Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Dezdi   I'm sorry I can't help you with any advise as your treatment was some time ago but hope you coped well with everything.  I am hoping you can help me.  I have just had my third and last EC chemo yesterday and am due to start docetaxel in 3 weeks with a choice of 3 weekly for 3 sessions or weekly for 9 sessions.  I hope you can help me decide which to go for.  Could you please tell me what you decided, why and what were your side-effects?  I have managed ok with the EC but from what I have read so far the docetaxel sounds worse.  Also, do you have injections if having weekly docetaxel?  I don't like the sound of those and have been told I'd have them for 5 days each time if I went for 3 weekly.  Hope to hear from you.  Thank you.     Su  ... View more

Hi Helen   Sorry to hear your problems with docetaxel.  I hope you managed with your treatment ok.  I have just had my third and last EC chemo yesterday and am due to start docetaxel in 3 weeks with a choice of 3 weekly for 3 sessions or weekly for 9 sessions.  I hope you can help me decide which to go for.  Could you please tell me what you decided, why and what were your side-effects?  I have managed ok with the EC but from what I have read so far the docetaxel sounds worse.  Hope to hear from you.  Thank you.     Su Lodge ... View more

Really pleased the cap worked for you, your hair looks great. Hope you're feeling well now all chemo is done. Su xxx ... View more

Hi Mchelle Thanks for your reply.  I've felt ok since second session on Tuesday but expect tiredness and foggy feeling to start soon.  It's manageable though and I've been lucky not to have had any sickness.  My hair too has started to fall out, started on day 16 after first chemo and then yesterday when I washed it, it came out by the handful.. Was really upset as it was the one thing I had hoped to keep.  The cap is very uncomfortable though so not going to continue with it.  I'm not brave enough to shave my head. I'm going to hairdresser next week for some advice.  I'll get some scarves and have my wig ready.  I know how self-conscious I will feel in scarves - silly I know but will have to get used to it.   Hope you're feeling better aftr this 3rd round.  At least only 1 more to go!   Good luck.  Su xxx ... View more

Hi Sarah Good luck with the chemo and cold cap, it works for a lot of people but unfortunately I started losing hair on day 16 after first session and when I washed it (yesterday) 2 days after second chemo it came out by the handful. I'm giving up with the cap as it is obviously not working for me.  It's definately worth trying though.  I was offered a wig free through the NHS - it may be worth you asking.  I'll be thinking of you on the 8th. Su xxx ... View more

Hi Michelle Just seen your post and that you're ahead of me with treatment.  I started my first of 3 rounds of ec chemo on 9 August then will have 3 rounds of docetaxel.  Side effects so far from first round of ec:  first 2 days after treatment have felt as normal, then started to feel tired and head felt foggy.  This lasted around 9 days the felt fully fit for the 3rd week up to the second session.  I am using the paxman cold cap but I feel to have a lot of hair loss (started 16 days after first treatment)  Of course I could be losing less than it would be without the cap.  I am finding it is so uncomfortable and if the loss continues and it starts to look obviously thinner I may give up on the cap.  The hair loss was a big thing for me and I really don't want to wear scarves.  I do have a wig and have worn twice to test it out.  It looks good (fooled my youngest when he came home from uni for a few days, he noticed it was different but thought I had been to the hairdressers) but think it could get itchy after a while. How are your doing and what side effects have you had?  Would appreciate any info. Thanks.  Su ... View more