This is all very interesting. I’ve had flushing of my neck and face with EC. Interestingly I also had similar flushing the day after both of my surgeries but so far nobody has been able to explain that. I wondered if it was the chemo or anti-sickness meds or the pegfilgrastim but i wouldn’t have had those with surgery. Maybe anti-sickness meds but the poor breast care nurse has had little response to her enquiries for me. I’ve now ruled out the pegfilgrastim though as the flushing started today before I did the injection. Plus they’ve given me antihistamines and it’s not as bad as last time.
Regarding the time, I was told Docetaxel is going to be a 2 hour infusion. My EC only takes about 45 minutes for the syringes to be pushed in to my PICC line. Although I did have to wait an hour for the Aprepitant to work before the chemo started. There was a girl beside me yesterday having an infusion and she’d started before me and was still there when I left so I wondered if it might have been Docetaxel. Our unit has now changed to a 2-stop system so I get assessed on Wed and treatment on Thurs. Supposed to be more efficient but they refused to give me the Aprepitant to take at home so I still had that extra hour to wait and couldn’t even go for a walk as they had me in my treatment chair and I didn’t want to lose it as they seemed to be short on chairs! Teething problems with the new system I think.
I get flushes on and off too.
My nurse told me that Docetaxel treatment would be quicker than EC, especially as the cold capping time reduces drastically. I don’t know what dose I’m on though.i see Oncologist next week.
I’ve just done last EC and on day 5. Feeling weak and feeble today, breathing shit from Filgrastim and manky chemo mouth, constipation and Indigestion. Fun times
Think I’ve lost a few eyelashes and waiting for more hair to fall. Joy
Ah maybe that’s it then. There’s no cold capping here so the EC is quick. I think with the PICC it’s even quicker - just a quick saline flush, 4 syringes and that’s it done. I’ve noticed the Macmillan info says Docetaxel takes about an hour. I guess I’ll have to wait and see. I’m only day 2 after my second EC so I’ll not be due the D until boxing day. Not sure what happens with the hols but no point in worrying yet as my next cycle might be delayed if my liver goes off again!
Yes, cold capping eoth EC is 30 mins before, all through treatment which is about an hr then 90 mins after. I think she said just 20 mins after with Docetaxel which will make a big difference
I’m switching from docetaxel to nab-paclitaxel (after a couple of allergic reactions to the former). I’m only having 6 cycles, that’s not changed with the medication, still 3 weekly for my final 3 cycles.
Very strange how inconsistent it all seems but we all have different diagnosis I’m sure so probably understandable if you’re a Dr Smartypants.
Hi,
My docetaxel takes 1 hour plus a saline flush. I think the red face is probably the steroids. When i’ve called my helpline, they never seem worried about it and advise me to take antihistamines.
I was told paclitaxel will take three hours, but she booked me in for four as there’s all the pre-meds first. The EC only took two hours for me last time as I stopped the cold cap (the thought of which still makes me gag. Very, very strange!! )
I also get flushing but it tends to happen after steroids so I’ve just written it off as that.
In other news, I have just about finished my Christmas shopping this year, I have NEVER been so organised! Will be going overboard with tacky, grotto-esque decorations this year as I feel I need a massive injection of festive cheer! If I don’t have any more delays my last treatment will be 19th December which is just the best Christmas present ever Reckon I’ll be one of those mega-early tree putter uppers this year
I’m on my way to A&E with a possible blood clot! Bit alarmed tbh Picc line arm swollen and tingly in forearm and swollen by neck, collar bone. Always on a Saturday!!
It is ALWAYS on a Saturday. If it is a clot, my recommendation having been thro this is make sure to push for the oral blood thinners. I ended up on 6 x days of the injection ones followed by the oral ones but she would have kept me on the injections much longer if I had allowed it. (As you can tell I’m not keen on injections!).
Oh no! Hope they get you sorted quickly! My one experience of having to go to A&E was really good, they rushed me through and kept me in a side room, so hopefully you won’t have to wait xx
I was seen quickly initially, picc line seems ok, flushed, taken bloods to test, given a little room with a bed and not seen anyone since. Still waiting for doctor. Taking forever
Just asked nurse and she said the wait time was 11 hrs this morning when I came in this morning
@luckyduck1 oh no hope all goes ok. My picc line arm was throbbing a bit this morning but not swollen. No one wants to go to a&e at weekends - hope u get seen quickly
)
Reckon I’ll be one of those mega-early tree putter uppers this year 
