Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 15 replies
  • Views 7958 views
  • Users 0 members are here

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

Red1
Offline

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
  • Offline

    Hi Red1

    Really sorry to read that you having such a s---- time with your current chemo treatment.  Cannot speak personally here other than as the wife of a hubby who had chemo at the end of 2012 and was equally 'lousy' with all the side effects. Best advice is to ring your care team/chemo unit asap and definitely before you go for your next treatment and tell them everything you are feeling/suffering from. As grumpy has already said there are many pills/potions they can introduce to help combat side effects - my hubby still has to take medicine to combat bowel problems due  to the coctail of painkillers he is now on.  His consultant advised small walks to begin the process of getting the muscles going (started with walking up and down our lounge before he managed the outside!!).He was also encouraged to leave the bedroom to night-time even if it meant setting up a 'day bed' downstairs (he managed with using our sun lounger indoors which gave better support than the armchair and enabled him to just drop off any time he felt like it.)  It is very frustrating when you just want to get on with life but he was advised to 'listen to what his body was saying and act accordingly' on an hour to hour basis if necessary.  Not sure this helps at all but as your op was so successful (and you must still be recoverying from the trauma of all that too) will hope that the treatment now will keep you well in the long term.  Best wishes  Jules xxx

Reply
  • Offline

    Hi Red1

    Really sorry to read that you having such a s---- time with your current chemo treatment.  Cannot speak personally here other than as the wife of a hubby who had chemo at the end of 2012 and was equally 'lousy' with all the side effects. Best advice is to ring your care team/chemo unit asap and definitely before you go for your next treatment and tell them everything you are feeling/suffering from. As grumpy has already said there are many pills/potions they can introduce to help combat side effects - my hubby still has to take medicine to combat bowel problems due  to the coctail of painkillers he is now on.  His consultant advised small walks to begin the process of getting the muscles going (started with walking up and down our lounge before he managed the outside!!).He was also encouraged to leave the bedroom to night-time even if it meant setting up a 'day bed' downstairs (he managed with using our sun lounger indoors which gave better support than the armchair and enabled him to just drop off any time he felt like it.)  It is very frustrating when you just want to get on with life but he was advised to 'listen to what his body was saying and act accordingly' on an hour to hour basis if necessary.  Not sure this helps at all but as your op was so successful (and you must still be recoverying from the trauma of all that too) will hope that the treatment now will keep you well in the long term.  Best wishes  Jules xxx

Children
No Data

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.