Starting docetaxel chemotherapy

User

Posted 19 May 2025 at 15:17

I posted on 19 March saying I was soon to start my chemotherapy and was scared. I’ve had my third cycle of Docetaxyl and I just take Dexamethasone 12, 3 & 1 hour before. So far all has gone better than I imagined.

I’ve found tiredness kicks in days 3 - 5 mostly; had painful indigestion but gaviscon sorted that out; constipation, but taking senna immediately has helped. And I’ve always found the Assessment Unit helpline to be very understanding, even though I felt I was ringing them a lot during the first cycle when everything was new. During this third cycle I’ve had redness on my hands, and a little nausea, but the anti-sickness tablets have controlled that.

I was really concerned about catching infections so decided to only mix indoors with immediate family who I’m 100% sure of. I see friends out in the fresh air, and so far I’ve stayed clear of anything. The good weather has really helped. Trying to keep up walking most days to keep active, and managing housework and gardening fine. Fortunately retired so I’ve not had to worry about work.

My results have been encouraging. All my blood results have ended up higher than when I started, and my PSA is down to 1.1 from 21.7.

So early days, but keeping positive. Halfway through, with radiotherapy once I finish chemotherapy.

Hope all keeps going well for everyone.

Norman

User

Posted 19 May 2025 at 15:27

Glad to read your coping well with the chemo i did 10 rounds of docetaxel last year,I found that writing a little diary of symptoms after each infusion helps paticularly upto 5/6 daya after it.It just lets you know what to expect and how long to expect it for,you'll find that every infusion nearly mirrors each other.

Hope this helps

User

Posted 29 Apr 2026 at 11:32

Hi everyone,

I am being offered docetaxel as part of my treatment and found this thread helpful as I am unsure whether to include it. I am worried about side effects, in particular how well people recover after the last treatment. My oncologist said 'you'll never be quite the same' but I couldn't get to the bottom of what he meant. Any experiences would be appreciated.

My numbers:

I am 61 years old and other wise healthy

PSA 47.6

Gleason 4+5=9

T3 N0 M1a - there is spread to two lymph nodes above the pelvis

The proposed treatment is:

Zoladex and darolutamide

6 treatments of docetaxel

Radiotherapy (possibly joining the PEARLS trial.

Thanks.

Chris

User

Posted 29 Apr 2026 at 11:57

Hi Chris,

You can do it, you will be fine. I wrote up my experiences in tedious detail in my profile, make yourself a cup of tea and have a read 😁. I recommend on insisting on the cold cap in order to keep your hair. I found that the whole thing felt as if it was over and done with quite quickly and the impact of side effects quickly diminished after the final treatment.

Good luck!

Spongebob

User

Posted 29 Apr 2026 at 12:37

Hi Chris,

I completed 6 rounds max dose 20th Feb, no problems thus far, my onco said the same think he was trying to put me off.

If you are otherwise fit you should be fine. Just keep very well hydrated.

ATB,

hawkz

User

Posted 30 Apr 2026 at 09:24

Thank you fir message and encouragement. I read your story in your profile and admire your fortitude. It has helped me mentally prepare for my journey and reinforced my determination to get as fit as I can. I hope you are doing well.

User

Posted 30 Apr 2026 at 09:27

Thank you for the message. It's helpful to hear other's experiences when feeling unsure and has helped me make the decision to include chemo. I hope you continue to do well

User

Posted 30 Apr 2026 at 09:35

I completed 10 rounds of docetaxel a couple of years ago had no real issues,please note I was only 54ish at the time,please read my profile for more in depth notes.

Good luck Phil

User

Posted 24 May 2026 at 12:28

Hi All

My first time on this forum so just having a look around.

Gleason 4+5 = 9; Grade Group = 5: T3 - N1 - M1A

I finished my last (of six) chemo sessions on Friday - what a relief. Very strange being stuck in a three week cycle for months on end...

However my PSA for this week was <0.025 and has been for a couple of months, so something is working. I started off at 953!! I am on Triplet Therapy and will be on HT for life (Zoladex by implant and Darolutamide by tablet). I have a three month break and then my Onco wants to talk about RT - following the "Hit it Hard" approach.

It seemed at the start of chemo that the process would drag on - but that time has flown by since the beginning of February. I now have the summer to look forward to and some time with the grandkids - without worrying about being immuno-compromised (at 8 & 4 they are just germ factories!!).

I only ever had infusion through cannula in back of hand and that went fine, only a couple of time did it result in pain and bruising.

The worst bit is being "wired and tired" immediately afterward after all of the steroids for a day or so. I feel that the effects do take longer to get over the more into the process and the quicker the effects kick in? Lost my sense of taste; lost a lot of the little hair I had left - now all shaved which is fine; lots of pain/aches in limbs for first week then all settles down - and the usual fatigue of course. Plenty of exercise though - walking, indoor bike, resistance work and aerobic activity - and getting through that really does help fatigue and mindset. Had a few wobbles along the way though - the HT can end up making emotions burst out...

I have a long action plan now to be weaned off the steroids (Prednisolone) which will take about eight weeks.

Possibly enough for now - off out to enjoy what I can of the lovely weather, but I have also found that I am VERY sensitive to sunlight now after the chemo and have to lather up with SPF 50 otherwise I go very puffy and red!!!!

All the best to everyone on here

CeePee

Best wishes - stay positive

CeePee

User

Posted 24 May 2026 at 12:41

Hi Ceepee,

Well done for getting through all that 😬, you sound really upbeat, tackling it head on. Yes, take a breather, enjoy the weather but beware the sun.

Spongebob

User

Posted 24 May 2026 at 17:11

Great to hear the good stories, my husband is 4+5 spread to lymph nodes and has had a similar journey with early chemo . He then went on to the stampede trial with Enzo and Abi combo. He started his journey 10 years ago and has been psa undetectable since chemo . He still takes the Abi with a steroid and prostap injection. He’s 66 now and due to retire in October but will carry on (marina construction) as he says it helps his mental health.

Good luck for the future

Debby .

User

Posted 24 May 2026 at 22:32

Hi Ceepee,

Welcome to the group and great effort on your attitude to this thing. Expect wobbles, totally normal can’t be stoic all the time. Can come in waves and as you say the hormone therapy changes your emotions. Sounds like you’ve had a great response to the front loaded treatment. Onwards and upwards!!

Notification

Join the online community now.