Hello everyone, I'm about to start Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide chemo on Monday. I'm to have 4 treatments, three weeks apart over three months . Gladly take any advice on what I should be doing this weekend. I was told to drink lots of water on Sunday , but wonder if I should take anything for constipation on Sunday evening? Anything else I should do? What should I expect on Monday and will I be feeling ok on the way home. The hospital is 45 mins from me. How have others faired on this chemo combination? This is all so new to me. I'm feeling a bit nervous about this.Many thanks

Hi @Finch. I had my fourth TC dose last week.You've been prescribed Dexamethasone to take the day before, of and after? These gave me indigestion, which wasn't painful but quite uncomfortable, so have something on hand for that. My oncologist gave me Omeprazole which worked well.I have really struggled with constipation throughout TC, though I have heard some people do get diarrhea, so probably best to waot and see, but stock up on the laxatives so they're on hand if that's the way you go. With the guidance of my GP & the good folk here, I've been using Coloxyl & Osmolax powder. Movicol gets great reviews too. If you do have this problem, yes, start taking the laxatives a day or two before.The nurses will watch you closely when they administer the first dose, especially the Docetaxel, as it gives lots of people allergic reactions. It did for me, my face started to go red and hot and feel fuzzy, and within seconds I was given hydrocortisone and Phenergan. I loved the latter! It made me very sleepy and it was easy to doze through chemo thereafter.You'll be given anti-nausea meds. My nausea varied from round to round. A little in the first, hardly any in the second, lots in the third, and a bit in the fourth. I was given Pramin to take and it worked really well. Don't hesitate to take it.You'll probably be up and reasonably OK on the steroids for the day after. As they wear off on day 3 you'll probably feel very fatigued. It's the couch or bed for the next few days!I gather from this forum that most people on TC get bone ache a few days after. For me it arrived late on day 4 and stayed for about 48 hours. I managed with paracetemol but it got worse each cycle so with my oncologist's permission I took ibuprofen & paracetemol this time which helped a lot.Lots and lots of fluids is vital, especially in the first few days after the infusion. And close the lid when you (full) flush!There might/will be some other side effects that come up along the way. We are all different, but don't suffer in silence! Reach out to this wonderful hive mind, work closely with your GP/breast care nurse/oncologist, and you'll be right. The nurses who administer chemo are also a great resource. They'll know what works for most any problem.Exercise has been proven to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, and to aid recovery. So if you only do one thing a day, make it a walk! It may only be short and slow at first, but the mental health benefits alone are worth it. I started with about 1.5kms and built up to 5kms each cycle.It's easy to say don't worry too much about having chemo but harder to do! I was a mess before my first one, but you WILL get through it. Take it one day at a time, accept all offers of help (really, all of them), and be kind to yourself.Please feel free to ask me any questions about TC, at any time. It's very fresh in my mind as I'm still slogging through it! You can ask here, or you can PM me. Best of luck and let us know how you go. Kate xox

I was on a slightly different regime (Doxyrubicin) and when I asked if I should take something for constipation the day before was told that it was best not to as things can affect you either way. I was glad I hadn't because I got the other way. You may get bad nausea from the Cyclophosmamide and if so, what they give you could make you too drowsy to drive so try to arrange someone to drive you. And if that is the case, try for something more than Maxalon to take home. If you do feel really ill at home, ring the treating centre and ask for something more - don't suffer in silence. You may be able to organise them to fax a script to a closer pharmacy (you'll need to check with the pharmacy that they're happy to do so and that they have the medication). You need to drink 2-2 1/2 L fluids for the first 3 days and if you are able to do so, go for small walks.I learnt this from my first treatment and have managed well since - I just had my third yesterday. Good Luck

Thanks Kate, that sounds lovely, I'd like to do that. Tonight im off out for dinner, new dress (I had in my wardrobe for special) and heels. Making the most of it whilst I can :)Sunday: housework and gardening so that I'm up to date with everything before Monday.

Hi Finch, I had the same chemo as you. I was surprisingly fine for the first 3 days and then it hit me like a Mack truck.I couldn’t get out of bed for 3 days and couldn’t eat. Everything tasted like poison and my mouth felt like it was lined with fur.I could only drink with a straw to get it past my tongue. Lemon cordial helped and lemonade ice blocks. Veggie soup n crackers were the only things I could eat. I had such a bad headache for those 3 days.I improved after that but developed a high temp around day 10 and had to go to hospital.My hair began to fall out around day 16.We are all different and you never know how you’ll react.My motto is- hope for the best but prepare for the worst.Big hug.xx

TC chemotherapy | BCNA Online Network

kmakm
Member
8 years ago
@Finch The skin on my face and hands is like parchment. Never had dry skin in my life. Definitely the chemo.
Finch
Member
8 years ago
I had that rash yesterday ... I wondered where it had gone. Now it feels like my skin is drying out. Drats to your indigestion.
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
Gargh, indeed.
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
The sting in the tail... Day 16 of my last cycle of TC and the strong indigestion and itchy chest rash have reappeared. Garrgh!
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
I bought two acrylic wigs, and wore them a lot. Easy to care for (just watch near hot ovens!) and light to wear. Most people had no idea I was wearing one.
TonyaM
Member
8 years ago
TC chemo is abit harder on your hair follicles. After chemo,it took 10 wks before any hair began to sprout.I was beside myself! I mostly wore caps/hats as I felt more normal in them.Don’t spend a lot on a wig- I did and I hardly wore it.It was so hot and itchy that I couldn’t stand more than an hour or so in it. Real hair looks good but you have to wash it and restyle it as opposed to an acrylic wig which just bounces back. Honestly,you’d probably only wear it for special occasions.
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
I went to Head Complements too, excellent advice and good products.
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
Thank you @Finch! I love it. Initially I went pretty muted with my colours but soon realised I wanted a bright so I went back for this one. Head Complements in Bedford Road, East Ringwood. Very good range of hats, scarves and wigs.

Good idea to go out while you feel able. My chemo was on Mondays too and my husband & I had pre-chemo dates on the Saturday night before. Until the fourth round when my tastebuds were completely shot & I was just too knackered.

If you do get furry mouth and everything tastes yuck my big tip is get a fresh pineapple, cut into pieces and put two or three into ziplock bags and freeze. My GP put me onto this, something about the acid and the enzymes really cuts through.

Furry mouth can also be oral thrush, which I got/have each round :/ Keep an eye on that and see your GP if you get a white coating on your tongue.

My pubes started going on Day 13 and my hair on Day 14. Eyebrows and eyelashes have thinned but are hanging in so far. I'd say your legs and underarms on Day 13 of your first cycle. You may not have to shave again for three months! Silver linings...

I will PM you about a meet up!
Finch
Member
8 years ago
That's my motto also! I am preparing as much as I can beforehand. At what point did your hair start growing back @TonyaM .The only thing I haven't done yet is get a wig. I'm hoping to get one next week. No hurry to get it as I'm happy to use a scarf initially.
I love your red cap @kmakm
TonyaM
Member
8 years ago
Hi Finch, I had the same chemo as you. I was surprisingly fine for the first 3 days and then it hit me like a Mack truck.I couldn’t get out of bed for 3 days and couldn’t eat. Everything tasted like poison and my mouth felt like it was lined with fur.I could only drink with a straw to get it past my tongue. Lemon cordial helped and lemonade ice blocks. Veggie soup n crackers were the only things I could eat. I had such a bad headache for those 3 days.I improved after that but developed a high temp around day 10 and had to go to hospital.My hair began to fall out around day 16.We are all different and you never know how you’ll react.My motto is- hope for the best but prepare for the worst.Big hug.xx