Oh no. Fingers crossed for a good outcome
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Hi all - wanted to share first experience of docetaxel for anyone starting soon!
I was given pre-chemo steroids to take twice 24 hours before chemo, twice on the day of chemo & twice the day after.
The day of, I had a 30 min flush with an antihistamine IV - everything went so fast now I have the PICC line! Iām also on the phesgo injection in my thigh so had this whilst my flush went through. It was a 8 min loading dose which was a bit nippy so we slowed it down & did it over 12 mins. Had a bit of swelling & orange peel texture to the skin which is normal. The nurse said they like to give it with the flush to monitor for side effects for a few hours.
Docetaxel was then given which took an hour. Iāve been feeling really nauseous when the EC was administered but everything went smoothly. It was then a quick flush & we were done.
For anyone still cold capping on docetaxel itās a shorter process than EC. On for the flush, docetaxel, then 20 mins after instead of the 90 mins on EC.
Iāve come away with steroids for the next round and 10 days of filgrastim injections 
Iāve had some mild stomach cramps and a little stiffness in my phesgo thigh which really eases up when I walk around - so far so good compared to EC but know itās early days.
Hope everyone is doing okay x
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Thanks so much for sharing this-itās so useful to know what to expect. I was hoping to get away with fewer steroids on dox but it sounds like thatās not going to be possible. Itās great news that the cold capping time is reduced though.
I do hope you continue to feel ok.
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10 days oh Filgrastim!! Oh my word 
thanks for updating us though. I have my fourth EC next week then Iāll be having docetaxel so this is good to know. Antihistamine sends me to sleep so that will be interesting! Hope you continue to feel ok x
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Was told to take antihistamine as helps with injections side effect as it causes too much histamine x
I know it probably me tikned somewhere but needing to know what your lovely ladies use for dry sore itchy scalp. My head is sore to touch.
@jenny4 I was hoping the steroids would ease up too, theyāve been making me so hungry.
@twinks77 the shock on my face when the nurse appeared with the two boxes of filgrastim. I did fall asleep for about 10 mins during the docetaxel and didnāt even click it was probably the antihistamine!
So far still feeling pretty good, fingers crossed it continues 
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Moogoo scalp cream is good. It has lots of natural things in it. If your scalp is too sore to rub it in you can rub some between your palms and pat it onto your head.
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How are things going?
Thank you for sharing your experience as Iām also starting Docetaxel on 21st August. I had EC No 3 Thursday just gone and the steroids always mess with my sleep.
Like you theyāve sent me home with steroids to start taking the day before my first Docetaxel cycle.
Hoping that there is less brain fog and insomnia.
Do they also give you any sickness tablets to take home?
Xx
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The past two days Iāve been pretty exhausted & achy. I had very little side effects during EC & continued working from home but Iāve been resting the past few days.
All food tastes horrible at the moment & I have been struggling to sleep.
I requested anti-sickness tablets due to my experience with EC but I havenāt had to use them for this!
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Sorry to hear that youāve had a rough couple of days. I hope you start feeling better very soon.
Oh no, hope you are starting to feel better and on the up.
Iām on day 7 of 3rd EC and itās been hard going. More exhaustion than the other two.
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I hope you are feeling better now @brox
I just had my final EC and what a relief! It feels like a huge milestone. I will start paclitaxel in two weeks.
I was in hopistal over the weekend with an infection so currently on antibiotics. I assume once the steriods wear off I wont move far from the bed! When I was in hospital it took them 11 trys to get the cannula in so they have finally agreed that a picc line is the way forward!
How are you @runningandgin ? Hopefully your bloods were clear.
How are everyoneās eyebrows and eyelashes? Mine are still clinging on. I do dread the time when they start to fall out.
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Hi. My eyebrows have started to exit. Not quite gone yet but my microblading is very pale. Not sure it was worth the money. My eyelashes are very sparse. I am 9 days post last EC. I get a slightly longer break before starting the pac.
Hey @rfmeh
Iām doing ok. Unfortunately my bloods confirmed there was bacteria in my picc line so I had to have it removed today.
Keeping my fingers crossed that they are able to use a cannular on Monday otherwise they want to put in a Hickman line and I think Iād like to avoid that if I can.
My eyebrows are very light and thin but still have enough that I can fill in with a brow pencil. Eyelashes are hanging in there.
Anyone else on pacletaxel having dry and ābrittleā skin?
Mine is so dry despite using moisturiser. Itās damaging so easily. I have extra dressings around where the picc line was because the picc line dressings were damaging my skin when they were removed. Nurses are getting me a prescription emollient cream to see if that helps.
I think your on the same path as me as im on paclitaxel. Mine starts on 19th and then every week for 9 weeks not sure what to expect. I am relived that i wo
nt have to have the daily injections just had my last one for the last ec. So some positives. I am llosing some eyelases, and my eyebrows are fading but got eyebrow pencil that make them look better. But my husband says i look like Gail Porter so gives me a boost. Keep positives to everyone x
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Howās everyone doing? Sounds like we are all feeling the effects much more now.
I had my last AC today - with an added Xanax and extra anti sickness drug which meant that Iāve slept pretty much since I got home. If only we could be knocked out for the roughest days so we didnāt have to endure them!
My AC has been dose-dense, so fortnightly rather than every 3 weeks. So, Iāll be starting 12 X weekly Paclitaxel in 2 weeksā time. Iāve been told by several people that itās better toleratedā¦and it better had be, because Iām not sure how Iāll get through to November otherwise!!
Iāve got about 20-30% of my hair left (cold capping wasnāt available). Apart from one big shed in the first week of AC2, itās stayed put. Iām hoping it can hold on now. Iāve heard that hair may start growing back during the T - has anyone experienced this?
Wishing you all well. We will get through this.
Xxx
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Eyebrows are pale and thinning but ok when filled in with a pencil. Eyelashes a bit patchy but not too bad. Nose hairs have gone too. Finding now that even on the good days I get tired so easily. Fourth and final EC tomorrow! So strange to think Iām half way through. Then in 3 weeks time Iāll start docetaxelā¦.into the unknown again
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Good luck with your final EC @twinks77 ! I felt so emotional about it yesterday once I got into the car with my hubbie afterwards. One more thing ticked off.
Yes we do seem to be on a simimal path! Though I will have Paclitaxel x 4, every two weeks. @cl4reh Do you also have to take a crazy amount of steroids before hand?
Sorry to hear that it has been bit of an ordeal with the picc line. Fingers crossed you can avoid the Hickman Line and that the emollient works for the dry skin @runningandgin x
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Just caught up after a week away from here. Gosh I wish I could remember who said what so I could reply to different questions but I canāt see how to do that on my phone. I just have the reply box.
Anyway, update on meā¦ had third and LAST EC on Friday (a week ago) and Iām just today emerging from a 4 day āchemo comaā. I feel so much better today but sun/mon I couldnāt even open my eyes and tues/weds I was just in bed unable to focus on anything.
I donāt know how anyone functions on this or maybe Iām just a softie. Today my brain works and Iām catching up on my phone. My legs are super wobbly still but Iām definitely on the up. Thereās no way I could work through this.
Oddly, the jabs donāt seem to do much except a bit of very ouchy back pain spasms the day after they stop.
Anyway, 3 more jabs and Iām half way throughā¦ and no more EC. 
Iām on docetaxel for the next 3 starting 22nd Aug. And thank you to the person who is talking about your experience. I can only hope the fatigue isnāt worse than EC as I find it hideous. Last one was reduced to 80% too 
I havenāt cold capped as I canāt do cold anything. Iām rocking the Gollum look and I like my wig which looks like my normal hair. I only wear it when I volunteer as I donāt want the people I support to know and worry. Itās thoroughly convincing and for a few hours a week Iām a regular person so I love it.
Iām losing my eyelashes at the wrong end (bummer) but eyebrows are still there for now. No nose hairs so I can have the fetching ādrippy tapā look. I have tissues literally everywhere!
RUH in Bath go for cannulas but my arm is getting very sore to the touch. They donāt seem that worried and say itās because they can see any immediate reactions quickly. I can only hope it eases but they arenāt convincing me!
Chemo constipation, oh the joys!, I think Iāve cracked this by taking 2 shots of that sweet stuff (canāt think of the word) every day. For at least the first week anyway.
I bounced back after EC1 and played Padel tennis for a week. After EC2 I got a horrible chest infection and didnāt bounce back at all. Jury is currently out but Iāve booked some Padel tennis for 10 days timeā¦ wish me luck!!
Weāve got this ladies, itās all temporary, take it one day at a time and weāll see this off. Sending love and strength xx 
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