Taxotere is not currently licensed in England for use as a first line treatment for lung cancer (but there are trials underway). Is this the case in other countries, such as the United States? I'd be very interested in hearing from anybody who has an opinion on whether it is worth foregoing treatment with methotrexate to enter a trial using taxotere instead.

-Remember: YOU ASKED. (My new policy for myself is I don't talk about my experience on Taxotere unless someone asks.) And this is JUST MY EXPERIENCE. I know that there is at least one other person on this board the had no trouble with Taxotere. But . . .

For me, Taxotere was 10,000 times worse than A/C. With my first four treatments of A/C, I was nauseous for a couple of days, but was able to continue my routine and even did some light working out a the gym. I felt good, and life was wonderful.

Treatments 5 thru 8 were Taxotere, and the side effects were so much worse. I had metal mouth, where everything tasted absolutely horrible. I remember living on Ruby Red grapefruit juice. I remember making a dish for a pot luck, and having to ask Hubby to taste because I couldn't. I remember eating, even though it tasted bad, just because I knew I needed the nourishment. Even water tasted bad. Basically, I couldn't eat sweets, dairy, or tomato products. Which makes it rough with a family that lives on casseroles!

My fingertips hurt, and my nails turned funny colors. Some fell off. I lost most of my toe nails. My skin got really, really dry. And the fatigue factor was a lot worse. I remember counting down the hours until someone came to watch my kids so I could take a nap. And doing a lot of reading while the kids played, waiting for Hubby to come home from work.

Reading back on some of my old letters to friends, the first time was the worst. That may have been because I still had A/C in my body. And partly because I had no idea what to expect. As I got to know the routine, it was easier to handle.

-I just finished my last taxotere treatment 2 weeks ago. I was on a clinical trial of 4 AC (3 weeks apart) and 12 taxotere (1 week apart). That's SO true what you said about the taste buds!!! I still can't eat anything, and have to force myself to drink water even. It's a really annoying experience to look at food and know in your mind what it should taste like, only to eat a bite and have it taste like soapy metal. Even chocolate tastes like soapy metal!

My fingertips and toes are the same way as you as well. Funny-colored, and they ache.

My hair started growing back at the beginning of my taxotere, and now that I'm finished, it's falling out again!!

Also, the fatigue factor for me is worse than the AC too. I've been in bed for the last 3 or 4 weeks. I'm trying to be more active, but it's been hard to get motivated. I think part of it is tied to the eating problem, and not really having much energy because of not being able to eat many things.