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Katsem's avatar
Katsem
Member
12 years ago

Docetaxel Chemo Fail - falling off a cliff

I had my first chemo on Fri. I was supposed to have 4 x cycles of TC but had a severe reaction to Taxotere (Docetaxel) when the nurse started the drip... She had run through all the possible symptoms I may experience and I seem to have struck them all: - head felt like it was on fire - throat closed up and had difficulty breathing - chest felt like it was exploding -nerve pain shot through my spine and I wanted to go stiff as a board The wailing was as bad as childbirth. My husband was helpless. Shot of phenergan given and oxygen tank and oncologist called...advised to wait 15 min and then be "re-challenged"....the nurse started the drip very slowly and my nerve pain started immediately. She said she was going to stop and went and called oncologist again...net result no Docetaxel for me. I felt (and still feel like) a failure....what happens now if I can't handle this drug....nurse said the oncologist will find an alternative....I then had the cyclophosphamide and because of the dexamethesene and phenergan and for other reasons I can't phathom I feel like I've been hit by a bus! Slept badly fri night, couldn't nap yesterday - body exhausted but mind in overdrive! Today I've been like a dead weight...I feel so angry and pissed off and I don't want to do this....I hate how shitty I feel and I feel like I've gone off a cliff at full speed. Can anyone relate to my experience of 1st chemo and Docetaxel?
side-effects

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  • mum2jj's avatar
    mum2jj
    Member
    12 years ago
    It's just over two years after last chemo and apart from lymphedema which is mainly under control feeling good. Good luck to you. Paula :)
  • Katsem's avatar
    Katsem
    Member
    12 years ago
    Thanks Deanne:) Good luck with getting through the last one...thanks for your wise words!
  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi I think the first Chemo is pretty difficult for most of us, no matter which drug combination you have. At the end of the day, they are giving you drugs that damage a lot of good cells as well as any cancer cells that may be there. I had 3 x FEC and have now had 2 of 3 Docetaxel. While the FEC was not pleasant, it did not make me feel as bowled over as the Docetaxel. I can barely stand up on the Sunday/Monday after having Docetaxel on a Thursday. I think the DEX keeps me going for the first couple of days before the real effects kick in. The first D I ended up in hospital for 3 days with an infection and neutropenia. This round I am just getting over the worst effects (pain and extreme fatigue) on day 12. My face has a rash and is very dry and scaly. I have had very bad headaches and sore mouth and throat (thrush). I would not want to go through anything worse than this as for a few days I cannot do anything! Am really just focusing on the end of Chemo now and certainly hope that it has done its job! In 3 weeks I should be over the worst of the last dose! My Chemo nurse told me that people either breeze through Docetaxel or have a tough time like me. I am very glad that I only have 1 to go and also that they did not start my treatment with this drug. Your oncologist will find the right alternative for you. There are many drug combinations that they can use. Hope you are feeling better soon. Just keep remembering that if you feel bad that hopefully means the drugs are doing worse things to any cancer cells! Take care. Deanne xx
  • mum2jj's avatar
    mum2jj
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi. I had a very bad reaction the first time I had taxotare. I had the face on fire, couldn't breath etc. I was taken straight off it. I was put onto FEC and did 6 cycles of that. I know how you feel, I panicked and felt like a failure. Unfortunately I had a reoccurrence 18 months later( I think more to do with. My very small lumpectomy margin, but who knows). Anyway my oncologist decided to try me on taxotare again!! I freaked but he flew me to Brisbane as I was in FNQ. he loaded me up with IV phenergan and lots of dexomethasone. Everyone watched me closely and I had NO REACTION at all. Couldn't believe it as my reaction was so bad that other time. I went on to have 6 chemos with taxotare and was eventually able to have only a claratyne pill before chemo. I couldn't believe it after such a bad reaction first time. Don't know if this helps or not but thought I would share. Good luck. Paula :)