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

22 Replies

Finch
Member
8 years ago
Thank you so much. ill go to my local chemist today and ask them if they can accept a faxed script. All the best to you with your third treatment.
Sister
Member
8 years ago
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

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TC chemotherapy

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