Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi ladies. I am 3 weeks passed last Chemo (3 EC and 3 docetaxel). I have a light covering of baby fluffy but it is very patchy. The places where I lost my hair first are still totally bald but both other places are quiet tufty. Is this normal? When can I expect the growth to even out? Also, have any of you used any products to encourage the regrowth? If so has it been a success? Thanks Helen x ... View more

Evening ladies. Hope you are all coping well with your treatment. Since my 5th cycle I have developed a very sore nose. It's very dry and crusty and nothing I do seems to ease it. Has anyone else had this? Any suggestions how to relieve the soreness? Thanks Helen x ... View more

Hello Ladies   Can anyone tell me if their side effects were less on cycle 2 of docetaxel??   I've had 3 EC and had first docetaxel (with herceptin) 11 days ago and I still feel pretty rough.  I've had everything from joint aches and pains, muscle pain, hot and cold sweats, night flushes, palpitations, oral thrush, ulcers, dry mouth, vaginal thrush and "the trots".  I've also been very emotional and have been crying over anything and nothing all week.  Bloods were checked Tuesday and surprisingly white cells were higher than they expected for that stage of the cycle so I guess the steroids/injections worked.   I'm hoping this is just my bodies reaction to the new drugs....please someone tell me I'm right!!!   Oncologist has suggested switching to weekly treatments but I have anxiety issues about the hospital and don't know what to do.  Do i stick with 2 more cycles and hope the pain is less or switch to 6 more and hope the side effects are minimal.  I just want this horrible part of my journey over with as soon as possible but don't think I can cope with side effects this bad ever again!!!   Hoping someone has some advice........Thanks Helen x       ... View more

I've been suffering with oral thrush, ulcers and general sore mouth for a few days. Thanks to Gelclair and difflam this is now under control. But now I've started with a pins and needles kind of sensation in my lips. Had anyone else had this? Should I be worried? Helen x ... View more

Hello ladies. I need some advice..... Had 1st docetaxel (After 3 EC) last week and I am still suffering. First couple of days seemed ok and then it hit me. The aches were horrendous and I kept alternating between hot flushes and cold sweats even though my temperature was OK. Felt so bad on Tuesday so rang chemo unit and was admitted for observation. All was OK so sent me home. I then started to feel really down and depressed and have been crying for about 3 days. BCN thinks it's coming off the steroids which causes this downer. Has anyone else experienced this? Also BCN has suggested that I switch to weekly cycles so that will mean 6 more instead of 2. She says the dose is much lower so minimal effects. However my anxiety over this whole experience means I have panic attacks even thinking about the chemo unit. Has anyone else changed to weekly docetaxel and did it help?? Helen x ... View more

Evening ladies. Well after 3 EC and 1 docetaxel what was left of my hair has finally decided to go. I've been reluctant to shave off what was left as I hate seeing myself in the mirror but I now have just fuzz. My question is should I now shave what's left so that hopefully any regrowth will be even? Also is there is anything i can do to help stimulate regrowth or protect my scalp? Thanks Helen x ... View more

Hi ladies. Just had my first of 3 docetaxel (after 3 EC) nd was wondering when I should start using shampoo to encourage hair growth. I have already bought some Nioxin but does anyone have any other suggestions? What about supplements biotin or sea kelp? Again when should i start these? Thanks Helen x ... View more

Hello ladies. I had my first docetaxel yesterday after 3 cycles of EC. I've really suffered with sickness and nausea on the EC so was relieved that this should be minimal now. Apart from feeling very tired today I don't have any noticeable side effects. When can I expect the aches and pains to start? Should I start painkillers now or wait for the pain to start? Also when can I expect the "tax trots" to start. Thanks Helen x ... View more

Evening ladies. I had 3rd EC cycle last week and it had knocked me for six. Still very tired and suffering with nausea. I'm now dreading cycle 4 as I start with docetaxel which means new side effects. I am typically a worrier and do stress about "the unknown" but I'm starting to have panic attacks if i even think about the next cycle. I'm convinced i won't be able to even enter the chemo unit. Anyone got any advice? Thanks Helen x ... View more

Evening ladies. I have my pre herceptin heart scan tomorrow and to say I am terrified is an understatement. I have a horrendous needle phobia so dreading the injection but also told I can't eat before and only had chemo last week so still struggling with nausea and trying to eat little and often. Can anyone tell me what happens at the scan? Does it hurt? How long does it take? When can I eat? Thanks Helen x ... View more

Hello ladies. Hoping someone can tell me how herceptin in given and how long it takes. I have horrendous needle phobia and already have a picc line for chemo but have been told herceptin can't be given through line. Thanks ... View more