Hi there, I have just finished 3 rounds of FEC and having my first of 3 rounds of DOCETAXEL on Monday. I am really scared of the side effects, especially the potential of having a reaction.I would love (with great apprehension) to hear your experience if you had this treatment.Ive been told by the oncologist to wear black or dark nail polish during the next 3 treatments without removing it, to protect my nails.My chemo is for Triple Negative breast cancer. Thank you in advance xx

Thank you everyone for all your support. After all that had happened during my first dose of Docetaxel I did manage 2 ‘normal’ days before my second treatment. My birthday on the 13th was spent as a blubbering mess with each thoughtful card , phone call and presents. It was strange but once it was over I got a sense of relief. Christmas is my next hurdle. I’m normally Christmas obsessed but this year I’ve decided to keep it low key and what will be will be.i had my second treatment yesterday which went fairly well. I had an un normal calm about me, until I seen the oncologist who I thought would have all the answers, but she couldn’t help me as far as anxiety and wants me to return to a psychologist. She didn’t think it was the steroids but I disagree, my problems started when I came of the steroids. I’m on 4 tablets a day for three days, then comotosed for 2, then panic and anxiety sets in.when I had my first treatment the Docetaxel was injected at a slower pace, increasing every 12 minutes. This time, because of no reaction they started at normal pace. I started to feel a strange sensation going through my body to my head, my eyes felt weird and I sensed I might faint. I could describe it as a full blown panic attack about to start. I told the nurse and she immediately turn it off. I could feel it disappearing instantly. I got a sensation go through my body leaving my feet tingly and cold. She took my vitals and all was fine. She said it was a reaction she’d never seen. I put it down to my subconscious mind reacting. I felt calm at the time, the nurse had me chatting and I felt reasonabley good. Even the canuala was giving me no pain (or bruising).so we waited a few minutes and I told her I was ready to go again. This time they did it at the slower pace gradually increasing it. I felt a little faint headed when I moved my eyes from left to right. I also had my mum keeping me occupied with her tablet games and the day was over before I knew it.im taking the Ativan straight away, listening to binaural beats at night, drinking loads of water and basically councilling myself before I hit the ‘i Can’t do this anymore stage’. This time my biggest incentive is I ONLY HAVE ONE MORE CHEMO TO GO 🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Thank you once again everyone, I’m sorry I don’t reply to you all as I get in those moods. Your comments have given me incite, courage and the charge I needed to soldier on ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Hi Kellie, I have just finished my last round of Docetaxel 4 days ago. I was really emotional leading up to it but feel a great strength now it is done, even if I feel revolting at the moment. I was at the no more stage but very proud of myself for getting through the last one. Ticking off all the "last" side effects before I start surgeries later this month is very comforting. I also had a temp spike for no reason in round 2 that went away by itself. I have never been on anti- depressants (2 of my kids are on them) but the Doce has had me reeling from emotional wreck to wonder woman. As hard as it is, I keep telling myself it is only for a short while and for a jolly good reason! If someone tells me to go for a walk again, I think I will slog them! Yes, it helps enormously but with too frequent toilet visits, it just isn't practical. I am breaking down jobs like cleaning things or gardening in little bits. Set one or two little goals and achieving them is making me feel positive when I achieve it and I am moving as well. Good luck to you, sending lots of positive thoughts your way x

Hi @Kellee I was ready to pack it in after week one on my first round and I still had another three of that chemo then twelve rounds of a different chemo. It wasn't fun but with the help of the lovely ladies on this forum I was able to make it to the end. I have just had a mastectomy which I also nearly backed out of. This forum is made up of sisters uniting with and supporting each other. As a member you are embraced so hang in there cause we are all wanting you to make it through. Imagine the multitude of hugs coming your way because I can assure you there are a lot of them.

Perhaps a Drs appointment to talk over the feelings of panic may be in order. The dexamethasone they give you to reduce side effects heightens the anxiety. Maybe something calmative day before and day of might help. Alternatively soeak with treating team as they might irder something. You're almost there. You can do this. Kath x

@Kellee Are you having counselling? Are you on any drugs for anxiety? I agree with @primek, the steroids can wind you up at a time when you're already pretty wired... I get horrible anxiety & panic attacks, and BC and the treatment made it way worse. I wasn't being treated for it but during my third cycle of chemo I completely fell apart. After 10 days straight of weeping and despair, my GP, counsellor and breast care nurse all helped me to see I needed to take something for it, to help me. I did and continue to do so still. It's not something I want to do forever, but needs must for now and I don't regret it.Have a chat with your GP. See what he/she reckons. Chemo is a bloody awful slog, but for now it's the best we've got for killing the cancer cells. You can do it. You can dig deep and do it. And when it's done you can be so proud of yourself. You will look back at yourself with such admiration.We'll help you here. Keep chatting to us. Hang in there. The biggest of hugs, K xox

Docetaxel Side Effects FEC-D | BCNA Online Network

Kellee
Member
7 years ago
Thanks @kmakm @kitkatb had my first round yesterday and apart from a normal cannula issues all went well. They administered the drug at a slow pace, increasing it every 20 minutes. And I had no imidiate reaction.
i think the medication they gave me to calm me helped too. I take one the night before and one an hour before and was no where near as anxious as I normally get.
The nurse said they will watch me again on the second does as they administer the drug at its normal pace.
getting a little excited realising I now have only 2 rounds of chemo to go. I start radiation on January 31st. They have reduced that from 20 rounds to 16. Just focusing on Chemo at the moment and what silly side effects it’s going to test me with.
Off to have another ultrasound today on my arms to check my blood clot issue. They’ve changed to my left arm for treatment and it’s starting to have the same soreness that my right arm had before the blood clots appeared. Walked out with a lovely bruise yesterday xxx
kitkatb
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Kellee be assured you will be in good hands. Like Kate mentioned they watch you like a hawk. I had a reaction on my second chemo to Docetaxel they were there in seconds. They said to me most commonly on the second cycle of it because your body then knows what is coming as it has already been in your system and once it starts going through the second time your body is saying HELL no not this stuff. But honestly you will be watched and if at all nervous ask them to sit with you for a few minutes they are quite happy to do this. After the doctor gave me the all clear to continue they did it quarter strength, half strength then full strength and all good after the counteractive drugs. Can't say enough for the wonderful chemo nurses you will be well looked after. Different people , different reactions. Big hug to you as well. xox
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Hi Kellee. They watch you like a hawk when the first administer it. As in the nurse literally stood next to my bed and watched me. I had an allergic reaction and the drip was off in seconds. I was then given drugs to counterract the reaction. After half an hour they restarted the Docetaxel at a slower speed. One of the drugs they gave me was Phenergan which made me very sleepy and so I slept through most of chemo thereafter.

You might like to look at this thread. The T stands for Taxotere, which is Docetaxel.

https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/18193/tc-chemotherapy/p1

Remember we're all different and have widely differing reactions. I painted my toenails dark but still lost three of them, and had damage to the rest. You may not have too many problems. Hang in there. Big hug, K xox

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