Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Chrissy injust wanted to jump on quickly. I’m on 7th paclitaxel and I have a few different sensations from numbness to shooting pains and swelling around where the lymph nodes were removed and down my arm a few days each week. I mentioned to my oncologist and he wasn’t worried. His reaction to most things is ‘what do you expect I'm poisoning you’. I don’t know if this will give you a little reassurance xx ... View more

Hi heartbreak I’m due my 5th weekly taxol on Friday after having the 4 cycles of EC. I’ve find taxol to be a lot more tolerable. I have probably one and a half days usually the mon/tues following treatment where I’m a little low on energy and mood but I’m not stuck in bed for days like I was in EC. Taxol for me has little niggles like a constant runny nose and nose bleeds, very dry mouth and my taste is just non existent.  Night sweats are also a bit of a thing but I do tend to sleep through most nights. I know treatment is cumulative so things may change but so far taxol has not been too bad at all compared to EC I hope you’re feeling better after your hospital stay.   ... View more

Thank you for replying. I’ll have a look at the link. I had my first taxol yesterday - another 11 to go. I’ve had 4 cycles of EC fortnightly which was tough but I got through it 🙂 I’ve been told taxol is easier but I’ve read very different views but each persons experience is very different I think.  hope you’re doing well. How many have you got to go? X ... View more

Can I ask what gloves and booties you are using?  I purchased some from Amazon but they are useless - they don’t fit properly or stay cold ... View more

AngieG55 I hope you’re well. thank you for replying - I think it’s probably the same here regarding costs. I have my first taxol on Friday all being well. Keep yourself well and well done so far on the journey x ... View more

Hi AngieG55 forgive me for gatecrashing your thread. I’m actually in the February monthly one but I’ve been following your hair and your journey. I have a different bc to you - estrogen receptor but I was wondering if you was given a choice of paclitaxel or abraxane as I’m due to start paclitaxel after my EC. I was told that I’d have paclitaxel and would only have abraxane if I had a reaction to abraxane. I’m just wondering if it’s a cost thing here in the UK. I can’t seem to find many studies on these two. How have you found the side effects?  Well done in the cold capping! ... View more

Hi Fraserfig well done for ticking off number 3. Hopefully the next few days will be kind to you xx  I’m wondering what the differences are  when I got my plan I only really focused on the first 4 EC cycles so  I’m going to ask on Wednesday what the differences are. How do you find the steroids?  I have them as iv on treatment day and then for 2 days after. I think they bring me down with a bang. I’ve lost most head hair  got a little tuff right on my crown looks very odd 🤣  still have eyelashes and eyebrows for now but they’re thinning     ... View more

Oh Chrissy H I completely get the hairloss  it certainly is one of the hardest to accept. I try and tell myself it’s all for the greater good and part of my recovery rather than part of the illness but still not easy. I hate myself in the turbans as I feel it highlights I have cancer.  I’ve been wearing my wig most days and played about with wig tape strength which really makes it feel secure and do feel it goes on a lot easier but still find I move like I have a stiff neck 😃 Good that you only need 3 EC. I’ve been quite fatigued with this third one (about 5 days) and felt quite sorry for myself but today I’ve bounced back a bit. Keep your chin up xx ... View more

Hi chrissy H  Hope you are doing ok. We seem to be on the same regime. I’ve had my 3rd EC - next Friday is my 4th. I’m then due to go on to paclitaxel. I just wondered have you heard what the difference is between paclitaxel and abraxane?  I’m trying to get some infor before I see my consultant next week but I’m finding it a bit of a minefield. Not sure if that’s down to my brain fog 🙄.  good morning to all you other lovely ladies going through this too xx ... View more

Hi. My 3rd EC was just yesterday but I do think my fatigue is getting slightly worse each cycle and I feel slightly off today. Usually I’m buzzing with the steroids for 2 days 🤣 but that’s been about it so far. My bloods are holding up pretty well and I even had a cold this week which cleared in 3 days - I was really nervous it was going to develop into something nasty. I also have the Neulasta  injection 24hrs after chemo and steroids for 2 days as well as anti sickness for 2 days. All seem to help me. I think each cycle I’m the same - what beauty is this one going to bring! Hair wise - I have a few wispy bits but I can’t believe how grey they are I thought I was a Blondie (might be the highlights I usually have!). I have a real hair wig too and I have to say I feel fine in it. I’ve played about with the different tapes and seem to have mastered a comfortable fit and am more used to it now (thou it still feels like wearing a hat but I have to accept it’s not my hair and is still a wig). But I’m happy with it. My eyebrows are still intact although my eyelashes have started to fall. Can’t say I’ve noticed anything with rest of body hair 🤣 thou the chin isn’t looking quite so hairy 🤣.  ... View more

Oh heartbreak. I’m glad you’re feeling a bit more upbeat today. It’s a funny old thing isn’t it - we know it’s the drugs that give us low mood but it doesn’t make it any easier. I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself on days which is not like me. You sound like you’ve got a plan with the hair - it’s such a big deal to some of us and other just embrace it.  I may have to invest in a cheaper wig for down days too. I like to wear mine all the time - this week I went to the salon and had a wash and blow dry!!  Was very uplifting and felt quite ‘normal’ lol.  My eyelashes have started to fall now and makes my eyes quite sore but maybe that will improve once they’ve all gone. I’ve bought some e-chemo lashes to try when I go out but that should be fun as I’ve never been good putting those on. 🤣. Glad you’re feeling better today. Well done for another day xx ... View more

Hi all. I had my 3rd EC today. One more to go and then on to weekly taxol for 12 weeks. I too worried about the hair loss but I knew it was going to go (as i didn’t coke cap) so for me I had my long hair cut into a short bob before and then once it started coming out in clumps shaved to number 2 and plonked the wig on. For me it seemed easier as just waiting and seeing it fall was far more traumatic. Once it was cut I had a little cry but I’m pleased to say I’m now really happy in my wig. I wear it as I get up and put it to bed when I go even if I’m at home and in pjs. I find seeing myself in a turban just makes me feel cancer head so I only wear it to bed 😃. I’ve always had a few down days here and there but they do pass and I try to speak to friends and they always make me smile. My worst side effect so far has been stomach cramps (and fatigue) but the doctor prescribed mebeverine which seems to help me. Anyways girls you’re all doing great. It’s a tough journey but pat yourselves on the back. Well done for coming this far xx ... View more

Well done with the echo today. As you say another thing off the tick list!  Try and have a restful weekend xx oh and not sure if it works or not but I also been wearing anti sickness bands just in case it helps (thou I haven’t felt sick tbh 🤣)  ... View more

Hello Heartbreak im a week in on my first treatment. I have to say the anticipation of having the chemo last Friday was far worse than the actual having it. It went smooth and was over very quickly. I felt fine after and we went for lunch. Saturday and Sunday I still felt fine. We went shopping and out and about. Think that may have been the steroids!  On Monday I had a bit of what felt like bellyache/indigestion/backache all rolled into one but wasn’t too bad and took Paracetamol. Tuesday was a little worse and Wednesday pain wasn’t great but again painkillers kept it bearable and I was a bit lacking in energy. Yesterday i felt more energetic and i feel even more today so am hoping to lunch with a friend. It’s such a scary journey - each step we wonder what’s coming but i hope my experience this week helps you a little. Not to say my mind runs 100 mile an hour every day 🙄. Try and do some nice things over the weekend and keep busy. You’ve got this honey xx ... View more

I found a ‘V’ pillow quite comfortable as it sort of supported my arms and stopped me rolling over. X ... View more

Oh I had a bit of delay at the start with my lumpectomy and then when treatment was going to start and at what hospital but it got sorted so hopefully you’re be the same once you get going. I have to say my actual treatment day was very smooth  I arrived for a 10am appt and was done by 12.15 and out by 1pm. Maybe I was just lucky that day  i see the oncologist on the Wednesdays when I have to have bloods done so maybe that makes a big difference too. I had my hair cut short yesterday - well half way anyway as i had quite long hair and doing it in stages 🤣🤣 ... View more

Hi everyone i had my first EC on Friday. Been ok so far. I finish my steroids today and anti sickness so am anticipating things may change. I have a port fitted and apart from the wound being sore (only fitted Wednesday) the actual infusions were done in 45 mins.  I wonder if any of you can tell me why we take the steroids - are they just to help with sickness?  Also I read somewhere that a spoonful of honey is good for all sorts - anyone heard the same?  I have my second round of EC on 17 Feb.  ... View more

Hi Heartbreak That’s how I felt too. Hairloss is a very personal thing but I just want to look a bit like me if I can. They feel nice too don’t they x ... View more

I would say the real hair are better in that there’s more you can do to customise them. Im having mine highlighted and thinned out as I’ve got quite fine hair and the man made ones were so thick I didn’t like it. I’ve also got like a lace cap on the wig which makes partings etc look better but it is personal choice I think. As I say I had my port today and my legs were like jelly. It is a bit uncomfortable and I have a bit of bruising.  It’s also made my armpit swell slightly on the opposite side where I had my lymph nodes removed but that should hopefully right itself in a day or so. It does feel odd as I can feel the tube under the skin (though you can’t see it) and the port has a dressing over it for a week which dissolvable stitches though I do have stitches in my neck that need to be taken out next week.  try not to worry - as I said it wasn’t too painful just uncomfortable x ... View more