Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Thanks cowgirl - I think keeping moving helps. It's good know that you got better, light at the end of the tunnel!0
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Lago,
I'm with you about the hair. I couldn't care less. In the big scheme of things...it's not even on radar.
4th treatment was Tuesday...today I'm a little shakey...but Milk of Mag. is the best!! I'd much rather be loose than constipated.
Since I can't drink green tea, I'm drinking koolaid sweetened (just a bit) with Stevia. It's not as good, doesn't quite hit the spot, but it tastes so much better than plain water right now.
I am going to an opthomologist the first week in March about the watering eyes, will let you know what I find out.
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About the inflexibility.....
When did it start?
Did anyone do yoga and daily stretching exercises and still get it?
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Stiffness really set in after tx 4 but started after tx3. I'm trying to stretch but I am really that stiff. Hope this wears off soon.
I'm seeing an ophthalmologist next week because of the blood vessal bursts I keep getting… only recommended as a precaution.
Have you tried V8 Fusion lite? I like the peach mango and strawberry banana flavors.
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I agree with lago about the timeline for the stiffness. I couldn't prevent it, it just happened.
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I started noticing it partway through TCH. Then it seemed to dissipate a bit during H-only, but it wasn't until a few months after Herceptin was totally done that I realized it had gone away. And I exercised throughout the entire experience, to one degree or another.
I would sit and watch tv, and then when I went to get up, I would really hobble for the first few steps and then I would be ok. I also noticed that it was harder to do my stretching, I just was less flexible generally. I remember a time my kids were visiting and I got up from the chair and did my usual stiff first few steps and they were kind of horrified. Then I realized it really had gotten significant, and I was just used to it.
But a few months after Herceptin ended, as I said, it seemed to melt away. And now, 8 months after finishing Herceptin, I don't even think about it anymore. Well, maybe a little after a long car ride, but that is probably age related, to be honest!
So hang in there, sisters. Time will bring you back!
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Thanks Amy! You describe it perfectly.0
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Yes Lago, I've tried V8 fusion...I water it down so I'm not getting lots of empty calories...like you, I enjoy eating them...heh.
So far so good on the stiffness, I keep using my balance ball, pilates, yoga...have to see how it goes I guess....
Thanks for the info!
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How many herceptins do most people get? I have already had 20 and I have to get it until Aug. my bones hurt so bad and it has gotten worse since stopping chemo in Dec. Good thing I see the Onc tomorrow.
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I had 1 with my 6 chemos followed by 11 more till Sept/October. Total 17 every 3 weeks.
IowaSue are you getting them weekly?
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iowasue - let us know what the onc says about your bones.0
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on hair and other things. A group of 5 of us at my school finished our National Board Certification last year and were notified pass/fail in December. I passed and tonight was a "reception" to meet the superintendent, etc. Tired from work I decided not to go. My friend cannot understand why. I just told her after the way this year has been I don't give a rat's a$$ about shaking the superintendent's hand. Someone can pick up my certificate for me. Things become so unimportant in the grand scheme when you are diagnosed with BC. (Well at least BC kept my mind off of it while I was waiting 6 months for the results) libray lil0
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I had herceptin weekly through chemo, chemo was every three week but herceptin was weekly, then I had radiation and onc. said herceptin weakly through radiation. I just started every 3 week with herceptin just now, so I have had herceptin weekly since Aug. Last herceptin I asked if it would be stronger because I would be getting it only every three weeks and the nurse said no it would be the same. I can say I feel like I've had quiet enough, very tired of the bone pain. Sorry to be wihning, I am usually way more positive.
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iowaSue - I don't think that nurse is correct, if it is every 3 weeks it should be the weekly dose x3 I think. Can someone else verify??0
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I am getting so scared. Start TCH next wk. Got my port Monday. Feel like I am having some anxiety- thought something was wrong w/ my port- I can feel it. It doesn't hurt- just feels like something foreign and stiff inside my chest and neck (and that's because there is something there!!!!)
What is the order of the meds and how long do they take? They said about 4 hours total?
Not sure if I'll get premeds.
Did any/all of you have ativan ordered before? If so, did you take it before or did they give it during chemo.
I want to get started,but I am also scared.
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LisaGH - my wife had TCH #4 today (2 more to go!), she's usually pretty tired and achy around days 3-7, but other than that she's been ok. She had some mouth sores after the first treatment but religiously uses biotene rinse and toothpaste now. She has had some very mild nausea and other stomach issues, but nothing she couldn't manage and so far no vomiting. Hair loss and fatigue have been the biggest complaints so far along with a metallic taste and some pain from the neulasta shots.
Her first treatment took over 5 hours, subsequent treatments take about 3-4. They usually give her an anti-nausea and steroid drug, then taxotere, carbo, and herceptin in that order. The first herceptin went very slow because they wanted to make sure there was no allergic reaction. In treatments 2/3 they gave her herceptin first because the nurse said it is better to wait on the others so the anti-nausea drug can fully take effect. Today though it was back to T-C-H as the order (after anti-nausea/steroids). It seems like there is a lot of variety in treatment plans and some centers give benadryl. She also gets dexamethasone on days before and after treatment.
Good luck with your treatment. It really helps us a lot to read the experiences of others in here.
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I have Onc.appointment tomorrow, I will ask her about the strength of herceptin and why I am getting so many herceptin.
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I am interested too Sue!
LisaGH - It takes a little bit of time to get used to the port. I have had mine since Aug and it still bothers me sometimes when I sleep on that side or move funny. Is yours on the left or right side? Mine is on the left. The doctor told me that the muscles can be sore and your chest can feel tight for a few days. I did get a little ativan in my infusion because I was nervous before each treatment. It helped. Just ask, they do it all the time. I put my fingers in frozen peas to prevent nail problems. Not everyone gets nail problems but some do and I just wanted to avoid it if I could. Best wishes to you, what day is your first treatment? Please come back and tell us how you are doing! We are with you in spirit all the way.
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LisaGH I'm right there with you. I got my port on Tuesday. Mine is on the left side and it's bothering me quite a bit. The soreness is not too bad but I feel a little short of breath (sort of)-like heavy pressure or something. It's just weird and uncomfortable. I also got a really bad rash from the betadyne they used just like I did during my first surgery-I told them about the reaction but they still sloshed it all over me...
Anyway, I'm starting TCH on Tuesday and I'm really getting nervous too. I think it's just the anticipation of all the possible side effects. I don't know about premeds either-they didn't really say. My prescription for steroids is for day 2 and 3. They told me to prepare for 5 hours for the first TCH. I'm still trying to work too. Maybe I'm crazy-guess I'll find out soon...hang in there...we're on the same schedule.
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LisaGH and Dragonfly - you will all do fine! This is really doable! The port is a weird thing. My nurse told me that once the port gets used, it will feel better. i completely agree. i am done with #2 of 6 TCH. Initially the port was bothersome, almost more than my BMX. I had discomfort sleeping, always knew it there, kept touching it, etc. It bothered me! Then after some use (which by the way is SO CONVENIENT!!!) I forgot about it being there. In fact, I had to touch it to remember how big it was. I am 34 days into this adventure and thought that port would bother me the entire time. It has been wonderful...I dread an arm needle stick now that I have port!
Keep in touch with all of us. It is such a wonderful and supportive group. We are here for each other!
Annie
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IowaSue I agree with Omaz. If you are getting it weekly it's a smaller dose from what I've heard.
LisaGH TCH is the order in which I got infused. The T took an hour and the C/H took a 1/2 hour each but all will take a little longer the first time because the infuse you slower just to make sure you don't get any reaction. If they see you are doing OK then they speed it up. Eventually you will feel your port less and less but it took some time for me. I sometimes still feel it if I move my arm a certain way. I have no fat on my upper body so I'm sure that's why I notice more than others.
LisaGH we were all scared. It ended up being very uneventful for me. Granted we all get some of the SE but not all. Most of us do fine. Only a very few have big issues. Many of the small issues… they have drugs for that.
I finished my THC 3.5 weeks ago. I have never had any "chemo brain". I still have finger issues (I got it usually bad), numb left heel (barely notice it though), stiffness and fluid retention. Oh yeah and chemo-pause but I just turned 49+1 and peri anyway so no big deal. Being hormone positive I consider that a good thing.
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Hi Ladies, getting herceptin now. I asked and onc said it is triple what it was weekly. I guess the nurses that gives the meds. don't know much lol. I didn't get an answer on the bone pain, seiously we talked about it and then she start talking about another problem I am having plus she was in a hurry. I am still here maybe I will get some answers before I leave today.
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TonLee I haven't read all the posts here, but noticed that you were worried about your eyes watering all the time. I also experienced watering eyes all through my TCH treatments. I tried getting anti allergy make-up and that didn't work. I finally just gave up wearing make-up because it would run off as soon as I put it on. As soon as I was done with the TC it went away. I didn't have a problem with it when on Herceptin alone.
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Thanks Glad...My Onc seems to think the tear duct may be closed (taxo causes it to constrict, he says) and my left eye is much worse than my right. So I'm going to an Opthomologist the first week in March hopefully to get some steroid eyedrops to open that sucker back up.
The watering eye also causes the runny nose, which is not pretty when it is bleeding....so hoping for some relief from the Opth. I'll wait and see I guess.
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TonLee my watery eyes seem to be getting better.(3.5 weeks from last chemo). I should know about the nosebleed on Tuesday. They usually take 1 week after infusion. Hopefully it's not from the hereceptin and I won't have to deal with it anymore. I see the ophthalmologist on Thursday because of the blood vessel that keeps bursting in my left eye.0
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My doc said to try over the counter drops for the watery eye. My left one is the worst. Anyway all I see are drops for wetting. None for drying. And mine has gotten better since last treatment. But the weather has also gotten warmer. Sometimes the cold wind would get the run starred and it wouldn't quit!!
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Hey Ladies, I haven't posted in quite a while... Hope everyone is doing well!! I finished my herceptin in Dec, and went to the dr for the second time this year. After I left, they called and told me that they had scheduled a MUGA scan. Is that standard? To have one more after finishing herceptin? Was just curious.... They also said they like patients to keep their ports for 1 year after finishing treatment. Anyone been told that??
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I've had 6 chemos with herceptin and 1 herceptin only. I was gaining so much weight in fluid I couldn't zip up my booties over my ankles the other day. I have complained about this since my 2tx and it continued to get worse. Finally they gave me a low dose diuretic. I've lost 8.5lbs since Tuesday!
They did ask me if I had shortness of breath every time though. I had a MUGA before treatment but they haven't order another one. With all this water gain I was concerned about CHF but they seem to think it's from the taxotere. I'm not sure if they will do another MUGA. They seem to only do additional tests if there is a symptom.
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Lago!
8.5 lbs!! WOW! That's awesome! I am so happy for you because I know you're an exerciser and heavy liquid filled legs are not exactly conducive to working out.
Thank you so much for that info, because my legs do have some swelling....nothing too bad yet (and like you, it goes DOWN with steroids now...lol), but I have 2 more treatments and by the end it is nice to know there is an answer.
Do your legs feel lighter? Less taut?
I can't wait to be done with the steroids and get my face, arms, and neck back!! lol
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Ok, I've mentioned this before, but seriously I'd like some feedback....
Starting about 3 days after infusion, I get incredibly hungry. I don't mean my stomach growls (it does that for an entire week with hunger), but the kind of hungry a woman gets when she's PMSing and nothing fills her belly, times 1000.
I can deal with hunger (usually even though it is borderline painful, the kind of painful you can't ignore...and no it's not indigestion...lol)..and I even have what I call "hunger" weakness....you know how you might forget to eat for a day or two because you're busy, and then the third day you can't figure out why you're so weak? Then you eat and feel fine? (Well ok, maybe I'm the only one who does this...)
I've tried fiber, protein, even fat and sugar in shameful amounts every two hours! No matter how much I eat, or even WHAT I eat, I am so hungry all the time. It lasts about 7-10 days, then I'm back to "normal."
Anyone else experience this? I'd like to find something healthy, filling, that allows me to function on a mental and physical level without being distracted by the hunger.
Am I just whistlin' dixie?
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