Worried about starting Chemo

Can anyone help me with their experience of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel.

  • Hi R11onb,  I had my first round of carboplatin and Paclitaxel a few weeks ago and it went okay.  My side effects weren’t too bad - mainly fatigue and achy joints - nowhere near as bad as I’d been expecting.  That’s just been my experience so far though and I think side effects vary a lot from person to person.  Are you starting treatment soon?

  • Thanks for that, I meet with my Dr on the 08th October and will get my date then. I have been told 3 hours for Carboplatin then they flush through water then Paclitaxel for 1 hour so quite a long process.I have heard the side effects vary, glad you did not have numbness in your fingers.
  • I had my second treatment yesterday and all went okay.  Mine is the opposite... 3hrs of Paclitaxel & 1hr for the Carboplatin.  They also infuse some pre-meds (anti sickness etc), which takes about an hour.  All in, it takes around 6hrs so take some entertainment with you! Re the numbness... I did have a slight tingling sensation in the fingertips towards the end of the first week but it went away after a couple of days. Good luck, I hope everything goes well for you!

  • Thanks for giving me another update, so glad it is going well for you. 

    To be honest my treatment may be the same as yours as I made some hasty notes when speaking to my Macmillan Nurse over the phone, she also mentioned the pre-meds, I will get the full details next Tuesday.

    Thanks for the tip regarding entertainment and your good wishes. I will let you know how I get on. 

  • Hi saldo5

    How are you doing with Chemo ?

    I start my first treatment Thursday 17th, go for my pre chemo assessment Monday.

  • Hi R11onb,

    I’m still doing ok with the chemo. I’ve been doing fine this week & next week should be a good one -  then we start the cycle again the following week.

    Good luck for the 17th!  I hope you’ll find that it’s not as bad as it sounds & that it’s all maneagable.  Plan for plenty of rest in the first week after chemo & have some ice lollies in the freezer in case you need them (I find them quite soothing).

    Another thought...the chemo can have a drying effect on the skin.  I haven’t had too much of a problem with that but the nurse who administers my chemo gave me a big bottle of Hydromol cream at my first treatment & it works really well.  Might be worth asking your chemo nurse for a bottle on the 17th if it’s not offered.

  • Thanks for that, I have my pre chemo assessment tomorrow so will speak to the nurse. Glad to hear you are doing ok, I will keep in touch.

  • Just wanted to wish you well for tomorrow.  I’ll be thinking of you. 

    Sx

  • Oh how kind. Although a long day arrived at 9.0am left at 5.0pm it went well and I went prepared with things to pass the time, plus drinks and snacks. This morning I feel ok which I hope lasts as they tell you about all sorts of side effects, so fingers crossed, 1 down 5 to go . Will have to sort my hair out before that which is another challenge to get through but  I have to think of the bigger picture. Hope you are continuing to do ok  Keep in touch

  • Forgot to mention that I asked about the Hydromol Cream but not on offer here, but yesterday they were giving out complimentary goody bags and I had a bottle of Sanex Dermo Repair amongst other bits and bobs so will give that a try. Also bought some orange ice lollies just incase !

    Rxx