When I’ve looked at the other monthly threads some people seem to have found the EC worse than the following docetaxel, it seems to be different person to person.
I’m not sure I can really help about how docetaxel might be because I’m on the combo TCHP (Docetaxel, Carboplatin, Trastuzumab, Pertuzumab) every three weeks. This is after surgery as theoretically I was only having a lumpectomy for DCIS, but turned out to have some invasive and with an unexpected lymph node also positive hiding in there….
First couple of days the steroids keep you going, after that for the first round I drank a lot of complan as I couldn’t eat, everything smelled and tastes awful, bad stomach pain, and neuropathy in hands and feet. But they lowered the dose of docetaxel next time as it was just too much for me personally, you may not be the same, you might manage ok. After day 9/10 things were getting better until the next round. Lowering the dose made a big difference although of course there is the compromise of wondering if it works as well. This week, 3rd round, I’m very tired.
My biggest advice would be just to take it very easy the first round and see how you go, have something like complan in just in case you can’t eat, drink lots, get as much help as you can, don’t over do it. Contact your nurses if you have any worries. If you have neuropathy speak to your doctor.
Some hospitals offer icing for hands and feet to help prevent neuropathy, mine doesn’t, I got some cooling socks from Amazon. I sucked on ice chips through docetaxel, this is supposed to help keep your taste🤷🏻♀️.
Ohh, just looked it up, very interesting! I was eating honey from a local producer, my mouth felt great after but then I started worrying if I should be eating honey…. Not sure I can find or afford this particular honey though! But I will stick with the local honey I think.
Thanks x
I went on the life Mel honey after being hospitalised after first chemo because my neutrophils went off to Hawaii it was recommended by another forum user Ali49 at the time and I just had a look at the price now it wasn’t as expensive as that back then, it was expensive but not like it’s showing now I know the other Oct17 gang used manuka honey and we’re fine with that Shi xx
I’ve found my 3rd cycle of EC worse, I guess its the cumulative effect of it all. Going to get some manuka honey as that sounds like a good idea, and also bought some freezer pads for my feet and hands through docatoxel. Im hoping it wont make me feel as sick! Really helpful to know what has helped other people through.
I’m off to take the dog around the park, the fresh air usually does me good…
X
Hi All,
It’s so good to hear all the feedback for Docetaxel. I had my last EC on Tuesday so will be onto Docetaxel with Carboplatin next round. I have ice packs ready and was also told to paint my nails as dark as possible to protect them.
So far my last EC seems very much the same as the last two but feel the tiredness has hit a bit sooner. On the whole I’m doing okay and still trying to take the dog out everyday, even for just a short walk.
Take care x
The July starters forum has been very quiet, I hope everyone is doing okay. I’ve found it has taken me longer to recover from my third EC, not sure if the heat has made it worse but finally feeling better today so hopefully I will have a good week before I start my next lot of chemo.
Is anyone else having docetaxel and carboplatin next?
Hi @NikiR, I’m on docetaxol and carboplatin chemo, the other 2 I take are targeted for her2+.
The docetaxol is the one known more for the side effects I think. Are you having it every 3 weeks? I have my fourth of six tomorrow, I just keep thinking one more down. I’ve found I’m more tired each one, but not as many side effects.
It has been quiet on the forum, I hope everyone is doing ok. X
Thank you so much for your reply, you haven’t mentioned any of the horrible side effects I keep reading about and you’ve had 3 rounds already so that is really reassuring. I’ve just finished 3 rounds of EC and have 3 rounds of Docetaxel and Carboplatin at three week intervals, to come. I have triple negative BC and have had a lumpectomy already.
I hope the treatment continues to go well for you and I wish you a speedy recovery. Xx
Ah, I can’t lie, I did have a horrible first cycle, dose has been reduced to 70%, I think I was just unlucky though. I kept suddenly shaking like crazy, had loads of nervous twitches and horrendous stomach pain, couldn’t eat anything. I haven’t had this since the lower dose though.
Side effects I’ve had are a change in sense of taste and smell, worse from day 3 to 10, starts getting better, nausea and diarrhoea, same days, neuropathy, feet worse than hands, this is why they reduced the dose, not the other things. High heart rate, which freaks me out, but I mentioned it to onco, apparently it’s normal. Tiredness for the first 3-14 days, I nap when I can. Also as I have a cannula not a pic line a vein nearly collapsed last week, it’s still much narrower than normal, and where the cannula was in my hand last cycle the chemo caused some irritation/burning. Having said that, all these things are manageable, nothing to over the top, and I have been coping fine, compared to the first cycle it’s easy. For most people the worst days are 4-8.
The nurse today was saying it is better to reduce the dose and keep the cycles on track than suffer so much that you can’t get through all the cycles. Doesn’t stop me worrying though, I seem to worry about everything at the moment.
I really hope you get on well with the next treatments, like I say I think I was just unlucky. Best of luck to you xxx
@emsj i hope you’re feeling ok now? And @NikiR howxare you feeling?
I had Docetaxol on Tuesday and was ok, no nausea but found the steroids quite a lot! I’ve woken up this morning feeling achey with a sore mouth, have managed to have a cup of tea (essential…). Waiting to see what it will be like - i guess this comes on when the steroids wear off? I did fall asleep yesterday too which I never normally do but I was so tired.
I hope everyone is ok x
Hi everyone
I’m a bit late to the party sorry, I started chemo 24 July but have only recently found this thread. I’ve had 3 EC, and am due to start Docetaxel and Phesgo on 25 September. On EC I’ve had really bad constipation (hello enema, let’s not do that again!), a sore mouth, dizziness, nausea etc. I’m worried about Docetaxel, I’ve been told it’ll really make me fatigued. Like I’m not now? lol. Anyways, has anyone found D to be less of a drag than EC?
Wow @Vanelliope your hair looks great! I didnt cold cap, mine is trying to grow back, I’m thinking it will be like Spring on my head next year @Hawketower I’ve been able to eat so far on Docetaxol as no nausea (though my stomach feels a bit odd) but I guess its different for everyone. I’m really tired and didnt sleep well but I love eating and feel like that might help to get me through, though my mouth is sore.
The nurse doing my chemo said that the last person was ‘delighted’ with Docetaxol after EC which might be a bit of an exageration but it cheered me up! I hope it goes ok for you, it does sound as if its different for everyone x
That gives me a bit of hope @Emevers, thanks! I was looking earlier at a thread about fasting during chemo, after one of those well meaning but unsolicited pieces of advice from a friend. Last time I stuck to soup and gruel for 2 days before EC, and during, so about 6 days in all, due to the constipation issues I’d had before. I might try that again for the first Docetaxol round, I don’t think I could face a total fast. @Vanelliope I’m using the cold cap too, your hair looks fab Can I ask what SE you’re feeling from the steroids?
it was recommended by another forum user Ali49 at the time and I just had a look at the price now 
)
Can I ask what SE you’re feeling from the steroids?