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gen_evievy's avatar
gen_evievy
Member
11 years ago

Taxotere Hell

Hi everyone,

Last week I had my first round of Taxotere.  It has completely smashed me.  I thought AC was as bad as it could get but if this continues I may have to reconsider.  Although, the nausea with Taxotere doesn't seem to be as bad for me, which is one little silver lining :)

Every bone in my body is screaming out with pain - even my face bones are hurting.  My fingernails feel like they're on fire, the nerve damage on the soles of my feet is making walking absolute agony and my mouth constantly tastes like the bottom of a garbage bin, not matter what I eat or how often I brush my teeth and do my bicarb mouthwash.

I'm taking some panadol to try and take the edge off the pain, but it's really not cutting it.  Has anyone else experienced side effects like this?  It's day 7 of my cycle now and it doesn't seem to be easing at all - I just don't know what to do.  Any tips and advice gratefully received :)

  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    11 years ago
    Reading your description took me straight back to my experience with this chemo drug. It is pretty awful! My oncologist prescribed Endone for the pain and I would find that I needed it from about day 3 to 5. (but then you need to watch out for constipation from the endone). I really could not do anything with absolutely 0 energy. I used to just sleep for those days and then make it to the couch at least for the next couple. I never really felt good the whole time on this part of chemo except for the days on DEX. I would zip around doing everything then, knowing that as soon as I stopped the steriods it would be downhill pretty quickly. But you do console yourself that it must be also having a pretty awful effect on any cancer cells floating around! You do get through it and boy does life feel good once those side effects go for the last time! Meanwhile feel free to come on here and tell us just how awful it is. Hoping you feel better tomorrow. Take care. Deanne xxx
  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    11 years ago
    Reading your description took me straight back to my experience with this chemo drug. It is pretty awful! My oncologist prescribed Endone for the pain and I would find that I needed it from about day 3 to 5. (but then you need to watch out for constipation from the endone). I really could not do anything with absolutely 0 energy. I used to just sleep for those days and then make it to the couch at least for the next couple. I never really felt good the whole time on this part of chemo except for the days on DEX. I would zip around doing everything then, knowing that as soon as I stopped the steriods it would be downhill pretty quickly. But you do console yourself that it must be also having a pretty awful effect on any cancer cells floating around! You do get through it and boy does life feel good once those side effects go for the last time! Meanwhile feel free to come on here and tell us just how awful it is. Hoping you feel better tomorrow. Take care. Deanne xxx
  • Rita1963's avatar
    Rita1963
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi, sorry to hear your doing it tough, but get on to your doctor give them a call and request some additional pain relief,  I was prescribed Targin a longacting analgesia which worked wonders for me.  as I found with pain managed everything else seemed that little bit easier to tolerate. The nerve pain, I was lucky to avoid i had a pins and needles sensation.  Remember you are heading towards the end of your treatment.  You're nearly there. Like Deanne said you do get through it. And looking back it some how didn't seem that bad.  Hoping you have some improvement today.

    Rita x 

     

  • scarf_lady's avatar
    scarf_lady
    Member
    11 years ago

    Had my first round of taxotere on Wednesday so day 3 now and feeling like rubbish . As Gen described, Pains everywhere zero energy and food is of no interest as has no taste. Tongue has been tingling since day 2 :( 

    Already take panadol osteo and fish oil for 'normal' joint pain but this is even worse and pain goes beyond joints as if in marrow!  Can't take codeine meds so guess it's just hang on till the end if the ride!

    On a positive, thanks to all who have shared their journey, ideas, tips etc...I wishyou all good health and happiness ahead. ???

  • Ret65's avatar
    Ret65
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Gen. Just had my second round of taxotere yesterday. Had my first around the same time as you and the joint pains were terrible and my mouth was so dry, even my saliva started to taste disgusting. Since this second round my joints haven't been so painful yet! Just very tired. Maybe your body gets used to the drugs after a while. I used Pandol for pain relief last time but my oncologist gave me endone this time to help. Hope your side effects have reduced over time. Ret
  • AlisonMew's avatar
    AlisonMew
    Member
    11 years ago

    HI Gen,

     

    I only had one dose of Taxotere at the end of January this year. The side effects were so bad that my oncologist wouldn't let me have any more doses - I ended up in hospital on a drip for a couple of days. We switched to 6 x weekly Paclitaxel doses which were much more managable. This regime is just as effective so it may be an option for you, but when I look at the date of your post, you have probably had another dose by now. How did that one go?

    Taxotere (Docetaxel) is just a shocking drug, but everyone is different and some people tolerate it quite well! Me - I remember saying to my husband a week after the dose: "I'll take my chances with the cancer - I just can't do this any more!!". I am pleased that I got through the 6 doses of paclitaxel, but even that gave me problems with allergic reactions so I needed lots of pre-meds. Little nausea, though and none of the neuropathy pain, peeling feet, mouth ulcers... Hope you are doing a little better now?

    Take care. Remember - one step in front of the other.....

    Alison

  • AlisonMew's avatar
    AlisonMew
    Member
    11 years ago

    HI Gen,

     

    I only had one dose of Taxotere at the end of January this year. The side effects were so bad that my oncologist wouldn't let me have any more doses - I ended up in hospital on a drip for a couple of days. We switched to 6 x weekly Paclitaxel doses which were much more managable. This regime is just as effective so it may be an option for you, but when I look at the date of your post, you have probably had another dose by now. How did that one go?

    Taxotere (Docetaxel) is just a shocking drug, but everyone is different and some people tolerate it quite well! Me - I remember saying to my husband a week after the dose: "I'll take my chances with the cancer - I just can't do this any more!!". I am pleased that I got through the 6 doses of paclitaxel, but even that gave me problems with allergic reactions so I needed lots of pre-meds. Little nausea, though and none of the neuropathy pain, peeling feet, mouth ulcers... Hope you are doing a little better now?

    Take care. Remember - one step in front of the other.....

    Alison

  • AlisonMew's avatar
    AlisonMew
    Member
    11 years ago

    HI Gen,

     

    I only had one dose of Taxotere at the end of January this year. The side effects were so bad that my oncologist wouldn't let me have any more doses - I ended up in hospital on a drip for a couple of days. We switched to 6 x weekly Paclitaxel doses which were much more managable. This regime is just as effective so it may be an option for you, but when I look at the date of your post, you have probably had another dose by now. How did that one go?

    Taxotere (Docetaxel) is just a shocking drug, but everyone is different and some people tolerate it quite well! Me - I remember saying to my husband a week after the dose: "I'll take my chances with the cancer - I just can't do this any more!!". I am pleased that I got through the 6 doses of paclitaxel, but even that gave me problems with allergic reactions so I needed lots of pre-meds. Little nausea, though and none of the neuropathy pain, peeling feet, mouth ulcers... Hope you are doing a little better now?

    Take care. Remember - one step in front of the other.....

    Alison

  • Teddy_Bear's avatar
    Teddy_Bear
    Member
    11 years ago

    I have also found that targin has helped ease the pain, still get the pins and needles sensation thou.