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June 8, 2025
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Members shared their experiences with Taxol and Carboplatin chemotherapy, with many describing common side effects including fatigue,... Read more

Members shared their experiences with Taxol and Carboplatin chemotherapy, with many describing common side effects including fatigue, neuropathy (numbness in fingers and toes), muscle and joint pain, constipation followed by diarrhea, hair loss (typically after the first or second round), and ear buzzing or dizziness that improved between cycles. Several members offered practical strategies that helped them manage symptoms, such as taking Miralax for constipation, using Gabapentin for neuropathy, icing hands and feet to prevent nerve damage, staying ahead of nausea with prescribed medications, cold capping to preserve some hair, drinking Pedialyte for electrolytes, trying acupuncture for neuropathy relief, and maintaining a routine of proper sleep, nutrition, hydration, and gentle daily walking even when fatigued. A recurring theme was that while the cumulative effects of chemotherapy became more challenging with each round (especially affecting blood counts and requiring delays or boosters like Grastofil), the treatments were more manageable than many had feared, and giving yourself grace, staying positive, and leaning on the community's collective wisdom made the journey more bearable.

A MyEndometrialCancerTeam Member

Cindy…
I hope you have an easy go at all of this. I feel very fortunate as it was not as bad as expected. Serous endometrial stage 3a. Age 77. Had a radical hysterectomy in March 2024 then 6 treatments every 3 weeks, same meds as you. Days3-5 after infusion were the worst with constipation and fatigue.
Lost my hair, heart breaking..but enjoyed the wigs until I got sick of them. My hair has finally grown back, very curly and gray. As far as side effects, constipation and fatigue were my main things. Glad it’s over now and I am doing immunotherapy every six weeks for 2-3 years. I feel great and getting my energy back.
Wish you lots of luck…stay positive and happy! 😊

July 8, 2025
A MyEndometrialCancerTeam Member

Hi Deborah I was diagnosed with stage 3 endometrial cancer 2025 at age 66 and had a robotic total hysterectomy that removed a 6cm tumor. I have had 5 of my 6 rounds of taxel carboplatin and keytruda. I experienced hair loss after second round. Wasn't expecting it that soon. Had a wedding to go to so I was able to get fitted for a beautiful wig from The Wellness House. My other side effects seemed to focus on muscle, joints, and leg pains as well as numb fingers and toes. My legs just feel brittle when I try to walk. Having had previous back issues I was already on Gabapentin. When I visited my pain doc he said its probably neuropathy and he prescribed short term steroids to get through the wedding and then upped my dosage of Gabapentin to 600mg 3 xs a day. It helps along with icing my leg with gel pads.
My next part of treatment will be radiation. Wonder what side effects will happen then.?
Blessings on your journey.

June 8, 2025
A MyEndometrialCancerTeam Member

Thanks for everyone’s insight! Just to add for the neuropathy- I found Acupuncture quite helpful and cold water soaks for my feet. My oncologist also endorsed the acupuncture saying it is one of the few options that have been proven helpful. As for the vaginal dilator, I too will have to use that. They should give you a protocol to use- it prevents scarring and narrowing of the vagina so very important to use it preemptively. A physiotherapist trained in pelvic floor physio who has experience with this is extremely valuable !!

July 9, 2025
A MyEndometrialCancerTeam Member

I am getting taxol and carboplatin every 3 weeks. Had total hysterectomy for high grade serous carcinoma endometrial cancer stage 1a. Positive news that it was early stage, not so positive that is is aggressive. I had 3 treatments so far, going for 4th. Surgeon recommended 3-6, oncologist thought 3 was enough. I said I’d rather b safe than sorry. I’ll see after #4 if u continue. Both drs did recommend brachytherapy. Not looking forward to that. Heard u need to use a dilator after for who knows how long. And what other damage will that cause internally??? Side effects from chemo gave not been too bad. I expected worse. I did start having pain in my knees that kept me awake, thus exhausted the next day. Took a while for steroids to kick in. But that helped. Hair loss even tho I’m cold capping. Basically she’d mostly on top of, but I still have hair. Figured I’d b bald if I didn’t cold capping. Also , icing hands and feet, as everyone said the chemo would cause neuropathy.

July 3, 2025
A MyEndometrialCancerTeam Member

Hi, I had Paclitaxel and Carboplatin - once every 3 weeks - currently just finished 5th of 6 rounds. Dexamethasone and Emend Day 2 and 3 after Chemo were prescribed. Overall response seemed to follow a typical pattern: 1st week following treatment was worst- improved with week 2 and 3 were pretty good -able to do pretty much my daily routine with fatigue being the limiting factor during those 2 weeks. Week 1 after treatment really dealt with bowel issues - Chemo seemed to stall overall bowel movement for the first 4 days - (found day 4 worst for bloat and fatigue) so I would continue to do things to avoid being super constipated once bowels started to move. Fatigue was more a factor during the first week. I found first 3 rounds were not too bad but found 4th and 5th more challenging as my blood count got so low with the cumulative effects; I had to delay #4 by a week as a result. Grastofil injections (5 consecutive days) were added then to boost my bone marrow recovery to avoid any more delays. Grastofil gave me more joint and bone achiness but lasted 5-6 days and then subsided. I lost my hair at the end of the first round. Mild neuropathy pain in my feet began only after round 4 with fingertip numbness after round 5; these would improve by the end of my 3 week cycle. Never had any vomiting or nausea but did have random 'precursor' of heartburn type symptoms at times which I could take a prescribed medication as needed. Biggest piece of advice regarding this was to 'stay ahead of the heartburn or nausea'. I typically never take medication so I initially found myself reluctant to take anything but realized it made a difference in my overall well being and my bowel system. (I also have never had heartburn so really didn't know how it could present. I hope that this helps - overall, Chemotherapy has come a long ways from even 10 years ago. I definitely was thankful that it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. A regular routine of proper sleep, activity, nutrition and hydration was what I followed as much as I could.

June 8, 2025

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