Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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I was allergic to the Toxotere and it burned me inside & out terribly. Onocologist put me on Anastrozole and that is terrible. I have every been so sick. So I stopped taking it.
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Welcome redfish - Have you tried tamoxifen?0
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Vanlex- my MO said every treatment would get worse, but for me it was just about the same every time. Don't borrow worry!
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Christina,
Glasses are not my preference either, but I've learned to deal with it. I have not worn my contacts since my eyelashes fell off, but using eyeliner makes it barely noticeable. I agree with Lago, get some bling! I also coordinate my clothes with my head stuff. I also hated wearing anything on my head, but you just learn to deal and cope the best way you can. I mostly wear t-shirts with different scarves, flowers or other accessories. The t-shirts are nice because they are really comfortable, they keep your head warm, but don't make you too hot.
I did not do well with wigs. I have two, but feel too fake with them on. Maybe I just didn't pick the right ones. One of them is very close to what my hair looked like, but it still looks fake.
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redfish - check the search box at the top of the page and type in DIM - I think they have some fairly extensive info about it on several threads. Did you try switching to Aromasin or Femara to see if they were better?
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racerdeb - you couldn't pay me to have taken epoetin (Procrit) during chemo. Too dangerous - my onc will not prescribe it to any chemo patient, a transfusion is safer. There are multiple studies concerning administration of this drug when receiving chemotherapy and there were problems with all of them, including ceasing of the study. The FDA will not rstrict the drug based on one study, this drug showed a trend accross several of increased rate of clotting and death. Oncologists can still prescribe this drug but you have to sign an affadavit acknowledging the risks. It is also not for use by those receiving hormonal therapy or radiation.
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Cristina, when you said that about the paper bag, I cracked up, and pictured me wearing the glasses, mustache and large nose Halloween mask! I may have to buy one! LOL. It's not that I make light of losing ones hair, but, omg, if ER don't laugh We may as well quit now. If I can find one of those at my party store, you will see it on my profile pic. I make jewelry, so I will have o get busy and bling it up! Thanks for the idea Vanlex.
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Moonflwr you make jewelry! do you have a site or are you on etsy?
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Lago, I don't have a site yet, but one of my pieced is in the gallery of Art jewelery magazine in, I think its May of 2010? I will check and put a link here. It in the student section of an article with my teachers studio. There at really talented people in my class!
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Dearest Darlam,
I sooooooooooooo could have written your rant and then some. I have read, in awe, all of the positive experiences of others and am so thankful that they are not going through what I am and hopefully NEVER will. I would not wish this on anyone. I high five myself if I can make it to the kitchen and back without having to sit down. Right now, it is Chemo-3, Me - 0, with three more to go. One thing I have learned for sure, a good "NOTE TO SELF" moment, was not ever to tell chemo to BRING IT like I did initially. It has handed me by bohonkus on a platter. You are not alone in the this and if you would like to message me, please feel free to do so. I do not get on the forum as often as I would like but do check in from time to time to get a pick-me-up and check on the sisters. Y'all are an awesome, loving, caring, encouraging, incredibly strong and precious sisterhood that I am proud to be a part...even if I am the one cheering from the bed...I am with you all with thoughts and prayers and hopes for better days which are sure to come!!
God Bless!
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Clearly I need some bling!!!
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I have to do 6 rounds of chemo but no radiation. My first TCH was on Jan 6, 2012. I also had to get the shot Neulasta on the following Monday. I didn't really notice any side effects until after I had the shot. By Thursday, I had severe diareaha, weekness, tired, pain, and rash. I did not experiece nausea or vomitting since my oncology nurses have meds for that via IV. I have chemo treatments ever 3 weeks and Herceptin every week until chemo is done, then Herceptin every 3 weeks.
My second round of chemo was on Jan 27, TCH, plus Neulasta. I didn't have any side effects from the chemo again, maybe some tiredness, but I have noticed that after I received the shot of Neulasta, I always get the worst side effects: Diareaha, weekness, mirgraine this time on my left side of face, including eye, ear and neck - which by Friday, my eye was swollen shut and had to to go the hospital (2/3/2012). no rash this time.
The chemo TCH, side effects: tiredness, some aches and pain but nothing like the migraines I have been getting. loss of taste - plastic helps with that.
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Update..had 4th of 6 TCH tx. on Thursday. Had serious heart to heart with MO about incapicitating nausea and how I just can't do this anymore without some relief. Well, guess what? I now have a Sancuso patch ($190.00 out of pocket, but oh well) and so far, so good. Won't say I feel like Zumba-ing, but I am actually downstairs with the family and not miserable and green. Why it took 4 rounds to get the message across, I don't know, but knock on wood....this is sooooo much better.
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Darlam I'm so happy about this. As I mentioned earlier there are lots of other anti-nausea drugs but sometimes are not mentioned because they are $$. I'm sure it's worth every penny of that $190. (BTW I know this because I have a family member that works for Merck that told me this when I started chemo).
dmorgan what does your onc say about the headaches. Be sure to report every SE and the severity to your onc. They want/need to know.
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Good news darlam! I was wondering what you figured out.0
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Darlalm: I have the Sancuso patch as well and it is a GOD send!!!!! I got mine after my first treatment went bad. I'm so glad my MO doesn't let things go like that. I'm glad you finally got it. I still have to take compazine for some break through nausea but I can keep food down unlike after my first treatment. It makes such a big difference!!!!
dmorgan: I have been getting migranes, too...it's usually on day 8 (or 1 week after the neulasta shot). I never put 2 and 2 together...I will definitely be telling them.
And on a side note...I had my 3 month follow up with my BS. I was telling her about some of the things I read on this site. She said....Breastcancer.org is a great site and that she visits here and reads the articles. It was great hearing that...especially since we had read the same article!!!
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Darlam, I too have been wondering how you are. So glad it is better this time!!
Re: the watery eyes. I have had this bad 2 weeks after tx 5. Is there anything we can take to reduce the symptoms beside putting aquaphor on the corners of our eyes? Has anyone tried decongestants or nasal spray to dry things up? At work this week my eyes kept tearing while I was seeing patients. Not attractive!
I'm relieved to hear about the leg fatigue others feel. My legs have felt like tree logs since tx 4. I was afraid maybe it was my heart giving out. Last time I rode my bike, my legs and arms were shaking like crazy by the end of my ride.
Cridtina00,your Avatar cracks me up.
SpecialK, I love your research tips.
Everyone: I don't write a lot, but trust me, you have all kept me sane during these last few months. I have one more TCH on Feb 9 and that's it!!!!
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Lisa - I am jealous...I will be having TCH on Feb 9th too, but it's only #4 of 6. YAY for you on finishing! I am so tired of everyone telling me how great it is that I am halfway done! All I can think about is that I have to do this 3 more times! My legs are tired too. I park about 2 blocks away from the office and some days I'm not sure I will make it out to the car at the end of the day. Hopefully someone will find me quickly if I go down in the parking lot, and thankfully it's the parking lot of a hospital!
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The tearing is usually from dry eyes. If you choose to use eyedrops don't use the type that will get the red out.0
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Racerdeb
I was very anemic before treatment started always hovered around 8. My MO had me do Iron infusions to bring my hemoglobin up. Did feel better initially don't know how my body functioned with it so low for so many years.0 -
kelloggs, I remember everyone telling me that after my 3rd one too, and it didn't help! Funny thing though, after the 4th one I finally felt like I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hope you will too!
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Kelly, I'm right there with you. Just did #3 and now I'm tanking thinking I have to go through this three more times. But I am glad to be at least half-way there.
Lisa, I got Stye ointment, it has mineral oil and something else I can't remember at the moment. It really helped soothe the corners of my eyes.
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judy and laura, i was just where you guys are last fall/winter. i'm now 13 weeks PFC and i'm ok now. as hard as it is to believe right now, you will be ok, too. my onco just kept telling me to remember that 'chemo is your friend.' i hated that, but now that i'm done, i appreciate his words. it WILL end. i can promise you that. hang in there.
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Kelllogs,
I can totally relate. After I finished #3, I felt so mad! In spite of being "halfway done", finishing seemed like an eternity away! It wasn't until I did#5 that the end seemed in sight.
Lago, thanks for the tip. It didn't occur to me that my eyes are running to make up for extreme dryness. Tomorrow i will try eye drops.
Lisa0 -
Abq - thanks! Happy to help! There are some lubricating eyedrops called Blink that worked well for me.
Ladies who are halfway - I found tx#3 to not feel that much closer to the end, but #4 seemed more of a milestone. IT was easier after that to think I could make it to the end. I know you all know what I mean!
Yay for Sancuso patches!
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Judy and Laura - I didn't celebrate #3 because the end felt too far away for me. I recall #4 being particularly rough (it was also postponed due to low platelet count) and wondering to myself how I would survive two more rounds. BUT, survive I did, and so will you!
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Hello all,
If you haven't already, check out the the discussion group "OMG, they found the cure for stupid" and start at the beginning. HILARIOUS!
Lisa0 -
I was still OK after tx 3. It was after tx 4 that I "didn't want to play anymore" I think also being diagnosed with LE at that time didn't help either.
I'm 1 year 2.5 weeks PFC. My hair texture is starting to really look like my old hair (nice and shiny). I still have a little neuropathy in my left heel but mostly noticeable in the cold or damp weather… not bad. My nails still have issues but I had that nail thing really bad. Other than that I feel fine. Just need to get my tatts Tuesday and I'm done. You will get to feel and look like you again. The weight does come off. There is an end to this.
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It does help reading these posts and knowing you all made it through. When I am in the first week after treatment, my head is saying, "I don't want to do this anymore, this is enough." But I know each day will be better than the next and I will feel stronger by the time the next tx comes around. I will finish, but it is a good thing I didn't know exactly what I was signing on for before I started. I believe someday I will be glad I chose to do the chemo, but it is not this day, LOL!
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