Hi,

Ive just finished Doc, I also had 3xEC before changing drugs.

Pins and needles in hands and feet started after the second treatment, painting nails black helped ( advice from my chemo nurse) and joint pain can be controlled with paracetamol, I was also given codine which I used at night. 

The major side effect for me has been lack of energy and unable to sleep. Not sleeping I'm struggling with, but apart from this it's doable. It is not all doom and gloom. Stock up on paracetamol and paint those nails xxxxxx.     
 

Thank you for taking the time out to respond. Your response is hugely appreciated.

This is the sort of thing she needs to read.

Hi.

I had 3 rounds of FEC followed by 3 rounds of Docetaxol. I sailed through the Fec , no problems at all and also was dreading the docetaxol after what I d read. The only side effect I actually had was back pain about 3 days after the treatment which lasted about 5 days. It was nt great but I asked for tablets which helped massively and it was still very manageable, going for walks and keeping active. The way to look at it is she's now over half way and the end is in sight . I still felt really good at the end despite what my body had been through.

Sending love and luck

Bad daily bouts of joint pain in the end with Docetaxel and 2 sets of hospital stays with temperature spikes per each round. The joint pains would start 2-3 days after the chemo and along with the Filgrastim injections which sometimes required to be stopped. They would last 3-4 days.  And then this joint pain and high temperature would start up again about 2 days before my next chemo was due and it was back into hospital to stay again. Usually putting my next chemo off a few days. They need to put you on antibiotics by iv drip just in case if you have the temperature too. Hated Docetaxel due to several chest pains apparently caused by bone marrow in that area but it did melt the cancer. Anxiety is a convenient listed side effect for the drug company if you ask me. Also had the badly bleeding gums when brushing my teeth for 4 nights and the swollen ankles/feet just for one day, the fluid retention. Had concerns being on this drug and not the only one from personal chats on the Taxane drugs. EC was much easier by comparison. Cannot wait until Docetaxel leaves my body and I hopefully drop the 30 years I've put on with it. Leg and arm weakness and severe fatigue kicked in during round 2 and didn't leave. So a very potent drug but a really good killer of cancer. Needs weighed up what you're prepared to tolerate really. Glad I completed it all the same due to the success rate against the cancer. 

Hi Debbie,

Bit late to the game here, but I'm starting docetexel tomorrow for BC and I'm scared to death like the others after reading the side effects, but I guess it has to be done.. I'm really hoping it's not as bad as I fear..don't think I will be getting much sleep tonight!  how are you now?

Sending good thoughts to you x