Welcome to the forum, it’s here for everyone, whether you look and read or are actively posting and interacting.
I started chemo September 2023, I was on a reduced dose from the start due to allergies and other health conditions, then had it reduced a bit more after week 3 due to an allergic reaction while having the infusion and again after week 8 due to temperature and being hospitalised. I think I went down to 70% but finished 12 weekly Paclitaxel.
I was told by a professor that they would love to give everyone a bespoke dose for their own needs which would mean no side effects but they are not there yet. So now we all get the same dose, higher than we probably need, which allows them to reduce it. On some chemo threads people have had to stop their chemo because the side effects outweighed the benefits.
@cf640 hope scan goes well this week & surgery steps are clearer. When are they aiming to do it?
@fluffy888 welcome to the July’ers - I don’t know much about dose % but I was at 15% reduction then down to 20% for cyclophosamide (I was on TC) as even at 15% I woke up dry heaving despite the anti sick meds & steroids
I saw in another post someone using the words dose adjustment v dose reduction and that made me feel more positive
I have found the fatigue cumulative and chemo brain fog has landed with a vengeance now I’ve completed treatment.
Like you, I did question my dose reduction in my head (was it the right thing, would I regret in years to come this decision etc) but my dr signed it off without resistance or a “warning” so it must have been ok to do.
I know what you mean about the nausea. I had it really bad with EC. I was vomiting on my 2nd EC so they gave me I.V antisickness for the 3rd and I still had bad nausea. Had no nausea at all with my first docetaxel. I still had I.V antisickness so I don’t know if that helped or I just wouldn’t have had any.
Thank you both for your replies. I find it hard to talk to anyone about it who understands.
Welcome and im glad you felt up to post you will speak to ladies on here that know 100% what you are going through and i hope that helps. I also had lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy in may. Good results and clear margins. But also told tnbc. So was starting chemotherapy in july. Had 3 EC and now just had 2 T ( Doxetactel ) 1 more then radiotherapy. My dose was reduced due to low neutrophils in the past. Was told that this happens all the time. Good luck with the rest of your treatment xxxxx
Both sessions of Doxetactel i was sent home from hospital with fluconazole to take 7 tablets started on 5th day. They did sort the fury mouth also levofloxacin again on the 5th day 10 tablets. Xxx
Hows it going with new . My husband really wants one and has done for a while. We have looked after friends and families dogs for a few years now and dropped on lovely well behaved dogs. But now hes got his eye on a Frenchy puppy. His favourite dog. Ive always put my foot down said we have enough to deal with and im worried at lot of it will fall to me. Even though he’s promised it wouldn’t. Hes retired so has plenty of time on his hands. He has suffered with mental health problems in the past and im thinking this would help him. so I’m thinking am i being selfish. It is a big decision and will obviously affect everything in the future. Holidays abroad maybe. Im just trying to weigh things up. Oh my! disisions disisions. There is only 1 of these puppies left so would have to move fast. Xxxx
@debi1 it sounds like your diagnosis and treatment are similar to mine. I have an apt on the 16th to discuss radiotherapy. I think I’ll be having 5 daily sessions. It might sound strange, but I can’t wait to be starting radiotherapy. I think just for the fact that chemo will be over with.
Hope you’re doing ok after your 2nd docetaxel. I haven’t found it anywhere near as bad as EC. I’ve had bad fatigue, sore mouth and throat and the odd rash. My oncologist changed my injections from daily ones to just 1 injection that covered all of the days and I’ve had no bone pain. Xx
Tbh i wasn’t too bad on EC but 5 days feeling rough with muscle and bone pain after 1st Doxetactel just waiting to see what the next few days brings. Got my meeting on Wednesday to discuss radiotherapy. Its like wow finally coming to the end of chemo hopefully radiotherapy will be a breeze. Well we’ll see. Take care wishing you all the best. Speak soon Xxx
Afternoon all. I hope you are all doing ok.
I’m just totally exhausted……
I’ve had a mastectomy and also and then a follow up full lymph node removal. Have had 3 x EC and have number 4 of 9 paclitaxel tomorrow. I also start Pshygo (think that’s how you spell it!) injections once every 3 weeks for a year tomorrow. Has anyone started these for HER2 positive?
I’m working full time but from home but starting to think I may have to reduce hours soon ….
Can’t wait to ring the bell on chemo and to get the radiotherapy over and done with fingers crossed before Christmas.
Is anyone else having aching in their tummy area …… I feel like it’s my overuse aching!!!
Sending positive vices to you all. Keep being amazing xx
There is a thread for HER2+ buddies here if you would like to join. Some of us have completed our treatment and some are on going. Some are on Herceptin others on Phesgo.
Hi well we are cycling between thinking getting the puppy is the best thing we have ever done to omg what were we thinking . He is very sweet but chewing everything atm.
I would say if your husband is ok for the early mornings to take the puppy out that would be good as I am finding that bit hard this week. Husband and daughters have been really good so far but its only been a week It might have been more sensible after treatment & surgery.
I am looking forward to going for walks with husband & pup. I think getting out is really good for mental health especially with autumn coming so might really help your husband as long as its not too much pressure on you. But it is defintely an extra tie if you are planning to go on holiday…
Evening lovely people. Does anyone else get throbbing back pain with the filgrastim? Or is it the paclitaxel that causes it?
Had my 2nd jab last night and have had throbbing back pain on and off all day. Its not as bad as it was last cycle but just wondered if anyone else gets that. Its almost like my pulse aching in my back
Not in my back but i can feel my arm bones! Im wondering if you’re drinking enough and your kidneys are feeling the strain of making more white blood cells? Im struggling what to eat or drink as all tastes fowl but can manage bubbly spring water. Hope this helps. X j
@zaran hi, I had really bad bone pain off those injections, in my back and then the next treatment was my back and neck. It’s something to do the cells multiplying really fast in your bone marrow. I think that’s what my Oncologist said but my memory is rubbish at the moment. She changed the daily injections to just the one injection and I haven’t had any bone pain with the last treatment.
Hi, the short story is we got a 12 week old rescue corgi puppy the week after i started chemo. I did say i thought was wrong as I’m the one to do all. So agreed no poop scooping, clearing up wee etc. And they have kept to it. I’m so lucky that he has turned out to be a poppet and does help my low moments and we are well matched with short walks LOL! But i will say that Frenchies are adorable but short-lived and the whole breathing thing is a big thing to take on. Also they often are attacked as other dogs think they are staring at them which is v stressful (my friends frenchie cross and our daughters normally placid dog can’t go within 10m of each other So please think carefully about your breed. Def not an energetic spaniel for example or working breed as they need so much imput from day 1. Terriers have literally a mind of their own and i wont have them anymore because of the stress! Hence our 2nd corgi. So yes it could be a great tonic IF you get your breed right. Good luck.
I think im drinking enough, i get about 5-6 pints a day in of weak squash.
Its in my shoulders and neck too. They gave me codeine to take if i need it and thats taken the edge off slightly. Xx
Hi @zaran I get this with the jabs. Pulsing pain in lower back and in my thighs and arms. I take the injections at night with ibuprofen which helps a bit…BCN said it was the white blood cells growing.
. My husband really wants one and has done for a while. We have looked after friends and families dogs for a few years now and dropped on lovely well behaved dogs. But now hes got his eye on a Frenchy puppy. His favourite dog. Ive always put my foot down said we have enough to deal with and im worried at lot of it will fall to me. Even though he’s promised it wouldn’t. Hes retired so has plenty of time on his hands. He has suffered with mental health problems in the past and im thinking this would help him. so I’m thinking am i being selfish. It is a big decision and will obviously affect everything in the future. Holidays abroad maybe. Im just trying to weigh things up. Oh my! disisions disisions. There is only 1 of these puppies left so would have to move fast. Xxxx
. He is very sweet but chewing everything atm.
It might have been more sensible after treatment & surgery.
…….melt 
x
So please think carefully about your breed. Def not an energetic spaniel for example or working breed as they need so much imput from day 1. Terriers have literally a mind of their own and i wont have them anymore because of the stress! Hence our 2nd corgi. So yes it could be a great tonic IF you get your breed right. Good luck.