4th chemo infusion: Anyone had worsening symptoms with chemo?

The side effects of chemo have a cumulative effect. I know people that have reported the third session was the worst and in your case it’s the fourth.

You Might tell your doctor about this. There are some drugs that can make the treatments a lot easier to manage. Some people get them with every treatment and others don’t get them at all it seems.

I just heard somebody talking about this a few days ago, but I didn’t write down the drug they were discussing .

I finished my 6th/final infusion 4 weeks ago. My symptoms may have gotten a bit worse with the later treatments, but not much. I was pretty tired until 10-11 days after each infusion. My eyes did start watering after the 5th and 6th (hoping coming to an end now) and some lower back pain seem to start around then. I tried to exercise everyday, skipping a day here and there when I really didn't feel like it. I ate more protein during each recovery cycle and tried to eat healthy most of the time.

What I did not expect was the back and leg aching after I started to tapper off the prednisone (especially in the morning). I also had anxiety a couple nights and couldn't sleep. No one mentioned the adverse effects from getting off the drug.

I wish you the best of luck. You are close to the end!

My husband's side effects increased after every chemo infusion. The side effects are cumulative, as Jeff says. They do subside gradually after chemo ends. See if your medical oncologist can suggest medication to reduce them a bit during chemo. Hang in there--you are closer to the end of the infusions than the beginning.

Amen to that!!

I've developed canker sores on my gums a lot of red bumps down below if you know what I mean oncologist ordered 7 days of steroids on the bumps along with antibiotic cream lidocaine for the canker sores. It seems like it's always something new. Oh well at least I have a new day.

@asolidrock
I am so sorry to hear that : (. Just wanted to say that there is a product named "Kanka" for canker sores. It is not only lidocaine but also has something inside that forms a very fine film over gums and protects sores. Just be sure to follow instructions. You can also try to gently swish and rinse your mouth with some marshmallow tea or other calming herbal tea and see if it will help somewhat. Brush your teeth very gently with ultra soft brush and gentle toothpaste - preferably with one that is natural and formulated for sensitive mouth and gums.
Regarding "other region", try to keep it very clean and dry and use fragrance free detergent and fragrance free softener when washing your underwear. Ask your doctor if bumps are result of fungal overgrowth - if yes, when at home put on long robe and no underwear or pants for as much as you can.

Wishing you fast recovery and sending healing vibes : )

Thank you so much you have been a blessing like everyone else. Hope you have a blessed day.

Saw on CURE 10/22/25 a summary of the ARASAFE study that showed a biweekly Docetaxel infusion regimen of 50mg/m2 (versus the standard triweekly 75mg/m2 regimen) reduced serious side effects without undermining efficacy. It seems this may soon be the SOC. There is also recent research into a weekly regime that shows significant lessening of side effects, too.

I may well be heading that way having just learned my salvage radiation with ADT for 18 months failed after one year following the last ADT injection. Hoping my soon to be oncology team is on board with the research.

For what it’s worth. Keep the faith fellow travelers.

Yes...

For whatever reasons I tolerated the first three reasonably well. Yes, the hair came out, I had the metallic taste...but the fatigue was manageable.

The fourth, well, that was like getting by by the proverbial Mac truck...

Up to that point I had still managed to play full court basketball, go to the gym and ride the indoor bike for 45 minutes, lift weights, swim...heck, even ride my bike outdoors for 25-35 miles.

For whatever reason I could barely function with #4! I struggled to even play half court basketball. At the gym I could barely do maybe 10-15 minutes on the bike...

Strangely, it got "better" with infusions 5 and 6.

As others have said, the effects are cumulative. The mitigating strategy is to do what you can and rest when you can.

As an aside, when I told my oncologist, he ordered extra labs to see if that could determine why, nothing.

Kevin

@reil, sorry to hear that ADT failed you. What did you and your oncology team discuss as next steps?