Gem/Doce (gemcitabine + docetaxel): What side effects did you have?

I just had my 10th maintenance gem/dox. I have polyneuropathy along with the bladder cancer so my neurologist told me that anytime the chemo infusion ending in x is given it will affect my neuropathy. Initially, the effect was more numbness above my knee. I have had greater amounts of fatigue and memory loss also, but I equate that more to age (78). What happened last treatment however was really strange. I had my infusion of gemcitabine. After 15 minutes or so, my feet felt like they were on fire, then as that subsided my legs got ice cold. This lasted for several minutes. It was hard for me to stand and walk and when I did the feet and legs stayed cold. When I went in for my dox I told the nurse who said she never heard of such a reaction but would note it. Like I said, I also have polyneuropathy.

@lacks
Hi, I don't get those side effects. I do however get UTI symptoms, but no infection. I have had 15 treatments. The last 3 were the ones with the UTI. Still have the symptoms 2 months after the chemo. I also have really bad muscle spasms in the legs, during the night. I never thought it could be from the chemo, since I always have them, just not as bad. I hope you can find relief, and answers. Blessings

@lacks, it's not uncommon for side effects to increase over the course of treatment, especially fatigue and sometimes brain fog or cognitive issues. Did you have a chancce to discuss your side effects of tremors, memory issues and fatigue with your oncologist? How many more treatments do you have?

Thank you for asking. I did discuss everything with my physician. She told me if I thought I was having an allergic reaction to the chemo that we should stop. I am going to try one more treatment and should the same side effects occur. We will be finished at this moment I have three more treatments to go.

I had 15 treatments of gem/doc. The side effects increased over time. Very similar effects that you described. Some people don’t experience these side effects and only have minor issues. Everyone reacts to drugs differently. It has taken awhile for my body to recover and I’m grateful for that, continuing with treatment when you’re experiencing severe side effects is very difficult to make. I wish you the best!

I’ve completed 11 monthly treatments in addition to the 6 week induction phase. After the 9th monthly treatment I began to experience stiffness and discomfort in my muscles in various locations throughout the body. I’m planning to discuss this with my doctor .

At month 10, I began experiencing muscle weakness and stiffness. At month 11, the muscle weakness increased along with fatigue. Tomorrow is month 12. I’ll discuss these changes with the infusion nurse to inform
my doctor. I’m looking to understand if the best decision is to press through to keep going to month 24? My doctor constantly says I can stop anytime I want.

I have experienced a great deal of muscle weakness, and fatigue during my treatment process. Tomorrow is my 12th and last monthly treatment.
Personally, I don’t think I could manage 24 treatments. At month nine I discussed my symptoms with my Doctor who told me it was completely up to me whether I wanted to continue or stop. I have struggled through these last two treatments and look forward to having this phase finished by tomorrow.
I wish you the best of luck with whatever decision you decide to make. I know these are very difficult and personal choices we have to make for ourselves and our families.

@djac, have you had a chance to discuss further with your oncologist? What did you learn? How are you doing?

@colleenyoung I spoke with my doctor on Wednesday, explaining that the side effects have increased and are more intense, and I advised that I wanted to stop. He agreed to stop my treatments immediately. I am actually relieved. I now realize I am having GI discomfort, brain fog and lower back pain,
in addition to inflammation and UTI track pain. I'm scheduled for a cystoscopy in November. Thanks for asking!