Docetaxol - what can I expect?
I will begin docetaxol/herceptin next week. I was wondering what I could expect in the way of side effects. Feeling a bit anxious about it all.
Forum Discussion
12 Replies
Thanks Liggyw,
It has been just over a week since my treatment and I am only just coming good. I had no nausea thankfully. I had sore muscles for a few days and I had extreme night sweats which kept me awake for many nights, I think that is a side effect from the hercepton though, so very tired. The worse part was my mouth, so dry and painful, coming good now though. Thank you for your reply. Cheers, Lorraine
Hi Lorraine, I've just had my 5th taxol following 4 rounds of AC and I have been fine. A bit more tired (which is do able) and my eyelashes and hair have started to grow back. I like you googled (they do warn you not to ha ha) and like you it freaked me out but I have been fine. Bit of a dodgy tummy on day 1 and 2 following treatment but that's it. I've obviously been one of the fortunate ones and this could be you too. The herceptin also hasn't made any difference to me. Good luck
- Hi Kylie, All the advice I am receiving through the forum fabulous. I haven't heard of using black nail polish, thank you. I will give it go. I totally agree with the eyebrows. I still have mine, though a little thinner and everyone says I am looking great, but if I loose them completely, I do think their opinion will change. I will look into this eyebrow powder, it sounds fabulous. Thank you for your advice.
- Thanks Emrod, I don't scare easily anymore. It is best to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. I will be putting zyrtec on my shopping list. Thank you for your reply.
Hi Lorraine,
I had 3 cycles of docetaxel after having 3 cycles of FEC and I experienced similar side effects to those that are mentioned below. What I had the most trouble with was the ice gloves that you wear while receiving the treatment, I hate my hands getting cold. Luckily the nurses allowed me to take them off for a few minutes every now and then.
Make sure you paint your finger nails and toe nails with black nail polish and keep reapplying every week until about 3 weeks after your final cycle, this helps you retain your nails. I was lucky and kept mine, they are discoloured but I have heard of other ladies loosing theirs.
I too lost most of my eyebrows during my docetaxel cycles and I was put onto an eyebrow powder that you can find at the chemist. It's part of the DB (designer brand) range and it is awesome, people couldn't tell that I had lost my eyebrows and honestly it also made me feel better because having no eyebrows makes you look sick even if you don't feel sick.
Good luck with it all and remember each day is a day closer to it all being over. Kylie xxx
Hi Lorraine, definately get some zyrtec. As long as I took it every day, I was fine. Forgot a couple of times and just itched like crazy everywhere. I also had trouble with my mouth, inside my nose and girly bits. Diarrohea, food cravings and I also developed neutropenia (no white blood cells) and ended up in hospital for a week with infection. I suggest you buy a electronic thermometer, I think it is around day 8 your white blood cells can drop off. I hope I havent scared you too much, but my nurses did say I had bad side effects. Ps I was also allergic, so they needed to dose me with Fenurgen. Good luck, rest alot and don't force yourself to go walking if you don't feel like it.
- Hi Sarah, I have had four rounds of FEC, which weren't to bad but I have heard terrible stories about docetaxol. I still have my eyebrows though a little thin, so I can prepare myself to say goodbye to these once I start this new round of treatment. I am pleased to hear that panadol help with the aches, my oncologist mentioned taking panadol, so it is good to hear that it did help. It is encouraging to hear that you were still able to work during your treatment. I am so pleased I posted my concerns on here. I was googling the internet and I only found horror stories about docetaxol. I know I may not be one of the lucky ones but atleast I know what I could expect. Tiredness seems to be a common side effect among many, so I may be needing lots of early nights, I am a bit of a night owl, but it looks as though I may need to change this habit. Thank you so much for your advice, Cheers.
- Thank you for your honesty Hazel. I do want to know about the nasty side effects so I can prepare myself the best that I can. I am sorry you had a tough time with the treatment, the mouth issues does not sound like to much fun. I have already had 4 FEC treatments, and I did not have to many problems with my mouth. It is good to know that I may have issues with my mouth and so I will try and be more vigilant with mouth care this time round. It will help to cope with all the side effects knowing that it is a very effective drug, thank you. I must keep reminding myself that all the treatment and side effects are necessary in order to help fight this terrible disease. Cheers
- Thank you Robyn, I have already had four rounds of FEC and coped with the side effects quite well. I have been googling about the effects of the docetaxel, and have found it very disheartening. I need to stop googling I think, it only makes me very anxious and depressed. I am pleased to hear you coped ok with the side effects, it is comforting to hear. When I was first dx my breast care nurse could not emphasis more the importance of exercise. So hubby and I started walking every day but we have slacked of over the last few weeks. I will definitely begin walking again. Thank you for your advice. I can feel more prepared if I know what I could expect. I have been reluctant to call out for help from family and friends but if I do suffer from fatigue, may need to let go and allow people to help. me. Cheers
Hey Lorraine, I have just finished 3 cycles of docetaxol . I had 3 cycles of FEC first. I Also have herceptin for the rest of the year. My side effects were not too bad. My hair had already gone by the time I started docetaxol. However all my eyebrows departed after my last docetaxol. I had aching joints, that panadol osteo kept under control. My worst side effect was diahorrea and a crampy tummy. After 7 -8 days after chemo I started to feel back to normal. I did sleep more, however I worked most of the time and only needed a few days off after each cycle. My nails also discoloured. It's not pleasant, but it is manageable. It will be over with, before you know it! Sarahx
