What to expect from docetaxel

[ken12491]

Hello -I start this on Tues -- can anyone tell what to expect - one every two weeks thanks.

[tango65]

Some info on chemo by a real expert:

grandroundsinurology.com/dr...

Side effects of docetaxel:

rxlist.com/taxotere-drug.htm

[Hex40]

Usually the treatments are every 3 weeks. Sometimes depending on how you respond there is a shot of neulasta the next day to improve white blood cell counts (that causes the joint pain). My experience; The first week after the infusion can be rough. Usually fatigue, joint pain and nausea. Hair loss comes shortly thereafter. Neuropathy can appear further into the treatments. Nails start to darken after the 3rd or fourth treatment. PSA responses seem to vary from it continues to climb regardless, drops dramatically then levels off or if you are very fortunate it drops very low or close to undetectable. My sixth and potentially last treatment is 10/29.

[ken12491 in reply to Hex40]

Thanks - good luck.. bet to you..

[Hidden]

The bottom line is this; result vary by individual. I had virtually no side effects besides losing my hair. I continued my life as normal which includes running, lifting and working my 10 acre mini farm. Towards the end I did notice I was tiring sooner in the day, other than that, no throwing up, appetite was good, etc, etc. Some people report they can hardly get off the couch, constantly nauseated, feeling like death warmed over. Wait and see, but don't let it mentally stop you from remaining active.

[ken12491 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks and best to you...

[Hidden]

I found the side effects quite tolerable. The first 5 days after infusion were a bit rough but I still got around and did some light activities. I did spend more time sitting around, but after the first week it was pretty much back to normal. I did get nauseated, but never enough to use the meds I had for that. I didn't lose my appetite either, in fact I gained weight. The biggest hassle was the constant teary eyes and the legs and ankles swelling up during the last infusions. I'll probably be doing it again. The food can't be too bad if you go back for seconds.

[CantChoose]

My husband just had his sixth infusion yesterday. His biggest side effect was bone pain from the Neulasta. Other than that, one day of tiredness and general fluish feeling. We laugh because his symptoms have been so predictable. The sides of his feet will hurt, then the day of tired, the fay of flu-like symptoms, and then the bone pain moves down his legs and out his toes. As chemo goes, this one has the reputation for being mild and we found it to be so. No nausea, loss of taste for a few days, very mild neuropathy that resolves. He didn't even lose his hair.

[ken12491 in reply to CantChoose]

Thanks for your input - I'm ready for the worst but prayer for the best --- good luck u u as well...

[tallguy2 in reply to CantChoose]

Was it suggested that your husband take OTC meds to help prevent bone pain from the neulasta? It worked like a charm for me.

[Canoehead in reply to tallguy2]

Claritin

[CantChoose in reply to tallguy2]

Yes, he took the Claritin, and Aleve, but the bone pain is still pretty bad. Sometimes he takes an Atavan to sleep. Thankfully the intense pain doesn't last too many days. I just keep rubbing the joints for him.

He just got to foot pain only day. Almost done.

[luvhealth in reply to CantChoose]

Hi CantChoose,

Hope your husband is doing well. My husband's PSA is climbing fast, Xtandi has failed and he has bone pain and we are faced with doing three weekly smaller doses of Docetaxel with one week off. Are you doing weekly or every three week infusions?

[CantChoose in reply to luvhealth]

He did the every three week ones. I hope the weekly is not too taxing for you guys.

[luvhealth in reply to CantChoose]

Thank you for your answer. We came to the same conclusion as you. We decided to postphone the chemo...my hubby isn't strong enough, he was very allergic to the MRI tracer over a week ago and it took him all this time to repair from it. Am afraid the chemo might do him in at this time and his QoL is actually improving. We are currently doing three weekly high dose vitamin C infusions and decided to wait two weeks to see if he can build up and knock the PSA back down first. Best to you!

[kidclutch]

dad's in cycle two. nausea, and some pain flare during the nadir part of the cycle mostly. hair loss. weird taste buds. not fun but doable. he does every three weeks. take extra care to avoid crowds in the mid-cycle.

[Cheerr]

Usually it’s once in 3 weeks. This is because the blood counts get back to normal by the 21st day. Or it’s 1/3 the dose every week.

Dad is in his 2nd cycle now.

1. Use ice on hands and feet to avoid neuropathy.

2. Suck on ice chips to not lose taste buds.

3. If you got a Neulasta shot, take Claritin to avoid bone pain.

4. Usually first 2-3 days are good because of the steroids they give. You may start feeling weak, pains or nausea from day 4.

5. Nadir point is day 7-14, lowest being on 9-10. Avoid crowds during this time. Dad always feels the weakest during day 9,10.

Goodluck!!

[luvhealth in reply to Cheerr]

My husband is schedule to start doing the 1/3 dose for three weeks next week. How does sucking on ice chips help preserve taste buds? Did your Dad have bad nausea or was he able to eat okay? Is there any more advice you can provide to help us? Thank you.

[Cheerr in reply to luvhealth]

Since he is doing 1/3 rd the dose every week, he will have way less side effects mostly.

Sucking on ice chips can help in two ways, since it numbs taste buds during the infusion, he won’t get any weird chemo metallic taste and lot of studies showed that people preserved their taste buds as well.

It’s not easy to have them all the time, so we just keep giving him in between 10-15 mins and so far it helped him well.

He did lose a little of his taste buds for like 1-3 days max but never permanently luckily.

He did not have any Nausea issues during or after chemo except once. We gave him ginger candy to help with that.

Also your MO will give him anti nausea meds etc so don’t worry.

All the best

[Cheerr in reply to luvhealth]

More advice:

Since his sessions are weekly, he must observe how the first week goes and make a note. So he knows when he feels weak / low. And which are the good days. Mostly each week will follow the same pattern so you’ll be prepared beforehand.

Please do keep a digital thermometer ready at home. And if he has a fever if 100.4 or above, take him to the emergency, they’ll check and let you know if any cause of worry. I rushed my dad to the emergency couple of times although all those were false alarms and he was okay.

[luvhealth in reply to Cheerr]

Thank you for your advice. We are getting prepared and he really appreciated your notes and words of encouragement. It's a tough time right now, he doesn't feel good with PSA rising, and never wanted to use chemo, but is now resistant to ADT. I have great hopes he'll make it though!

[Bebby1]

Hope you zoom through

Here in Oz dexamethasone tabs prior to each infusion

The nurse will take you through all the side effects( you may get none)

And increased awareness of infection control as chemo knocks the immune system around

Good luck

👍

[ken12491 in reply to Bebby1]

They are giving me dexamethasone - thanks a lot Betty1. best to u..

[GP24]

Docetaxel every two weeks causes fewer side effects and in this study showed to be even more effective (in the full text):

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/232...

[EdBar]

For me it meant hair loss, fatigue, mouth sores and loss of taste, brittle nails, flu like feeling week after infusion, neuropathy (which I still have). Immune system took a hit so I started using Neulasta which caused bone pain, 24 hour Claritin was the solution for that (nurses advice).

SE’s seemed to get worse especially after 3rd infusion.

That was over 4 years ago, PSA is still undetectable (I’m also on ADT), hair grew back better than ever, no more bald spot, so ya, there’s that.

I exercised during treatment, brisk walks, even on shitty days, it’s my understanding that the increased blood flow helps chemo work better.

Ed

[kmack57]

I went through 6 treatment every 3 weeks. I experienced some air loss around the 3rd treatment and fatigue for about two days about 5 days post infusion. Otherwise it wasn't too bad. I did ice my hands and feet and sucked on ice chips. I wore a cold cap but still experienced hair loss so I got a crew cut but it has since grown back. Good luck, in my experience it was way less traumatic than what I was expecting. Make sure to exercise it makes a big difference.

[Max135]

Ken

much luck on Chemo... first and foremost the stuff lowered my PSA while on ADT. to your question first two weeks where not difficult for me as time progressed the need for a short bit of sofa time in the afternoon was needed and then at the end for me more sofa time. are you doing the Chemo up front (six rounds at 3 week intervals)? you will be able to manage the stuff and it will most likely give you +++. for me it was the time prior to chemo and keeping myself under control - day prior to chemo came down with the shingles. at 56 years old would not have imagined but then the same goes for the cancer. don't stress out about it or maybe get a shingles shot in advance. new to this site but if you ever need a chat let me know... alway good to cover where your going with someone that has been on the journey a little longer....

sorry your having to deal with this stuff,

Ken

[avettsister]

My dad just had his second round of chemo and also said that Claritin helps the bone pain after the Neulesta shots 👍🏻

[bellyhappy58]

Just did my 4th infusion (out of 6) last Wed. The 4th to 6th day after infusion is my tough days. Aching bones, bloatedness, fatigues. I tried to exercise everyday even I didnot feel like it. But every time, i did it, i feel a lot better. Even some light brisk walking. When I feel better, I go to the gym every days too. Do let become a couch potato...get some exercise whenever possible. It does helps. Drink a lot of fluids and eat light meals. I usually feel back to normal in the second week. And have a positive expectation of good. God bless

[Myhubby58]

Myhubby58 don’t excersise much..He is always in pain mostly on left side of his back.. he is goin for 4 th treatment on Monday of taxotere..his psa was 92. Last month.. hope it gets better.. God Bless

[vandy69]

Hi Ken,

I have had 14 infusions of Docetaxel/Carboplatin chemo combo (2 prior rounds of 6 cycles every 3 weeks) and will have infusion 3 in this round on Tuesday.

Based on my experiences:

1. MO prescribed Dexamethasone day before, day of, and day after chemo to moderate immediate side effects.

2. MO prescribed infusion of drug Aloxi before each chemo to prevent nausea and it works.

3. To prevent bone pain from Neulasta take Claritin beginning day before chemo and for the next 6 days.

4. MO recommended oral 100mg B6 daily to mitigate neuropathy. I also iced my hands and feet.

5. Have used Biotene products ( toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.) to ease any mouth problems.

6. Have taken Wisconsin American ginseng to moderate fatigue. Google Mayo Clinic for their trial.

Best Wishes. Never Give In.

Mark, Atlanta

[ken12491 in reply to vandy69]

thanks, vandy and the same to u..

[j-o-h-n]

I keep reading advice about icing of head, hands and feet.... so I think it would be a good idea to heed that advice.... As I've said many times before.... I am not a doctor, but I look handsome in a white coat....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 10/19/2019 12:57 PM DST

[monte1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

I am sure you look handsome in that white coat .... with long sleeves that can be tied together.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

I was referring to when I film my porno videos.... I'm called "the old Horny goat in the white coat"...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 10/19/2019 8:57 PM DST

[Muffin2019]

Went through it 2 years ago, loss of hair, little tired, no loss of appetite, nails dryied. I continued to work part time, ate lots of protein, drank 64 oz of liquid daily, the hair came back in most spots, nails came back to normal after 6 months, gained 20 pounds on lupron. It was really not bad for me and if necessary I would not hesitate to do it again.

[Cheerr in reply to Muffin2019]

Congrats on the excellent results and least side effects.

Can you name / suggest the protein rich food you had ?

[ken12491 in reply to Muffin2019]

thanks and continued good luck.

[tallguy2]

Everyone is different but my "nadir" was 3 days after each cycle.

Stay hydrated. Waters tastes terrible. Best advice I had was to buy those zero-calorie, fizzy flavored waters (Ice brand, I think). This kept me hydrated when I wouldn't touch water.

Exercise even though you feel like crap. It helps.

[ken12491 in reply to tallguy2]

Thanks, tallguy2 -- best to you going forward..

[kidclutch in reply to ken12491]

re: the water

my dad mentioned that water with plenty of ice helps, and also helps when eating if your tastebuds get wonky. keep us updated on your progress!! i’ll be thinking of you!

[ken12491 in reply to kidclutch]

Thanks, Kidclutch...best for your dad as well...

[kidclutch in reply to ken12491]

you two are in a similar situation with docetaxel / liver mets. hope you both get results!

[Muffin2019]

I ate 3 eggs a day, concentrated on chicken, turkey and fish. I baked or used olive oil to cook the meat, I avoided red meat, took tumeric supplements with black pepper and used on the turkey and chicken. I followed the diet online from the American Cancer Society as close as I could, did have dairy products but not alot. Stayed away from crowds to avoid infections and germs.