Hi @sharlou , the side effects of Pac, for me, gradually increased from week 8 to week 12. Initially my muscles ached on days 3-4 only, but this gradually built up to aching from days 2-6. Strangely it helped to understand the cause of the aches, so that I could visualise the benefit rather than just experiencing the pain. It relates to the effect of the meds specifically impeding cellular division, by making the cell walls rigid. And suddenly it all made more sense. Weeks 10-12 were fairly sleepless, unless Iād had a meal and taken ibuprofen.
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Thank you Sharlou 
Iām going tomorrow for my 4th TC cycle - could be the last one (or 2 more)
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Hi @sharlou just popping in from the August groupā¦ my first chemo drug was paclitaxol fortnightly. It affects everyone differently but my issues were stomach aches (buscopan) and some peripheral neuropathy in feet which is mostly gone now. Also now realising it affected my nails as I have a reddish section on nails but the new section is growing normally so maybe just worth keeping moisturised. Think it seems kinder than docetaxol though. Good luck, hope it goes well which Iām sure it will! 
God yes, Iām eating pork pies, pickles instant noodles and other rubbish. I never eat processed food usually and am virtually vegetarian. I canāt believe myself xx
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Hope everyone is doing well and getting through this difficult time best they can.
Just finished 4 rounds of EC. Each cycle has floored me for about a week or so. Iām moving on to paclitaxol weekly and wondering if anyone has had this and can let me know how they have managed on it? I honestly cannot cope much longer with chemo wiping me out and hoping itās a little kinder to me.
I am triple negative and have the BRCA1 mutation so facing a double mastectomy too. Cannot decide if Iām having reconstruction or not. Iām 41 and canāt imagine not having boobs but I also donāt want to be faced with multiple surgeries due to implants not going right. Feeling so deflated right now and thought it was about time I reach out on here for some support
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Hello @lainy0203
I found EC harder as I went on. The last cycle was my worst particularly for sickness. I have now had 2 out of 9 weekly paclitaxol so far and have definitely found it alot kinder. I dont like to tempt fate but so far no major issues. I have minimum meds to take home just one day of steroids so I took that as an indication to hope for better and so far it has been. Hope it will be the same for you.
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Thatās good! Iām glad to hear you are doing a bit better! Everything crossed that continues for you. Thanks for getting back to me 
@lainy0203 Iāve just done 9/12 paclitaxel and found it a lot kinder than EC. Mainly have mild pain in fingers and toes and some joint pain but havenāt needed to take any painkillers yet. Also some hair loss but am cold capping so still have my hair. Also eyelashes looking sparse. X
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Well my onc has just said he recommends I do 10 Paclitaxel as Iām in hospital with sepsis so he said the PICC line will need removing (all cases of the type of sepsis I have were from the PICC). So if I carried on with chemo I would need to have a new PICC or use a cannular which can leak.iāve had a good response to the chemo though and am still having Phesgo. I have also had cancer 6 years ago so want the best chance but not over treatment. I would ask your onc what they recommend if it was their wife.
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Hi Linda,
Iāve just completed 12 weekly Paclitaxel with a cannula. It was fine. I made sure that I was really well hydrated before blood tests and infusions so that none of the clinical staff would have difficulty in locating a vein. I just wanted to simplify the heck out of this process as far as possible x
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Good luck to everyone having chemo this week. I am due cycle 4 out of 6 tomorrow (pending bloods of course).
This really feels like I am heading to the home straight now as over half way through. Still need mastectomy etc after but amazing how feeling you are over half way through affects your mood! I am starting to feel much more like my old self and hope everyone else is too
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@galdiolus good luck! I guess most of us are in the home run now !
Tmrrw i am starting my first of 3 x docetaxel
And I am dreading it. not sure Iāll make it through the door 
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@epic1 yes feels like we should all be in the home straight. My treatment started towards the end of September
Take comfort itās nearing the end and you have managed every cycle so far 
the bell is in sight 
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Yes good luck everyone! My second paclitaxel is due on Thursday, as long as my liver is behaving itself. Only two more left after that! I cannot bloody wait til this bit is over.
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And a good luck from me! I am on my 3rd out of 9 weekly paclitaxol later today. I love that you feel more positive @galdiolus
I had a great week last week and then felt so down yesterday. Not helped by being at a family event on Saturday where folks I dont see very often just didnt know what to say to me. Felt a bit like the elephant in the room. I dont want to be the centre of attentionā¦ Iām trying to pretend its not happening but hiding from me is not what I was expecting.
Anywayā¦Onwardsā¦ we are definitely getting there! Love to all x
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@nellyh i know what you mean, my emotions change with the weather. Some days I feel like crying and other days (mostly to be honest) I feel okay and feel like I am getting through. Good luck with yours too
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Is anyone taking supplements? I want to give my hair, skin and nails a helping hand now Iāve finished my 12 weekly Paclitaxel and Biotin looks as though it might do the job but itās not clear whether it might have an adverse effect on the hospital drugs. I donāt want to do anything that will interfere with the treatment but Iām desperate to do something.
@magl I have a shot of aloe Vera juice everyday for skin,hair and nails. Someone recommended it to me. It does seem to work so far ?
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I just looked it up. Aloe Vera would be good apart from its laxative effect. Thatās the last thing I need. 
Thatās so great that some of you are feeling like the end of chemo is in sight. Iām feeling a wee bit deflated that Iām not close to the home straight yet. I started on 25th Sept but due to delays have only had 2 cycles so far. One more EC (hopefully) this Thurs will take me to half way. Iām glad Iāve my surgery behind me at least. I know some of you will be having yours after chemo. Iām just really hoping cycle 3 will go ahead on Thurs. Iām getting my bloods done tomorrow but Iām nervous for the results as Iāve had a UTI and am only finishing the antibiotics in the morning 
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