Starting docetaxel chemotherapy

User

Posted 17 Mar 2024 at 07:38

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

The weirdest bit now is thinking about what the nurses really drove home about ‘protecting your environment’ with the immunosupression.

If not already done so, invest in a decent thermometer - essential for anyone on chemo.

Thanks Lyn,

We’ve got a variety of thermometer including the infrared non contact forehead one, ear and digital one for under the arm or tongue all good makes.

Last night around 24hours after 1st chemo my temp dropped to 35.6. I was given the range of 36-37.5 by the nurses and told to ring the urgent assessment line if outside that. You get given non urgent and 24hr urgent direct numbers to the Oncology team after your chemo and a card to carry around warnibg if the risk of neutropenic sepsis and other nasties. I’d been outside for most of the afternoon trying (sometimes unsuccessfully) to assemble garden furniture and had had a load of steroids as well. It was sunny but I guess quite cold although I didn’t feel cold.

I think the steroids masked how low my temp got making me feel absolutely fine. Anyway, of all the thermometers the digital under the tongue one seemed the most accurate and we’ve just stored the rest of them away. 0.6 degree difference with the infra red one which when contemplating if you’re calling the urgent number makes a massive difference. We compared two Braun digi ones and they were only 1degree out of one another.

Whilst waiting for the nurse callback our curry arrived (after your tip SpongeBob we could resist)! Got an artificially inflated raise in temp after that spicy bad boy!!

Nurses phoned my back within 30mins and asked if I had shortness of breath, shivers, agitation, hallucinations how my bowels and bladder were- all good. My temp came up to 59.9 after sitting with a blanket on with the log burner on watching Netflix (Netflix optional). They were happy with that.

Came up to 64 before bed and it’s now 64.2. Low given that 37 is the average but safe.

Lesson to self I guess although I feel hugely resilient , I could become very unwell if I don’t help my body regulate its own temp even though I feel fine?! More layers and regular temp checking.

The journey continues!! Roll on spring and summer.

…sorry some errors on the temps there my temp came up to 36 before bed and then sits at 36.2 this morning. after sitting with blanket on came up to 35.9.

User

Posted 17 Mar 2024 at 19:17

A couple of things that stood out for me during my six cycles last year.

I was forever cold, even in August/September I was wrapped up in jumpers and a woolly hat.

The first week after every cycle wiped me out. Occasionally I would spend all day in bed.

Hair fell out after a fortnight, grew back pure white, then went curly, now back to shades of grey and straight.

Cycle four was when I started getting the runs, which lasted a while after the cycles finished (luckily I have a stoma bag which made it easy to manage).

Do the thermometer measurements regularly - I was really nerdy and kept a spreadsheet of them, and graphs of what was happening. The difference between my readings during cycle one and cycle six was astonishing! (see chapter 29 of my blog for the graphs!)

My blog covers my experience of it:

https://stewart124.wordpress.com/the-prostate-thing-28-let-the-chemo-begin/

https://stewart124.wordpress.com/the-prostate-thing-29-let-the-chemo-end/

User

Posted 18 Mar 2024 at 07:51

Thanks Stew,

That’s an incredible blog detailing your cancer journey. Thanks for sharing it. My digital thermometer now goes everywhere with me!!

Fortunately my temp seems to have levelled out at 36.6 and other than an increase in hot flushes yesterday I managed to get out for a steady 5k run with no other major side effects at this point.

Thanks again for sharing.

Edited by moderator 25 Mar 2024 at 10:08 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 27 Mar 2024 at 21:33

Chemo second cycle today.
PICC line was fitted yesterday and chemo in thru that was without event.
First cycle fatigue was the biggest issue; less than 50% normal activity levels. Hoping for a better outcome second time around. Other than chemo mouth, no other side effects of note.

User

Posted 28 Mar 2024 at 09:08

I have my 5th cycle next week,after my 4th cycle I decided to make a few notes of what side effects I have on what days and when they piter off and what activity I can and cannot do,I'll see if it helps.

User

Posted 31 Mar 2024 at 17:44

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Mike,

I did the PICC line, was very easy and meant that they didn’t have to keep finding a vein each time. Also no need for them to keep jabbing for the bloods. I believe that the PICC is less risky for docetaxel overspill. Anyway, I did it.

It is an experience, the chemo, especially if you do the cold cap (it is doable - if you can get to 15 mins then you can do it). Above all, take a book and an iPod (well your choice of music/radio/entrrtaiment.)

Read my profile - I think I put a few updates about dosey chemo 😬).

All the very best

Spongebob

Hi Spongebob,
Thanks for replying. I've got the PICC line in now. I see from your profile that you ride a bike. Did you ever use a particular PICC line arm sleeve to keep the protruding bits in place while riding or any other activities? I want to get back out on my mountain bike and go dancing, so looking for a suitable sleeve which will lock the PICC line attachment to my arm as securely as possible.

Thanks, Mike

User

Posted 31 Mar 2024 at 18:31

Hi Mike,

Yes, I was quite worried at first, not wanting to get it wet or even worse catching it on something. By the end I was much more nonchalant about it. Most of the time I was happy with using a bandage (ask them to give you some spares). I did buy a sleeve on Amazon (hope this link works >>>)https://www.amazon.co.uk/LimbO-PICC-Line-Sleeve-breathable/dp/B0999JXKNG?pd_rd_w=a2tFg&content-id=amzn1.sym.06ad6319-cbcd-4475-a88a-7dc2cf7747aa&pf_rd_p=06ad6319-cbcd-4475-a88a-7dc2cf7747aa&pf_rd_r=GFJVS9ZTZTYFGX9XGN10&pd_rd_wg=2dgfR&pd_rd_r=cb9c6831-3038-4fee-8116-4fedeac1fd57&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_m_grid_rp_0_0_sa).

And this worked quite well.

The other thing I found out at the end when I saw them remove it was just how secure the PICC attachment is. The purple gadget is really neatly securely attached to your skin, believe me it isn’t going anywhere even if it gets caught.

Keep getting out on that bike, all the best,

Spongebob.

User

Posted 11 Apr 2024 at 21:39

Thanks Spongebob - I bought that PICC line cover from Amazon and it works well. Off out dancing shortly to really put it to the test.

User

Posted 11 Apr 2024 at 21:48

Two weeks into second cycle of docetaxol.
Side effects similar to first cycle: mainly fatigue and chemo mouth. But both are more manageable than during the first cycle.
However, hot flushes have become more frequent and more intense. I'm also on darolutamide and decapeptyl injection, so its hard to isolate the precise cause of the hot flushes.

One strange side effect when taking Laxido powder solution for slight constipation. Just took one of these a day for 4 days. Started to get a sharp pain in my right thigh muscle intermittently when going up and down stairs - like an internal needle stabbing the muscle - 3 or 4 on a scale of 10. Stopped taking the Laxido and the pain went away immediately. Anyone else ever experienced this?

User

Posted 11 Apr 2024 at 22:44

No not on that, but I get joint pains increasingly now, almost certainly due to HT (in my opinion). I’m on Prostap and the hot sweats are now a regular pattern, in fact I’m having one now - not really an issue except overnight, when I get them every 1-2 hours waking me up each time 😴😱. I am permanently knackered b cause of disturbed sleep.

Good game this isn’t it.

Thrilled to bits that my advice on the PICC line sleave has come in handy 😬😬.

Spingebob

User

Posted 12 Apr 2024 at 09:26

Completed my 5th cycle just over a week ago,like you my sweats are through the roof especially at night I'd say every 3hrs i sit on the side of the bed with a towel drying myself it's that bad,also the last 2 cycles I've picked up a cold which also knocks you back but you gotta keep going.

What about OJ Simpson?he passed with cancer,and you know which one it was???

Yes you guessed it right

Stay strong everyone Phil

User

Posted 16 Apr 2024 at 23:41

Hi There

I have had three cycles of chemotherapy (Docetaxel). I am due for my fourth cycle of ten this Friday.

I started taking a log from the beginning of the treatment. Which has been handy. Looking back I can see there is pattern.

I have the treatment on a Friday.

Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday are usually ok. I usually take it easy over the treatment weekend. Then the following week, I can feel a little nauseous, and my mouth feels a bit clammy.

I haven't had to fall back on the anti sickness tablets really, just a couple of times.

When I get to the following weekend, things are better. Although the odd tasting, clammy mouth continues for a few more days.

I usually just have some fruit pastilles handy and they seem to help.

My hair started to fall out on week two of the treatment. This stopped after a week and the rest of my hair has been ok so far. I have thinned out a bit but not too extremely. The nurses advised this may start again. We'll see.

Last cycle my neutrophil levels were down 1.38 on the pre chemotherapy blood test. This time they are 0.9. So I have to go back again in a couple of days for another blood test the day before treatment to see if they have gone up. Last time they had gone up to 4.46.

Overall it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. The nurses are great in the ward and I actually find the treatment quite relaxing. The ward is quiet with no visitors and I just get the headphones on and my book out. Not a bad two and a half hours 😊

User

Posted 17 Apr 2024 at 10:24

Hi parkie

Glad to hear your coping well with the chemo,I've got my 6th cycle next week followed the day after with an appointment with the chemist and a PSA reading result where I'll ask the question if docetaxel can be used again when the time comes,fingers crossed for us both.

Regards Phil

User

Posted 17 Apr 2024 at 10:47

Good to hear how everyone’s getting on with their cycles.

I finished my 2nd cycle 10 days ago and had a bit of chemo mouth and general fatigue. I think the Dexamethasone is the thing that’s affected me the most- wired for three days whilst on that.

I developed a temp 37.8 last night and had been brewing a cold for about 10 days. Anyway now in the acute assessment unit having IV antibiotics! Wasn’t expecting this. There’s a suspicion of neutropenic sepsis so managing me for that. Hopefully will be home today then rest of the week off work to relax.

The nurses have said that at 10 days post chemo we’re particularly susceptible to infection. Think my kids gave me a cold. Hoping the chest X-ray is clear and the antibiotics do the trick. Fingers crossed!

User

Posted 18 Apr 2024 at 23:31

It will be interesting to hear the feed back Phil. 😊

User

Posted 18 Apr 2024 at 23:33

That's not great new Darren. I do hope you improve soon. 😕

User

Posted 19 Apr 2024 at 16:33

All good thanks Parkie. Neutrophils came back north of 1 so they seem happy with that. Had 3 days of IV antibiotics and discharged with oral antibiotics.

Will be having GCSF injections for 5 days after my next 4 chemo cycles given my neutropenic episode.

Never been so glad to be back home! Onwards and upwards with this phase of the treatment journey!

On a side note I’m going to get allergy tested for Penicillin at my GP to see if that large family of antibiotics is actually ok for me and I just had a common side effect of a rash as a baby and was mislabelled as allergic. Gives more options in case of future infections.

User

Posted 23 Apr 2024 at 20:32

Great news Darren, glad it all ended well 😊

User

Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 13:00

Hi Phil, or anyone who has had a few rounds of doxetal chemotherapy. My hubby David who is 80 years old & was diagnosed 5 years ago with advanced metastatic prostate cancer that had spread to his right hip. He had the prostate removed before the spread was discovered. He has been left with urinary incontinence & has prostrap injections for life. He has been taking Enzalutamide for 3 years but it recently stopped working, so the consultant recommended 10 rounds of chemo at 3 week intervals. Unfortunately the day before his first round he fell & broke the left hip (the one cancer spread to) and was hospitalised for 2 weeks. He’s recovered quite well considering the serious nature of a fractured femur. Consultant decided after 5 weeks he was able to start the chemo. Obviously it’s hard for him recovering from major trauma - walking on a zimmer frame and dealing with pain from hip & chemo side effects as well. He had the 1st round of chemo last week & days 3-5 was dreadful with flu like symptoms, insomnia & constipation. He seems ok now on day 7 except for an irritating cough that won’t go away, it’s affecting his voice which sounds croaky. Anyone else had this symptom at all? His temperature is around 36.4 most days & his last PSA was 2.5.

Edited by member 30 Apr 2024 at 13:02 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 17:13

I completed my 6th round out of 10 docetaxel last Wednesday it knocks me about from Friday to Monday(fatigue probably due to the steroid crash,chemo mouth,indejestion,constipation,bone ache, headache and being crumpy)

By Tuesday I'm back on my bike doing light weights and a spot of decorating and gardening,I am slightly younger at 54.Please read my profile for my info.

Hope this helps,all the best Phil

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