docetaxel vs. taxol
 

started docetaxel, Herceptin and pertuzumab on Aug. 1st because of lung mets. Have never been this sick and the body pain is horrible not to mention the diarrhea and sore mouth. If I stay like this not sure how I'll be able to stay at work. I didn't have many issues while on taxol. I'm wondering what the difference between the two are. I'm wondering if I can ask for taxol instead. Is docetaxel the choice for lung mets? thanks for any insight. can't afford not to work.

Re: docetaxel vs. taxol
 

I was on the same chemo regimen for 6 cycles. The first cycle was the worst! Due to my counts not coming up quickly enough I received a neulasta injection the day after chemo for the other 5 cycles, this helped to keep the mouth sores an other body pain at bay. With the neulasta I took 10 mg of over the counter Claritin for 7 days starting the same day as the injection. The Claritin is recommended to quell the body aches that it may cause, with this combination I was able to tolerate the treatment and function at a reasonable level. My cancer involved my liver, several nodes, and right breast, I am currently NED. Hope this helps, hang in there it will get better.

Re: docetaxel vs. taxol
 

Are you taking anti nausea meds? Zofran worked well for me and I'd I had Nystatin for the mouth sores but do ask for something to help with the Diarrhea. hang in there and hope it gets easier for you.

Re: docetaxel vs. taxol
 

I have been on Docetaxel and Herceptin on a weekly regimen for lungs and liver mets and I was more in a hospital than at home as my counts were not recovering fast enough. I had severe mucositis with a bonus of a viral mouth infection that went away only when they started to do neupogen injections (to increase wbc). Since then, I have started the Abraxane, Herceptin and Perjeta and Abraxane (a taxane) is much lighter in terms of side effects, not free of them but compared with docetaxel, a walk in the park.
If Taxotere is hard on you, ask for Abraxane. You need to be strong for a long time to be able to do treatments. Sending you positive thoughts!