Hi, I had my first Docetaxel session 12 days ago and it's been a rough ride. Severe joint pain (solved with hydromorphone), nausea, constipation and now an infection. I'm wondering what the future sessions may bring. I'm interested in people's experience on 2nd - 6th session if their first session was hard. Thanks.
Experiences with Docetaxel after lots... - Advanced Prostate...
Experiences with Docetaxel after lots of side effects from first session
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davebliz
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Hi Dave, sorry you're having a tough time. I and others have shared posts about ways to minimize chemo side effects. Just want to make sure that you have seen them.
Are you also getting neulasta, which usually accompanies the docetaxel? Some believe the joint pain is from the neulasta. Taking Claritin does a remarkable job on this joint pain, and may enable you to skip the opioid. I found out about this only after my second infusion, so I learned the hard way.
No, not taking neulasta, hadn't even heard of it before.
Neulasta helps your bone marrow make more white blood cells, so it helps prevent infections during chemotherapy. It’s a time release medication which is stuck on your arm in a little round contraption (about an inch in diameter and a quarter inch thick) that injects the medication 24 hours after the chemo infusion.
I found that overall, each of the 6 cycles was about the same in terms of side effects although the edema got a little worse after around cycle 3. I always had some nausea, but found that it was tolerable and never felt I needed the anti-nausea meds they gave me.
For the most part, the side effects of Docetaxel can be helped with meds. Are you taking 10mg of Prednisone daily? That made a huge difference for me with side effects and it is on the prescribing label for Docetaxel.
For how much of the cycle are you having the side effects? For me, it was mostly over after 5-7 days. The last 2 weeks were pretty good, in fact I was feeling better during that time with each cyscle and having less pain.
davebliz in reply to
Thanks for the reply. Yes, on 10mg Prednisone. Well it's now day 13 since the infusion and I'm just starting to feel back to close to normal.
in reply to davebliz
Day 9 first cyle on Doce here. Days 5 - 7 were killer for me also. Terrible bone pain in legs, joints. Taking Pednisone and Claritin really help. Fatigue is bad but try to take a 30-45 minute walk each day to keep my strength for the battle and keep the drugs moving through me. Good luck and better health to you.
dhccpa in reply to
Forgot to ask. Why are you taking Claritin?
in reply to dhccpa
Had injection of Nyvepria the day after first chemo. It stimulates the bone marrow to increase red and white blood cells and strengthen your immune system. A side effect of Nyvepria is bone pain, which I had in my legs and joints. Not fun. Claritin helps alleviate the pain, which it did after a couple of days. Thankful
dhccpa in reply to
Ok thanks. I saw somewhat else mention for joint pain. I had never heard that.
I have seen where cancer patients say they use Claritin for other reasons, but had never seen it mentioned on this forum.
How's your physical condition going into chemo? Any other issues going on?
in reply to dhccpa
I am 71, 9 years retired. I walked an hour a day for 8 years. My cancer is slowing me down somewhat and I get winded a lot easier but now I try to get out there for 30 to 45 minutes every day. Not only is it good for you physically but mentally and socially it is good for the soul. Exercise also helps me sleep better, I live close to bike trail so all is good.
dhccpa in reply to
I ask only because I have wondered if one's physical condition prior to chemo is a factor in how chemo affects a person. Some say yes. Others say no.
Of course it’s a factor, in a myriad of ways.
Who in the world could possibly say it isn’t? Enlighten me.
I try to keep an open mind, but I’ve never heard of anything more absurd. Every treatment side effect is very much affected by one’s physical condition.
I wasn't saying it wasn't; I tend to agree with you. But others do assert the opposite, for whatever reason.
The opposite? Not sure what you mean by that. I assume it simply means that others say physical condition is a non factor. Just writing the sentence feels absurd.
Can you site any sources, other than anecdotal?
No, mostly individuals posting those sentiments, which is what I wrote originally.
However, I have asked a few doctors and they have seemed to downplay the issue. But I have no scientific surveys to point to.
And as mentioned, I tend to agree with your viewpoint.
Understood. I imagine anyone claiming it makes no difference is either just being contrary or trying to make themselves feel better if they are in poor health.
As for a doctor downplaying the issue of physical condition affecting chemo? It is utterly predictable, and sad. They should be promoting preventative health, instead too many are just ‘staying in their lane’ of trying to fix things.
Yes, I think doctors are hesitant about possibly dissuading anyone from treatment, so they downplay outcomes that might not be great.
Btw, I used to see your posts. Are you NED now? Weren't you in a trial where they tripled up on treatment?
I think you are correct. Men in particular tend to avoid medicine, especially where it concerns their private parts. Docs are keenly aware of it.
Women have 40-50 years to get used to medical procedures before they reach our age, when some men are going to a doctor for the very first time!
Some say men are stoic, which translates to fearful IMO. Wish we could do more about that, some are trying.
Yes I completed an aggressive clinical trial post RP for my oligometastatic Pca last September. So far so good. Testosterone 500-750, PSA undetectable.
in reply to dhccpa
I have been battling prostate cancer for 16 years, stage 4 for 4 years. How do you fight cancer besides with drugs??? Well the way I fight is by exercising, a brisk walk. It makes me feel good physically and mentally. If it doesn't help so be it but it sure makes me feel good about myself and as a bonus I have made some good friends on the trail . . even some with cancer.
dhccpa in reply to
Agreed
It's a shitty deal Dave but you need to get this done. I did nine shots of docetaxel and while it makes you feel pretty bad, just remember it's killing cancer cells. So, be kind to yourself and those around you. Try to take at least one walk a day or two shorter ones on the days after your infusions. Getting out of the house is good for everyone and the smell of nature is nourishing for the soul. Sleep when tired and try to eat something at every normal meal time. My go to was a banana 🍌 sandwich. Try to drink more water than usual. Doing the doseydoe with chemo is needed to kill the cancer at the microscopic level. I found sleeping tablets helped combat the steroids which kept me alert and awake. Hang in there, you've got this 😎 DD.
How long now since you did chemo? Good results? Stable PSA?
DX in Dec 19 - PSA 50, GS 9, Mets in pelvis and bladder which blocked kidney. Went straight onto ADT (casodex and Eligard), started chemo in Jan 20, had uteral stent inserted and finished chemo in Sep 20 - straight into 20 IMAT Radio sessions. Ended up with PSA 0.01. Had a 12 month vacation from ADT but when my PSA doubled 3 times in a row I had another Eligard shot Sep 21. PSA now 0.03 and hope it stays low for another year or so. Hope this helps.
How much do you exercise and what kind?
I was playing tennis 3 times a week but pretty much nothing since the current issues. Hope to get back to walking.
Are you on any other medications beside the narcotics and prednisone?
Just the usual PC stuff, Zoladex and Xgeva.
I’m sorry about your troubles, especially the infection. I hope that is resolved soon.
I probably don’t have to tell you the Dilaudid is either causing your constipation or at least exacerbating it.
It’s also a last stop solution at best. I understand about the pain , but keep the narcotics to a minimum if you can, better yet stop them entirely. Even if you don’t develop an addiction to them they are hard on a person and stop working after a while.
Walking is supremely better than nothing. If it’s all you’re up to do as much as you can.
However, adding any strength training whatsoever will help with everything. You should have been doing it your whole adult life, but never mind that now.
It’s never too late to start weight training and it is nothing less than a miracle ‘drug’. No man on ADT invested in having a life worth living should be without it.
Don't forget of course that the poster is under going chemo.
I did not forget. For some reason chemo is thought to be the big dog of side effects but personally I found the ADT to be more debilitating.
Docetaxel in particular does not have as heavy a side effect profile as many other chemo drugs.
As someone who kept his workouts on Chemo (and everything else) despite the side effects I can testify it’s a supreme difference maker.
It’s tough I know, but always, always so worth it. Any amount is vastly better than zero, which is what the poster is doing now.
Today I am getting #6 and my supposed final course of Docetaxel. My side effects very similar but feel they are not as extreme as early treatments. One bizarre and very annoying side effect I have is constant daytime eye watering and nasal dripping. Started 4 weeks ago and makes it difficult to read or do anything constructive. Non connected allergies have been ruled out by other docs. Anyone else have this? Thanks
in reply to IdGump
This is a common side effect of Docetaxel (more than 50%). I had this almost non-stop the entire 6 cycles. It seems counter-intuitive, but I found using eye drops helped.
IdGump in reply to
Thanks for the reply. Helps as my Dr. has not seen this side effect.
I too had lots of eye watering in my first 3 cycles of Docetaxel this year……like the infusion nurses say, “That means it’s working”!I wrote an article IN FAVOR of choosing Docetaxel in the free online magazine Prostapedia (sp?)in the September, 2021 edition…….Snuffy Myers daughter runs Prostapedia……..it works…… Firmagon, Orgovyxx, Prednisone, Zytiga not so much, at least for me.
Mike in Seattle
Thanks for the encouraging response.
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