Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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nmoss, I will start treatment tomorrow but my onc is letting me forego Neulasta because the thought of the bone pain scared me so much. He said we could go without it and see what happened, so maybe you could try the rest of your chemo without it as well?
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nmoss - I wondered that too - maybe try your next tx without Neulasta and see what happens to your counts and your level of pain. Also, I apologize for not remembering but are you adjuvent? I still had Rx left from my BMX and during the first tx I took it for headache/bone pain because it was overwhelming. I agree - maybe your onc will prescribe a narcotic rather than have you stop at 4 tx if you don't have anything at home you can take.
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Nmoss CarylC my mo did not order neulasta routinely. I had 3 neupogen shots when my counts got really low toward the end. I did not have any SE from the neupogen. My WBC rebounded in time for my scheduled TCH. Libraylil
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Hi Ladies good luck to those of you getting TX this week, I pray you all bounce back quickly and with minimal SE. I have been reading the posts on suggestions and thanks to all of your input & insight. I spoke with my onc again today and he will "prefer" me not to skip the Nuelasta because of my counts being on or above levels is proving that it is needed and doing it's job. He is not a fan of Nuupagen, he says its the older version of Nuelasta and the results vary each injection. He agreed to prescribe Oxy for next TX round. So that is progress. I think I am going to commit to one round each until the next one comes and see what the outcome is if any (fingers crossed).. The chemo SE are manageable thus far. I will admit part of the decision is fear, with each TX some new SE pop's up and I am afraid by the end physically & emotionally there will be very little of me left. I am still experiencing some sort of PTSD for the pain from the BMX.
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((((Hugs)))))) nmoss!0
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Nmoss, you have been through a lot. Keeping marking off those treatments. After the 3rd one. I felt like it was actually going to end...I could visualize the last chemo. Treat and pamper yourself this weekend.
Lib ray lil0 -
I agree with you libraylil. I had Round #4 TCH today. I always worry/dread/fear going in. And platelets had been low- but are ok. I got my treatment. It is great to say that I only have 2 more left. I know that the weekend and next days will be tough. But I do see/feel the end now- I am 66.666% done!
Planning on working tomorrow then off for a few days and will work if I can and work from home for work alot.
Hoping for fewer side effects. On downer, hemoglobin is lowest ever now at 8.5. At least if I get a transfusion (MD says I have to at 7 or sooner if fatigue, etc is bad). I will probably only need one now that I have made it past w/o one through 4 treatments.
My tissue expanders are now getting tough to deal with- I had a fill 4/6 which still is a bit sore- and they said it will be this way from now until the exchange. It's not unbearable- but if I role over accidentally in my sleep on the right side- wakes me up hurting. I have been getting slow fills. Have 2 more to go. Now at 310 total in each side.
I have been down (as the journey is the roller coaster ride for us all). Today feels good- got the chemo- not bad yet (that for me starts w/ bad weakness about 24 hrs out then for several days after too). So, I am glad for today- out of the chair- 4th treatment in- and yes Libarylil- I am feeling like this will end too- thank you for sharing that.
Thanks to you all- this is a great support- I love being on the board/thread with folks getting my exact same meds. It's so helpful.
Lisa
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LisaGH So glad you were able to complete TCH#4 without any delay...let's hope the hemoglobin holds out and you can keep avoiding that transfusion! I've been thinking of you and SpecialK since we are all so close together in our treatment schedule. I'm hoping our SEs are manageable this time.
My worst SEs always start on Friday following the Tues chemo and continue through the following Wed every single time-yukkk! My worst SEs are the 1 intense day of bone pain from neulasta and 4 days of the big D with terrible cramping...nothing has worked for me except going to a liquid/soft diet until it finally clears my system. I still get the occasional mega-headaches as well. I've noticed that my muscles are really beginning to "burn" no matter what I do-even just walking at a brisk pace on flat surfaces. If I walk up steps it feels like I've climbed a mountain-feeling like I'm 80 instead of 41 at this point. My vision seems to have changed as well which is very frustrating. I had PRK surgery to correct it a few years ago (from 20/850 i.e. legal blindness to 20/20) and now it's noticeably getting worse during chemo-i.e. blurry/just not as sharp as it was-ARGHH! Sorry to rant but I'm wondering what other problems this chemo is going to cause! On a positive note, my nails are slightly better and don't hurt as bad. They are still discolored but seem to have calmed down this week. Maybe the icing is going to prevent them from progressing too far...
Hope everyone is doing okay this week and happy Passover and Easter to everyone...
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dragonfly - I had the exact same thing with my muscles! Especially in my thighs.0
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Got through my first treatment. Everything was fine until Herceptin time. Then got a horrible stomach ache and a crushing band across my chest and back. We had to stop the drip while they gave me two other meds, don't remember what they were, wait for it to stop and restart the Herceptin. I still have an upset stomach but the chest pressure stopped. I was so glad. I would have hated to not be able to take the Herceptin!
The Benadryl totally knocked me out! I'm still sleepy from it and chemo was over 3 hours ago.
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Welcome caryl. One down, glad they were able to get your herceptin adjusted. Libraylil
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Hey All,
LisaGH - Glad you made it through today. The only part of tomorrow I am happy about is that we will be 2/3 done! Yay! Stay on the protein, red meat, leafy greens - whatever you can handle to bring up your hemoglobin. I am worried about what my CBC will show tomorrow too - I went from 11.2 to 10.2 last week. I think some folks whose posts I have read have said that those last few fills make the whole thing uncomfortable and they took ibuprofen to remain comfortable. Has your PS indicated when you can exchange? Make sure you are resting too - don't do too much!
dragonfly - I saw a zillion dragonflies today! There is apparently a dragonfly conference in my neighborhood today! I think Lisa had trouble with the burning muscles thing also. I wonder if it has to do with the oxygenation of the muscles. It is like they tire too quickly. I have noticed getting winded more easily too. If I make the bed I have to then lay on it to recover! I have been walking this week with my neighbor at 5:30 a.m. - we go 2 miles and then she has to come back to get her kiddos up for school. Maybe I won't be able to do that for much longer? I have also noticed the need to put my reading glasses on for EVERYTHING! It is driving me nuts. I wonder if that is a temporary SE. Somebody said that the watering eyes is really like dry eyes. Mine seem to be irritated, especially when I first wake up. That is when they seem to water the most too. I am glad your nails are in a holding pattern.
CarylC - Did you take some Xanax or an Ativan by any chance prior to your treatment? You might want to consider that. The tightness accross your chest and stomach ache may be caused by anxiety. They may have given you some Ativan in your drip and it may have made the tightness go away and that might be accounting for your drowsiness along with the Benadryl. My first 2 tx I did not have Ativan and they gave it to me on the last one because of breakthrough nausea - I was waking up in dry heaves in the middle of the night even though I wasn't nauseaus. I noticed that I was much more sleepy when I got home. I slept for a couple of hours right after and I had never done that before. It scared my DH! A lot of people take something for anxiety before their tx routinely. I am glad you got through the Herceptin though!
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My 4th treatment tomorrow too. Have not had to take Newlasta or anything similar yet. Praying that counts will be good enough tomorrow that I will stay on schedule. I notice the eye problems --Eyes seem very wet in the morning and dry at night. Other than ocassional headache and fatigue late in the day, I have been pretty lucky with few serious side effects. As soon as I get in bed, in a few minutes, I will be praying for all of you until I fall asleep.
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I always take an ativan on the am of big treatment days- i put the numbing cream on my port about 1 hour before, and take an ativan. it makes the big tch day go easier for me.
I will get my exchange scheduled when I go for another fill next week- these last ones are more uncofortable- that seems to be the norm? The office said I might have to take something time to time to help during the last ones. It needs to be 4- 6 weeks after chemo. I go for visit on 4/28- and a fill- and hoping to get a surgery date then- thinking late june or early/mid july if i stay on track and cbc is ok. Hopeful!
I'll keep after the diet. It's funny- I don't feel as bad w/ hgb 8.5 as I did w/ 8.9. At 8.9 I was more short of breath- maybe b/c white count was down too? my platelets were fine then and now. I just cannot figure it out. Still easily fatigued w/ long walks.
Neulasta today- and then I know I'll start feeling worse overall- after 24 to 48 hours the decline starts.
Best of luck special k for your tch 4 today- thinking of you all day.
Also positive thoughts for all who are in the treatment cycles and hope for a great day! I am going to work today until my afternoon md appointment- feel a little weak and woke up every 2 hrs last night- but looking forward to work- love to feel normal for a while!!!
Lisa
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LisaGH the last fills were rough for me. I had 10 all together (My PS fills slowly). Last 4 I needed Aleve for 1-2 days. Remember I'm the gal who didn't use any pain pills after the BMX with 10/4 nodes! Not even a Tylenol. So be sure you have some Aleve to take the edge off if they hurt too much.
If you are getting shortness of breath and easily fatigued when walking you must tell you onc. This could be the Herceptin. Granted it might be nothing but s/he needs to know.
Hang in there everyone!
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Yes- the later fills are no fun. I was sore about 2 wks from this last one. I got 40 ml put in last time. I have 2 more fills to go though is all. I did call the PS office to ask how much was put in last time(I couldn't remember). They said the last few fills would be more uncomfortable due to the stretch and that I might have to take something more especially right around fill time.
It's now day 3 of TCH 4 (which was Wed). The fatigue hit me yesterday- even b/f Neulasta. Not short of breath- just really really tired feeling. After neulasta have been home. Still on steroids so sleep is easy- but I wake up about every 2-3 hours when I am on this dose. I will wean off over the next 2 days. Then the pain gets worse. My mouth does seem a little sore and dull taste earlier too- been rinsing etc. Will watch for thrush which I have gotten every round so far- and start the meds they gave me if I see anything that alarms me. I have no appetite but am drinking well.
Hoping to get a handle on the big C this time. I was doing well w/ that just before chemo. It's such a pattern for me.
Hope you all have a good day-
Lisa
http://pinkflamingowarrior.blogspot.com0 -
CarylC
I take Claritan for the bone pain. One on day of Chemo and 1 for 2 or 3 days after and so far, have not had a problem. Had slight lower back spasms about 10 days after Neulasta shot - nothing too bad and 1 ibuporfen cleared it up. 2nd TCH - nothing. Just had my 3rd of Wednesday so we will see. Have gotten so much great advice from these posts and I am very grateful to all of you wonderful women who post - it makes this so much more manageable.
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For those of you taking the Neulasta, do you get it the same day or have to go back the day after? The other issue for me is having to take more time off of work to go back the day after TCH - I just can't afford to take more than an hour and a half every week for Herceptin and 1/2 a day every 3rd week for TCH. My onc wants me to come in the day after, plus that would be another copay. I know it's my health but I still have to work and pay the bills . . . it just seems like an awful lot.
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CaryIC - I got the TCH all together every 3 weeks. Wonder if you could switch to the schedule. Neulasta shot next day.0
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Lisa,heck you are over half way. Isn t it great? Libraylil
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CarylC Neulasta is given the day after chemo. My husband would give me mine so I didn't have to go back to the treatment center. There are a few women that gave it to themselves. If my husband or I couldn't manage this I would have had to return to the treatment center to get the shot.0
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CarylC - I'm able to go to a clinic closer to home to get the Neulasta, rather than go back to the cancer centre. The nurse at the centre has to schedule my clinic appointment no earlier than 24hrs after the chemo is completed. I did it myself the last time with the nurse providing a running commentary. It's almost impossible to screw up and certainly isn't painful. I intend to do it myself at home from now on and save myself a 60min round trip.
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So bummed...WBC count dropped from a great 7.1 to 2.9 with this week after 1st TCH, and thus came the Neulasta. I quickly came home and took Claritin like y'all keep saying, hoping to stave off the bone pain that's supposed to follow. Probably means it'll be a weekly thing? Is that how it's been for you, once on Neulasta, always on it? I got it the same day as Herceptin; I assume that's why, since most of you say you get the Neulasta the day after chemo, which technically is the taxotere/Carboplatin? Otherwise, feel great. DH really pressuring me to stay home from work, away from the teenagers I teach, but even the onc nurse said at least they're not as bad as the little kids with snotty noses. Restful weekend to all.
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jackifp - Neulasta is every three weeks following chemo for me. I get Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin all on the same day, then return the next day for the Neulasta 24 hours later. On tx#3 I forgot to take the Claritin an hour before - stopped on the way home and got some and took it immediately. I had much worse pain during the days following that tx. You bet I took it today one hour before my shot. Often the first injection can be the worst because the pain comes from expansion of the marrow in its effort to produce more white cells. The expansion and pain will be greatest in the largest bones - hips, femur, pelvic girdle. You will probably be surprised by how high your count may go on the next CBC. Mine was normal (my onc does Neulasta regardless, not based on actual need) and by the next CBC it was 18.5!!! After that it dropped down to the normal range, but that is what I mean by the most expansion on that first shot.
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jackifp - Neulasta is every three weeks following chemo for me. I get Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin all on the same day, then return the next day for the Neulasta 24 hours later. On tx#3 I forgot to take the Claritin an hour before - stopped on the way home and got some and took it immediately. I had much worse pain during the days following that tx. You bet I took it today one hour before my shot. Often the first injection can be the worst because the pain comes from expansion of the marrow in its effort to produce more white cells. The expansion and pain will be greatest in the largest bones - hips, femur, pelvic girdle. You will probably be surprised by how high your count may go on the next CBC. Mine was normal (my onc does Neulasta regardless, not based on actual need) and by the next CBC it was 18.5!!! After that it dropped down to the normal range, but that is what I mean by the most expansion on that first shot.
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Carly,
You can ask for the shot, take it home, and give it to yourself.
I did that to keep from going back the next day.
The advantage is you can wait and give it to yourself right before bed the next night. Since the ick feeling started 4 hours after Neulasta and lasted about 48 hours for me, I found by taking it before bed really helped get over the hump.
Good luck to you!
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Thanks, specialK! Your details help know what to expect. Because I'm still teaching high school, so in the public germ arena, the onc nurse suggested I get blood work on Monday to see if the count went up, but I'm really tempted to just assume it's going to go up - I mean why wouldn't it? I'll have to do blood work onThursday, anyway for Friday's Herceptin.
Speaking of germs...here's a joke: yesterday at onc's for Herceptin, the onc's asst. comes in to examine my port. She washes her hands, then runs both hands thru her hair to push it off her face, then puts hands on me. A few minutes later, the onc nurse has gloves on to plug in another patient, and uses those gloved hands to move the trash can and chair out of her way first...basic hygiene, anyone?0 -
Caryl,
My insurance company will not allow me to take the Neulasta shot home so I have to go back the next day. I also only get it every 3 week following the TCH. Best to you.
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jackifp when you see that crap go on insist that they go wash their hands! You do not need an infection! If you didn't see them wash their hands or saw them touch something else with gloves then demand it.0
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TCH 4 of 6- Day 7-
Feeling weak, but not as bad as yesterday. Typical cycle time- thrush, no taste, tired, some bone pain, etc. However, it was great to think as I was starting to feel really tough yesterday, ok, there are 2 more times of this. YEAH! We can all do this. Also, I slept for the first time since chemo last night. About 7 hours- wonderful and much needed. Exhaustion is only worsened w/ lack of sleep.
I really like this thread as it's folks who are currently on the TCH protocol- really helps to hear from those in it specific to TCH stuff- and good advice from those who have finished.
How is everyone? I am scared about my counts- that's tomorrow along w/ herceptin. My husband and I are betting on what my Hgb will be. Hope I win...... Onc says if it goes to 7 transfusion is a must. Anyone had a transfusion during chemo? Did it help alot? I am finding that I am tired, but the only good thing about hgb being a bit low, is the pain seems to be less (or are you just too weak to feel the pain as much??!!!)
Lisa
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