When I saw Oncologist today he asked how I’d been with change to Docetaxel. When I told him how bad it has been he said he will reduce it by 15% for next dose and 25% for my last dose. He also said if next one is still really bad then I don’t need to have the last dose, although I don’t think I would like to skip it completely. I was a bit worried at first but he explained that it would still do the job it needed to and the dose I’m currently on is probably too high for me.
I know some of you have mentioned reduced doses previously. Did you find it made a big difference to the side effects? Have any of you finished early and not had all the treatments?
@angieb1
That’s interesting, I’m definitely going to mention how bad I’ve been with Docetaxel to my consultant too.
I had my second dose of EC reduced as I had sore throat, cough etc and I had a choice to have it reduced or postpone. The side effects were definitely milder with a reduced dose.
It sounds you have a similar diagnosis and treatment plan to me xx
1 Like
Yes 3 x EC and 3 x Docetaxel. Definitely mention how you’ve been. I was absolutely dreading my next treatment but feeling a bit more positive about it now.
Hi yes all mine have been at a reduced dose. 3xEc 2 Doxetactel with one to go. Reading how bad a lot of ladies side affects have been i really feel ive got off lightly. The last 2 felt crap with all that bone and muscle pain so expecting that for my last next week but still not half as bad as some have gone through. Xx
1 Like
@debi1 You must be so pleased to only have one more to go. Good to hear that side effects are better with the lowered dose. Sorry to hear about the bone and muscle pain though. Might be worth asking if they can give you the Pegfilgrastim single injection rather than having to do multiple separate jabs. I’ve had a lot less bone pain with single injection. x
1 Like
Hi all
I’m suffering with EC. Really bad diarrhea for three nights now. i phoned the hospital in the end. I’m taling immodium and they said to double the dose. I was just eating boiled white rice but I’m thinking of trying just liquids now. Does anyone have any advice?
Xx
Hi @cf640 sorry that you are having a bad time with the EC sounds awful. I hope doubling the imodium helps. I was told the same when I had diarrhoea in one of my early cycles of paclitaxel. Hope you feel better soon xx 
loperamide was my godsend during Docetaxel
Was advised to take x 2 tabs at first runny bum & then x 1 thereafter if it continued
I could not have survived without it
Sorry to hear EC is rubbish x
I had 15 % less of Docetaxel & not the best as chemo is chemo but I didn’t feel flat out for too long
So it helped me get through it
X
I dreading my next Docetaxel session tomorrow. I ended up in hospital for a week after the first session (I had been ok with the three EC sessions). Apparently I had an infection and the side effects on top of that made me feel grim. I’m better now although I have no energy and am sleeping a lot. The oncologist is reducing the dose by 25% so I hope I can cope better with it tomorrow. My hands and feet are still peeling, everything tastes of cardboard, and I feel permanently slightly sick.
Ok that is off my chest now, thank you and positive thoughts for tomorrow. It will be 5 of 6 sessions.
@kmel1 Good luck for tomorrow. Hope all goes well. I absolutely hate Docetaxel, it better be doing us some good with all the pain and yukky side effects it is putting us all through.
@idcand49 Thanks for letting me know how you got on with 15% reduction. I’m tempted to ask if he can reduce it more as 15% doesn’t seem a lot and he’s said he’ll reduce my last dose by 25%.
@cf640 Sorry to hear what you’re going through with the diarrhoea. I had it a lot after my last cycle. The helpline suggested having Complan to make sure I was getting all the nutrients I needed. Oncologist told me to take prebiotic + probiotic tablets (he found me some to order on Amazon) which he said would help with my stomach and the diarrhoea. I’ve just started taking them today so will see if they help after my next cycle.
2 Likes
Thank you @booklover1
Ive had my bloods checked, just in case, and nothing wrong there. So maybe it is just a reaction to EC. I’ve been sent rhome with codeine which apparently will help. I might not take the full prescription though- I’d like to be more awake, not less!
I hope everyone else’s treatment and side effects are going well.
Xx
1 Like
Good luck tomorrow, hope it goes better for you, let us know how you go on
1 Like
Alll the best for your session tomorrow @kmel1 hope it is kinder this time x 5 out of 6 you ae getting there
1 Like
I had an excellent Oncology appointment today- have started the planning for radiotherapy (3 weeks and a boost), plus have an idea of timelines for the other treatments. Hormone Therapy and Bisphosphonates will start in December, radiotherapy approx 3-4 weeks after chemo finishes and then immunotherapy after the radiotherapy. It’s been a heck of a lot to take it but having a plan with at least an idea of times has really helped.
7 Likes
Wow that’s the appt I wish I had !
Haven’t a clue when the bisoph infusion is for me & locum thought I already started Letrozole after chemo 
Will you start hormone tabs after radio? I’m making an executive decision to wait til after
Im far too fatigued to start before radio
I love a timeline too as it feels less vague
Xx
2 Likes
A side note
Did anyone get told “their stage”
I’m feeling oddly abandoned as seeing the locum onco and I stupidly looked mine up last night
Im a bit panicked by this part of treatment ie is it enough, etc
Thankfully I have a uni open day tomorrow to take my mind off things
Hope you’re all having a fab Fri x
1 Like
@idcand49 At the moment the plan is to start the hormone therapy just before the radiotherapy starts. However I totally understand what you are saying about fatigue xx
1 Like