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ScorpionQueen's avatar
ScorpionQueen
Member
9 years ago

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!

side-effects
  • gurneys's avatar
    gurneys
    Member
    9 years ago

    Oh no. I guess some of those symptoms could be the D and some could be the Neulasta. My first dose of D (T) is coming up next week so following your progress closely. Thinking of you. Hope it improves for you very soon.

  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    9 years ago

    Oh Tracy!!!! I am so sorry you got it this bad. I had it the same. It won;t be this bad next time because you'll know what to expect and which pain meds work best for you.  For me it was really bad for 3 days, then got bester and was gone after 5 days. Hang in there.

    Sending lots and lots of hugs. Nadine

  • MightyOak's avatar
    MightyOak
    Member
    9 years ago

    hi fellow docetaxel hater. OMG it's the absolute pits, isn't it? I'm on day 10 of my first cycle of docetaxel (5th cycle overall). I empathise totally. My experience is the same, from the sleeplessness due to increased steroids to the thick cracked tongue with obliterated taste buds. The bone pain was intense and I had to go to my gp for pain relief. Ive got a script for panadeine forte which didn't seem to work for me. I have endone in the cupboard which he said I could take if needed. I found simple ibuprofen to be the best remedy.  I've spent a lot of time in bed and on the couch. I'm not interested in eating as everything and I mean everything, including water, has a dry cardboard taste and feel to it. But I console myself with the fact that it is a proven drug to fight this alien bitch that has taken up residence in my body and her eviction is ever closer. Don't lose heart, it will get better. One day it will all be a distant memory. We WILL get through, one day at a time and we WILL triumph! 

    Hugs to you, xxx

  • Jennybutter's avatar
    Jennybutter
    Member
    9 years ago

    Oh as I read your post I go back not so long ago to my last cycle of that demon Docetaxel.  It was my worst and I was very similar, for 5 days from day 4, I remember oh too well the pain and the sinking feeling that I was never going to get through it. I was glad it was my last because I said to hubby "If I had another cycle I wouldnt be doing it". We do it cause the alternative is worse.

    They say it is a build up, I was incoherent for 2 days, had a few falls and I swear have never felt so ill in my whole life, the only thing that got me through was knowing it wasn't forever and it was to get rid of an even bigger evil BC.  

    So hang in there darlin you can do it. Sending you big hugs.

    Cheers Jen ?? ?? ?? xx 

  • maryroset1's avatar
    maryroset1
    Member
    9 years ago

    What a bummer tgat its affected you that  way. Its pretty wicked stuff isnt it.

    I would get your tongue checked as i had mouth thrush that was very hard to get rid off.

    Take it easy because you will find it takes more out of you each time.

    Maryrose 

  • lrb_03's avatar
    lrb_03
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi Tracy, I was lucky  ot to get too much bone pain with the Docetaxol. However, that was when I ended up neutropaenic.  

    The tongue coating taste and burnt sensation could be thrush. Might be worth treating that. 

    And even if you are having neulasta, you can still drop your white cells, so still keep an eye on your temperature. 

    Take care, Lyn

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago

    Oh geez that sounds awful. So glad things are improving for you. My last round I combined ondasetron and stemitil strictly and was so much better. I really hope the next round is better for you. Rest up. Kath x