Morning all
I had my first Taxotere last Friday, following 5 FEC. I feel so terrible this morning, aches, pains, weird throat and mouth. I had a GCSF injection on Saturday so am surprised I feel like this. Or maybe it’s the injection doing this?
How long will this last? I have been unable to sleep either because of being so hot/cold/everything. Any advice?
Cecelia. x
Hi Cecilia
It is worth giving your Breast Care nurse/medical team a call if you are concerned about the symptoms you have, you are also welcome to contact our team of helpliners on 0808 800 6000 for advice. The helpline is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.
Best wishes
Lucy
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care
Thankyou Lucy, if there is no improvement later, I will be sure to give them a call.
Cecelia. x
Hi Cecelia
I think it is probably the Taxotere giving you the symptoms. If you had it on Saturday then you are now on day 5 which for me is when it all goes downhill! I haven’t had any aches or pains so I have been lucky so far. The wierd mouth thing is something that most people seem to get, nothing tastes right and things like tea and water taste foul (well for me anyway). The good news is that the yukky mouth thing will pass, for me by about day 8 or 9 it was ok again. It might also make you very very tired and you have to just rest when your body tells you to.
Chemo also mucks up your sleep, I’ve got sleeping pills temazepan that I got from the doctor but I don’t take them all the time or maybe just get some Nytol from the chemist to help you sleep. I’ve been having hot flushes at night and it is really annoying!!!
From my experience the first one is the hardest. My second taxotere was surprisingly ok. I’m due my third next Tuesday.
You will improve you just have to go with it day by day and hang on in there. Take care
Jude
xxx
Hi Cecelia
Like you I had FEC first (x6) and then Taxotere and like you I have found the TAX very hard, but the first one was the worst.
You must tell you oncologist that you are suffering as I had my second dose reduced slightly and was a lot better - do not suffer in silence!
I am back in Friday for my 4th of 6 and dreading it - that said all signs are good and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Keep your chin up and I am sure that the first lot is the worst!
Kate
Thanks very much Kate, I take heart from that, this is definitely the worst I have felt since all my chemo began.
I’ll consider asking for a reduction next time, this is so tough!
Well done with your treatment, very good luck on Friday.
Cecelia. x
Cecilia, i had my second TAC on friday and, like you, feel really quite rough. Do check with your chemo team but the GCSF injection does do this achey breaky joints lark. If they say it’s ok, and you don’t have a temerature, then a couple of paracetamols does help.
for the taste - i finf very, very cold drinks help - loads of ice. If even that doesn’t help, jelly can slide down without touching the sides.
If they gave you a mouthwash, use it, it helps
otherwise, hugs
how many doses are they giving you? I’ve had 2 out of six, roll on january!
Hi Quisie
I am thinking the aches are the injection and I’m a little improved from this morning I have bought some lovely raspberry jelly and blueberry juice and it seems to help with the horrible taste.
I don’t have a temperature so I’m sure it’s all par for the course, but yuk, horrible!
I have 2 x tax only, 2nd one 26th Oct, I’m hoping that one won’t hit so hard!
Well done, you are 2 up and it’ll fly by now.
Cecelia. x
Hi Cecilia,
Both the injection and Tax can cause aches. I found paracetemol/ibuprofen on their own had no effect. If you find the same, try ibuprofen together with cocodamol (max daily dose of both), it worked for me.
As for the mouth - try ginger ale, flat coke or lime cordial. Eating fresh pineapple also helps.
Thanks , I feel so much better today, mouth still pretty sore but still loads better.
Yesterday was horrendous, every time I stood up I had shooting pains in my legs, pains in my ears, of course worrying it’s bone and brain mets, stomach cramps and diarrhoea. I feel like I’ve got off lightly with the FEC so far, this really was what chemo can be like!
But I’m pleased to report that I feel sooooo much better today, I almost feel like jumping for joy!
Cecelia. x
excellent that you’re feeling better today - chemo is really a drag. Does make you appreciate the good days though 
Oh Cecelia, sorry you had a rough few days, but so glad to hear you are better today. I have Tax#2 tomorrow and not looking forward to that…
I agree FEC seemed better, but at least no nausea with this one…mind you I had the FEC nailed by the 3rd dose and had no sickness whatsoever - typical!!!
Love and hugs and hope you are over the worst.
Ali
x