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In agony with Docetaxol

Cocobob
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I'm currently going through chemo for breast cancer and so far I've done three cycles of EC. I've just moved on to Docetaxol last Thursday. Don't get me wrong I did have a few bad days on EC but overall, I was able to handle the side effects with the meds the chemo nurses gave me. This time round though I've been floored by the Docetaxol. I was fine for 3 days but then it literally hit me like a bus. Headache, all my joints aching, all my muscles aching, diarrhoea, period cramps, intense sore throat so bad  i could hardly Swallow... earache -NO TEMP though .... I'm in agony walking or even standing and I've been like this for 2 days now. I can only sleep for a couple of hours at a time  before the pain wakes me up. Even if I take a sleeping tablet... I've had to send my daughter to my mums as my husband is working and I'm just not capable of looking after her. I'm so low with this and just want to know when it will end ... is there anyone with any advice out there? I've tried heat packs, muscle rub, codeine, ibuprofen, paracetamol, hot bath.... Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Xxx 

  • Offline in reply to Cocobob

    Hiya Cocobob

    so sorry to hear you had such a rough time on chemo and I’m sure the fact you didn’t have the last one won’t make any difference. Lots of people have the chemo cut short for various reasons try not to dwell on it, you gave it everything you could so well done you. It took about 8 weeks for the aches and pains of chemo to subside so it will get better.

    I was in initially told I would have three weeks of radiotherapy but due to covid they were bringing forward a new way of giving it.. over a shorter time but giving you a bigger hit each time. So I had 5 days all over breast/lymphnode up to collarbone and then another 5 days targeted at the former tumour site. It was a walk in the park compared to chemo, no burning just felt a bit prickly and itchy for a few weeks. However over the last month I have developed a very stiff shoulder and neck which I’ve been told is damaged to muscle and ligaments from radiotherapy. I’ve now got some physio exercises to do. Hey ho!

    Now tamoxifen.. for the first 3 weeks I thought I’d got away with side effects but I then started to have some bad dizziness and the hot flushes that I was having anyway seemed to increase, I also got some bad cramps in my calf muscles. Anyway I stuck with it and the dizziness has stopped and although I’m still getting hot flushes they have eased off. I do feel like I’ve aged 10 years which is just pants! I’m 46! And to make matters worse my eyebrows and eyelashes are falling out again! I’m still having herceptin and pertuzimab every three weeks as I’m HER2 positive Which can cause hair thinning! Still got 7 more to go so god knows if I’ll be left with any by the end of treatment. I had such lovely long lashes before this *** show! Anyway I shouldn’t complain I’m thankful for the drugs I just wish they would develop ones without side effects!

    I know it’s hard not to think about it reoccurring.. some days it’s all I think about! Please ask for help if you think you need it, positive mental health is so important and can help with recovery. Are you working? I’m back at my part time job as a lunchtime supervisor at my sons primary school. I’ts given me a bit purpose and keeps my mind busy. 

    Chin up gal you can get through this! X

    I’ve sent you a friend request x

  • Offline in reply to Fishnchips

    Hi

    I'm just searching for info on the side effects of Docetaxel which I'm starting next week. May I ask what the coconut water is for? Thanks. 
     

    I hope you are keeping well. 

  • Offline in reply to Cocobob

    Just a quick thought from someone who's been there. If there's a chance that your aching could be caused by the tummy injections that stimulate your bone marrow you should try antihistamines. One of my oncology nurses told me about them when I was completely knocked out by excruciating bone pain after my first cycle of doxetacil. I took antihistamines from then and it was like a miracle. No more pain. It may not work for you but you have nothing to lose by giving it a try. I took citirizine which you can buy at any chemist for just a couple of pounds. My oncologist had never heard of it but after I told him how well it had worked for me he prescribed it. Hope this helps. 

    Wishing you well, Mog, xx

     

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