Hi
I am having my last AC next week and will then be having 4 x Taxotere.
I am very nervous about having this chemo. I had no real problems with the AC one.
Can anyone give me any advice on what to expect.
Thanks
Chrissie
x
Hi Chrissie
I had exactly the same chemos as you and finished in Sept. and now feel 99% human again - there is light at the end of the tunnel!
As for tax, it was better than the AC for me as it didn’t give me any sickness or nausea, but the fatigue I must admit was something else. The advice I would give is take each day, see what side effects you get then ask for help on here, cos not everyone gets the same and when you hear some of the stories it freaks you out!
Really enjoy your good days, treat yourself and rest up on the not so good ones. and like I said before you will get to the end, your energy will return (I’ve just come back from the swimming pool) food will taste good again (tax can affect your taste buds) and hair will grow (lots of grey - hey its hair!).
Good luck, nearly half way there!!
Cheers
Anne x
Hi Chrissie
There has been a long post on this site about TAX, if you type ‘Taxotere’ into search you may find it.
I found it very helpful as it prepared me for what I am very sorry to say was an awful regime (I had FEC previously). I did have the dosage reduced because it knocked me right off my feet.
The plus side was no sickness at all (Sorry that was the only one)
The most negative was the pain in the bones so have powerful pain killers at the ready.
Some people lose their nails or they turn black, mine just went a funny colour. They are just beginning to grow out to what they should be.
Buy some lime cordial, it may be the only thing you can taste after a while.
Anyway as bad as it was I did the 4 sessions and survived, its doable.
Good luck
C
Hi Chrissie
I’ve just had my first tax last tues… just back from a 4 day stay in hospital. I was feeling fine, but my temp went mental and it was off to hospital - I had zero white blood cell count, but am hopefully on the mend. I had no sickness like I had on FEC, my nail beds hurt a bit and my joints ache. Very sore head and throat at the minute, but that’s just hopefully me recovering from an infection.
good luck
Ang x
Hi Chrissie
I had 3 x FEC and 3 x Tax. I don’t want to scare you, but tax knocked me for six. I had no sickness with either but the tax made me feel like I had been hit with a double decker bus, and the first 7-8 days were the worst. Mouth was awful with ulcers and oral thrush, but if you tell the chemo nurses they will prescribe things for you.
My advice is take each day as it comes, try to listen to your body especially after you have had your tax, and take things easy,. Any signs of cough/cold/chest infection, go immediately to your docs for antibiotics otherwise could end up in hospital.
Everyone does react differently to every chemo though, so don’t get worried or frightened by what we tell you, as I flew through FEC and suffered on tax, and others are the other way around. Have to tell you though, whatever happens, it is doable and it worked on my liver and bc with “spectacular results” apparently, according to a liver specialist.
Good luck and hope things go OK for you. Let us know how you get on.
Love
Dawn
xx
Hi Chrissie - I am going for my second Taxotere next week. If it is any comfort, although the first week was indeed truly tough, since then I have felt not too bad at all. This past week I have been able to do all my normal things, and hope it will be the same for you. As someone has written above, there are quite a few threads going of people who are on Taxotere. I think the one I have chatted on is “1st Taxotere”, but I’ll have a look and bring it up to the top. Please do join us there! Very best of luck and remember one day at a time - we all react differently. Love Sarah x
hi chrissie
Im due my 3rd taxotere next thursday, did EC first but it didnt work. I find that day 5 and 6 from having chemo are my worst days a bit like severe flu where you ache all over with no strength. Then its back on the up. Dealing with the bloated stomach and trying to find food that doesnt hav a metalic taste has been an on going battle tho.
Also a few problems with runny eyes that go puffy, just lie back with cucumber slices on them they feel better.
Dont be scared tho its not so bad we all do react differently to these treatments, i dont feel like im suffering, i just remember what its trying to cure!
jinpip xx
I can only agree with the rest.The pains were worse on the first for me but the exhaustion and breathlessness were horrendous.I found chilled San Pellegrino mineral water was acceptable.Watch your temp though and remember,it IS doable.Good Luck xxx