Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Hi, I'm writing for my wife Liddy who just started TCH ... we're on day 4 after the first tx and doing various things learnt from folks on this board to try and keep se's under control. Does anyone have any suggestions or pointers re: diet and/or vitamin supplements? Thanks
Sam
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pejkug3-I drank 100+ ounces of water daily the 2 days before my infusion and the day of and for at least 3-4 days after. I actually think that this and daily exercise is what made my treatments totally doable.
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Yes they took the entire nail. It's starting to hurt now. I'm sure it will go away in about 24 hours though.
Good idea. I think I might order the book used too.
samdobbs Do not take any supplements without approval from your onc. Seriously many of these chemos have certain interactions and SE.This is every important.
Eating healthy with plenty of vegetables, fruits and berries, reduce fat, reduce red meat, fish chicken no skin, no alcohol, high fiber/whole grain… but depending on the SE she may not be able to eat normally. If she has diarrhea she shouldn't be eating high fiber. If she has mouth sores then fruits, berries etc will be to acidic. And of course at least 64oz of fluid. Not just water. Soups, sports drinks etc. all count.
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I ordered the HER2 movie from Netflix yesterday, it should be here tomorrow. Sounds very interesting.
Lago, hope your feeling better tomorrow. Get some rest.0 -
Basia - Did you ever get an answer about recurrence on herceptin? Also, what about your port, scheduled out yet?0
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lago: Many thanks for the tip and warning. I asked about vitamins because I'd heard that this was the period when she is most susceptible due to low wbc counts, but I guess we'll just be extra careful. Foodwise Liddy's able to eat most things so far. Slowly coming out of constipation phase. When you say "no skin" do you mean fruits/vegs and/or chicken? Also should she avoid raw fruits and vegs? Sorry if these questions are naive, but the helpfulness and suggestions here are just incredible.
Sam
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No skin on the chicken because it's high in fat.
If she is on Nuelasta she should have an issue with raw vegetables or fruit. If not she should check with her onc. At the worst she would have to cook everything. I was on Nuelasta so I didn't have to worry. My onc said I could even eat sushi and I did… but when I made cookies I did not eat the uncooked cookie dough. Raw egg was pushing it IMO.
Does your center have a nutritionist? You might inquire about that. The nutritionist can give you much better information.
BTW I was and still am taking vitamins and supplements. My onc knew what I was on and recommended some additional (Calcium because we found out I have osterpenia) stuff.
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Yes, she is on Neulasta, I guess we wer ebeing extra cautious. She's also drinking approx a gallon of fluids daily - but I just read somewhere else that that should be the limit i.e. too much fluids isnt good either. We'll try and find a nutritionist too. Meanwhile, thanks again
Sam
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samdobbs - my onc nurse said up to a gallon was ok.0
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The issue is too much plain water. Fluids like soup or sports drinks are something to add to the mix. Just lots of water only can mess up your electrolytes.
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I agree Lago - I think a gallon of plain water would be a bit much, although I was close to that at times, however, I also ate quite a bit too because it made my stomach feel better.0
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Thanks for the tips Omaz and lago ... today we'll plan to do about 80oz water and 40oz other fluids, I presume soup, tea, juice are ok and count toward the total.
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A better day! I went to work.
Last night was still rough w/ the headache- the headache and no appetite have been my main symptoms (along w/ the ever present pal we all have- fatigue of course).
I tell myself- food and liquids are meant to keep you out of the hospital! So I make myself small portions of anything regardless of nutritional value I can eat. I have still lost weight. I go back to doctor tomorrow.
To me, I did NOT expect the several days of headache. I am thinking it was neulasta since that is a common SE (From their web- I am an RN too and read that stuff thoroughly). I was crying up at 3am again- but finally finally it's eased off (just some weird twinges but not the constant agony).
Hopeful now- had the first chemo 2/16. Hoping I am rising from the ashes now & starting to feel decent (comparatively speaking) YEAH!!!
I did eat and hold ice all during my chemo- the mouth sores are there- but not bad. I iced my nails and toes. I am also putting clear nail hardener on the nails. So far no symptoms there at all.
Have a great day- the sun is out- headache is gone- and feeling thankful for a glimmer of hope.
The tissue expanders still are rough- but I am now realizing if that's my WORST pain- then I need be thankful- sincerely & I am!
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Lisa,
After my first treatment I had a headache for almost two weeks, and about 5 days of it they were so bad all I could do was hold my head and moan...
The good news is, I haven't had any since. My Onc said chemo can cause headaches, but I think my body adjusted. Perhaps yours will as well.
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Lisa - I hope things get better. Keep pushing the water. I fill a two liter container with water, lemon, cucumbers, and ginger (if I have it). It is just easier to take, maybe because it is pretty?!!
Hang in there...this, too shall pass.
Annie
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Lisa and TonLee - interesting, I also had a bad headache with the first one but then not again. Also with the mouth sores my onc nurse told me that with the first treatment there is a lag period where the bone marrow is suppressed and the neulasta stimulation has not kicked in yet. That lag period makes us more prone to mouth sores. With the next treatments however, the bone marrow has already 'expanded' from the neulasta and responds very quickly so there is only a short lag period making mouth sores less likely. I only had them with the first treatment. I did suck on ice for all treatments and always lost my taste for several days so that didn't seem to be connected with the mouth sores.0
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Lisa- Glad you are feeling better- I'm turning the corner on week one and finally feeling better as well. I thought I couldn't take it anymore last night after two days of diarrhea/cramping but finally it seems to have stopped today...
Just returned from a Herceptin infusion. My bone pain was unbearable on Sat/Sun but the Aleve helped (thanks for the tip Lago) and it's finally easing up now. The nurse told me today that my white blood cell count is 30,000+ today as opposed to a norm of around 5,000 and that it's no wonder my bones hurt-guess the neulasta is doing it's job!
Omaz: I'm encouraged to hear that the headache might not happen every time because that has also been very difficult. All of these SEs combined have made this a very tough first week.
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Hi
I just completed the 6th one last week , still suffering from upset stomach and sooo tired all the time but happy to be done. I also had a very bad headache after the first one then it went away it might be your body reacting to all these drugs.
For now my nails are a mess ouch they hurt and my legs are the same they just hurt but i kept my hair due to cold caps.
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LisaGH I had a small sore on my tongue after tx 1 then my entire tongue was sore after tx2 that lasted almost a week. Tx3- TX6 I sucked on ice chips and had no mouth sores. It was really worth it.
Zlota, Yay. Here's your happy dance video: Happy Dance
(yes I do recycle some of my favorites) Sounds like you are suffering from the same lingering SE as I am. I'm 5 weeks out and still have nail issues (fingers/toes) and muscle stiffness especially in my legs.Hang in there everyone. You will get through this.
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Omaz, no answer on the recurrence question, I guess nobody has heard anything one way or the other. Port was taken out on saturday, I am so happy to have it out of me. Even with the stitches I am sleeping better than I was with it.
Zlota, congratulations on finishing! I think being tired is normal, I slept for three days after my last one. The onc PA told me a lot of people have told her they slept a lot after their last treatment.0 -
Just a quick note to tell you ladies that I had my annual mammogram today. It is my 2 year anniv of diagnosis this month. (I finished herceptin in 4/10). I was a little nervous but not too bad. I just am loving my 'normal' life now and don't want anything to interrupt it!
So it all went fine, mammo was normal and she said..."See you next year!" SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!! I know that you ladies who are in the middle of everything now (or just getting started) will appreciate this. You probably cannot imagine going for that long without the endless medical appts you have to go to now. (And I will see the onc a few times over the next year so I'm getting an entire year free.) But time really DOES pass and the completely engrossing part of this journey gets behind you and you CAN start living a regular life again. And it feels SOOOO good to do so.
Just wanted to share my good news and encourage you to keep pressing on, there IS light at the end of this long tunnel and it is NOT another train coming. It is daylight waiting for you.
I also want you to know that I read every post every day and answer when I have something to add. I am in your corner cheering you on, my TCH sisters. If I can ever do anything to help you or you have any questions, please PM me.
In sisterhood and support -
Amy
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Amy - your post is so inspiring and thoughtful. Congratulations on the great mammo news. Please keep up the cheering. I (we) need it!
Annie
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Amy Congrats on the mammo results. That is VERY encouraging to read...it's good to think that all of this will someday not be a day to day struggle. That made me feel a lot better tonight. It's a good reminder that we need to envision a future without all of this. We all appreciate the BCO cheering section
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Yay Amy! I love that it's not a train coming, just a beautiful scenic vista!0
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Hello,
Amy - Thanks for your post - it does indeed seem like an endless road, nice to know some normalcy returns!
Zlota - Yay! You're done!
LisaGH and Dragonfly - we all seem to be in the same boat. It is interesting that on the Feb Chemo thread we seem to be having common problems, I guess because of the same cocktail. My tummy issues finally seem to be under control as of this afternoon. Not all that hungry and definitely headache, which seems to have subsided this evening. My anti-nausea (Zofran) also carries headache warnings on the label but I stopped taking it Sunday morning. Let's hope it is a 1st tx problem as the other ladies indicated. I also have a mean ringing in my ears - Carboplatin SE.
Hang in...
Kathie
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Can someone tell me if they've had a really hard time with diarrhea/cramping? I had my first TCH on 2/15 and I started getting diarrhea with really bad cramping on Saturday night (2/19). I thought it was over yesterday but then it started all over again last night! It's so painful not to mention I don't think I'm keeping a lot of food/fluids in my system. I'm using immodium like the nurses told me to do-they told me to use it sparingly so I don't end up with really bad constipation-but I make it through the daytime and then have this terrible issue every night. It's wearing me out. I thought I would be feeling better by now...
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My daughter had that with her first TCH but it resolved since then. No fun going through it. Keep the fluids going - clear only and with some electrolytes like Gador Aid.
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Hi Dragonfly - sorry if this a repeat post, but it may help! Hang in there. My first TCH I felt great on days 2 and 3 - out and about. I had some diarrhea, then on day #3 I had constipation that was really bothersome. On day 4...8 I had terrible diarrhea and cramping that woke me up at night. I even had to use A&D. Because of my fear of constipation, I did not take immodium. Long story short, I ended up losing 7 pounds in those 8 days, went into the clinic for fluids and a new anti-nasuea drugs in the drip. Was lectured on why I did not take more immodium. Also lectured on taking avitan, compazine, and zofran staggered and overlapping since they have mechanisms of action.
I would call the onco office and get in for some fluids - today! I am on #3 of 6 and had chemo on Monday (by the way, they added decadron, emend for rounds 2 &3, plus fluids at clinic on day 3). Felt great (really) on round 2 and so far feel great on round 3.
LOVE TO YOU...THIS WILL GET BETTER!
Annie
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I had the same issues with treatment 1&2. Talk to your onc. About it. First ha gave me prescription strength imodium ad then he lowered my taxotere by 10%, which helped. He gradually upped my taxotere with each following treatment. I did not have much of a diarrhea problem afterwards and didn't need imodium.
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Annie, I was actually at the clinic yesterday for the Herceptin infusion and told them what is going on. They told me to just keep taking the immodium (but to be careful not to overdo it) and to keep taking lots of fluids until it takes its course... I'm okay during the day but it seems to be a problem every night. I've had 4 nights of it so far...maybe it's almost over? Please tell me you didn't have this every cycle? I haven't lost too much weight because I ate normally the first few days but I can't keep this up...I know I can make up for it if this stops.
Motherofpatient: your daughter only had this the first time? That's encouraging...
I think I'm honestly more worried about facing this again on every cycle..I just can't stand the thought of it! I've been just crying at night in pain and begging for it to stop. It's been the worst side effect so far:(
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