Yikes…it’s iron filings central this morning from the baldy head! It’s going at lightening speed. Looks like I’m swapping my chubby Sinead O’Connor look for a shiny balding middle aged man look instead! 
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They gave me 125mg aprepitant at 2oclock yesterday then I’ve got to take 80 mg today and tomorrow at 2 pm I also gave me ondansteron 8 mg to take last night , my new prescription is for 4mg ondansetron to take 3 x a day or when needed, think I also had anti sickness drip yesterday but I’m assuming a could take one of those this morning but they didn’t say I could or couldn’t and my chemo brain made me forget to ask.
I also look like a strange old man this morning my small amount of remaining stubble on my head doesn’t seem to know weather to stay or go and got a lovely array of grey mixed in, I use a lint roller instead of a hairbrush which works a treat
So glad your feeling ok , it’s helping me to stay positive for next coming days, I don’t feel too bad just not my self if you know what I mean xx
I’ve taken the tablet just figure on the grand scale of things one extra sickness tablet isn’t going to hurt with everything else I’m taking , and just starting to feel a bit queezy so if I can keep the sickness away it’s a win, will pay the price tomorrow when I can’t go to the loo 
How are you doing?
Does anyone else experience a weird feeling like their flesh hurts during EC?
It’s like all my soft tissue hurts on my face, neck, shoulders, back etc and is sensitive to touch?
2nd EC has definitely been different to the first. Better in a lot of ways but hard in others.
Hello all, I’m relatively new here and I’d just like to share my story.
I was diagnosed in February with ++her2- invasive ducal cancer, 9cm tumour and smaller 1.7cm tumour in my right breast that has spread to lymph nodes.
What a whirlwind few weeks that was! I have 2 small children (3 and 1) a wonderful extremely supportive partner and 2 little black cats, one of which definitely knew something was going on before I did! Very clever little cat.
Anyway, after a very scary short few weeks of waiting I had 6 biopsies, plenty of scans, doctors appointments and a very nerve wracking phone call to gladly inform me it hadn’t spread anywhere else. We were worried about a small spot on my liver that they determined to be just a cyst. Obviously this is always in the back of my mind that they may have misdiagnosed but my key worker assured me it wasn’t anything to worry about.
I was quickly fitted with a PICC line and then 4 days later had my first chemo.
My treatment plan is EC for 4 rounds and then Taxol for 12 weeks. Followed by a full mastectomy and node clearance, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and more. I forget what the rest is.
I’m currently recovering from cycle 3 of EC.
It’s been a fun ride so far. I’ve never spent so much time with doctors in my life.
First round of EC was an absolute shock to the system. I think I had every symptom possible. Ended up practically bed bound for 8 days. Second was no better, that one landed me in hospital for 48 hours being treated for dehydration and a week after that I was back in with a raging temp, gladly nothing to worry about.
My oncologist then decided it would be best to delay my 3rd cycle as she suggested I give my body a bit of time to recover and it did me the world of good. We were doing EC every 2 weeks but now we’re on every 3 weeks. Cycle 3 has been so different, symptoms are still there but so much more manageable than they were the first 2 cycles.
I’ve decided to give the cold cap a try and so far I’ve probably lost about 40% of my hair, no obvious patches but it’s definitely a lot thinner. I haven’t high hopes that I’ll keep it all as I’m shedding like a husky dog in the summer but it’s been a lot easier to handle the hair loss this way. I never thought I’d be that worried about my hair as I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with it but this way I’m able to manage it myself and when it comes to shave day, I’ll be ready.
I would love to connect with others that are going through the same/similar.
How are you all managing your treatment and side effects?
How are you coping at home?
Any advice for my next step with Taxol would be great, I’m particularly anxious about this chemo as I’m having it weekly.
I never thought in my life that I’d be going through something like this. I’m 35 and have always had that “it won’t happen to me” attitude as I keep myself relatively fit and healthy. Oh how humbling this experience has been!
It has opened my eyes to a whole new level of empathy, understanding, compassion, love, gratitude and it had definitely made me realise how short life is and how cruel it can be sometimes.
Sending lots of love, positivity, and healing to all going through this.
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Glad you decided to join the group.
Here are some links that may be helpful for you. I noticed you mentioned you are 35 so the younger women together group may also be helpful.
- Helpline: 0808 800 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 9am-1pm). Speak to our trained helpline team. No questions are too big or too small.
- Ask Our Nurses: You can message our nurses here on the forum, or confidentially. Whatever you prefer.
- Someone Like Me: Will match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. They’ll be a phone call or email away to answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen. Call on 0800 138 6551 or contact our email volunteers
- Younger Women Together: For people 45 and under. You can choose the support that suits you: online, one day or 2 day residential events. Find an event.
Take care 
For anyone interested BCN are running a forum users surgery, if you have the time, here’s the link
Hi, I’m on EC too, but every three weeks. For the first one, one of the anti-nausea drugs caused my blood pressure to drop dramatically and meant that I was house bound for almost 2 weeks. I had realised that one of the anti-nausea drugs was making me feel much more nauseous (!) so for the second, my oncologist stopped that drug and the dizziness stopped too. I really hope they sort it out for you. It sound horrific.
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Hi @sarahb20 thank you for replying to me 
that’s interesting that you mention the dizziness in relation to the anti nausea drugs. I’ve been dealing with a bit of dizziness this cycle too and it has left me unable to function properly.
If you don’t mind me asking, which anti sickness drug was it that was making you feel dizzy? It didn’t even occur to me that my meds could be causing these side effects too. I am currently taking cyclizine as my “when I need it” drug, which has been great at keeping my nausea under control during the day but I have been particularly dizzy this cycle. I wonder if it’s related. Xx
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It was Domperidone. I’m now only taking Ondansetron, but I think that may change too as I’m getting migraines!
@sarahb20 i was taking domperidone to start with but it really did nothing for me, in fact i do remember i felt worse after i took it. I lasted a few days first cycle, thinking it was normal before my team changed me onto cylclizine.
I have ondansetron too but I only take it for the first few days after treatment (as instructed by chemo nurse) that seems to work well for me too.
I hope you manage to find something that works well for you soon. Don’t suffer on, as I’ve been told by the helpline many times
Anyone else switching chemos for their next round? I’m due round 4 this week, blood results depending, and I’m switching from EC to D. I’m nervous as I don’t know how my body will react to this different type of chemo or how long the side effects will be severe for before lifting on the not so merry go round that is the 3 week chemo cycle. It’s like starting all over again! Anyone already switched chemos with some words of wisdom?
I switched on Friday and was very nervous and worried about a possible allergic reaction. 3 days of steroids meant no sleep then a big come down as took the last dose Saturday evening.
Haven’t felt as sick but still got the chemotherapy/steroid belly pain plus the awful taste in the mouth.
So far the worse side effect is the joint pain. Feels like contractions in all joints and nothing seems to help. Definitely stock up with paracetamol etc. Only meant to last a few days so fingers crossed. I also started herceptin injections so could be that and not the D. Good luck 
I hope your joint pain passes soon. I’m getting the injections too. But this is really good info to have. Thank you. X
I’m the same, I’ve been so lucky so far, had my last Red Devil yesterday, and I’m fine just a bit hot in the face. I’m worried I won’t be so lucky when I start docotaxel even though the docs say it’s easier. Cant be easier than just a red face:sob:! The joint pain sounds awful. I guess we have to wait and see. 
For those of you asking about switching chemo. It may be helpful to scroll through previous chemo starters groups to see what may or may not have occurred to others in the previous months.
I only had one chemo so switching didn’t apply to me but I did find it helpful to read through previous groups before and during my chemo.
You can also talk to your team, the nurses that give the infusions or a BCN nurse
- Helpline: 0808 800 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 9am-1pm). Speak to our trained helpline team. No questions are too big or too small.
- Ask Our Nurses: You can message our nurses here on the forum, or confidentially. Whatever you prefer.
Hope this helps
I had my first Docetaxel today and it was sooooooo much easier than EC. No sickness, no weakness. If you’re going to react to it, it’s in the first 15 mins normally and they would cease it and give you Piriton and Hydrocortisone. My Oncology Lead said that they can try slowing it down and occasionally bypass an inflammatory response but an allergy is an allergy and it doesn’t guarantee that you won’t then react next time and need to change drugs.
Drugs I’ve been given are:
Day 0 (Day before) : 16mg of Dexamethasone (8 pills consisting of 4 for brekkie and 4 for lunch)
Day 1 (Day of Chemo) : same again
Day 2 : same again
Day 3: 8mg
Day 4: 4mg
Day 5: 2mg
This isn’t standard but I was having issues with dropping off a Cliff mentally every time I finished steroids so they’ve tapered them and it softens the blow a LOT!
Because of the steroids and then causing acid, I’m taking Omeprazole first thing each day during steroids.
Took Akynzeo as normal on day of chemo.
Injecting slow release G-CSF on Day 2 after 24 hours.
Domperidone if needed but advised that’s unlikely.
OraMorph (I already have) for joint and bone pain as I can’t have codeine or Tramadol.
They said that your guts can be a problem around day 4-6 but usually only for 24 hours. I’m drinking kéfir and they highly recommend it as my ovaries have gone into hibernation and the loss of oestrogen is enough to cause tummy issues anyway and kéfir is a one stop shop to help. Other ladies on here have reported it making a huge difference too. The one cycle where k didn’t drink any was horrific while my other were much better. Fixed constipation overnight!
Good luck to all those changing to Docetaxel. I was terrified as I’d read horror stories but I can already feel this is less poisonous. But I would rather have joint and muscle pain (which I’ve been told to expect, especially after the bloody G-CSF) than nausea so it’s a win for me. Xx
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Docetaxel update: so I’d my first of this one on Wednesday. I was nervous but so far so good. The steroids stopped yesterday (I struggled with sleep on them!) and today I’ve been achy especially in my legs and my teeth and gums are more sensitive. Heartburn yesterday but seems to be settling today hopefully that continues. No tummy issues yet but it’s maybe too early.
Weirdly my period arrived today haven’t had that since a week after my first chemo! So that’s an extra joy! But just trying to rest up and keep doing gentle movement.
Just thought I’d put this out here for those nervous about switching so far it’s been better for me than the awful nausea and heartburn I had with red devil which took me longer each round to recover from.
If you can enjoy the bank holiday weekend ladies
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Day 3 of first Doce here and it’s still thoroughly bearable compared to EC. Painful joints by end of Day 2 but I had that on EC anyway! To get up and eat breakfast happily rather than fearing how I would manage to even drink on EC is such a massive gift!!!
I’m pleased I read the horror stories though as this feels like a walk in the park in comparison to EC! Pain is manageable. Nausea is not!!!
It feels like such a relief to not be breathing through nausea, lying in bed all disorientated and sad.
Paracetamol seems to manage most of the pain well enough although I took OraMorph last night after an 11.5 hour drive to Scotland. Slept well though!
Onwards and upwards! We’re over the halfway mark!! X
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Isn’t it funny how people react so different to different meds? I’ve just caught up with comments and seen people switch to Docetaxel and not be too bad. I’ve recently had round 5/6 and only every had Docetaxel, Carboplatin and Herceptin…I’ve had my doses reduced 4 times due to excessive side effects. Though this last one was definitely and finally an improvement but each time I’ve juggled between constipation and diahorea, nausea where I’ve tried 2 different types of tablets, no taste for 2 weeks, mouth thrush, nosebleeds, bone and leg pain, sore neck,l collarbone and throat for 3 days after my steroids finish and my finger nails have started to go funny. I can’t wait to get my last chemo done at the end of the month, out of every 3 weeks I have to probably spend a week in bed and then I work from home the rest of the time.
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