I have had prostate cancer since 2017. First I had radiation and then Lupron for three years. When my PSA started to rise I took abiraterone and Lupron for 3 more years and was undetectable. It started to rise again to 1.78. Then I was put on Xtandi but after a week I developed a full body rash. When that cleared they gave me Nubeqa which gave me some unpleasant side effects. My PSA rose to an 8 after 2 months on it. They just took me off of it and want to give me Docetaxel infusions. I am 85 and my cancer is just starting to metastasize around my lymph nodes.
My question is about the side effects of this chemo drug. What has been your experience?
Thank you in Advance.
Gary
Written by
Gern
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Here is a collection of notes on Docetaxel, from my replies. I have done six sessions, but I'm over 15 years younger than you. In summary it was not a problem for me and it was successful. Results may vary!
I did fasting and ice packs and that might have helped - but that's anecdotal evidence not a clinical study. I did not experience neuropathy at all. And although I was tired for a few days afterwards I did not experience nausea that I recall.
If you're healthy enough for it, and if you have been offered it, thus your doctors think you are fit enough, then the evidence is that Docetaxel can be very helpful against metastatic prostate cancer. And as chemo, Docetaxel works in a completely different way than ADT and other hormone related meds. And the combination whacks PCa "coming and going" in a very complimentary way, complimentary as well to surgery and radiation. (Note: the phrase "coming and going" is not a medical term 😃)
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I was only 55 years old when I had six cycles of docetaxel. It worked well for me, but I was very glad not to have a seventh cycle. The fatigue got very bad. There was also a big hit to my immune system.
Is immunotherapy an option for you?
If you have few mets, in known locations, perhaps focal radiation is an option for you?
I’m 71. I get my sixth cycle next week with a goal of 10 or as many as I can stand. It’s cumulative, with each infusion being more difficult. It has not been as easy for me these last cycles as others describe of their experience. However, a patient can start and if it doesn’t sit well with them they can stop at any time so the risk may not be so great.
My husband refused to believe all the warnings to use ice chips and cold mitts to avoid neuropathy. He no longer can smell flowers or food, operate touch controls (phone, computer, tv remote), or balance on uneven surfaces. Chemo brain fog is a real thing for him now five years after two years of chemo.
I had docetaxel when I was 67. I was able to continue playing doubles tennis once a week and continue working full time. Along with prophylactic radiation of abdominal lymph nodes that extend upward from the prostate area that I previously had radiated, I got another 4-5 years of undetectable PSA.
Are you getting a PSMA scan? My oncologists say they are seeing a lot of success with the "zap what appears on the PSMA scan" approach when the tumors are in lymph nodes or bones.
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Undetectable again! 
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