Need positive posts about TAX

[Happy_Carrot]

Hi All,
Well it's the 1st week after my 3rd and final Tax before moving on to FEC. Last Tax I came to around day 12 and got out and about quite a bit although I felt really out of it at times and was confused, had problems making decisions and a mad compulsion to buy things! Didn't have problems with hands and feet or nails and still have hair on head (and everywhere else) but it is very thin now. My problem has been with mouth and throat ulcers which Onc told me was due to Tax, and there is a toxic build up i.e. it gets worse each time, so this last one was a reduced dose. Mouth and throat swollen and sore and feel like they're about to go but hopefully not - gargling and swishing with difflam liberally throughout the day! Also found my nose membranes bleed, particularly when blowing my nose. Tummy swollen and unconfortable too. This time I was not given GSF injections, which worried me a bit but I was given a week's worth of antibiotics in case of infection, so no shooting pains in bones. And lower dose = less severe se's.

Was surprised to be able to go out for fairly substantial walks after day 3 and feel more 'normal' now so have a good 13 days before being scanned for the next set of chemo. Gettingh out for those walks has made a huge difference in clearing my se's and giving me more strength and energy. But, I'm worried I will suffer on the next one. Tax has been ok, you get over it quicker each time and there is a good recovery time involved. Hope FEC will be kind, but I'm not thinking of that for now and will 'live as if each day is the last', hence three tubs of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and, well, any other little treats I want really!

[supertrouper]

Start of day 19 post TAX #1 and just a few days away from #2
Skin on my feet has started to shed! And not just one layer of skin, it is quite thick bits - not nice at all. Bit worried that TAX#2 is going to hit the very new and tender skin on my finger tips and feet and hurt even more??

jenben - sounds like you are out of the tax pit now. The itchy hands and feet are horrible - keep moisturising them and watch out for the skin peeling off. My nurse said that I should use more moisturiser ever where which makes sense as the largest organ in the body is the skin.

[Cackles]

First day post "T" no problems to report. Pub lunch with friends not too happy when their lovely daughter and grand daughter came especially to see me with a cold and cough. Growl growl....some people are so stupid.
Now wide awake and hungry, red faced and dirty looking neck.......perhaps I should try washing it. Chest also looks brown and grubby......odd looked ok yesterday.
Need chocolate and cake.
Night night all
Cackles xx

[Guest user]

Hi all,

A quick tip for google girl and anyone else on Neulasta - a clarytin tablet taken on the same day as the neulasta really helped to reduce the aches and pains for me. I checked with my onc, and he was happy for me to do this. Don't know if it works for everyone, but certainly does for me

Julie x

[jenben]

Hi all just to say my first week on tax was very bad but day 12 onwards have felt fine and no pains. My only problem is itchy hands and feet and tingling. It's bearable and I wrap my hands and feet in wet cold tea towel a few times a day. That was an idea from my 10th old daughter! I asked to see my onc and my last 2 tax he is going to give me at 75% of the first one. He said I would then have 75% of side effects which I guess makes sense. THe other option was going onto weekly paclitaxol for 6 weeks. But I am nearly done and I could not face every week. He said se's much less but knowing my body they will probably be as bad and I will never get a good day for 6 weeks. So have decided to baton down the hatches and go for lesser dose.
Good luck all, can't believe it has come round so quick again! 2nd November my last one, can't imagine the relief walking out that chemo unit x

[supertrouper]

I took Paramol for two days - when the bone pains were at their worst. It's an over the counter pain killer - paracetamol and dihydrocodeine. Just watch out for constipation. There is a warning on the box saying it can cause addiction and is for three days use only. It helped kill the pain and made me sleepy so no driving whilst I took them. Not that I felt like driving with my painful feet!

[Lulu34]

google girl you can take 1g (two tablets) of paracetamol every 4-6 hours so long as its no more than 4 times a day.... but do check your temp before you take it as it can hide a fever as its other use is an anti-pyretic and reduces your temp to normal.

ibuprofen you can take 400mg 3 times daily with or after food, but again it can reduce your temp to normal if you have a fever.

[Guest user]

Thanks so much for your words of support they really do help, I was due to start herceptin today but didn't feel I could cope with that so going to see if I can have it next friday.How much paracetomol do you take? Just knowing there is support out there makes me feel positive and i know this will all be a distant memory next year. Hope you enjoy a good weekend

[Slendablenda]

Hello Google Girl,
Those side effects do sound very familiar to me. Make sure you do tell your BCN about any changes. The side effects will fluctuate between your treatments. I take Ibuprofen Paracetamol for the pain, but remember to take your temp first if you feel it may be high.There are some days when I can hardly walk too, today has been one. I'm sitting with my feet on a soft foot-stool and a duvet over my legs. This afternoon I had to go and lie down, but it will change and the better days will come back.
Have you got a meeting with your Onc before TAX 2?
Try and hang on in there, I have had 3 TAX and the injections - only 1 more to go - the end of TAX will be in sight sooner than you think.
Good luck.

[supertrouper]

Google Girl

Sorry to hear you are struggling with your first TAX - I am now on day 17 post my first TAX and know what you are going through. It might help you to know that by day 8 I started to feel a bit better, and each day after that saw an improvement. There is nothing that will help the drug out of your system other than to keep well hydrated and when you feel up to it then a bit of gentle exercise. I too had the bone marrow injection - which I do think makes the leg pains worse. It's horrible - but if it is doing that to us then we have to believe that it is doing something similar to the cancer.

[Guest user]

Hi, can anyone give me some tips on coping with tax i am on day 7 of first one and really struggling, I am so breathless struggle to get upstairs and haven't eaten or slept properly for a week as everything tastes like cardboard. Leg pains have been unbearable even when taken painkillers and can hardly walk, spoke to chemo nurse who said it just has to work through my system, i have also had a bone marrow injection which she says makes things worse. any tips for getting this horrible drug out of my system quick,Feeling really down and wonder whether i can go through another tax. Sorry to be moaner I am sure there are alot of you out there who have coped with much worse.

[DJ007]

Hi Lulu

I didn't have many more aches and pains on Tax than I had on FEC - and all of those were attributable to the pegfilgrastim injections.

I rarely needed painkillers - but then always took my temp first, before taking 1 paracetamol and 1 ibruprofen.

My last tax was mid July. I didn't use dark polish/frozen peas, etc and haven't lost any toe or finger nails - they all look in reasonable condition.

I found the Macmillan factsheets v good

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Chemotherapy/Individual...

Good luck - hope all your SEs are little ones.
Dx

[Lulu34]

hi ladies.... i was seeing my onc today and im going to be getting 6 x tax and carboplatin..... been looking at the list of SEs they gave me and seems quite different to what i got last time with E-CMF.

i havent got a date yet they are going to phone with a start date which will be between 17th and 27th oct.

i see a lot of you ladies are taking paracetamol or paracetamol based meds like co-codamol but you are normally advised to avoid paracetamol during chemo as its an anti-pyretic and given to reduce temp when you have a fever so could give an artificially normal temp when in actual fact you could be feverish.

its probably worthwhile discussing with your oncologist and see if they can recommend a different medication... ibuprofen, naproxen, voltarol, etc are anti-inflammatories and are good alternative if you can tolerate them.

i was strongly advised today to only take paracetamol for the first two days after chemo and then to avoid it.

Lulu xxx

[supertrouper]

Cackles - glad your first taxing day went okay. Keep an eye on your temperature and don't try to do too much. Come back tomorrow and let us know how you are on day two.

[Cackles]

1st Taxing "T" today . Wine coolers for feet ice water for fingers lots of soft drink plus one thimble of gin in the tonic just for a pre lunch treat. All went well, Hickman fine, settle back and enjoy the chat. Ate my four ice lollies refused lunch because we were going to pub on way home. Infusion finishes I thank nurse and she tells me she is now going to put up the Doxitaxol. Urgh.. Lollies finished wine coolers warm and ice water hot!!!!! All went well, but couldn't taste the gin ( don't think Husband put any in- rotter no lunch and pub closed by the time we got there.

So far no problems or nausea aching but did go shopping and I am an old biddy.
Sleep well anf symptom free
Cackles
P.S.
Yippee it wasn't too bad and neuts were 5.4

[supertrouper]

Lunch today with a friends and then a trip to garden centre with son-in-laws sister and her Mum. Dreadful heavy rain showers all day but good time had by all. Although all my friends had bad news to relate about people that they knew.

Phone call from Breast Surgeon's secretary this morning, booking me in for next Wednesday to see him for ultra sound and chat about surgery. So that's TAX #2 in the morning at Preston Royal, then zip over to Chorley to see smiley Mr Breastman. All seems to be stepping up a pace again!

I am now on day 17 post TAX #1 and 97% back to normal (finger tips still a bit iffy) Going to have a takeaway curry tonight whilst I still have my taste buds and one or several drinks.

How is everyone else getting on?

[Guest user]

Just had my first TAX today and my flu jab so getting the painkillers ready 😉

Already buzzing on the steroids and only 2 hours sleep last night between those and the flushes.

On a more positive note, went along to the secondary breast cancer day in Birmingham yesterday run by BCC and it was really great. Had the chance to meet 13 other SBC women and to catch up on issues specificaly related to SBC such as new treatments, managing fatigue and a bit of relaxation. The lunch put on at the Novotel was AMAZING. Would highly recommend attending for any other SBC women and they run the sessions in different areas of the country.

Laurie

[Guest user]

Hi,
SuperT/ Debbie, Slendabenda, Westland and all,

Debbie - bring on those good times! I'm doing lots of that too. and every girl needs a mad friend to take them to lunch.
I have not got rid of sore throat yet and it's all my fault,have been so busy at work where I am on the phone all the time. Not ideal but it's good to be back at work after that horrendous week off post tax 1.
I think we are on a similar schedule as I have tax 2 a week tomorrow. Got a clinic appointment with on on next thurs to discuss next steps - poss surgery - yikes! But weirdly exciting at the same time.

p.s.I so wished cute GP was not so cute when I had to ask for movitol for constipation!!!

Westland - sorry you are suffering. I had a few headaches last week after tax 1 but i downed co-codomol and it went. But on FEC as I said, horrendous migrainous headaches. Hope you get it sorted. I was told to get it under control with painkillers as soon as it starts.

Best wishes to all XX

[Slendablenda]

Hi Sujper,
What a waste of your day. The Greek guy sounds a bit slimy - you made the right decision to have the ultrasound.
The medical assessment sounds like just a formality, but at least you showed willing.
I haven't had peeling fingers yet, the nails are getting discoloured and very sensitive. My feet are worse, 2 toes and some nails going greyish - yuk and look as though they might start to lift. Very sore, feet up at the moment.

[supertrouper]

Medical assessment went okay - one hours drive to get there and another to get back for a 15 minute meeting. Doctor is going to send me a copy of his report at the same time that he sends it to my employers.

Meeting with Oncy this afternoon didn't go quite as planned as I ended up seeing on the her "team" as she was busy. His english wasn't the best and I struggled to understand some of the things he said. Especially when he was talking about if I could drive and did I have problems with the Peeedles. Upshot of it all was that the next TAX would be same dosage and only if I have problems with that would they then reduce it for no 3 & 4.

I noticed today that the skin on the tips of my fingers has turned white and is peeling off - quite a thick layer too - not painful underneath - just super sensitive!!

7 days to TAX # 2

[Slendablenda]

Hello Ladies,
I haven't got any positive news to impart at the moment apart from the fact that I only have one more chemo to go, scheduled for 17th. October - the end is in sight.
I'm on Paclitaxol every 2 weeks,so don't have many good days before the next blast.
Super - you make me feel even more tired, you sound like you are so busy and have loads of energy.
I do have headaches and other pains, mostly in my feet and bones.I've been using Ibuprofen and Paracetamol although they are not totally effective, but codeine can cause constipation and I had that so badly in hospital I don't want to go there again!
Last week my chemo was postponed because I also got the sore throat, high temp and ended up in hospital for 24 hours on the IV antibiotics.
My red blood count is still low so may have to have blood transfusion
before final chemo if it doesn't pick up.
So I am finding tax more challenging than the AC chemo I had previously.
I do think the likelihood of neutropenia/high temp seems more of a consideration on this.Am having to be more aware of temperature fluctuations.

[Guest user]

Hi Supertrouper,

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Like you I do aim for about 2 litres of water a day. I am taking syndol painkillers, which do help. I did go and see the doctor, he took BP and checked my eyes he said everything looked fine. I came away with a prescription for amitriptyline which I thought was for used for depression but was told by doctor they are used to treat pain. I took 2 last night and woke up with another stinking headache. Maybe a bit early for them to have started working! Usually by day 11/12 I am back to normal going out enjoying myself before the next TAX. Don't know about you but my mind does tend to go into overdrive when I have a new ache/pain. Sorry you are sufferring with joint pain, I only suffered with that after my 1st TAX! but better not speak to soon because who Knows what surprises the next one will bring.
I hope all goes well with your medical assessment. Enjoy your evening.

Love Westland x

[supertrouper]

Hi Westland

Sorry to hear that you are suffering like this. Have you spoken to anyone about this? Are you taking any pain killers and if you are do you get much relief? When you say you are drinking lots - I presume you mean water? It is possible that you are drinking too much water! I aim for 2 litres a day of just water. One pint before I get out of bed, one just before I go to bed and the rest spaced out during the day.

I am now 2 hours into day 16 post TAX number 1 - still have slightly numb fingers, achy bones but still only taking 2 pain killers when I wake in the morning to enable me to get out of bed and move around. Busy day tomorrow - got to go to Southport for a medical assessment that my employers are sending me on - and then meeting with my Oncologist in the afternoon to see how I got on with TAX. Then friends coming round in the evening for drinks.

Hope everyone is coping okay.

[Guest user]

|Morning everyone,

I posted last week about my continuous headache since TAX 4, well its 12 days since last TAX and headache and discomfort in head is still continuing. Have to say I am getting a little concerned as to whether this is a side effect of TAX or could something else be going on. Has anyone else experienced a permanet headache like this whilst on TAX and for so long? I have been drinking lots.

Love Westland x x

[supertrouper]

Hi Cannoliwings

Not feeling to bad at the moment. How nice to have a cute GP - but not really! I remember one of my gyno doctors from when I was pregnant being rather dishy and I found that rather disconcerting!

One thing I can confirm about TAX - although it is a real bitch - I haven't felt sick at all! And I would swap bone ache for throwing up any day.

Just noticed the time - this is what happens when you cat nap the day away! I have plans for the morrow - going to see a friend and catch up with her news. Thursday I have to go for a medical assessment that work are sending me on, and then I am seeing my Oncologist in the afternoon. Date night is also on Thursday and instead of going out we have invited round a couple of friends for some drinks. Friday I am out with the "ladies who lunch", Saturday I am being taken out for lunch by my mad friend Margaret who I love to bits. I am just trying to cram in as many good times into my good days as I can!

Hope everyone else is doing okay - and I will report back!

Debbie xxx

[Guest user]

Bummer about your set back Supertrouper.
Hope your Onc sorts you out as much as poss. V perplexing (understatement) when you were starting to feel better!

Sore throat got worse and had to go to GP (who was extremely cute and young (well my age-ish (31))and very good at his job - crushtastic!) who said throat was very inflamed, gave me antibiotics and did a blood test. Turns out my white blood counts are actually high cos body is fighting a lurgy... I've been given strict instructions to take extremely good care and keep taking temp - don't wanna end up in hospital on a drip innit!!

Despite the lurgy and feeling very tired I am now officially out of the chemo haze and sooo relieved and grateful. In fact I've never been happier to have a sour throat in my life.

I think this thread has helped massively!

Let us know how you get on with your onc Supertrouper.
Good luck to anyone starting Tax - I agree with many ladies on here that while it can be tough and last a while - the sickness is minimal
I'm still deciding if I 'like' FEC or TAX best!

BON NUIT TOUT LE MONDE xxx

[supertrouper]

Day 14 and a bit of a set back today. Bad nights sleep, woke up quite a few times feeling generally uncomfortable and a bit achey. Took co-codamol before I got up which stopped the aches but been trotting to the loo with an increasing sense of urgency as the day has worn on. Spent all afternoon on the sofa cat napping as I just didn't feel up to doing anything. Just had to take some paramol as the long bone pains are back.

Just when I thought I was out of the woods! Going to see Onc on Thursday - will see what she has to say about it all.

How's everyone else getting on?

[supertrouper]

Day 13 post TAX number one (after 4 x EC)

Very pleased to report that I continue to feel well and back to normal. I am still having to take two pain killers before I get out of bed but I can feel a steady improvement in how I feel each day. Hands still feel stiff and painful if I press my finger tips together (so stop doing that!) Feet almost back to normal but ache if I wear hard shoes for more than an hour (so stop doing that too!!) Long bones and joints no longer painful, mouth and throat okay again. Taste is back to normal WHOOP!! so all in all - it looks like I have another week of good days in front of me before the next poisoning. Now if I compare that to the EC chemo - I only had 7 good days. This time it looks like I will have 12!! Admittedly the "bad" days were far far worse than the bad days on EC - but now I know that they lift fairly quickly then I think that they are do-able as long as the feet and hand problems don't lead to any permanent damage.

[sivam]

Had my first tax combined with cyclophosphamide day 3 to 6 yuk then poor sleep pattern,now positively fizzing with energy.found good site http://www.foodforbreastcancer.com/what should breastcancer patients eat during Taxol chemotherapy. Hope this helps!!
xxMavis

[Guest user]

Hi everyone, have had my first TAX 4 weeks ago and due to have 2nd course on Wednesday. Had to have extra week as on day 13 of first course i developed shingles. day 14 hair dropped out by the handful - what a great couple of days that was. LOL I did have very sore throat for a couple of weeks and very bad headache but that seemed to be at the beginning of the first week. Days 3 - 6 were the worst for me. At least i know what to expect this time, fingers crossed the extra anti-viral tablets should keep the shingles at bay.

Have had my hair shaved off and love my hats and scarves, although it was so hot this weekend, i just went "nude". Nobody seemed to bother about it and it was a great confidence boost for me.

[Guest user]

I'd echo what many others have said about TAX - it's surprisingly different to FEC, the best thing is no sickness (I was so ill on FEC.....) The effects all take longer to cut in, so the best advice is not to be too complacent, & prepare yourself for the side effects by taking the painkillers as soon as there's a suspicion of the aches starting, and take something early on to prevent the constipation (not too much - but that's another story!)
Although I'm only on my 2nd TAX, on balance I'd say it's easier than FEC. This seems the majority view, so all those just starting TAX, good luck, hope it goes well.

[Guest user]

Hi all - great thread!

I'm really worried about TAX too although no-one seems to report nausea / vomiting which is great as I was pretty bad on FEC.

Was due to start on Wednesday but my bloods came back today with neuts of 0.7. Persuaded chemo unit to do more bloods on Wednesday afternoon so hopefully if they have recovered I can start on Friday.

I'm 50 on 29th November and my last TAX was due to be 16th. At this rate, I'll end up under the influence on my birthday 😞

Just wondering if anyone was more aware of neutropenia on TAX rather than EC or FEC.

Laurie xx

[DJ007]

Dear all

For all of you, but especially Westland, don't forget to keep drinkng loads of water. I always found my SEs were much worse if I forgot.

My last Tax was on 19th July - and it's starting to become a dim and distant memory already.

Dx

[Cackles]

Pink rose what a lovely positive posting I lap up al people are saying about Taxanes, I keep telling myself It will be as problem free as my FEC has been. The wonderful thing is knowing what to expect that is a normal side effect- so many thanks super trooper, jenben etc keep rolling them out!!! We will get there, but I wish it was over. D day is Friday ugh.
I have just enrolled on a Looking Good session at Oxford Maggies. I doubt if they can do much with this old face but who knows!!!
The sun is shining( just like the top of my head) so blackberry and apple pie after a raid on the wood,
Thanks again everyone xx

[jenben]

Hi All

I echo what ST has written. It is so rubbish all of this for us. Its by far the hardest thing I have ever done, and to go every 3 weeks to make yourself so ill is beyond painful. But the end will be in sight and like ST says, we will look back in 6 months, years and wonder how we got through it all. But we do because we want to be here for ourselves and our loved ones. there is little choice really. I am now day 13 and back to normal (if I can remember what that was). Had a busy day yesterday and feel v tired today but that is bearable to all the other SE's.
Good luck all x

[supertrouper]

Hiya Cannoliwings

You should start feeling better tomorrow - sore throat seems to go with all of this as it is soft tissue like the inside of our mouths and intestines so all suffers! If you haven't already got some, ask for Diflam from the chemo unit. I rinse my mouth and gargle with it every time I brush my teeth (which is about 3 - 4 times a day now) and it does help! I find that when I wake up in the morning I have to take two pain killers before I can even begin to think about getting up! Used to be two cups of coffee but I cannot even think about having coffee now, I think I have had 2 coffees since May and didn't enjoy either of them.

The end of chemo is indeed in sight - which brings into the hazy distance the surgery that I have to face probably before Christmas. But - not now - and not tomorrow, so no need to think about it.

All of this will pass, and in 6 months, and then a year, then 5 years - we will all look into our rear view mirrors and ponder on how we managed to get through it all. And be proud of ourselves for being so strong and full of courage.

Keep posting everyone - it is helping us all get through the darker days knowing that the light does come back!

[Guest user]

Hello Everyone,
I'm still in the vile chemo haze 9 days in but I think it is easing up a bit. desp to get back to work tomorrow!!
Did anyone get a horrendously sore throat on this delightful concoction?

Thank you Supertrouper and My2boys for the mood boost. I filled in my eyebrows today and it did actually make me 'look good & feel better'!! I went to to one of those days at the Royal Free in North London and they gave me a nice Loreal brow set.I am trying not to stress about work also!

Pinkrose - great to hear from you and am looking forward to being someone who posts on this thread saying 'keep going - the end of chemo is in sight'.

Westland - yes - i had a horrendous headache on FEC 1 which was really unbelievably bad. i knocked back co-codamol and naproxen, closed the curtains, and lay still for like ...3/4 days. It SUCKED! on Tax 1 I've had on and off headaches but have been taking paracetamol as i think i slightly od'd on co-codamol and had some weird dreams - and its kinda put me off them. Hope yours eases up v soon!

Well ladies - hope you all sleep well I'm taking the Sunday papers to bed with moi! XXX

[Guest user]

Westland, sorry about your headache and hope the codeine sorts it out - don't think this hot weather is helping any of us very much.

Glad se's are wearing off for others - gives me something to look forward to as I'm on Day 5 post chemo now, yesterday was just a haze of feeling absolutely horrible, horrendous joint pain and fatigue like never before.

Feel slightly better today but have rung out of hours GP as slightly concerned as sore/swollen glands around my jaw/below ears, hoping it's not sign of oncoming infection. Temp is normal so he just told me to keep monitoring that.

Have a good weekend everyone

Lesley x

[jenben]

Glad your feeling better ST. Normal day today for me hooray!
Hope headache settles down westlands x

[supertrouper]

Hiya Westland

I too had pains (including headache) that nothing touched. I got Paramol from over the counter at local Asda Pharmacy its a mixture of paracetamol and dihydrocodeine. Comes with a warning on the box saying it can cause addiction and is for three days use only. It stopped the pains and helped me sleep through the worst of my Tax side effects.

I am now day 11 post Tax and delighted to say that I am completely back to my old self. I feel great! Sun is shining and we are doing a BBQ later, I am now going out for a drive in my car with the roof down and enjoy the day.

Hope everyone else is battling through - it does get better.

[Guest user]

Thank you Lisa, I haven't got any codeine in. Will send OH to pharmacy to get some over the counter co-codamol. If they don't work will ring doctors surgery on Monday to ask for a prescription for the stronger codeine. I just keep hoping it will go on its own but no it seems to enjoy sticking around! Each TAX seems to bring a new SE!

Love
Westland x

[Lisa_x]

Westland,

Sorry to hear you're suffering. Have you got any codeine? I resulted to paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine when I had Tax. You can get 30/500 codeine on presciption. Over the counter you can get co-codamol but they are only 9/500 and include paracetamol.

Hope that headache eases for you xxxx

[Guest user]

Hi everyone,

I am 9 days post 4th tax and for the last 5 days I have had an excrutiating headache which does not respond to Ibuprofen or paracetamol. I have rang the chemo helpline they were helpful but not overly concerned because my temp is normal. I was just wondering if anybody else had experienced this and any ideas on what I could take to try to help. Im fed up with feeling like a zombie and looking like one! Sorry this is not a positive about TAX!

xxx

[My_2_boys]

Morning,

Hope everyone is feeling a little better...

Had a much better nights sleep with the help of a sleeping tablet which was a godsend, but again woke with the aches and pains like flu -- took temperature and a little raised so will take again in an hour and see how it is before taking some co-codomol!

Pinkrose many thanks for your post it is lovely to read about life after chemo - i am hoping that my SE's will be less after TAX 2. Hope life continues to be great for you....

Cannoliwings - hope you are OK today -- have also had a deep conversations with eyebrows/eyelashes and any other hair that decides to pop by for a visit -- my little ones think I am mad and I just keep gazing at their eyelashes all the time!

JenBen totally agree that Chemo is the pits - but pleased to hear that your aches and pains have gone and you are feeling more normal!!!

Have to have my wbc injection tonight so I am hoping that does not set off another set of pains.

Wishing everyone small SE's and love and hugs to all (sorry for anyone that I have missed).

xx

[pinkrose]

Hi there ladies. I finished FEC-T in April and just wanted to send some good wishes to those still in the process! I found TAX easier than FEC because I had extreme nausea and sickness. One thing I learnt though, is to take time to convalese and don't overdo things. The SEs were better Tax 2 onwards.

I ditched my wig 3 1/2 months after my last chemo - I now have about 2 inches of hair all over - and my eyelashes and eyebrows are now nearly back - although I didn't lose them totally. I'm now back at work full time and really feeling good.

Keep on going - it will get better!

Rachelx

[jenben]

I am 11 days post tax. Aches and pains gone now. Main problem which watery eyes, cracked lips and corners of mouth. In fact my whole body feels like a shrivelled prune. Went to dr and got diprobase ointment and shower gel and am trying blistex on my mouth. Had couple glasses wine last night and have a few tax trots this am. Think I have turned a corner tho and feeling more normal. Good luck all, chemo is the pits x

[supertrouper]

cannoliwings

Don't worry about the small stuff - at the Look Good Feel Better workshop I went to they showed me how to fake eyelashes and brows. I was told that when they came back they would be thicker, stronger and longer (eyelashes I hope!)

[Guest user]

Hi All,
Beverlie I got aches straight after but injection but generally have mild aches a lot of the time with this so it's difficult to tell!!
I had my 1st tax a week ago today and am still 'hazed'. It's such a pain in the tit isn't it?!?!
Kinsse I am feeling the same today. So fed up! wanted to go to work today but felt too rotten - and i only work 15 mins walk away. I run a small company and even though the cover i have in place is brilliant, its just not the same as being there myself and there is so much i should be doing!! I haven't told my clients so it's a bit awkward as they are used to me being there all the time.I also miss being super fit and slim. I hope in the great scheme of things that this little blip wont make any serious difference and that I make it all work out over time. I was doing well and i feel like this sh** is holding me back.
Meanwhile I am having deep and meaningful conversations with my brows and lashes begging them not to leave me..
XX

[Guest user]

Hi Kinsse

I worked out that the pains started in earnest the day after steroids were stopped once I had moved over to TAX even coupled with the higher dose of steroids on TAX than FEC, so I deduced that it was the steroids keeping the neulasta pains at bay, hence the phasing off steroids dose during TAX in addition to what was already given, nothing touched the pains. For me the neulasta pains were the worst thing through FEC and TAX.

Pains on FEC started on Day 5 and on TAX they started on Day 3 (essentially when steroids ran out).

Hope this makes sense to you.
Bev x

[kinsse]

Beverlie

I have the neulasta injection as well. when do you start aching from that?