docetaxel/taxotare

I'm four weeks post last dose of taxotere and about to start the radiotherapy adventure.  I was told that the tax wasn't quite so hard on white cells but is more likely to give you diarrhoea and muscle and joint pain.  I had no nausea (due to the magic infusion the ladies gave me before each dose) but days 3-6 after the dose, were tough.  I had a lot of pain and fatigue so I just took the pain killers and curled up in my recliner watching bad tv for that time.  Then I had a so-so day on day 7, then I was fine.

I am still wearing the dark nail polish that was recommended.  Does anyone know how long you need to wear it?

Hi Ann-Marie,

just catching up on messages.  thanks.

I tried to just highlight/click on the blogs that you mention but nothing happened.  How do I open them do you know?

thanks,

Julia

Hi Julia I also had 3x FEC & 3 Tax. I think with the taxotere the fatigue hit me the worst and is still a problem 5 weeks on. The aches and pains lasted 3 or 4 days and were bad but manageable with panadol or nurofen plus.. My nails are a horrible colour with ridges but still there, I also used revitanail. Also my taste buds went and for about a week each cycle and my mouth felt horrible - strong mints helped. My other advice is to get plenty of rest, drink heaps and heaps of water (which is easier to do on tax as you don't get as much nausea) and a warm bath did wonders for my aching body. Check out the link below. It's a blog mostly about taxotere. http://www.bcna.org.au/user/4930/blog/15925 Best of luck and take care Ann-Marie xx

Hi Julia

Like you my treatment is 3 FEC followed by 3 Taxotere. I had my first taxotere on september 8th and I must admit that come day 3 after it did stop me in my tracks. I haven't experienced too much joint or muscle pain (easily managed with paracetomol) but the fatigue has hit big time.

To be honest I felt like I almost breezed through the FEC and so of course don't like the fact that this has hit harder. I am only just today feeling capable of doing a few things and being sociable. My oncologist had warned me that this would be harder on me and also that effect would be magnified a little because it was following 3 FEC doses. Bugger - he was right!!

I have also used the revitanail strengthener and the mittens during treatment. It is harder on white cells and that's where I have to be really vigilant as I was actually neutopenic before even starting chemo!! For that reason and the fatigue I've felt this time, i've opted to not go into work now until chemo is over and then it's as I feel up to it while on radiation.

So as to what to expect - it's not easy but doable and means getting closer to the end!!  I'll be thinking of you Tuesday.

Take care, Dette xxoo

I had a tough time with low white blood cells and risk of infection, my nails got stripes but stayed strong, but after effects in the 2 months post chemo have not been pleasant,  fluid retention, muscle and joint pain everyday, which i didnot have during the actual chemo treatments.

while everyone is different, try a graded return to work, when you do go back - like 4 days part-time and build up your hours, then the days,  B

Thanks all,

Relieved to find that someone (Chris) did not find it too bad!  Hopefully lucky like you!  I am not working till it's all over either and when feeling ok am enjoying having more free time.

Julia

Hi Julia, I too had taxotere for 4 cycles, and I must have been lucky, as my side effects were not too bad. Nothing worse than a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10. I did get most of the side effects that they spoke of, but nothing was too bad. Early on, the oncologist told me to take all the medications recommended, as it is easier to prevent nausea than to treat it. Also with the aches and pains that come on day 5, he said to take panadol 4 hourly, and that really helped me. My white cells never dropped significantly, and I didn't even get a cold during treatment let alone anything else more severe. I wore a nail strengthener that was given to me at the clinic, and did wear cold gloves. My nails did get ridges on them and 2 nail beds lifted a bit, but they have all healed without any defecit. I didn't work while on chemo, and I'm sure this made my experience more tolerable, and I had lots of friends dropping in for coffee or taking me out, so my social life was actually fun during chemo. I hope you also have an ok time with it. Love Chris xx

Sorry Julia,but I thought it was terrible as well.It's harder on your white cells so be extra vigilant with mouth care and your temp.By day 4 I felt like road kill from a mack truck! My motto is prepare for the worst but hope for the best.You may have an easier time of it than me and Maria,others have.Good luck.

                               Tonya xx