Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Haven't been on in a while, but decided to figure out why my feet have been hurting so bad. Seems to come and go. My ONC saId it was probably due to the chemo and should go away in 6 months. Well, 6 months was up in August and feet still feel like I am walking on rocks. I work 12 hour shifts and the more I walk, the more sore they get. Sure hope it is the Herceptin....only two more left!
AmylsStrong-so glad to read that you quit hobbling after you finished Herceptin and are able to run. This has given me great hope!! I have had to quit running because my feet hurt so bad, especially afterward. I did a 5K last month and could hardly walk for 5 days because the soles of my feet were so sore. Did not have any of the joint stiffness or feet soreness while on chemo. This just started about 3 months ago.
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Olgah - I have perscription pain meds and I'm allowed to take tylenol. I'm trying to be cautious with the pain meds though. I usually take an Ativan at night to help with the muscle spasms from my TE's. If you have pain, be sure to talk to your doctors about it.
Omaz - I may ice next infusion. I have hypoactive thyroid so my hands and feet are ususally pretty icy anyway. My nails are awful to begins with, so I will probably ice next time. Thank you for the link.
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Kell - I brought a cooler to chemo with frozen peas and put the bags in insulated lunch sacks from Target. I think you just need to keep your nails cold, not your whole hand/foot.0
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For Neuropathy I took Acetyl-L-Carnitine. It's also a memory booster. I only got it in my left heel which is finally starting to go away as of 1-2 weeks ago. Check with your onc before you take it. Also check out at the end of this link (from NCI) the topic "Clinical Research Ahead"
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My onc and nurses thought it was silly, then ignored me - I took a couple of those flexible ice packs to pin to my toes and put my fingers into. Can only assume it helped; all I have are six white rings on each nail - one for each chemo, I guess - but no lifting. I'm 6 wks PFC. Count my blessings, yep, I do.
Except now I'm finally losing eyelashes and eyebrows...my lovely DD says I look like an alien...at least my hair is growing back.0 -
nurseronda10 - sounds like neuropathy to me. Mine hasn't improved, but it sounds like others have improved.
lago - you have the best links, thanks!
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Omaz - Thank you for teling me about the insulated lunch sacks!! What a great idea!0
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Hi Ladies! Thanks for all of your comments! I am ER/PR + and get H infused over 1.5 hours but still the pain. I hoping it subsides after final TX in March
. I am glad to have you guys here, I tell my onc about the pain and he says he cannot say what is from... I am pretty sure it's the H we all have similar hip pain, joint pain and feeling like we are 100! I am 42 and feeling like I should be collecting social security. special K I have the same pain in hips while driving. Never thought of using the seat warmer, mostly because of the hot flashes. Good news is my hair is growing with a vengeance, shaving legs 1 x per day and I get my Foobs exchanged in 3 weeks and cannot wait. These expanders are very uncomfortable and cause my right shoulder to swell. The TE slipped and Ihave a seroma in right side.
Lago I did not know the L Carnitine was a memory booster, I have been taking it for months but still can't remember a thing, maybe I need to up my dosage. ..I was in London last week and there is a chain store called the organic Pharmacy and they specialize on holistic meds. I spometo the shop girl and they are all tptrained with BC treatment and she knew all about the H, they even sell a compound od D3, B12, B6 , L Carn & Glute.0 -
i know i've read about this, but again, i can't find where. what is this bloated stuff? i just ate a popsicle and i feel like it was thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings AND dessert. i'm not complaining, but i'd like to know if anyone has a remedy for this. it almost makes me want to throw up, but i'm not nauseated. geez.
thanks again, lago, for your helpful links. i'll ask my onco about the acetyl-L-carnitine.
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Good morning, ladies!
Does Acetyl- Carnitine has vitamins ( b6, b12, c) in it, because I am allergic?
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Olgah You'd have to check. Mine doesn't list it. If you go to the vitamin shop or any other place that sells it they should be able to tell you.0
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yaya,
I have noticed bloat after chemo 5 and about a 5lb weight gain that I can't seem to get rid of. It is very frustrating. It talks alot about this in the book I am reading called "The Pink Ribbon Diet". I can't wait to start this tomorrow, and see if it helps shrink mini pillow tummy and increase energy, will let you all know
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I had the bloat, the big fat legs etc. It was all water retention. About 5-8lbs every time. Steroids took it down but I was only on those for a few days. After chemo my onc had me on a very mild diuretic. It really helped but it took a longer time than usual (according to my NP) to stop the retention. I've been off the diuretic since late August. I will gain 1.5-2 lbs when I eat something salty but no more 5-8lbs.
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Oh joy, yet another SE to consider, I go for no. 3 on Wednesday, I can't keep track of all the SEs and things to do to prevent and help etc. Thank you so much everyone for all the posts, I keep reading back to see what you all did for this, and then for this.....Some days it is just overwhelming to try to remember it all, and then just to remember, yes, this is really me this is happening to. I know we all feel like this, thank you guys for the support and encouragement.
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Grimbol - If you have a new SE just post it ! More likely than not someone will have been through it.0
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and most importantly be sure to tell your onc about ALL your SE. They really want to know.
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That's true - I always called because I figured that I didn't know what was important and what wasn't.
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I even don't see him I always deal with NP...
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could you guys please tell me how long you were tired after chemo? i had my 3rd tx last monday and i'm still on the bed today without any energy to move much at all. i feel so worthless and like i should be out there doing stuff.
olgah, could you ask to see your onco specifically? i think they should honor that. maybe you could give it a try.
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tell the NP. Your NP does talk with your onc. I did see my onc during chemo except for the times she was out of town… then I saw my NP but I would contact my NP not my onc when I was having issues in between. She would always check with my onc. It's not unusual these days to see your NP more than your onc. They just have so many patients. I was told my onc now has 2 NP she so busy!
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YaYa5, I used to get TCH every 3 weeks. I would get it on Thursday, be up all but 3 hours of sleep and on Fri. get 4 hours of sleep. By Monday, I would switch to sleeping for 2 days, only getting up for pills, food and restroom. Then, Wed., I would move from the bed to the couch to the chair and of course, the bathroom and feel miserable until Sunday morning, when I would wake up feeling normal again, like majic. Every time, from my 3rd to the 6th TCH, I was convinced I was not going to be able to do anything but lay in bed till chemo was done. But everytime, on Sunday I would wake up to a whole new and much better world. I hope you feel better soon!
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YaYa5 - I seemed to stay tired longer each treatment, by the time I had my 4th treatment I was tired all the time, didn't seem to have more than a day or two before my next treatment that I felt half way normal. I started radiation 3 weeks after my last chemo so the fatigue changed, but didn't improve. I'm a year out from my last chemo and still tired a lot! So don't be too hard on yourself.
I was still working when I started my chemo, so after my first chemo I wrote out a schedule for my employer for the balance of the chemo sessions. It didn't quite work out the way I figured, each chemo the side effects were compounded, and I was able to work less and less, until I went on full time disability when I started radiation.
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Another SE.. how about brown patches on arms and legs? I noticed my arms late Aug, and thought I saw some the top of my head, and now over the weekend I have them on my face. They look like huge giant freckles. They are awful! But... no acne this time. I think I would rather have acne because it only lasts a few days! GRRRR. The ones on my arms have not gone away at all!
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anafoefana any kind of rash you need to tell your onc. I had a rash break out on my lower legs for a month in eaarly August. I saw my GP. He did a blood test just in case and felt if it didn't go away in 2 weeks I should see my dermatologist. 5 days later I went for herceptin and the onc nurse told my onc about it. My onc wanted me to see a special dermatologist but by the time they could get me an appointment it was gone so they let me cancel.
In my case I think it was an allergic reaction to Ocean Spray Cranberry Lemonade powder that I started putting in my water. I stopped drinking it and I think that's when the rash got better. Never tried it again. (Too bad that stuff is tasty.)
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anafoefana - I think dragonfly had that happen as well but I think it went away. I think she is on vacation right now or she would answer you. It is like the melasma pregnancy mask thing, but still let your MO know.
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Good morning, everyone!
Yesterday I had my first chemo. Thank God, it was not bad at all. I had two bottles of water mith me, each 33 oz, and some Gouda cheese snacks. i also brought a book and knitting magazine, I am a knitter.
My DH was with me, bored. They injected Emend , they told me it works for 5 days.Really? I also have got Decadron and PX for home
for 2 days. Then what? Can I be nauseas later? I have compazine after that and some stuff in rectum from my PS.
I did not sleep, may be couple of hours and this is with ativan.I Constantly drink water and go to bathrum. Tired.Not hungry.Feeling like flu.But it is not bad so far.
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Olgah, so good to hear you are doing well after your first chemo. The Emend is really good. and later after you are off the other meds, the compazine will help. You can always call for more pills if needed. Also, eat a little throughout the day so your tummy won't be empty, that helps.
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Olgah - I found that after the first treatment, I did not want anyone to stay with me. I would sleep through most of it. My husband went home and I called him when it was almost over and he'd come back to get me. I had a blanket and would curl up and just doze. I would wake up and drink and go to the bathroom and maybe eat my snack and then go back to sleep again.
The steroids that they give you will keep you awake the first few nights. I found that it was better to keep a book (and IPOD) next to the bed to read/listen while I was awake rather than lying in the dark trying to sleep (and not being able to). You will be able to sleep again in a few days.
So check the first chemo off your list. Five more to go, right? You can do this!!
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Olga - my flu-like feeling did not start until 2 days after chemo treatment, which was the weekend. I planned NOTHING for the weekend, hung around in my pj's and watched t.v. It hasn't been bad for me. My #6 (and hopefully last, knock wood) is coming for me on the 22nd. The first four seemed to take forever, but the last two flew by. Oh, the steroids kept me from sleeping right around treatment time--you might be wasting your ativan then. Chemo can do that to you, too.
I consider myself lucky and/or blessed. I haven't had alot of the symptoms others had, and have worked (desk job) pretty much throughout. Stay hydrated, not only water, but some sports drinks or juices. And allow yourself the rest without the guilt!
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