Docetaxel for Breast Cancer User Reviews

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2011

Docetaxel "The side effects (well for me) were unbearable. I had tingling in my feet and fingertips. Sharp pain from my fingertips to my wrist. I had sharp pain from my toes to my heel. It caused thrush in my mouth. Caused trouble swallowing and chewing."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2020

"I had BC recurrence of the original tumor, grade 3 Triple Neg, 2016 (previous lumpectomy and RT 2014). This time, mastectomy and chemo. Treatment was 4 rounds of FEC followed by 4 rounds of Docetaxel, all 21 days apart. I reacted as expected, I guess, always so careful to prevent infection, but unfortunately had neutropenia, sepsis, pneumonia, and suffered hair and nail loss, bone pain, and severe fluid retention leading to breathlessness and fatigue. Two years on, after completing the entire course, I'm still fatigued and breathless with strenuous exercise, but have returned to work and enjoy being alive."

• MAM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2016

Docetaxel "I had some horrible side effects. All my hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows fell out. I have super thin hair now, no eyelashes, and hardly any eyebrows. I had 4 treatments with this drug. At that time, I experienced severe pain that I had to go to the ER for, all of my fingernails and toenails fell out. I also had what seemed to be chemical burns on my hands and feet. My skin peeled off to reveal red, sore skin. I also had an infection at my cuticle site on all of my fingers. Though I have been in remission for 4 years, the side effects were awful. This was my second round of chemo. I had a first treatment with a different drug, 3 surgeries, and then this chemo followed with radiation."

• LMu...
• February 11, 2015

Docetaxel "Had 4 treatments 3 weeks apart. Symptoms still hanging on a month after completion are wrinkled fingertips and a slight feeling like I touched a hot cookie sheet. Very sensitive to spicy foods, as tongue felt burnt too."

• Liz...
• December 24, 2016

Docetaxel "My first IV chemo after taking the AIs. I took 3 cycles with a 10-point drop in tumor markers once only, and then they started to rise again. A CT scan showed worsening of cancer. Bones were stable but not effective in the peritoneum. I have lobular cancer, which was in remission for 15 years before it returned. This treatment did not work for me. The side effects were very predictable and easy to deal with for the short time I took it, but I'm noticing painful nails now."

• kal...
• April 22, 2015

Docetaxel "Hands and feet swelled. Feet swelled from wearing a size 7 shoe, needed to wear a size 8.5 until the swelling dissipated. I only had one session of Taxotere before my oncologist stopped this treatment. I believe that there were about 5 sessions scheduled before I experienced these side effects. I received it in spring of 2005!"

• mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2024

"Had my first cycle of docetaxel. Didn't experience side effects until 4 or 5 days later, maybe when the steroids were stopped. Terrible muscle and joint pain everywhere. Got a lot of indigestion and my mouth covered in a white coating. Cannot taste much and hardly any appetite. My hair started coming out after 14 days, although I did try the cooling cap. The hair has been coming out each day, which, when I saw it coming out in handfuls, was still upsetting. Also a lot of tiredness and fatigue. Having 4 cycles of this drug. Horrid stuff. Will see how I manage after my 2nd cycle tomorrow."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2022

"I had a severe anaphylactic reaction within minutes of my treatment starting. I was told it was most likely due to the solvents in it, which are necessary to enable the body to absorb it. Solvents! That's like paint stripper! No wonder so many people suffer bad side effects on it. I'm now on Nab Paclitaxel, which uses human albumin instead of solvents."