Hi

i just wanted to pop by and say I can sympathise with you. I had my second docetaxel last Friday and I'm just starting to come out the other side of it (I hope!) The aches and pains are horrible - I got them really bad the other night and it kept me awake. I've also had a sore throat and earache -not too bad but I know it's there!!  It does all subside- even though it might not feel like it is going to- but it will. It might be worth speaking to your BCN or ring the number your chemo nurses would have given you as they will probably be able to prescribe some stronger medicines for you to take. It is a horrible feeling, I just have to take it hour by hour and go with what my body wants to do - which is normally just lay there quietly!! It will get better xx

Hi,

Thank you so much for your message. I actually ended up in A&E on Thursday ( at the advice of my chemo nurse) They checked me over very thoroughly and have said I have an upper respiritory infection. Unfortunately though this can't be treated with antibiotics. I think I know also now why I may have had such incredibly bad side effects. I was given my steroids for this treatment and I was told to start taking them the day before chemo - which I did. But I wasn't told that the dosage had changed.... So I took four a day instead of eight. I didn't realise this until the morning after chemo when I noticed it was written on the box. I should have looked myself but I just assumed it was the same dosage as I had been on  for the last three EC cylcles.... I know for sure no-one said to me that the dose was increasing from 4 a day to 8 otherwise I would have made sure I took the right dose...

My oncologists report on our conversation prior to the last chemo states: - 

'I have mentioned to her that she would need to take steriods prior to commencing her Docetaxel to help mitigate against the side effects of the Docetaxel'

So, my conclusion is that possilby as I only took half the dose prior to and on the day of actual chemo that this may be why my side effects were so dreadful? I only received the report on Friday, so have not actually spoken to anyone about this theory but it kind of makes sense? It kind of gives me a bit of hope that if next time I take the correct dosage of steroids and they also reduce the chemo by 20% then I might not suffer so much....??? 

The side effects started to get better on Friday but have not completely gone. I am still aching in my joints constantly and feel like a 90 year old woman! It's frightening. I also have had the worst tummy problems and can hardly manage to eat before feeling (and looking) ridiculously bloated and full - as though I have overeaten a huge roast dinner... I am eating healthily with salads and fish and chicken etc but still really suffering feeling so uncomfortable. My stomach looks like I am 9 months pregnant. It's so depressing... and really uncomfortable. I have shooting pains from trapped air and have had diarrhoea for the entire week despite taking imodium. I find it so difficult just to bend down as my stomach is so bloated and hard... This has been really bad the last few days and it's getting now that I don't even want to eat anything as I don't want to feel uncomfortable. It is just a silly thing and I am sure just because of all the drugs being pumped round my body but it is making me a bit miserable! 

Anyway, the sun is shining and I have been able to get out of bed for the last two days and spend lovely time with my kids so I am grateful for that at least! 

I hope you are well and enjoying your weekend :-) 

Amanda 

Hi 

Thanks so much for getting back to me - This Docetaxel is a little b***h isn't it?! 

I have realised that I wasn't told to up my dosage of steroids from the previous EC cycles from 4 to 8 tablets so I am hoping that this may be the  reason why I suffered so dreadfully... I know I should have looked on the box but I just assumed it was the same dose as before - but just taking it the day prior to chemo....So - I will speak to the oncologist tomorrow morning but I am thinking that this could explain why things were so bad?  I mean I was literally rollling around in bed in agony and crying for 5 days, not able to sleep or even talk sometimes - surely that isn't normal.... I know chemo isn't normal but goodness me that can't be right! I felt like I was going through some kind of cold turkey! It really was horrendous! 

It is very interesting to hear that it shrunk your tumour to nothing though! Do you mind me asking how large was your tumour? I had a 3cm tumour in my left breast and it had spread to one of my lymph nodes. This was removed with clear margins along with all my lymph nodes from the left armpit area. Then, 5 weeks after surgery I started chemo - the DR did actually give me the option of a trial to not have chemo and just have radiotherapy and hormone tablets but I opted for chemo in the end to be on the safe side. He said that the chemo is to 'mop up' any rogue microscopic cancer cells and to hopefully ensure it doesn't come back. (Something I worry about pretty much constantly) 

You also mention that you were given stronger pain meds - what did the dr give you? I have codeine but honestly I don't feel like it even touches the sides of the pain.... 

I will also be getting some cooconut water today! I had heard about that a while ago but forgot all about it so thank you for reminding me! 

Good to hear about Tamoxifen too - I think that is what I will be on for 10 years after this so hoping the side effects from those are not too bad.... 

I will keep you posted and let you know what the oncologist says tomorrow.

Hope you have a lovely sunny Sunday.

Amanda x 

Gosh it does sound like you were in a lot of pain and I definitely don’t recall being that like how you have described. I can’t remember the amount of steroids I had to take only that I took them for 3 days starting from the day prior to chemo. I would then be so wired that I wouldnt barely sleep for those 3 days. Are you having to inject yourself with the stuff that stimulates your bonemarrow to produce white blood cells? That stuff made my bones hurt so bad I ended up at AnE.

My tumour was 4.5cm so quite a big one and it had spread to one lymphnode. After my 2nd EC  chemo I had an ultrasound that showed the tumour had shrunk by half and that the lymphnode now looked ‘normal’. I had a lumpectomy with clear margins, 4 lymph-nodes removed which all came back negative. They did find 15mm of DCIS in the tissue that was removed. 

I think you did the right thing going with the chemo, Like you say it will bliz any rouge cancer cells and so to will radiotherapy which is a breeze compared to chemo.

i was prescribed co-codamol 500/30 which definitely helped with pain. I also used hemp oil drops under the tounge at night.

Like you the thought of reoccurrence is never far away and don’t think it will probably ever go completely. I’m 46, married with two boys 13 and 10. Just got to get on with stuff as best we can and try not to let it impact on life.

i hope round two of docetaxol is kinder to you, let me know how you get on.

you might like this article 

girlvscancer.co.uk/.../

I could relate with everything she says and she has a way with words...

take care

fishnchips x

Hi Cocobob, I was on here looking for peoples experiences with Tamoxifen as I’m stating to get some side effects and then I thought I’d check in on you...I was wondering how you’ve been following your second docetaxol treatment? I hope it’s been more manageable for you.

fishnchips

Hi fishnchips... Feel funny saying that as it would be easier saying your real name!!! ha ha!

I am so so sorry for such a late reply. 

Things have been crazy, manic, dreadful, amazing, emotional, eventful, depressing... you guessed it... TOOO much!! 

I have now finished my chemo - it had to be stopped due to bad side effects. Seeing as it was only being done to be on the safe side anyway my oncologist was totally fine for me to miss the last one as she said it was probably  doing me more harm than good. I was beside myself as I hate to give up on anything and I was so scared that if I didn't do the last one that it would come back to bite me on the butt in a few years time. Anyway.... the decision was taken out of my hands really .... I felt really fed up and depressed after. Everyone was so happy for me that I had "finished chemo!!!!' But in my head I never really will have finished..... 

It's nearly 7 weeks ago now and I am just about to start my radiotherapy. One week every day and then a boost for one week. I have just stared three days ago taking Tamoxifen. Really scared about the side effects. How are you managing them?? My friend is fine on them but I have heard nighmare side effects.... Since chemo my bones in my hip, knees and back have been really painful esp after sitting for a long time or when waking up in the morning. I am only 47 and a very young 47 at that .... I feel that chemo has aged me so much and it's so depressing.... I am like a 70 year old woman when I wake up. 

I am absolutely petrified about the cancer coming back. If it does that's it - I am done... I can't bear the thought of going through this again and I am so convinced I am going to die from this god damn awful disease. Funny really as it has always been my absolute worst fear to get cancer. To me cancer means death.... I have lost too many friends and family members to it to know any different. 

Wish I could actually chat to you as it would be so much easier. 

Add me as a friend if you like and I would be happy to give you my number. 

xxxxx

Hey Sunshine,

So sorry for the extremely late reply.

Things have been so crazy... 

I have now finished chemo. How about you? Mine was stopped early due to bad reactions.

I am now on Tamoxifen. Only three days in... My mind is all over the place and I am so scared and paranoid that the cancer is back already or will come back soon. I have asked for some councelling as I'm really not handling things very well. There was no answer from the Macmillan number and I left a message but haven't heard anything back yet. I have a close family but don't want to worry or bother them with my fears as they have already been through toomuch....

How are you doing and what stage are you at? Are you taking hormone tablets? How are you feeling after it all? I am broken.....x

btw... I loved that link you sent. So funny, so real and so touching to read. x

Hi 

Glad your chemo has finished, you must be glad that part is out of the way! My chemo is now finished and I'm just waiting for radiotherapy to start. I will also be taking hormone tablets for the next 5-10 years. 
 

Have you got a Maggie's centre near you? They are good and I know they do counselling and offer a lot of other support. Breast cancer now also do a really good telephone service called someone like me where you can talk to someone who has gone through this. People tell me that the fear of recurrence does subside as times goes on, but I think it will always be in the back of my mind. I'm trying to have the mindset that it could or could not come back whether I worry or not so I try not to worry and make the most of life- if that makes sense!!!

Take care xx