Started on a new chemo 2 weeks ago doxetacel , every day I feel chronic it exhaustion. my legs feel unable to hold me up , Had so many of the side affects itching , sore mouth tongue ulcers chronic sore throat so unable to eat hot food .
Hi JHare, sorry to hear you are having so many problems with the docetaxel. I start EC-T chemo in a couple of weeks. 3 cycles of EC then 4 cycles of T (docetaxel). It's the second part I'm worried about most, as I've read that the side effects of docetaxel are particularly unpleasant. Hope someone who has already gone through this is able to give you a few tips. How many treatments of this do you have to have? Please keep in touch and let me know if things get any better for you. Xx
Hi Pippin24, I have to have 6 cycles I’m going to ring chemo on Thursday before next treatment on the Monday and let them know how it’s affecting me . Hot flushes in the night wake up feeling wet through ,just noticed my legs are really dry just flaking.The weakness just seems to come over you and my legs can’t be trusted to walk around when this happens. I expected to feel rough for a few days like I did before on another chemo but omg I was ok for 2 days after chemo then wham started with really sore throat when I woke sore tongue ulcers this lasted about a week had to drink through a straw and only wanted really cold things I found water melon was so soothing. The itching is quite bad too found I spend most of my time in pjs as they are easier and only go to drs for bloods and hospital for chemo .Darent trust myself to walk round a shop!.
I hope you get on ok , maybe the dose is too strong have had that before and they tweaked it .I’m reluctant to ring chemo now as have just been sent to A/E for 12 hours or more and when your vuleranable I think you come out with more than you went in for. Take care xx
So sorry to hear that things have been so awful for you. I will have to wait and see how it affects me, but had read that this one isn't very pleasant. Hope things improve for you soon. Xx
Fatigue and tiredness is something many patients having treatment experience, do try and do some exercises or get out for some fresh air and a short walk if you can as this can actually give you more energy.
It is important to try and continue to eat and drink during treatment, sometimes this requires some trial and error in finding foods that suit your taste buds and is easy to manage and digest.
Unfortunately it is often the mouth that suffers during chemotherapy. Keeping your mouth and teeth as clean and as moist as possible can help with this. Using any mouthwashes you are given to manage mouth ulcers and sores is also very important. If you have ulcers let your specialist team also know about this.
I hope things start to improve for you soon.
Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
Sorry the Doxetacel is having such a bad effect on you. It was one of the two chemo drugs I was treated with two years ago. I only had 4 infusions and there was another drug I was given at the same time. I did have a small problem with mouth ulcers but it cleared up quite quickly. My main problem was digestive but as I am retired it did not make a huge difference to my lifestyle and I recovered quickly after the end of the treatment. I lost my hair two weeks after the first infusion, everywhere except my eyebrows strangely. My hair came back in silver and curly (I am in my 70s). It was lovely but now is thick and straight again. You must tell your oncologist if your symptoms are too bad to handle. They may be able to give you an alternative or put you on a lower dose. I was given a lower dose on my last session. I didn't have much of an appetite and I ate an awful lot of hot cross buns. I got quite obsessed with them. Nice apple ones from Marks among others. Once it is over you can give yourself a pat on the back for bravery. I hope things improve for you.
