Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Join our Webinar: REAL Talk: Healthy Body and Mind After Breast Cancer Treatment - Jan 23, 2025 at 4pm ET Register here.
Take our poll: Has your faith, spiritual, or religious beliefs changed since cancer?
Share with us: What are your "mantras" to get you through a test, treatment, a bad day?

Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

1…354355357359360…627

Comments

  • octoberbaby
    octoberbaby Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2011
    I can relate to all of the side effects mentioned in most of the comments.  Just thinking of them makes my stomach "queasy".  August 23 is the last of my 6 TCH treatments followed by a Neulasta shot.  I did not have a port and my veins suffered for it.  I won't even go into it, except to say I am so looking forward to #6!  This is to be followed by radiation, and continuing the remaining Herceptin until the 52 weeks is up........@May1.   Fatigue and GI problems have plagued me from the getgo.   Right now 8 hours sleep do not make much difference in how I feel.   One SE has been a runny nose, watery eyes and snzeeing continuously.  I have taken Claritin D to no  avail.  I noticed that some take Claritin before a treatment.  May I ask why.   I  appreciate all who write on this web site.
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2011

    I was on zyrtec the entire time I was on chemo per onc. I believe it reduces SE but I'm not sure what ones.

  • Izzy325
    Izzy325 Member Posts: 25
    edited August 2011

    Thank you everyone for the information. I guess I just need to wait and see what happens like everyone else :-).

    Octoberbaby- my doc told be to take Zyrtec for the Herceptin since I am getting it weekly. I guess it has a high allergic potential. Congrats on #6 coming and going very soon.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited August 2011
    I was told to take the claritin to ward off bone pain from the neulasta.
  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,262
    edited August 2011

    Claritin is to ease bone pain from the Neulasta injection.  It is thought to reduce the edema present in the bone expansion, thus making it less painful.  Take it an hour prior to the injection and for several days afterward.  Claritin, not Claritin D. 

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

    I stopped taking Zyrtec once chemo was over. Doing all my herceptins with out it. Tomorrow is my 16th Herceptin. Only one more left after tomorrow.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,262
    edited August 2011

    lago - wow, time has flown!  I can't believe you are almost done.  How are you feeling about that - are you excited or nervous, or just looking forward to having your time be devoted to non-BC related things?  Dragonfly, LisaGH and I are coming up on #10.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited August 2011
    specialK - I remember when you guys started.
  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,262
    edited August 2011

    Omaz - I know - isn't it crazy?  I have them numbered now in my calendar, we will be done right after the holidays, and you know how fast time goes toward the end of the year.  Not much about this journey has been speedy except the H only infusions!  You are completely done now, right?  When did you finish - seems to me it was just recently, right?

    izzy - also wanted to add that Taxotere is rough on all soft tissue.  You may continue to see some slight bleeding with each tx.  I had/still have nosebleeds regularly, some bleeding gums, and I did have a UTI on tx#2.  I did have bleeding on the toilet paper with each tx and I have had a hysterectomy, so I know it was not menstrual.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2011
    Special K I'm feeling good about it. I wish everything was done. (Still have no nipples or tattoos). I'm still doing Anastrozole so I guess I'm covered. What's a little disconcerting these is next 2 years are the highest risk years. So when I get past those I'll feel even better. Lets face it treatment is a real time suck.
  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited August 2011
    SpecialK - next Tuesday is last one, number 18.
  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,262
    edited August 2011

    lago - do you have a plan for nips/tats?  I just started Femara (actually the generic) so far achiness, especially in ankles/feet but not too bad.  I know what you mean about the coming couple of years - DH and I watched Living Proof last night.  He said he was glad he watched it, I think it is scary to him but it is better that he understands this never really leaves us.

    omaz - wow!  Next Tuesday - party at your house!!!  So great to be finished - will you de-port or keep it for a while?  So you are getting 18?  Did we all ever settle that question - why some have 17 and some have 18?  I asked my onc about that and he seemed befuddled - wandered off mumbling...

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

    Yes I plan on eventually doing the nips/tats. I have knee/thigh/toe stiffness from Anastrozole. It took 3 months before I noticed it.

    I haven't seen living proof yet but I read the book "The Making  of Herceptin." Unbelievable story about one of the oncs on the intial trials that broke the double blind to see if one of the patients was getting the drug since she wasn't getting better. The patient wasn't and she (the onc) was able to get the patient herceptin and save her life… OMG I'm reading this know that it's my onc! I never knew she was in the intial trials till I read this book.

    Speaking of Herceptin I'm off for #16 in a few hours. (only getting 17). I'm keeping my port for 2 more years.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited August 2011
    SpecialK - Deport scheduled for 8/26.
  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,262
    edited August 2011

    omaz - wasting no time on the deport!  I am thinking I will keep mine for a while, only because I live really close to the onc office so no problem to go for the flush every now and then, and also because you can't see mine.  It is in plain sight and it is so tiny you can't see it.  I may require Reclast also and it is IV so I might as well leave it for a while.  MO has not said anything about it either way at this point.

    lago - when my onc said if he had to have BC he would want it to be Her2+ I knew Herceptin is what is saving us too.  Crazy about your onc - nice to know she was on the cutting edge and has great knowledge and compassion.   

  • Amelie_Rose
    Amelie_Rose Member Posts: 84
    edited August 2011

    Ladies,

    I have a question I've been meaning to ask all of you taking TCH.  I may post my question on the Stage 1 and Her2neu threads as well.  For those of you who are early-stagers with no node involvement, do you know, or have you ever heard of, having 4 TCH treatments instead of 6?  Since the Herceptin is the most important drug for Her2+ and we all get it for a year anyway, would it be safe to scale back the TC part to 4 treatments?  I would appreciate any input you may have on this.

    Thanks,

    Amelie 

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

    Amelie-Rose - this is the link to this abstract re: 4 vs 6 treatments, though not TCH.  There has been some discussion before, you may search on 4 vs 6 and see what comes up.

     CALGB 40101: Extending Adjuvant Chemotherapy From 4 to 6 Cycles Does Not Improve Clinical Outcomes in Low-Risk Early Breast Cancer

  • serenitywisdom
    serenitywisdom Member Posts: 109
    edited August 2011

    I just recently finished the 6 sessions of TCH and am now on Herceptin only for the next 6 months.  Has anyone had problem with weight gain , especially abdominal area.???  I never had this fat distribution in my abdomen  before.  I am hoping that it was the steroids but unsure.  Does Herceptin put on the weight.?    I have gained 30 pounds since surgeries and chemo beginning in January  and it is not due to me eating more  This is not just a concern regarding looking bad and my clothes not fitting but I understand that excessive weight is a risk factor with cancer.  Any advice from those of you who have been on herceptin longer than me greatly appreciated. 

  • nmoss1000
    nmoss1000 Member Posts: 324
    edited August 2011

    Hi ladies! Amelie Rose I did 4 out of 6 and my onc stopped me early from SE. He made that decision based on my DX and the fact I could not walk from leg pain, stiffness and joint inflammation. I did ask if I could return but he said since I am on Herceptin and Her2 status plus I am in permanent menopause skipping Tamoxifin right to Femara. What is your DX?

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

    serenitywisdom I just had my 16th of 17 Herceptins  yesterday. I lost most of my chemo weight except for a few pounds. I have been power walking daily and keeping to a  healthy diet most of the time (gotta live on the weekends). I haven't gone back to the strength training yet so that's what I attribute to the 3 extra pounds, or it could be the new boobie prizes. I also started Anastrozole and went through chemo pause. So in short, so far now weight problems but I know several women have had issues with the Tamoxifen or Femera weight gain in the tummy.

    Amelie-Rose  They really don't know for sure what will be best. I think they tend to treat HER2+ very aggressively regardless of how early your early stage is. I know 2 women that had the same onc as me, one triple positive other HER2+ only but one stage IIIA other IIIB and in their nodes. Both had the same treatment as me (except they had rads too due to nodal involvement). The one who was only HER2+ had the exact same size tumor although she was 10 years younger. The other woman was 12 older. I know for a fact my onc does not over treat and doesn't like chemo because of all the SE but knows it's one of the best tools we have.   Loves Herceptin because it doesn't have all these nasty SE.

  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 426
    edited August 2011

    Amelie-Rose - I had a friend who was my age, same size tumor and characteristics, and her onc gave her 4 TCH whereas I had 6. (We both had rads and the year of Herceptin). She said the onc was confident in studies that showed same efficicacy of 4 vs 6. My onc was more old-school and went with the standard 6. 
    I wished I could have only had 4, and she was nervous because 4 might not be enough and wished she had 6. I guess even with chemo, the grass is always greener!

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited August 2011
    nmoss - how did your onc decide you were in permanent menopause?  Mine said I had to be period free for over a year from my last chemo.
  • nmoss1000
    nmoss1000 Member Posts: 324
    edited August 2011

    Hey Omaz he talked ith my GYN who determoned it. Apparently FSH levels from 25-135 determine that a womis pre peri or post meno. Mine was 129 pretty high up there..

  • Izzy325
    Izzy325 Member Posts: 25
    edited August 2011

    Just to throw my thoughts in the ring.... I understand that post menopausal women's fat distribution favors the abdominal area whether treated for BC or not. So I suppose a body forced in to menopause would do the same. I was on steroids for a year for my ITP prior to BC and again for two months. Each time I gained the fluffy middle section but it did go away. But I suspect at age 41 they will want me to stay in my forced menopause state and anticipate the fluffy middle is here to stay even though I am at my lowest weight in 10 years.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,262
    edited August 2011

    izzy - I have been in menopause for 10 years and the only way to fight the fluffy middle is to watch your diet and work out.  What works for me is to use South Beach - glycemic index type diet with no sugar/low carb, mostly lean protein, fish, vegetables and fruits.  Combine weights and cardio in your workout - the weights will speed your metabolism so you will burn what you eat.

  • Amelie_Rose
    Amelie_Rose Member Posts: 84
    edited August 2011

    Thanks to all of you for answering my question.  It's reassuring to know that there are others being offered 4 treatements instead of 6.  Omaz, I looked at the other threads on this site from the link you sent as well, thanks.

    AmylStrong, my diagnosis is stage 1a, 8mm IDC, grade 2, ER+, PR-,  HER+. No node involvement.  Both my surgeon and my onc have said that the main reason I am having chemo is because of the HER2+ and that Herceptin is only given with chemo at the beginning.  I'll be having radiation after chemo and will be on Herceptin for a year, plus AI for 5 years after this.  I am just unsure what to do as I obviously want to treat this cancer and understand that now is the best time to do it.  However, I am also worried about chemo toxicity and don't want to expose my body to more of this stuff than I need to....  Anyone else faced this dilemma?  

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

    Amelie don't mess with HER2. It's seriously agressive. Your onc will watch you very closely to make sure you don't get toxicity. You can always stop too. Herceptin is a life saver. Chemo isn't for ever but cancer mets is. Cancer mets should scare you more.

    That's just my opinion.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,262
    edited August 2011

    lago - I have a fingernail question.  I have one ugly fingernail - the nail itself is ok but it is lifted and dark red/greenish underneath. It is not painful, just weird.  My onc is watching it but I have a derm appt in September for my skin cancers and I seem to remember that you went to one at the height of your nail problems.  Did they give you any medication? 

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

    First dermatologist (not my regular one because he was on vacation) gave me mega antibiotic but he shouldn't have done that because it wasn't infected. Really not too much you can do other than try not to stress the finger nail anymore than you have too. Try not to press down on that finger if you can.

  • nmoss1000
    nmoss1000 Member Posts: 324
    edited August 2011

    Hi Amelie I agree with Lago, do not mess with HER 2 . I was in the same boat as you, no nodes except I had a bi lat mastectomy. I was ust like you leary of the toxicity, doing everything I could do to counter act, 13 supplements, restricted diet, kombucha, juicing, greens and accupuncture you name I did it. With doing a lumpectomy & HER 2 you should try to throw the book at this thing. As much as I wanted to quit, even after all the hell I wish I could have gotten all 6 in for peace of mind. Lago is right Mets are forever.

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.