Forum Discussion
Docetaxel nightmare!
Day 5. - after round four.
Well, the last few days would have to be THE WORST time of my entire life!
The side effects reared their ugly head the day after chemo. This was a new side effect, one I wouldn't wish even on my worst enemy. Teeth clenching, leg twitching, muscle twisting bone pain!!
I literally couldn't keep my legs still, even when standing....the pain in my hips, knees, shins and ankles was horrendous...there aren't enough words to describe the pain...after consulting, in tears, with my GP via telephone...I already had some strong painkillers on hand, so she recommended I take those upfront and she prescribed some slow release versions of the same.... Along with panadol ... I couldn't stand up after, almost fainted which warranted me sliding down the cupboard to sit on the floor...so I literally spent two days in bed.... No food, just sips of water...
I since managed to eat a small amount but up that came....now I don't know if it was the chemo, the meds or the sheer agony I was in that made me vomit...Whatever was in my stomach came up, not that there was much... But a lot still came out!?
My tongue feels like it's burnt and is so thickly coated, my taste has definitely disappeared now!
I'm putting it down to my body saying 'what the fuck are you doing to me? How is any of this supposed to be helping?' I have said that out loud a few times in the last few days.... How IS this helping me? It so hard to comprehend that all of this suffering is doing good against the greater evil.... But according to the experts it is, so while it didn't seem that way at the moment... I must force myself to believe that it is...
Well it's taken this long to get the painkillers right... And I had a good sleep last night up until about 2am where I woke every 1/2 hour, sweats and the pain was awakening again... Either the Panadol or exhaustion by early morning sent me into a deep sleep until 8am... I awoke still with that fog I've become accustomed to... But I managed to keep breakfast down! My legs seem to be doing as my brain tells them too and I'm a bit steadier on my feet.... I think I'll flick the strong painkillers for panadeine now... Still totally exhausted ... I'm battle weary... but I think I'm coming good....
I'll laze about today and gather my strength.... Because I have to do this TWICE more and I must be ready! Arrgh!
17 Replies
How are you going SQ? Any improvement?
Really happy for you that it not end up being trush :)
Do not worry about scaring the crap out of me. To be honest I am gratefull for your honesty and everybody else's in describing the detail of what everyone is going through.
Honestly it helpes prepare mentally and frankly it is better to know things in advance as even though everyone is different if the same symptoms occur we learn now what to look out for and what those symptoms might mean. Helps both not panic when we get there I guess as if it turns out to be a bad sideeffect we figure out now that we need react and how to react. On the other hand it helps to learn some side-effects that sound horrid may not be all that bad health wise.
I learned yesterday that due to my allergies they are changing it to AC chemo now - seems TC tends to cause more allergic responses so for someone allergic to everything they reckon AC is the "go". Well I am yet to pass the heart check they are having me undergo next week. Seems AC has lesser number of allergic responses but buggers up the heart long term so they want to see what mine is looking like for now.
Reading your words brings back memories of the side effects I had on docetaxel. I could barely walk and wondered if I ever would properly again. The pain as you describe was unbelievable. My last chemo was July 2015 and I can honestly say the pain goes away. Sending hugs xx
Oh Jdakic
i don't mean to alarm you...but I guess I do these posts for my family and friends to get a 'real' feel for what's going on.
At least you know what may be coming your way...if it doesn't, BONUS!!!!
Luckily my tongue thing isn't thrush, just an unwanted side effect of all the chemo FEC + D, I've had it all the way through treatment....blah! I have 2 more D part to go and quite frankly I want to run and hide!
Please take hour by hour, day by day...rest and listen to your body...if in doubt call or go to the hospital!
Sending love and light for easy recovery and beautiful days...
Xx
That's why i applaud our medics...they have to figure out what is happening with everything that's going on inside and being put into our bodies! They left no stone unturned...
Hopefully this mix will do good
Take care Xx
Hi Nadi
I'm hooping to be better by Day 10...that's my usual...but the new D part and the painkiller debacle may make it longer...
I was hanging by a thread, i tell you.....thank goodness we went to the emergency department!
I've no got a firm grip on the edge of that cliff and slowly pulling myself out of the hole...
Take Care Xx
Hi MightyOak....I like your profile name...nice and strong!
The pits is a nice way of putting it! I just said the other day to a friend...this isn't real, I want my old life back....funny how "old" was only 4 months ago!
I've been advised not to take Ibobrufen because of other medial conditions....so panadol every four hours with endone as needed....i haven't needed the endone since yesterday afternoon, but we know how that changes!
We WILL fight and WIN! even though you don't feel like it some days.....
Take care
Xx
Thankyou Jen!
I'm a bit more alive today, thanks to the drug switch...but running on about 5%
I do seriously want to run away, but i know I have no choice but the fight this bitch with all i have and ll the Drs make me have...WE WILL WIN!
Wishing you all the best Xx
Hi Maryrose and Lyn,
Luckily it isn't thrush, but unfortunately it's an unwanted side effect! blah!
Take carre and hope you are both well
Xx
I feel so badly for you and I do hope you get some relief soon.
I am starting my 1st riund of it in 2 weeks... have to say I am really crapping myself. Oncologist did pain a 'lovely' picture of bacterial infections, trush, nerve pain and such. I kind of glossed over it and ignored as mich as I could as I already suffer from horrid mucle pains and neuralgias, get both trush, UTIs and various infections at the drop of a hat and figured it could not be much worse.
I guess it can... and it sounds like it will :(
Wishing you all the best and hope you do not have too many rounds left to go through.
