Help coping with Docetaxel/Taxotere .... Please.

Hi. I was diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer in may. A swift and successful op was followed by FEC-T chemo. I've had all three FEC sessions and coped really well and was positive and active.  I had my first Taxotere on Monday and am not coping at all.  Whole body ache , muscles and joints, headaches, kidney pains, swolen glands, lethargy and over emotion.  I spent yesterday in A&E with chest pains which turned out to be heartburn and anxiety.  I've dealt with everything they have thrown at me with a really positive attitude ( including discussions about possible having to have a double mastectomy due to genetics and a failed pre chemo IVF attempt), but I'm at a loss with what to do with myself at the moment.

I did start taking codeine and paracetamol but that caused severe constipation and bowel issues.

Basically I'm at my lowest and need positive boost.  A week later and I still can't get out of bed!   I've two more sessions of Taxotere and want .... Need to get myself prepared for the next one. 

Does anyone have any suggestions of anything that can help me .. Please.

Parents
  • Hi red

    I am sorry to read that the chemo is hitting you so hard.If there is  a magic answer i never found it  but the things that were usefull to me were -dont eat befor chemo and walk afterwards.If you can get your body going-even if it is to the end of the road and back and you feel like crap I found it seemed to get your system going at least a bit.

    Alternative therapies can help for relaxation althrough at th emoment i go for the glass of wine cure.

    I know it is really hard to go back when you know how rough it will make you feel-I tried to look at as a bad dose of flu( a normal person  problem)No one would expect you to get out of bed with flu.

    You could talk to your doctor about your concerns and see if they can give you a lower dose if necessary?They also have pills for most things-I was told that they could probably help with everything but the tiredness.

    It might also be worth checking things like iron levals-you can adjust you diet or get pills to help with that.

    I know that treats are not  offically  a cure but i try and put nice things in the bad days so not everything is about cancer .

    If it is hitting you hard hopefully the chemo will be kicking the cancer in the teeth.

    good luck

Reply
  • Hi red

    I am sorry to read that the chemo is hitting you so hard.If there is  a magic answer i never found it  but the things that were usefull to me were -dont eat befor chemo and walk afterwards.If you can get your body going-even if it is to the end of the road and back and you feel like crap I found it seemed to get your system going at least a bit.

    Alternative therapies can help for relaxation althrough at th emoment i go for the glass of wine cure.

    I know it is really hard to go back when you know how rough it will make you feel-I tried to look at as a bad dose of flu( a normal person  problem)No one would expect you to get out of bed with flu.

    You could talk to your doctor about your concerns and see if they can give you a lower dose if necessary?They also have pills for most things-I was told that they could probably help with everything but the tiredness.

    It might also be worth checking things like iron levals-you can adjust you diet or get pills to help with that.

    I know that treats are not  offically  a cure but i try and put nice things in the bad days so not everything is about cancer .

    If it is hitting you hard hopefully the chemo will be kicking the cancer in the teeth.

    good luck

Children
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