Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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YaYa,
After I finished TCH I had a really bad case of "gumby legs" that lasted about a week. We live in a 2 story house and it was all I could do to walk up the stairs.
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YaYa I had thigh issues. They started to get better about 5 weeks after my last chemo but never 100%… although a significant improvement. Once I stopped Herceptin though it was gone. I do still have some stiffness but it's minor and from the Anastrozole. I really did notice another big improvement after Herceptin stopped.0
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YaYa, I hope you're doing better this morning. I don't have any suggestions for you, except the one's you already know about. Let us know how you are when you can. Nothing changed with me. I get a break today from the shots, still taking antibiotic, no fever. My hair has started to come out. I get a few strands when I run my hand through my hair. But I knew that was coming.
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Hello everyone,
I just started TCH on the 7th of this month. have my second round scheduled for the 28th. The first went ok. was so tired day 3 and 4 and had horrible heart burn despite the meds. started taking prilosec and it worked wonders. I also took claritin and alieve to help with bone pain from the neuelstra shot and I guess it worked never had any pain.
For the people who had nail problems from treatment. When did you start to see/have problems? and what kind? This round I am definately sucking on ice during the taxorete because I did have som mouth issues this first round.
Not sure how tired I was from the chemo or the fact that my 1st day of treatment my 4 year old came down with a horrible cold. It was so hard to explain to her wash your hands/ do not kiss mommy...ect....thus I ended coming down witha little cold myself no fever thank god.
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It is good to know that the leg thing is common. I am five weeks from my last TCH and my calves and ankles are really hurting. My legs are really stiff! Ugh! I have had one Herceptin and am scheduled for the next one on Dec 1.
Yaya, I hope you are feeling better soon.
My ankles are swelling everyday in the evening, expecially if I am not moving around. I was checked for a blood clot, but there is nothing there. Hoping this will pass soon too!
Taste buds are almost back to normal! Yay! I am feeling better everyday, except for the leg thing.
GrandmaV, I hope you are able to get Nuelasta next time around. I don't understand why with some it is standard procedure and with others not. I got it from the beginning and was fine. I got sick after my last treatment, but never ran a fever and my counts were good.
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needtobestrong - about the half-way point of 6 TCH for me. I had one nail lift from front to back. It was injured when removing acrylic nails prior to chemo and had a high tear on the side. I iced from the beginning and my other nails are beautiful - no ridges, no lines, no discolorization. I did get finger tingling that resolved between tx and some soreness and cracking skin around the edges of nails. Slathering on Aquaphor and wearing gloves to sleep really helped with that. Did the same with feet and put on socks.
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I too have the "Gumby" legs today. I'm so glad y'all mentioned it, so I know that it's something "normal," well as normal as anything is right now. I find myself getting tired of walking really quickly, but I thought I was just pretty weak from a rough couple of days of not doing too much.
On the bright side, I felt good enough to go to church this morning and get some spiritual therapy.
I hope everyone is having a great Sunday. As no surprise with my name on this forum, I'll be glued to the TV, watching the final NASCAR Sprint Cup race this afternoon. GO, SMOKE!
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Racerdeb Gumby legs is a good description of what happens throughout chemo-I had terrible weakness in my legs and reached a point where I could hardly climb stairs at work-it will get better after chemo. I think it's from the Tax. Anafoefana What you are describing is a little bit different. I had that as well and it was the significant build-up of fluid. It drove me crazy! I remember asking others here when it would go away. At the end of chemo I had gained +12 pounds and it turns out that it was all fluid. I would work all day, get home in the evening and have significant swelling in my ankles just like you are describing. I actually had pitting edema (where you can push your finger into the skin and it leaves an impression due to the significant fluid). I think it's mostly caused by a combo of steroids over time + the Tax but it will get a lot better. My fluid dropped off gradually during weeks 4-8 PFC but it sure slowed me down and made me stiff...0
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Needtobestrong Welcome! I didn't have nail problems until the third cycle. My nails became discolored -purplish-brown underneath and very sore. It hurt to button my clothing or open a jar for example. I kept icing them during the Tax infusions and the pain went away by the 4th round. After chemo was over, the ends (about 1/3 of each nail) of my nails "lifted" from the nail bed and I had to cut them short and be very careful not to catch them on anything until they grew out. The new growth was completely normal and they look totally normal now at 6 months PFC. Not everyone gets nail issues...
By the way I'm on Long Island too- in Lake Ronkonkoma:)
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Well ladies here I sit 3 days after my LAST treatment and OMG I wanna cry, My joints are so sore, Hips, knees, ankles OUCHIE!!!!!
I keep telling myself NO MORE Im done but its not working today ..... hope your all having a great day 0 -
thank you, everyone, for the thoughts on how i'm feeling. ugh. i had some orange juice last night and was able to take a shower, so that was improvement. i think i'm keeping up with fluids, but eating has been another thing. i've been on the verge of queasy, so i'm not eating very well. today, i'm just so tired, but my legs are better i think. no fever. if i can get some energy, i'll scramble some eggs. i appreciate everone's concern.
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Happy Sunday to all ~ As usual I am so grateful to be able to compare notes with so many of you. My legs ached like mad on the third day after TCH and then the icky stomach thing took over. I also have the white tongue and sore throat and the continuing GI issues. I am definitely going to ask if there is anything they can give me something for the GI thing...sick of the bathroom! I keep thinking I will get out and go for a walk, but probably not today. Hopefully, there will be some good junk on TV. But, hey...I ate an Eggo waffle today and it actually had a taste, so yippee for me! Thanks to all who have warned me about watching for the fever. I have been vigilant abut that. Unfortunately, my husband has a horrible cold and poor guy feels so guilty. So for today, he will be watching football downstairs and I will be upstairs flicking between the Chargers/Bears game and any other junk TV I fancy! So hoping that all of us rebound so we can enjoy Thanksgiving. I told the family my contribution will be store bought (so sad) this year, but next year we will ALL be done with this chemo crap!
And, something great happened on Friday. My niece got engaged so now there is really a goal to get better cause I hate to miss any party. Guess I will have to wear a wig since they may choose August or September, but then, it's not about me anyway. I will just be thrilled to thrive and be able to spend many more times making memories with my wonderful family! Hugs to all...Linda
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linnyhopp - I attended a family wedding two days after chemo#5 - I just parsed out my steroids so I could make it! I had fun even though I was wearing a wig - none of the guests could really tell. I went through a whole series of wardrobe choices, couldn't get any cute shoes on my swollen feet! I ended up wearing some of those loose fitting filmy black pants and a satiny top. It was all good!
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Special K ~ Thanks for the tip...I actually don't really like dresses so what a good option. The great thing is that if they decide on summer, the chemo will be finished! Hard to imagine that this week, but am excited to think it will be a memory and I may even be able to have a drink or two and enjoy it at the wedding! Something nice to look forward to. And, it's hard to believe a day will come when I won't eat something and run to the bathroom...I know, TMI! I know can't dwell on that stuff cause this too shall pass...no pun intended!0
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Linny,
I'm sorry to hear that your stomach is acting up so much. I'm doing better than you in that area, but I'm finding out that I have very little appetite. I'm getting really tired of broth, soup, bananas, bread, etc.
It's good that you (we) have goals for the end of our treatments. I'm so glad you have a family wedding to anticipate. I'm sure you'll look amazing.
Does your head full funny yet? My scalp has been tingling all day. I'm sure it's a prelude to the hair loss. Maybe it will wait until after Thanksgiving!
I go for Herceptin on Tuesday, and I'm hoping I don't have any SE's.
I hope you're doing better soon with your stomach. I had a rough day on Friday, but otherwise it really wasn't too bad. I actually slept pretty well for the first time last night since x1.
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linnyhopp my avatar is 2 weeks after my 4th chemo wearing my wig. I was at my nieces Bat Mitvah. I wore dressy black pants, nice jacket a silk blouse and heels… and of course bling.0
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Racerdeb ~ So glad your stomach is feeling better. My throat is sore so bread feels hard, but I am with you, I don't think applesauce will ever seem the same to me again! I am going to e-mail the doctor after I finish here about the GI issues. Don't know if he will have any suggestions, but I figured since he is in charge, I will ask the questions. Thanks for the uplifting comment about the upcoming wedding and looking good. Just finishing with the TCH will be a big boost I am sure. No tingling on the scalp yet, but am picking up my wig on Wednesday. Wouldn't want to scare my 3 year old great-niece on Thanksgiving Day!
Lago ~ If I can look half as good as you in your picture for the wedding, I will be eternally grateful. And your look is right up my alley...and yes, I am a bling girl myself! Love the sparkle! By the way, I am originally from Chicago...grew up on the south side. Now in San Diego, or as my husband refers to it, "God's Country!"
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Racerdeb, Have you been given Magic mouthwash? That really helped me when I had a sore throat after my first treatment. I never got it again after that because I took prilosec and then prescription nexium.
Dragonfly, thanks for sharing your experience. I am happpy to know this swelling thing is going to pass.
Yaya, eating was a struggle for me, especially after # 4. I am just now starting to taste things and feel hungry. I found that bland things were easier to tolerate, although it was a chore to eat. Hang int there.
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Hi all, I haven't posted for a while. Today should have been my last tch tx, but my doctor agreed to postpone it for a week because of the holiday. She said that it didn't make a difference at this point. I have mixed feelings about this but am glad that I'll be able to enjoy the holiday with my family. I usually have my treatments on Mondays and Thursdays and Fridays are my worst days.
Yaya, I hope you feel better soon. Keep telling yourself that chemo is over and you are on your way to getting stronger. I have been having leg issues as well; mostly my knees. I also have general stiffness in my legs. So glad to hear that I am not alone. I am 51 and for the first time in my life, I am starting to think that's old. Not a good thing!
Special K, I like the origin of your nickname as well. It's cute.
Terry, congratulations on being done!
A question for everyone, how soon after chemo should radiation start?
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oh, I also wanted to add that I found that icing during the carboplatin part of the infusion really helps with the taste changes. I didn't do it for the first two tx's and noticed a huge difference with tx#3, 4 and 5 when I did it. Food tasted a bit off still, but nowhere as terrible as before. I sucked on ice during the taxotere for the mouth sores and kept up with the icing during the carboplatin for the taste changes. Just thought I'd mention this.
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Amelie, I started rads two weeks after treatment..
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So it is day 14 after my first treatment and my hair has begun to fall out. How long would you say it lasts untill it is noticable? I was hoping to still have my hair for thanksgiving. Not is the mood to show off my new wig (which I hope I am able to pick up tomorrow) for the first time on thanksgiving. I think I may have mymother in law cut it tomorrow so it is not so much of a mess... we will see
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Need - I was unusual in that I did not lose my hair in significant amounts until day 24, 3 days after my second tx. I just had random hairs falling out up to that point. I had cut my almost waist length hair short in order to make a hairpiece. If you have individual hairs falling out it will probably take a few days until it is coming out more rapidly. You would probably make Thanksgiving without much of a problem. If you can pull it out and get quite a few hairs at a time it is a toss up.
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NeedtobeSTRONG my first chemo was October 5 2010. It started to fall out 16 days later. If you look on my hair transition thread you can see I still had a lot of hair on October 24th. It looked like crap but I had hair. Do note though that I had/have very thick hair: linky Dates are in the lower left in all but the initial picture.0
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lago - I just checked your hair link and saw your cute bangs! Awesome!
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Well they're a bit shorter now. Just don't understand men. My hair stylist keeps cutting my bangs too short and my PS made my boobs too big
I think men have a totally different perception when it come to the sizes of things. Only thing they can judge the correct size of is a parking space. I so need to update my photos.
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Need ...
If you want to make it thru the holiday, be very gentle with your hair. Wash gently, no hard brushing, and you should make it. I had a big business meeting and didn't want to wear my wig to it. It was around day 18 or so. I babied my head, made it through the meeting, came home and buzzed it that night. I do think you can stretch a few extra days if you do not keep pulling and brushing and checking to see if it is coming out. Good luck!0 -
Thanks so much!!
Lago- wow thanks for the pics. I am about a year behind you and it was nice to see the progression of your hair regrowth! you look great.
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lago - I am in that deciding phase about the boob size. PS keeps saying to ask my DH, DH keeps looking at what they look like right now (I believe you referred to them as stripper boobs if I remember correctly) and all he says is "wow" if I am shirtless in his vicinity. Not sure of where to stop but my last couple of fills have left me in pain for a couple of days so the stopping point is approaching! PS says he needs to fill 100cc beyond the size I am happy with. I am thinking that will be an ouchie. It is funny - I suck at parking and DH is unbelievably great at it! Even backwards!
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Special K it's so hard to judge because the stripper boobs, I mean expanders look so different than the implans. They are so high and fake looking. Also remember that this isn't an exact science. A few months after my exchange I thought I looked pretty good. Now 6+ weeks after the nipples with more fat transfer I feel I'm bigger. But as we know not all the fat will stay so I know I have to give it more time. Even if I'm a bit bigger than I anticipated I still look great and my PS did an awesome job. So I'm a bit fuller than expected that's all.
Either way you DH will be happy.
Men like cracks too. Think butt, boob cleavage and vagina. 0
