Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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yaya - I was told that the claritin helps to prevent bone pain from the neulasta shot. Claritin is not supposed to make you feel drowsy like benadryl. I took a time release 24 hour capsule in the morning. I think it helped judging by the couple of times I didn't take it the full 10 days I had some more discomfort. I also took tylenol for the first 3-4 days. Mostly my lower back and hips hurt. Mostly just chemo 1 but somewhat for all the others.0
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omaz, just popped a claritin for the day! you are such a wealth of information and i deeply appreciate it. THANK YOU!0
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Claritin is commonly recommended. I didn't take it because my onc had me on Zyrtec the entire time I was doing chemo. (Benadryl was also infused at chemo). Zyrtec and Claritin are smiliar.
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yaya - One down!!! Glad you are doing alright!0
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YaYa I was already on Claritin daily for allergies so it's hard to say how much difference it made. However, I remember spending a night with agonizing back pain, almost like contractions, from the first neulasta shot (never had it on subsequent shots) and I was so grateful for this forum because Lago came to my rescue by recommending Aleve. It was the only thing that actually stopped the terrible pain at the time...0
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omaz, it's day three and almost 9:00 at night. i haven't felt much of anything today. is it going to hit me between the eyes in the next few days? what day is usually the worst after a chemo treatment?0
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yaya - It's an individual thing! You may not have much trouble at all. So far so good - just assume it keeps up that way!0
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you're right, omaz. i'm so grateful! thanks again for your feedback.0
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Hello everyone. I feel like I have been getting to know many of you over the past few weeks. So I wanted to say hello and thank you. You all have offered me information/ questions that I can take back to my MO. I had my first TCH and now starting to experience the early signs of hair fall out. I guess I was taking it day by day but the hair some how will make it more real. I chose to cut my long hair in to a pixie the night before my first tx. I wanted to donate it and some how "control" things. It also felt right because it got the questions at work out of the way. I knew one day I would need to stroll in with a wig or scarf and I may not be as strong to handle the questions then. My first tx SE started on day 3/4. Nausea, couldn't eat, stomach pain. By day 5 I developed thrush in my mouth/ throat which they later treated with diflucan. But ultimately found that it was a big contributor to my stomach problems. Day 5-9 was signifiant diarrhea. I have had my period nearly every day since day 7. I had neulasta with a follow up WBC of 60 so we will try neupogen next time. The bone/muscle pain was unpleasant for about 24 hrs. I have a history of low platelets and they tanked but recovered by day 14. For meds I am on emend, zyrtec prior to herceptin, dexamethasone 12mg twice daily day before tx of TC, pepcid daily few days before and after tx. My next tx is this Wednesday. I think I will pre-medicate with probiotics and see if that helps my diarrhea prevention. But all in all, it is doable. I worry about what I have read that each tx can be different and possibly accumulative but I will take 1 day and moment at a time. Thank you again for sharing. The journey is far from over but it helps to walk side by side with great people.
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Izzy325 Hang in there-for me each cycle was very predictable and I had similar SEs each time. I'm so sorry you had diarrhea-it's miserable. I had it from day 6-10 of every cycle with painful cramping and the only thing that helped was to convert to a soft/liquid diet for those days. Tax can be very hard on the GI tract. I also had the unfortunate luck of getting my period in that first cycle but then the chemo caught up and I never had it again. I found myself more fatigued by the end and took a few extra days off from work but even with all the SEs it was manageable. You are off to a good start and you sound like you have a good handle on it...0
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Izzy325--Did you get an ok for the probiotics? I have a glitchy GI tract at the best of times and was taking probiotics before chemo. The chemo pharmacist, who reviewed all of my meds and supplements, said not to take them because they contain a form of bacteria and with a low white count even good bacteria can get out of hand. I also had to drop my digestive enzymes because they contained something that is known to cause minor bleeding and that isn't good with low platelets.
I had the big D with every TX and was told to try Immodium and then I got a prescription for Lomotil which is quite a bit stronger. It didn't get worse with each TX; just the same old thing every time. I finally gave up trying to fix it and just focused on reducing the frequency with the Immodium/Lomotil and staying hydrated. I would go to a clear fluid diet if neccessary. It seemed to sort itself out by about day 10 no matter what I did.
I was certain I would react with the Big C since my system seems to shut down in response to any change, so Big D was a surprise. Make sure you keep the onc informed; if the frequency gets out of hand, let them know. My first TX was the worst and I ended up on saline IVs for 5 days, in the chemo clinic and at home, to deal with the dehydration. It may not be something you can totally avoid, but you can manage it.0 -
For those of you just starting treatment the things that helped me were drinking lots and lots of water, walking as best as I could, eating a lot of protein and resting when I needed to. I also took my anti-nausea meds and various other meds when the need arose. Good luck!
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Pasmithx2- I did get the ok for the probiotics on day 7. Maybe it was ok due to my WBC count being so high? I had started immodium after two days of it. I lean toward the opposite too and I didn't want to swing the other way. I did my best to stay hydrated but fortunately with herceptin weekly, I did get a fluid boost IV. I will confirm when I see my doc on Wednesday and let you know if she has any words of wisdom.
Dragonfly- thank you. I am 41 and always held out hope that I might have another child. My ITP (platelet problem) and separation from my husband forced me to face reality. But I have a 8 & 10 year old who are the light of my life. So thinking about no more periods is looking pretty ok at this point.... Bring it on LOL0 -
Hello - I'm 57 - diagnosed with Stage l breast cancer April, 2011. It was found through a routine mammogram. (When I was 19 - I had a benign cyst excised with complete surgery. Thank God the surgeon did not remove my complete breast! This was the same time Shirley Temple Black was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had a complete masectomy.)
Had my first partial masectomy June 15th at the Cleveland Clinic. Three tumors were removed (largest 2 cm. - smallest 1/2 cm), which changed the diagnosis to Stage ll. Had an additional surgery July 20th to remove more tissue to (hopefully) have negative margins. I see my surgeon again on August 9th to get the pathology results. Hopefully, I will not need a masectomy. (If I do, I do.)
I'll be starting my TCH treatments if I am not having additional surgery. I'm concerned about how I will fare through the treatments. I'm not concerned about hair loss. I've been colouring my hair for about 30 years. I'm curious what it will look like when it grows back!
My goal is to continue to work during all the treatments (I work part-time - 20 hrs. weekly in an office setting with all women!) I sailed through the surgeries! The only issue was with the anesthesia - feeling foggy for several days - no side effect other than that!
I'm grateful to find this website and read what others have experienced. Anything anybody would like to share with me? Did anyone else have their surgeries and treatments at the Cleveland Clinic?
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Welcome Donna! I hope you get a good report on the margins. We are here to talk anytime!0
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DonnaD001 Fingers crossed that the margins come back negative! As for working during TCH, the fact that you are part-time is certainly ideal. I've worked full-time straight through chemo and Rads in spite of the SEs. I took a few days off during the last couple of TCH cycles to cope with the fatigue but otherwise it's been manageable. I felt like you do about the hair because I had highlighted mine for years and thought it might be nice to start over with my natural color. I had one day of shock when it came out in handfuls (even though I knew it would happen), I was a bit emotional, buzzed it off and it's never bothered me again. This thread is incredibly helpful as you go through TCH and have a million day to day questions about your SEs or just need to vent. The women here had answers or suggestions when sometimes my nurses didn't have an answer:) Nothing beats the experience of those who have actually been there...Best wishes as you move forward!
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dragon - I really like that wig on you! If I could have found one like that I would have worn it.
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Thanks Omaz:)
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Izzy, thank you for the day-by-day description of SE's. I know everyone is different, but it's something to go by. My first treatment is tomorrow. Wish me luck. I am so anxious about the next 4 months. I too was thinking about starting with probiotics (yogurt) after my nadir... let me know how it goes for you.
Dragonfly, I like your wig too. Looks very natural.
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Thanks, Omaz and Dragonfly001 for your quick responses.
Keep cool today!
TTFN,
Donna
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Amelie, I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Wishing you the best day and SE free days to follow.
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Good morning Amelie! I wish you the best during your treatments. We've got this fabulous source to come to with comments, and questions regarding our TCH treatments. Have a great day!
DonnaD001
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Donna and Izzy, thank you. Well, I did have my first treatment today. I was a bit anxious, shed a few tears, but everything went well. Tomorrow, I'll go for my neulasta shot. So far, so good which means that the steroids are working. And the good news is that my port has stopped hurting, yeah!...
I really want to think all of you form this board; all those who've responded with reassuring messages (Omaz, Lago, Dragonfly, YaYa, Rdg1959, lilylady, Christean) and all those from months and years before who've posted their experiences for the benefit of people like me coming after them. You've all been such a great help to me on this journey that none of us wanted to take but that we all are determined to conquer so we can go on to live the rest of our lives.
Amelie
P.S. Any suggestions on what to take for sleep when sleep won't come because of the steroids?
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Amelie - You can take Xanax if you have it, or Ativan if it was prescribed as one of your at home anti-nausea meds. Don't forget to take your Claritin an hour prior to your Neulasta if you have cleared it with your MO. Congratulations on getting the first one down - the anticipation is usually the worst.
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Amelie_Rose- I 'm so glad your #1 treatment is over with. I remember being so glad when #1 was overwith. I hope no SE's continue for you. What nausea meds do you have? Many nausea meds will also cause sleepiness. (Benadryl, compazine, phenergan, ativan) If you can't sleep you can always take one of these meds to see if it will help with the imsomnia. Best of luck, keep us informed.
P.S. I am day 5 out from TCH #3. Pretty much feel like garbage. Lots of nausea and vomiting and fatigue. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
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Special K and Christean, thank you. Both of you mentioned Ativan, which I do have. I've been toying with the thought of taking one so I think I will go ahead. I'll let you how it goes...
Christean, I am sorry you are feeling poorly. I guess the effects are indeed cummulative! How did you do with number 1 and 2? What are you taking for the nausea and vomiting? I hear Emend works wonders (I didn't get it but will request it if nausea becomes a problem). Check with your Onc to see if you can get it. Good luck to you and may tomorrow be indeed a better day.
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Christean - please get help for the vomiting. You shouldn't have to go through that. There are medications that can help.0
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Christean - what are your anti-nausea meds and why are they not working for you? Be careful you are not getting dehydrated also.
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Well girls, I'm not so sure why my anti-nausea meds aren't working so good this time around. I have ativan, zofran ODC, and phenergan suppositories as well as compazine. I haven't been using the compazine because it just comes back up- and I'm not suppossed to use the phenergan and compazine together. I was able to eat a few roasted potatoes and carrots for dinner and they have stayed down. I think when my IV anti -nausea meds and steroids wore off, it just hit me hard. I just feel lousy. We did have unexpected company tonight and I was so glad to see them, but it really wore me out by the time they left. I'm so tired but can't sleep. The fatique is just overwhelming. I also have big D, (which I'm sure isn't helping me stay hydrated). I am trying to drink as much as I can, but somehow liquids come right back up so much easier than solids.??? The other thing is that my HGB was 8.4 on chemo day. My period has stopped now so I am hoping my HGB will kick back up since there is no more bleeding. I am sure that is contributing to the fatigue. If I feel like this again tomorrow I will call the MO to see what else they can do. I'm so glad I have my sweet 19 yr daughter to take care of me. She is doing such a good job. On days like today when I feel like garbage she has affectionately began calling me "cancer mom", but makes sure to tell me I won't be "cancer mom" for long. Just for a few days till I feel better. Yesterday I heard her tell someone on the phone that her "cancer mom" was sleeping and couldn't talk...and that she was doing just fine taking care of her "cancer mom", and that whoever it was should go find another "cancer mom" to take care of because she didn't need any help taking care of her "Cancer mom". How would I ever known that her calling me "cancer mom" would be so endearing?
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Christean - are you taking you anti-nausea starting the night of your chemo, without waiting to feel nausea? Also, you might consider Imodium or Lomotil for the Big D. I had Big D for the 10 days following my tx but it never fit the parameters that would cause dehydration in terms of frequency. It was just sort of the state of affairs for the first 10 days. I had trouble with dry heaves the first 2 tx until I figured out that Zofran was completely useless for me. I had a Nissen procedure in '95 which made me incapable of vomiting, but I can def still dry heave! I started Compazine the first night and that solved the problem. My Hgb continued to drop through chemo - it would drop and then rebound slightly but it was a continuous steady downward trend and it has taken 6 weeks to return to a somewhat normal number, barely over 11. I would suggest trying to consume protein-rich solid food if you can handle it, both to stave off nausea and try to boost your Hgb. You still have several treatments to go and you will start to feel the cumulative effects with each one. Just concerned about you.
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