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

Sister
Member
7 years ago
I hope that the side effects pass quickly and are minimal.
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago
Best wishes for improving each day and I hope the talk with the GP was fruitful.
Take care
Kellee
Member
7 years ago
@Sister no illusions here. It’s the reason I can’t celebrate because of what lies a head over the next 3-4 weeks. Beyond that is a mystery. I just hope it’s a bit easier each time. Woke up with the regular red face. The oncologist said my blood count was good, my kidneys were good but my liver was boarder line but safe enough for chemo. I’m going to see my GP this arvo for my last injection, I’ll get him to explain it more. Big hugs xx
Sister
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Kellee Don't forget that even though you have finished chemo, you still have to let it run it's course. It was one of the things that brought me up short...for some reason I thought that because I'd done the last one I would suddenly start to feel better.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Kellee It just shakes some of us to the core eh? I feel absurdly brittle. Can't wait for that feeling to improve. K xox
Kellee
Member
7 years ago
Had my last chemo today, still waiting for that sign of relief but my mind is too focused on the next 3 weeks. I started feeling better 2 days before chemo, at least with FEC I had at least 7-10 days at feeling ‘chemo’ normal.
im due for a CT scan in 2 weeks, then a week later I go for my radiation preparation/education. I’m also revisiting my psychologist the same week. Then on January 30th I start radiation therapy. I hope I’m on the mend before this happens.
My doctor (gp) increased my antidepressants it did help a bit during round two.
@Seashells70 emotional has to be an understatement, there are days when I actually avoid people at the local shop out of fear of bursting out crying. I also had the added trauma of putting my beautiful malamute Nalla to sleep 3 days before Christmas. Something I’m still dealing with. Christmas itself made me extremely anxious this year, so glad it’s over. I’m usually that over the top mad Christmas lady, not this year.
thank you for all your encouragement xxx
Seashells70
Member
7 years ago
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
Jenny_BCNA
Community Manager
7 years ago
Hi @Kellee sent you a private message
primek
Member
7 years ago
Hang on there. One more to go. The finish line is near.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Oh that trickle is hideous @Kellee, even without the added 'benefit' of chemotherapy... I came back from India with a trickling lurgy and had to dash to the loo from the shower because I was trying to puke up that gunk.

Have you had a chat to your GP or oncologist about how your anti-depressant isn't working any more? Perhaps another increase in dose for the next three months could be helpful. I still get anxious from time to time but it took two increases of the dose to get it under control, as in not pretty much all the time every day...

I'm on Pristiq and have been told that sometimes it can just stop working.

Could the antibiotics be interfering?

I'm pretty down most of the time but I'm functioning. I don't think I would be without the drugs at the moment. I don't want to be on them forever so I'm working with a psychologist to get myself to a better place

Then again, for you, situational depression might apply here, and as you pull clear of chemo, it might resolve. I think you need to chat to someone to sort out the root of this particular low, and take it from there. What do you reckon?

And finally, perhaps an Uber to the hospital if a driver from your home isn't available? It can get very dangerous very quickly. Please take care. K xox