+1 to what Sam said, I’m 6/12 in and it’s much much easier on my system. Would recommend having some anti-histamines on hand in case you need them. I had a tiny reaction on my 2nd a few hours after I got home where I felt an itchy face, was advised to take an anti-histamine and that helped and hasn’t happened again - would have been nice to not need the trip out to Tesco is all Haven’t needed any anti-sickness this whole time, only very mild and very infrequent stomach upsets.
My understanding of the biggest risk of Paclitaxel is peripheral neuropathy. Some people choose to use compression or cold therapy for their hands/feet to try and avoid any neuropathy developing. I’ve been doing cold hands/feet and so far I’ve not had any - though it can develop later and there’s no guarantee you’d get it anyway.
Also my hair might be regrowing on Paclitaxel? Hard to tell because I had some shaved hairs left on my head but my armpits were bald after EC and now there’s some tiny tiny stubbly bits coming through! Huzzah?
My oncologist said it will hopefully be better than the Red Devil! I guess it’ll depend on the extent of allergic reactions / neuropathy. I’m having dose dense 4 x fortnightly (as an alternative or 12 x weekly) so we will see how it goes.
It is a long old slog… and then I’ve got surgery before radiotherapy too.
Unless you have nab-paxitaxel instead of paxitaxel ( different carrier base to that used in paxitaxel and may be used if you have allergies as I do)
That is more like wallpaper paste and is infused in slowly with fluids. Takes twice as long to do. Can be very drying of your skin so use everything to keep hydrated to the max and skin as good as you can. Do call the hospital if you get a skin reaction as paxitaxel and nab paxitaxel can kick off any skin condition you may have. If that happens there are things the hospital can do to try and make your life a nicer place.
Second @sam1204 comment about hair. On nab l have lost all underarm hair, some other pubic hair but so far not leg hair. Head hair thins out rather than is lost in clumps as with some other drugs. Have some headware suitable for round the house and to sleep in, bold beanies are comfy to sleep in with very sensitive skin, and some that you can wear if you get colder and are not using a wig. Your head will feel cold. I have some fully seam free lined bamboo hats which are warmer to wear and cotton headscarf’s.. Did try a few cheaper makes but my skin rebelled
Like all the taxels Ìt can affect your sense of taste. It may also make hot foods unpalatable for a few days. It’s okay to opt for food that has had chance to cool down. Eating some if you feel nausea can help as it’s easy to be hungry and feel sick. Tips on this in the thread ‘cancer made me eat’ as are some ideas for simple meals that are easy to prep and eat if you did get hit by nausea and or the runs. Some lovely recipes for if you feel okay too. You usually get the anti sickness meds but if like me the latter on top let the hospital know. This time round l have domperidone for nausea and loperamide hydrochloride for dynorod as well and it does help. Without them l feel totally wiped out and way too tired.
If you did get a skin reaction do take a photo to show your oncologist and the nurses on the chemo ward. It will help them to help you by working out if you need anything extra on top to help.
With nab paxitaxel you usually have steroids on the day by infusion and a lighter dose of steroid tablets for three days after. If you did have a delayed reaction they may suggest a longer course of steroids plus antihistamines. I now get five days extra of prendisalone tablets and take a daily antihistamine. Sam is a better person to ask about paxitaxel.
It is okay to call the hospitals 24/7 helpline for chemo patients if you are unsure or need some advice.
On the peripheral neuropathy, I’m on week 10 (of 12) and I’ve just started last week or so having very mild occasional tingling in ends of fingers (not toes). Told oncologist on my 3-weekly review today and she said she’d only reduce the dose if it gets worse. As long as it’s mild it will most likely disappear when chemo ends - as I’m only 3 away from finishing that makes sense. I’ve done no compression or cold gloves or anything like that. I do think if you can keep reasonably active, blood flowing to extremities etc it probably helps.
Yours is dose dense and fortnightly so you may have some different effects I’ve not experienced . Good luck
Thanks @demimiray@sam1204@wibbles for all the paclitaxel info. Today has been my first “normal” day after EC2 - Day 12. Have really felt the fatigue this time round. Post chemo symptoms kept in check with meds. Had my chemo review call today and they have advised to reduce my steroids day 2/3/4 to just one dose a day (not two) to combat lack of sleep and anxiety in those initial days…maybe it will help. I guess we see what EC3 throws up on 23/4 which is my last one and then onto Paclitaxel in May for 12 weeks.
We have just thrown caution to the wind and booked three nights away near No2 son at uni in South Wales for a pre Paclitaxel break we get to take it and see the sea and DS for a few meals and beach walks.
Hey @joodles we went to the seaside last week pre EC 3 too which I had yesterday and it was lovely!!! Real soup for the soul couple of days away nd just what I needed, hope you have a lovely time
Hey @sammy75 I don’t start mine for 3 weeks but just want to say good luck for today!! I beleive the nurses are very on it with docetaxel and any issues sorted immediately so you’ll be in good hands. I’ve been told by most it’s much more tolerable than EC too so hoping we’re on the easier side of the journey now. Let us know how you get on with it
Thank you @katie91@sam1204@foxgem . On the hour long journey now and Docetaxel is kinder to me.
Walking down this chemo mountain now with 2 more to go after today.
Sending you all love but you ladies are just smashing it all the time. Im learning to be kinder to myself.
The high steriods compared to EC has left me with 2 hours sleep and have today and tommorow to go. Also will be given growth injections with Docetaxel never had them with EC so thats going to be fun as scrared of needles.
Hope all goes well for you Sammy and that this is nothing as tough as the EC has been on you. What you do when you’re so scared of needles takes real courage.
You absolutely will be OK, look how far you’ve come and you’ve hit the peak and you are on the way down the mountain I know you don’t feel like it now but you’ve got this Sammy
Round 3 EC hit me hard yesterday, thought I was going to actually vomit for the 1st time last night!! But seems to of calmed down now thank god! Managed the school run and a chat with the school Mums which helped distract me for abit and seem to be OK apart from abit of heartburn!!
Yesterday I had hair. Today after a shower my head looks like a badly tufted coconut. Had not expected Ìt to go poof quite like that. I went and had a wibble on my lovely next door neighbour after DH could not get why I was so upset.
Mine has decided to have a shedding day also. It’s complete rubbish. And yet the rest of my body hair seems to be growing! At this rate I’ll end up looking like a bald ape
I keep telling myself it’s for a greater good. It means the drugs are working. The cancer cells are being destroyed. If one of the prices for that is my hair, as devastating as it is, so be it
Ahha @wibbles I get you - mine did an over night disappear about wk 3 post first EC. I am now bald as a coot! Although I did not cold cap so it was always going to happen. I have come to quite like bald me but I do have a phantom pony tail that I keep thinking I should take out as my neck is cold - weird! @sammy75 - hope today has gone ok. You’ve got this and have already done so much of this adventure despite all the challenges with each cycle. @katie91 I am already looking forward to some sea air and beach glass hunting!
Good luck @sammy75 - you’re a few weeks ahead of me, I’ve got one EC to go before I start docetaxel 6th of May. Am rooting for you and going to hope it’s easier on both of us.
Ps the side effects of the injections are definitely better managed with strategic paracetamol, taking before bed, and Emla cream to numb the skin an hour before.
@felineoptimist I didnt have the injections with EC so all new to me. they keep me on track to finish on time.
Im going to take the injections about 7/8 at night so hoping my sleeping tablet kicks in and dont feel it much.
Think I was the only one not on growth injections for EC. Kind nurse today said EC is the harder part that this is true as I have been in bed or sofa for all my EC (however currently lying on sofa)
Good luck with your final EC. How have you found it !!! Are you every 2 or 3 weeks. Im every 3 weeks. My 2nd docetaxel is the 6th too
Haven’t needed any anti-sickness this whole time, only very mild and very infrequent stomach upsets.
. Good luck 
Docetaxel is kinder to me.
I know you don’t feel like it now but you’ve got this Sammy 
Yesterday I had hair. Today after a shower my head looks like a badly tufted coconut. Had not expected Ìt to go poof quite like that. I went and had a wibble on my lovely next door neighbour after DH could not get why I was so upset.