driving whilst undergoing docetaxol

[Guest user]

Hi
I wear nail varnish all the time to help with keeping my nails ok. I have gel nails, which is a type of manicure which is set with led lights. I had previously thought they used uv, but i was wrong. The benfit is that they last for about 3 weeks and you don't have the faff of taking varnish on and off. Cos its summer(my excuse) I have just had my toes done too.
x sarah

[Guest user]

Hi Lizzy.
All going well so far, although i only had chemo on Thursday, so it's early days yet. So sorry you ended up in hospital! I've started being fairly complacent during my infectious days, but maybe i ought to be more careful.
Had no nausea etc so far. Feel a bit tired today, but not too bad.
Thanks for the link, i'm going straight there after i've finished typing. I think i'll get mouth ulcers too as my mouth feels all tingly already.
Hoping i'm feeling ok next week as i start Heceptin Wednesday - more needles!!
I'd love for you to keep me updated with your progess as i really do think it helps to compare notes.
I'm going to get some glycerine based hand/nail cream as i don't want my nails to lift off the nail-beds as has happened to some people.
Have you had any aching joints yet? I'm hoping to escape that one!
My 10 year old son is in Spain at my mums (she lives there), so that has given me an easy ride as i've had loads of appointments recently.
Anyway, keep me updated. I'll keep infectious clean hopefully!
Love
Jo

[Guest user]

try this link, hope it works...

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=29651

lizzy xx

[Guest user]

Hi jojobro, how did your treatment go? I have just got out of hospital after three days in with a blood infection!! But that could have happened during FEC too. I was great for the first 3 days after TAX, then a bit tired for a couple of days, then I caught a cold and ended up in hospital day 10 after. I am recovering at home now, but still able to function pretty normally. No nausea or sickness at all. No problems with breathing or anything either. Bad mouth ulcers was the worst se really. I am on another thread with a bunch of lovely women who have all just about finished FEC and starting TAX, it prob would be a go idea to go there I will look for link for you.

Good luck, Lizzy xxxx

[Guest user]

Lizzy, how's it going?

I start Docetaxel tomorrow and Herceptin next week. Also had a heart venticular test this week, so feeling like a pin cushion at the moment.
Hope my veins hold out!

[Guest user]

Thanks all for your advice and comments. At least now I have warned those around me of what might happen. My sister in Law says if looking after the kids becomes impossible we can go and stay with them, then she can help get the kids up in the mornings and to school etc. But I am hoping that I can manage on my own!! Feeling a bit more positive today, but this is my good time on FEC now. Just realised my 2nd TAX is royal wedding day! Great.

Sending out strength and positive vibes to all my fellow combatants in our battle... it won't be long now and we'll be back to normal and ready for anything!!

Lizzy xxxx

[Guest user]

hi l, i have taken your very sensible comments on board, i agree with you when you say i should go by how i am feeling with ses, there are days where i carnt even get dressed and go downstairs, let alone go out of the house, even if someone was driving me, i hope you are not feeling too bad at the moment, i personally have never experienced anything quite like tax before and hope never to again, between losing my marbles to the steroids, losing my arms, legs, and just about everything else, the list is far tooooooooooooooo long to mention!!!!! to tax, and looking forward to rads and more surgery, its a daunting few months ahead, never mind we will all get to the winning post and put all of this behind us, all the very best to you liz xxxxx

[Guest user]

hi everyone, moser i have driven for the last two days 13&14 days on 4th of 6 tax, i felt a bit shaky, but i think that was just nerves, i gave up driving november following mx, i wouldnt get in my car and drive it days 2-10after tax possibly longer as during that period from past experience i have at least 3-4 days where i am not much good for anything only staying in bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I must admit i do feel better for getting out of the house, i felt i was losing touch with everything including my own sanity, like yourself i am not much good at walking distances, my legs feel like big heavy lead weights have been attached to them, but different scenery has got to be a good thing at least. I have only done short journeys 5-10 minutes or so, but touch wood i have been o.k. but i must admit with this little old tax man i take him one day at a time!!!! always waiting to see how i feel the next day and never taking it for granted lol liz xxx

[moser]

Lizzy, I had the usual SEs I think, the worst was bone and muscle pain in my back, also got very tired towards the end - but the SEs never kicked in until day 4 - up till then i felt generally ok. The only time I got the fuzzy head was on tax one, after that my head was ok and it never occurred to me to stop driving. I felt better when I went out and since I was too kn*****ed to walk I would drive.

[Guest user]

Lizzy, Liz et al
I think you know if you are good enough with you se's to drive or not. Personally on TAX day 2-14 I wouldn't even contemplate it as I know I'm too poorly to concentrate on even 'flog it' let alone driving a car. We have to remember cars are killing machines.
I went to my hospital today for line care, day 8 out of my third TAX and my hubby had to stop half way home (a 20mins or so journey) in a layby so I could pull myself together. I was passing out from low bp.
I am so looking forward to tomorrow, and then the day after ....
Good luck everyone and hang on in there.
I xx

[Guest user]

lizzyspain i try and put padding over my portacath your right it is rather uncomfortable otherwise.

[Guest user]

Moser... how did TAX affect you?

Lizzy x

[Guest user]

Morning everyone, just off to the airport to pick up OH, he has a few days in Spain before going back to the UK and starting new job on Monday.

Alto... I have a portacath fitted in my neck/chest and my line also goes over my clavicle and its vry uncomfortable with seatbelt too. I have been tucking mine under my arm (I know, not very safe) but think I will take a scarf and pad it out for this airport run.
Glad your driving went OK yesterday.

Woke up early with an anxiety attack this morning after thinking about this bloody TAX and Herceptin... what a idiot I am!! Bought my thermometer yesterday and have checked my temp about 5 times so far, haha, mine won't go past 36.2... hoping this is a good thing.

Hope you all have a good day

Lizzy xx

[pattymi]

Alto, I use my lapels to cushion hickman site, I had a bit of a prob with the neck scar, it was quite tight and caused the line to be nipped and difficult to access, I gave the scar a good massaging when comfortable and the scar is now lots smoother and the line samples beautifully.

[Alto]

Well, the driving went OK tonight - I took it slowly and I don't think I could have driven faster if I tried. Brain still a bit fuzzy so I'm glad it wasn't on busy roads. There's no way I could have done it yesterday as I was in far too much pain.

The main problem was actually my Hickman line. It's been in just under a week and is still tender all around as the surgeon had to try four areas to get it in. The entry hole is quite high on my neck and the tube passes over my clavicle, quite close to where the seatbelt goes so it was uncomfortable and I was terrified of braking suddenly and pressing the seatbelt against the exit point. I drove part of the way with the seatbelt half way down my right arm - good job no police were watching!

Jane xxx

[moser]

Just a quickie on driving - I drove all through tax - never even thought about not doing so! I would not have done so if I felt that I couldn't but never had any problem with it at all!

[Alto]

Elizabethtracey, I'm glad you've mentioned feeling as if you've got mumps because I feel like that as well but I hadn't come across anyone else who had that. It's not fair when even eating and drinking water hurts!

Lizziespain, you really do need to take your temperature every day when on chemo as it's often the only sign you have an infection. I'm sure you'll be told that when you start.

For the same reason I've been told to avoid taking paracetamol if at all possible as it acts by reducing your temperature so can mask infection which would be dangerous. I was told to stock up on codeine and ibuprofen so I alternate those but I'm not taking the max daily dose of either if I can help it. It's been hard the last couple of days though as I could barely stand.

Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) is a one-off jab to boost the white cell count. It's very expensive so is only usually given if you need it. Filgrastim is cheaper but doesn't stay in the body as long so has to be injected every day for a few days. I had cellulitis after my first FEC and my WBC dipped very low on FEC3 so I'm having the jab every time now. Even at somewhere between £600 and £1000 a jab it's cheaper than me having a few days in hospital!

I'm going to take ibuprofen an hour before I have to drive tonight then I'll take it slowly. It's all quiet country roads thank goodness!

Jane xxx

[Guest user]

tax is tough i have just done number 2 of three. the first wore me out for 13 days i felt like i was giving birth at one point the muscle pain was so bad but second session dr has reduced as s/es were so severe. he said that you don't have to feel so bad so discuss any fears prior to treatment. day 4 after treatment and teeth are sore hands are flaking and achey but this time last session i couldn't even get out of bed. its important to remember to take each day at a time everyone will react differently rest, drink and eat small meals and sleep..... i can sleep a whole day and still feel tired. this treatment doesn't last forever and we are the fortunate ones we are getting the best treatment and will come through this wiser, kinder nicer and more generous.

[tillybob]

Lizy ,
I had herceptin the day before chemo, It was infused over 90 mins instead of usual 30, then I was observed for 2 hours after, I was absolutly fine throughout, there is a danger of reaction and that's why they keep an eye on you for so long.I did steroids the day before but that was because I was having Tax.Oh and they gave me paracetamol before they started the help with symptoms. I took another 2 that evening and was feeling fine next day.I was told not to drive the first treatment but if there were no problems I would be ok in future, This I am glad about as I have been told I will stay on it for 'life' or as long as I need it.The other stuff regarding everyday things , I was ok until the Tax started to kick in then I have been pretty tired ,achy and feeling sick.
I understand my next treatment will be done with all drugs on the same day , so hopefully I will only be there for about 3 hours next time.
Hope that helps.
Jean

[Guest user]

Jojobro,

I will be just ahead of you with the tax and herceptin, so I will keep up to date on all the SE's etc. cross fingers we will both be fine!!

Lizzy xx

[moorcow]

HI all,
on the driving front when I had my tax bit of FEC-T I just couldn't concentrate so decided against more than about 10 mins of driving. My onc said its the brain acting like a sponge and taking up all the drugs - good I thought for giving those nasty little cancer cells a run for their money..no wonder we get chemo brain if its a sponge at work!
JoJobro - I got myself in a right old tangle about swapping from the fec to tax - it was just that I knew how I was on the fec and didn't want to start over with a new drug - but you know what - the nurse was fantastic when i told her how worried I was - she watched my like a hawk when giving me the drug and when i got a bit of a hot flush she slowed the drip down...then kept watching. Then the docs kept a close eye on me. I did feel really tired and I happen to get periperahl neuropathy but it went as soon as they stopped the last tax....
just think how toxic it is for those rogue cells!!
I won't pretend it wasn't hard work but it soon passes over,
bw Nicola

[Guest user]

Hi tillybob

I am a bit worried about the herceptin. How long after did they give the other chemicals... straight away? That's what I am expecting. Did you have to take steroids the night before? ..and how long did they do it over, i have heard that the first infusion is slower. Are you allowed to take meds for the flu like symptons? My mum is sending me some dissolveable paracetamol and codeine. OOohhh... its a bit scary!! Have you been driving, have you been capable of everyday stuff... like hanging out the washing etc... sorry so many questions, i too need all the answers... maybe its because i'm a virgo!! lol

Lizzy xx

[tillybob]

Hi JoJObro
I have just had my 1st tax ,carboplatin and herceptin on 23 rd march, I had herceptin first to check there was no bad reaction.I have been ok , just all the usual SEs that most seem to get, I had flu like symptoms
for 24 hours off herceptin. I think being well informed and prepared are the best bits of advise I would give.
Jean

[Guest user]

Hi all
I'm due my 3rd FEC this Friday (April 1st) and then start on 3 x Docetaxol with Herceptin. I've pretty much sailed through the FEC, but am getting a bit nervous about the next regime. Especially after reading other peoples experiences on here. I haven't come across anyone who seems to have had a good experience on Docetaxol.
Has anyone had the herceptin at the same time - any advice you can give me? Also how were the side effects?
I know i need to get in a good frame of mind to conquer this. I'm a person who needs all the info, be it good or bad, so that i'm fully prepared.

[Guest user]

I drove home from chemo once on tax it was ok but a little fuzzy headed probably not ideal but dont drive for the first week if i can help it.

[Guest user]

hi all forgot to mention finger nails and toe nails, paint them black or as dark as possible, something to do with the nail bed being affected, mine have gone really white from the cuticle half way up, when the nurse in the chemo unit saw them she advised me to paint them, it has to be dark, to stop uv rays, they get sore, change colour, can go multi coloured, then in extreme cases, wait for it, can drop off!!!!
thought i would just mention that, nobody told me about it until mine had gone halfway up every nail lol love liz xxxx

[pattymi]

Not been sick with Tax, yucky mouth OH YES, and sore bout 10 days. I have the Neulasta jab as WBCs low this gives aches as well, I find it's a bit like having a muscle twitch ankles knees and pelvis. Feel a bit spaced out and not in touch, fingers feel fat and sparkly, I have also had some water retention so wake up to swollen eyes, and have a dizzy spell/head rush if I jump up and trot off too quickly, ( had Tax dose reduced for this).
Sounds horrific when I've written it down but the last 10 days were fine.

[Guest user]

Oh Liz, you poor thing... that sounds awful, how on earth do you cope. At least you are nearly through it. I will take everything you say on board. Better go and get myself a thermometer!! I think my 11 year old will be helping out a lot. Thanks for the information, you are right, if no one tells you then you think you are the only one having such bad SE's and that can be more frightening than anything. I have now hit my good period, so I had better make the most of it! Thanks again.

Lizzy xx

[Guest user]

Thanks Jane, at least I know what to expect. I have 4 doses of tax with herceptin to go, and have been worrying about it. My OH is in the UK now working so I am here in Spain with my 2 young daughters, at least I can arrange for them to get lifts to school for those days. What is a nuelasta jab for? They haven't mentioned that. I have to take some steroids the night before, and the morning of my next session which I never had to do with the FEC. Do you feel sick with the TAX? Do you have the yukky mouth taste? Ewwwwww, I will be glad when this is all over!!

lizzy x

[Guest user]

hi lizzy, i have just had my 4th out of 6 tax, now please bear in mind NOT EVERYONE GETS THE SAME SIDE EFFECTS, YOU MAY NOT BE THE SAME AS ME
i thought i would say that because i dont want to worry you or put you on a downer, heres how it goes for me: have the dose, next day ok, day 3,4,5,6, really low, carnt get out of bed, feel sick but havent been, glands feel swollen like mumps, and i physically feel like i have been kicked from head to toe, carnt walk, usually end up crawling to the bathroom, carnt taste anything,really bad thrush in my mouth, 7,8,9, start picking up feeling better more energy, still aching now i am on day 11, carnt taste anything, head a bit cloudy, feel very weepy, arms and legs a bit heavy, NOW HERES THE THING TO REMEMBER take each day as it comes, see how you feel on a daily basis, NOT EVERYONE IS THE SAME,
i have only told you in such graphic detail how i have been because no-one warned me i thought i was going gah gah, you need to take your temperature every day, if it goes up and you feel pants you might have an infection, and need to phone hospital, please dont worry you may not get side effects but there is a thread on here i think its help docetaxol, or its somewhere on the forum under chemo side effects, and the ladies on there are all saying the same thing tax is hard and i know i have had days when i have said i carnt do this again, but you have to, hope this info helps all the very best to you love liz xxx

[Alto]

Lizzy, I think in general the SEs from Tax don't hit straight away - it usually takes about 48 hours. I think it's due to the steroids. I felt great for the first day then had my Neulasta jab that causes aches anyway. From the second day I started to ache and then have had a few days where I could barely move due to the aches all over (even my jaw hurt when I ate!) and my legs feeling as though they didn't belong to me. I've also been very tired.

So I'd say if you're anything like me you'll be alright to drive straight afterwards and probably the next day but don't plan anything for the next four days or so after that.

I'm hoping I'll be OK to drive tonight as I feel a lot less achy today (5 days post Tax 1).

Jane xxx

[Guest user]

hi pattimi, i agree the days are toooooo loooooooong when the se,s are bad, i think you think about it more, but you know when you are ok yourself, and i tend to think i am best on my own when i feel really bad i carnt stand the tv or the noise of the household in general, in a way you are lucky because you can be quite when you need to be, i have got 3 children 12year old, and 8 year old twins, i know i am going to struggle with my final 2 tax because the kids break up for easter after the next one and then they have various days off after my last one as well, at least you can have your peace and quite and rest even though you most probably have days when you feel you are going stir crazy, but chin up girl the summers coming, it can only get better, and joining the national trust was a fab idea, there are some beautiful places to visit and sites to see, keep smiling love liz x

[Guest user]

Hi all, I am due my first Tax on the 8th having finished FEC. I was planning to drive as normal, my onc said I wouldn't feel as sick on Tax. Just pains in arms and legs! Can you tell me what side effects to actually expect, maybe I should take someone with me as it's an hour to the hospital! Thanks girls.

lizzy x

[Guest user]

hi alto, just go by how you feel yourself, everybody is different arent they, i think i have been getting bad side effects, because i have had chemo before, the onc said he sees it a lot in people with a previous history, it wasnt my intention to make anyone worry about driving, and i am sorry if i have made you think twice, just take it easy and go by how you feel, i am going to, if i dont feel good enough headwise then i wont do it but if i feel up then i will i will probably look like mr magoo (remember him) on a bad day lol look out road ragers here i come love liz x

[pattymi]

Liz I am fortunate in that I have a pal who is not working at the moment either, we joined the national trust last week and have vowed to visit places in our area over the summer. It is good to get out a bit, I live with grown up daughter but she's out to work 7.30 and not back for 12 + hours, the days are long and empty when SE's bad.

[Guest user]

hi polly how do you feel today, i had my 4th tax friday before last, how many have you got to have, vile arent they, i have my days where i say to my oh i carnt do this again, but i know i will, it helps to know you are not alone dont you think, have you got to have rads as well, i have then back in for a mx, i have decided as a preventative measure to go ahead with further surgery, but i am taking each day as it comes, i sometimes expect too much too quickly, but i have always been the same, i think you did try to go out a bit soon day 4 for me is one i usually spend in bed, i havent even got the energy to get dressed, any way loveley to hear from you and all the best love liz x

[Alto]

Oh dear - hadn't thought about driving after Tax - I've got to drive to a meeting at my son's school tonight as OH won't be home from work. I had my first Tax last Wednesday and have been feeling awful so far (having the Neulasta jab as well didn't help!) although I finally got a better night's sleep last night by taking codeine at midnight.

I didn't have any trouble driving while on FEC but I'm a bit worried now about tonight. I think I'll go out for a little walk around the block later just to check that my legs are still working OK!

Jane xxx

[Guest user]

hi ladies, thanks for all the advice, yes i agree i know on my last 4 regimes i havent been very good, for the majority of the time on the last one i was like a zombie, i had about 3 days when i felt ok, i am on day 11 of my 4th dose today, at the moment i feel ok, touch wood, its not that i particularly have loads of places to go, people to see, etc i think what gets to me is once my oh has gone to work, and the kids have gone to school, its just me the dogs and the house lol, its knowing i couldnt get anywhere even if i wanted to i know it sounds really pathetic, but its like a psychological thing with me, i sold my car when i had my mx back in november last year, i have the chance of a loveley little run around and i think i am going for it, whats the worst can happen it sits there for a while, i have only got 2 tax left now and maybe it could be just the boost i need thanks ladies, love liz x

[moorcow]

HI there, I had 3 FEC 3 TAx - I just couldn;t concentrate enough to feel good driving for more than ten mins or so ...really frustrating. But you know what my Onc said the brain is like a sponge and soaks up the drugs really quickly - hence chemo brain feeling..can only be good eh for killing off stray cancer cells?
best Nicola

[pattymi]

Hi Liz I'm day 3 Tax 2 won't be driving today, or till Wednesday if last lot anything to go by, but was out and about in car last week. I try to get as much out of good days (mine and weather) I'd the seaside the countries and town last week.
I think you just need to assess your own aches/pains, wooly headedness. I have driven myself to and from all my appointments without trouble.

[PollyPocket]

Hi Liz. I had my 3rd docetaxyl the Friday before last. After 4 days I felt a bit weak but it was a lovely afternoon so I decided to drive to the bank. Only about a 10 minute drive. I thought I'd never get home again. I was like a learner driver and really scared. Came home and spent the rest if the week in bed. Hadn't had that reaction on the first 2 doses so maybe it was a cumulative effect. Think I could drive this week.
I think if you play it by ear you'll know what you can do. I was a bit foolish I think.
Polly x

[Guest user]

I reckon you would be fine to drive towards the end of wk 2 onwards. I am having tax weekly, so I dont drive the day after but then am ok
x sarah

[Guest user]

hi everyone, i was just wondering whether anyone could give me some advice about driving whilst undergoing chemo, i havent been driving i am currently 4 of 6 docetaxol, carboplatin, regime, however i am stuck in the house, going stir crazy i have suffered quite a bit with side effects and fear i carnt walk far anyway, but feel i would benefit from getting out of the house what does anyone think about this, love liz x