for iv antibiotics to prevent a bacterial infection. Ho bloody ho - should be out enjoying getting ready for Christmas. Sorry to winge!
lets hope some experienced Tax users can help with these queries. Hope all your drugs help Pheebster.
I had my second Tax three weeks ago and like you my taste buds vanished the following day everything I ate seemed to be affected. The effects have lasted longer with the second session and I really only started to get my taste buds back this week. It only took two weeks with my first session so hopefully you should be OK for Christmas.
Hi Cat and Pheebs, thanks for posting. Let’s keep each other going through this. Tanya, you poor thing - back in hospital again. You make me feel bad for the amount of whinging I’ve done.
Hi Lynn. Good news and bad news, eh? Another few days but may get taste buds back for Christmas Day BUT it could be even worse next time.
What has anybody managed to eat? I can face fruit and natural yoghurt, and the odd biscuit, but very little that’s ‘normal’ food. Supper tonight was an egg beaten in hot milk with sugar. My mum is threatening me with Complan, but don’t really fancy it.
I finished 4xFEC followed by 4xTax a year ago, but remember very well how Tax knocked me sideways, and offer you ladies all my sympathy.
My bloods were always OK, although I did get shingles after Tax No. 1, and seemed to get progressively fatigued as the course continued.
I honestly think that all you can do is give in to it, and sleep or at least rest when you need to, the taste thing and the sore mouth is difficult to cope with and I seemed to live on tinned spaghetti and orange ice lollies. Even water tasted as if I’d sucked it from a puddle! Others have found fresh pineapple helped or Roses Lime Cordial etc. I found that the third week after Tax the tastebuds improved a bit, only to start again with the next dose.
It took me a while after finishing 4 Tax to get properly mobile again, as my legs ached so much and I could barely get up the stairs or walk far, also my ankles were swollen and my feet sore. However, gradually things improved and now, a year later, I am back to normal (apart from some peripheral neuropathy in my toes).
I know how hard it all is to cope with at the time, but Taxotere is meant to be a very effective chemotherapy, so bear with it all if you can, and try and think that even if this Christmas isn’t going to be the best for you, hopefully you will gain many more Christmases to enjoy in the future.
It is treatment me so bad, after the 2nd one, that doctor decided to give me a break as she thinks my body needs it - no wonder after 6 x FEC two operation (with infection in between) and now 4 x TAX…that is for sure my body is wrecked. I went today for my 3rd dose of TAX and doctors said NO… we will wait for another 3 weeks.
I had FEC it was bad, but this TAX is VILE! If this is any consolation…
Thanks for your kind, and realistic words, stylish and justme. Cat and Pheebster, I can report that today, the mouth and taste thing is just VERY slowly starting to recede. And I have a little more energy. Maybe Christmas won’t be so bad.
HI AM DUE ON MONDAY FOR MY 3RD TAX IHAD 3 FEC BUT THIS ONE AS REALLYN KNOCKED ME FOR 6 I CAN HARDLY WALK ANYWHERE, WITHOUT FEELING OUT OF PUFF WENT SHOPPING THIS MORNING I FELT I WAS GOING TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK I JUST WANTED TO GO HOME AND LIE DOWN AND I REALLY THOUGHT 2 DAYS OFF MY 3RD , I THOUGHT BY NOWI SHOULD START TO FEEL BETTER ANYONE ELSE FEEL THE SAME I FEEL CRAP
The more I read about taxotere the more worried am getting. Had AC last year for primary. Now have mets and about to start tax on 28th!!! Is there anyone out there was ok-ish on it? - she asks hopefully
Um - how can I put it! Not me. I had it 18 months ago after FEC, and I was wrecked. To be fair I had haed a spinal operation (bone mets) between my 1st and 2nd FEC, so I was probably in a poor state anyway. Tried to do just 4 hours lecturing per week, but frankly invariably it wasn’t possible. I was given a really good spray (difflam) for sore throat, and a Dr. came in the night and gave me some really good stuff for being in agony due to being bunged up (constipation I suppose). Combined with two hospital admissions for various things, I felt by the end of it, I had enough meds to go through it confidently again!! I was absolutely exhausted. I later discovered that the onc had not given me the full amount of tax, so maybe he had an idea that I might find it difficult.
I think it’s best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Certainly I’m sure I came across lots of people who sailed through it. My best advice is as soon as you have any sign of a side effect, make sure you get the strongest most effective meds, don’t do what I did and soldier on only getting things when it’s a bit too late. The important thing is that this period goes on for a relatively short time, and if you can, rest, get someone to prepare small appetising attractive food,(this is really important - one look at my husbands giant size sausage and mash was usually enough to make me anorexic), and use a build up drink if you cannot bear food at all.
If I got through this, then I know you guys can get through it too. Good luck
Keep going girls, you can do it! If it makes US feel rotten just think what its doing to any stray cancer cells!
Did you know it’s made from the needles of the yew tree? We have a yew in the park next to my house, and when I was on Tax and had to struggle to take my dog walkies, boy did I used to cuss at that old tree, lol!!
I don’t think everyone has a tough time on Tax, but if you do, remember you will get over it, and you will at least know that you have done everything you can to beat this horrid disease.
Oh and on the plus side - my hair started to come back on Taxotere.
Lots of love and hugs, and I hope you all have a reasonably decent Christmas xxxxx
Tax is horrible and when we are all suffering the side effects its not always easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel. As Justme says think what its doing to the cancer cells. I found out yesterday that my lump can hardly be seen on my latest scan and that’s after two sessions of Tax so there’s hope for us all. Hopefully you will all get good results. You all deserve it after putting up with Tax and its side effects.
Sparkler - I’ve been okayish on Tax. Certainly not as sick as I was with FEC. I wasn’t prepared for how bad the pain would be after the first session though and didn’t have strong enough painkillers. Once these were sorted I was able to control the pain to some extent. I also stocked up on immodium! The worst thing is the taste buds going and the increasing tiredness but if you listen to your body and are able to get plenty of rest do.
Liz - I tend to live on potatoes, crisps, toast and marmite and the odd bowl of vegetable soup during the first week after Tax - hardly healthy but anything sweet tastes awful - even water. My oncologist says as long as I’m getting carbs in that’s fine
Hi. Thanks for all the comments. We can get through this horrible but SHORT phase in our lives together. Justme - do me a favour and give that tree a cuss from me when you pass it by again - that would be appreciated
Liz - reassuring my friend that there is a hint of improvement - same here today, especially on mouth/taste front and that was the most lingering effect. Breakfast has some taste and even the water tastes better.
Blood counts knocked for 6, hence admission for antibiotics. Developed blood clot in arm yesterday pm. Doc said yesterday they did not want to interrupt schedule with a delay if at possible so still on track for a week Tues. I might get G-CSF next time - maybe even this time to get home for Christmas as neuts need to be 1 (though doctors have not said that and if they were going to do it surely they would have started yesterday when they were discussing it?)
Sparkler, I just popped onto this site, not sure if it was wise now! Due to start chemo on 5th Jan., including FEC’s and Taxotere. Still I guess forewarned is forearmed! Justme - I trust you made your dog hang on to it’s bladder until it got to ‘that’ tree and then let rip with an almighty, stinging pee! (And whatever else he may have been holding back!) Here’s to a Fecking Metallic Christmas and a Taxy New Year! x
