anyone, tell me about docetaxel as I am getting prepared most likley to do first chemo

HI,

John 16, etc, tell me about your experience with chemo so far and what it was like and the side effects you experienced. It seemed like you got it once a week for 6 weeks, anyone let me know their experience and how they managed to survive the treatment.


Thanks,

Steve

Hello BoyntonSteveG,

We definitely have a supportive group of fellows here who have gone through chemotherapy treatments --- past and ongoing, as we speak --- we have been nicknamed "The Chemo Club" --- sounds like you might soon become a MEMBER OF THE CLUB.

That being said, quite a few of us fellows have banded together over time to create the thread that Brother Rockyfords just referenced ... it's called "Taxotere Side Effects" --- you can also type that thread title into the SEARCH BAR located at the top right-hand side of your upper screen and it will appear in the search results immediately.

The purpose of the thread has been to work together here as a TEAM --- a collective team --- sharing our first-hand, authentic experiences with chemotherapy treatments. The goal was to hear from a range of fellows, to prepare other readers for their first chemotherapy treatments. We realize that there can be a range of experiences ... along with possible side effects ... and the thread contains suggestions to help overcome those side effects.

The thread is written in honest terms ... we worked together to create a "one brother to another brother" thread that really explains the chemotherapy process. I think you'll find the thread to be informative and supportive and encouraging.

I finished up my chemotherapy treatments two years ago, and I've been going strong ever since, for which I am thankful. Right now, we have members who are just getting started on their treatments --- so the thread continues to expand over time, as more fellows share their first-hand experiences on the thread.

We realize that appointments with your doctor can go whizzing by in just a few minutes --- a fellow gets home and suddenly thinks of countless QUESTIONS that he forgot to ask his doctor, concerning chemo treatments --- that's where the "Taxotere Side Effects" thread can be useful to you. It addresses common questions and concerns that fellows seem to have ... and things that are not always referenced in the chemotherapy brochure that they hand you at the medical clinic before your first treatment.

We all acknowledge that going through chemo treatments can be a rocky road, at times. Honestly, MANY of us have navigated through the chemo treatments with relatively mild side effects that were very tolerable. Many of us here kept pursuing our full-time careers, kept exercising, remained active, and stayed involved in social events while going through a series of treatments.

I felt fortunate, because my side effects were very mild. It's also been gratifying for me and other friends of mine here on the website to see PSA levels going DOWN, as the chemotherapy treatments continue over time. Chemotherapy treatments helped knock my PSA levels down to low decimal levels, below 0.10, for the first time EVER in my treatments. For that, I was grateful ... I needed another powerful way to attack my cancer ... and chemo treatments did that for me.

So --- check out the thread --- ask questions --- know that we're here for you --- and we'll be happy to support you, if you decide to pursue a series of chemotherapy treatments ... now, or in the future.

Handshake of support, from across the miles,
Iowa State University - "CYCLONE FAN"

The taxotere thread is worth reading. For me personally my SE's have been, bone pain, weakness, one infection, (round of antibiotics to clear), fever, chills, cold a lot of the time, (wear a jacket to stores if you live in the south), mouth sores, fried taste buds, (developing a food aversion), rapid weight loss, constipation, diarrhea, (you will welcome this as it helps clear out the drug) and inability to do anything physical. This generally starts about the second day after the infusion and lasts about nine days in my case. You will feel better the third week of the cycle just in time to do it all over again. I have two left and I will be glad to have this behind me.

Good luck with your treatment and let us know how you are doing.

Don

Steve:

I just finished my second round of chemotherapy. I am getting a cocktail of Cabazataxel/Carboplatin. They switched me from Docetaxel because it was irritating my liver (this is not common).

The only real side effects I have had is a weird "chemical" feeling the first few days (I know chemicals are in my body) and some mild fatigue on day 4-5. Also, on day 15 after the first session my hair turned snow white overnight and started to shed. So I did a buzz cut a few days ago. I still have hair, but it looks much better in a buzz cut. No pain, no mouth sores, no loss of taste, no neuropathy. I exercise every day and I'm sure that helps. Overall, I have been very fortunate.

And my PSA went from .80 to .30 after one round. Doctor is very encouraged.

Best of luck.