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Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

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Comments

  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 1,589
    edited January 2011

    I agree Libra!

  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 426
    edited January 2011

    I had my period the day of my first chemo also. What is UP with that??  Anyway, I was 51 at the time and still having regular monthly periods. And that was the last one I ever had. That was about 20 months ago and I figure I am done. Haven't had any tests about it, or anything, and my doctor put me on Tamox, rather than an AI since they weren't sure if it was chemopause or permanent menopause.  I see the onc in April (which will be 2 years since my last period) and will ask them then if I am considered menopausal and if we should consider switching to an AI. I'll let you know what I find out.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited January 2011
    Amy -Yes, let us know - I am in a very similar situation.  thanks
  • elaineg
    elaineg Member Posts: 85
    edited January 2011

    I will ask Wednesday As well. I thought they could do a blood test to see it u were really in menopause or not? So much I don't know ...

  • elaineg
    elaineg Member Posts: 85
    edited January 2011

    Adding to my favorites...

  • Anniemomofthree
    Anniemomofthree Member Posts: 370
    edited January 2011

    I agree, as well.  There is a thread for triple positives....but they spelled "tripple" and therefore few hits!  I thought about re-starting that one, but had no clue how to start a new one!  If someone knows, go ahead and we can all join!

    Annie

  • nora_az
    nora_az Member Posts: 391
    edited January 2011

    No period at all here.  On occasion I will have a tiny spotting. I was always regular when I had my period I just figure it's not wanting to go down without a fight!.

    I did clarify it with the doctor on Friday that the object is to keep me in menopause from here on out. Why it was such a secret is beyond me but I let her know that from here on out I want to know what to expect and what is expcected of my own body.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited January 2011

    anniemothreofthree - we should start a new one for triple positive = 

    I think you go to the forum index, then pick a forum such as 'Forum: HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer' and then start a new one.  I am not sure which forum.

  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 1,589
    edited January 2011

    Thread is started!!  Here:

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topic/764183

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2011

    There is this thread: Triple Positivers/Chemo regimens and experiences

     You have reached menopause once you have not had a period for 1 year but I don't know how that works for chemopause. My onc said she was going to monitor me so I just assumed it was a blood test.

  • allisontom911
    allisontom911 Member Posts: 99
    edited January 2011

    @GK1 - no Tamox for me. I am ER/PR -. So not sure about periods coming back during that time.

    When talking with my onc about my periods, he said he would do a blood test to see about menopause once it was 6 months without a period AFTER chemo was done. Well it came back almost 6 months later. I know some have gone a year. It was nice while it lasted.

  • PGK
    PGK Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011

    @allison

    Thanks :)  I had to reschedule my onc appointment to this Wednesday, so I will ask her. 

    Generally, if people go into official menopause, does the tamox get substituted out for an AI?

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2011

    Tamox will work for women who are menopausal. on Tamox has a very small chance of endometrial cancer and also blood clots. Als don't have this SE but do have other SE (bone loss) that tamox doesn't have. I have also read that in some cases tamox doesn't work as well on HER2+ women but I'm not sure how true that is. Your onc should take all these things into consideration.

  • PGK
    PGK Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011

    @Lago

    Thanks.  I read that, too (about tamox possibly not working as well on HER2+ women).  I will certainly ask her about it on Wednesday.  I know we had our final TCH during the same week. How are your nails holding up?  My worst TCH SE was that I broke out after every treatment on my back and face.  The onc thought it might have been a SE from the steroids so she dialed them back.  I'm not so sure,  because it still seems to be a problem.  I hope it goes away for good after this recovery period.  I'm not sure I can deal with a full year of this it's from the Herceptin!  Grrr.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2011

    Nail still suck.Frown Large right toe is so lifted it makes walking a little challenging. Fingers not quite as bad as yesterday so far. Another one started to ooze at physical terrorism this morning. Bit gross but that's a good thing. When they drain they tend to not be as raised in about a week.Oh yes and still smell.

    Still have all my fingernails though.

  • PGK
    PGK Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011

    @Lago

    "physical terrorism"  ... lol. Funny. 

    Glad you kept all of your nails.  I have mine, too, but I must admit that typing is more challenging these days.  Wink

  • elaineg
    elaineg Member Posts: 85
    edited January 2011

    Lago we are twins on the large right toe!  I decided mine was from having my foot on the accelerator which puts it close to the hot air which I always put on the "foot" setting so it doesn't blow in my weepy eyes :) but now I am not sure, do you do a lot of driving in Chicago?  that seems like more of a walking or train city...

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2011

    Elaineg Typically I walk or take public transportation but there are times I do drive. I will be driving to my herceptin infusions but my last chemo my husband couldn't take me (new job) so I took public there and a cab back. I used to work not far from where I'm being treated. I always took public to work.

    BTW my left toe nail was clipped off, or at least 2/3 of it by the podiatrist 1.5 months ago.  Lost another of the smaller toes on the right but I don't know when. Didn't even notice it but the podiatrist did.

  • elaineg
    elaineg Member Posts: 85
    edited January 2011

    eeewwwww lago what is under the nail when they cut that much off?  I am imagining some sort of gooey bloody mess.  I hope mine behaves and stays where it is until a baby one grows under it!  

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2011

    That one wasn't bloody thank goodness. She got it before it got gooey.

  • bpositive
    bpositive Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2011

    @ lago and elaineg...when did you first notice your nail issue?  was it after the first treatment?  I feel like im waiting for some more side effects...Im 14 days out of my first treatment and I know the hair thing is coming....but the only thing I have had is funny taste in my mouth and hot flashes...Im so anxious waiting for the other side effects....wondering when you first noticed something...  Hugs to all 

  • elaineg
    elaineg Member Posts: 85
    edited February 2011

    My nails did not start showing any signs until after 4th treatment going into 5th they started looking bruised. Toenails started first then fingernails. And got worse after fifth kind of gradually. Seems like the hurt a little before they showed up brown. That is all from memory. Lago will be able to share even better she keeps a nice log and has encouraged others to do so. Would be a good idea which I did not listen to :)

    I also had one eye start twitching pretty early in like they do if you are tired. Now that eye just waters like crazy all the time. Can't keep makeup on it. That is in the last week and I have last of 6 treatments today (yay)

    I actually felt the worst physically the first treatment. Bad constipation and bone aches after the Neulasta shot. Then I figured out how to deal with that and my body must have gotten used to it because subsequent treatments were actually much easier. I read many posts to fear #4 but for me it was same as the others. I did drink tons of water and walked at least 2 miles a day even if it was super cold although may need to find a treadmill for the upcoming blizzard we are supposed to have!

    the only other thing I have that also was gradual and more obvious many midway through is my heart beats like crazy when I go upstairs and going up is much harder for me than walking. And my legs feel like they are swollen but don't really look so but when I lay in Ned and bend them they hurt like they are stretching the skin. Hard to explain but my oncologist said to keep working out because if I didn't it would just take that much longer to get back in shape when chemo is over (again today. Not bragging just saying)

    Sorry for such a long post but wanted to think back at everything and in doing so I must say not so bad for me and hope you find the same in your journey.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited February 2011
    bpositive - I would suggest that you ice your fingers during taxotere.  15 min  before, 15 after.  I used frozen peas, insulated lunch sacks from target and cotton gloves.  I also did my toes and head.  Though not everyone gets nail problems I thought I would reduce my chances.  There are a couple good studies out there using the frozen glove that you can google.
  • sunflower71
    sunflower71 Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2011

    bpositive- I have iced my nails since the beginning and keep nail polish on all the time. They are actually stronger now, weird.  I have pain in my fingers, but tha is from neuropathy (started after round 3).  I found that my SEs are the worst days 3-7, after that I begin to feel normal again.  If you are on day 14 and feeling good then you maybe one of the "lucky" ones with minimals SEs!  I am keeping my fingers crossed for you! 

  • nora_az
    nora_az Member Posts: 391
    edited February 2011

    Thank goodness my nails have been fine so far. Just finished up number 4 on Friday. I am a bit more out of it than normal but doing ok. No appetite at all but I'm sure that will come back and strong again just like it always does  :)

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2011

    bpositive I swear elaineg and I could be twins. Toenails started to discolor with TX 3. Fingers started to hurt (but not change color) also after TX 3. I didn't start icing till TX 5. Start ASAP. The fingers really started to hurt (and change color/lift) after tx 4 and have continued to do so. I lost one small toe nail and one of my large toenails was clipped almost all the way off by the podiatrist. The other large toe nail is so lifted that it hurts to walk in most shoes. The podiatrist can't cut it down because although lifted it hasn't separated from the nail bed… not pretty.

    Has I know about icing I would have started from the beginning. It's not common to get it as bad as me (all fingernails have lifted except my pinkies) but it does happen. I have to say this is the wost SE for me because it just doesn't go away that quickly. It impairs what I can do including walking/working out. I too kept clear polish on my nails (including toes) so I didn't have any breaking or flaking.

    TX 4 was bad for me only because my fingers really hurt so bad that some where throbbing and I also got lymphedema. Not that the lymphedema hurt badly but psychologically I was very disappointed I got it.

    The other thing that really increased after tx 4 was the stiffness which has continued to get worse. I can barely do 1 lunge when before chemo I could do 30 on each leg.

    elaineg Yes I too have the eye floods. It became a problem after this tx6. It's worse when I go outside. I am still retaining fluid. I see it in the scale and my legs, arms and belly.

  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 345
    edited February 2011

    Anyone sleep for days after last chemo? Wed was my last TC and I swear I've been sleeping ever since.  I assume that its my body's way of finally relaxing and getting some much needed rest.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited February 2011
    Enjoy it Basia!!  Congrats!!
  • zlota
    zlota Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2011

    Basia,

    I had my 5th one last week and I'm still so tired and sleepy, I put my kids to bed around 8 and 15 min later I'm asleep, wake uo at 6 and you would think that after 10 hours I would be rested but no I could sleep for another 10, sitting at work now and my eyes are closing. Our bodies are tired and I know that if your red blood cells are low (mine are) that just adds to your tiredness.

    So sleep as much as you can, its over for you, yay congrats

  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 345
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Omaz!

    Zlota, hang in there, one more for you and you'll be done too.   

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