Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Thanks Amy! My onc is actually pretty holistic - I'm going to run these ideas by him and see his reaction and will go from there! I'm all for the supplemental treatments to help prevent neuropathy!
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I did reflexology and acupuncture during treatment. The acupuncture really helped my heartburn.
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Omaz - you are right about the nail issues showing up later, but I was talking about the first time I did Taxol back in 2006 - I had 4 rounds and didn't have any nail issues. That's what I meant by "the first time" not the first tx this time around
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dancetrancer If you start to develop neuropathy your onc will want to know. If it's really bad they will reduce your dose. It does take some time to resolve. I have some in my left heel. It's just a bit numb especially when its cold out. I hardly notice it today since it's almost 80. I took Acetyl-L-Carnitine as soon as the neuropathy started (my fingers had a little pins and needles). Once I started the A-L-C I only had it in my foot. Ask your onc about it. Also print out this for your onc. (See last section " Clinical Research Ahead")
I think many of the long term serious nueropathy occurs with patience that have had issues to start with, have diabetes or women that have been treating for a long time (mets/stage IV). Granted that's not to say some don't have serious issues that don't fall into that category but don't assume it's going to be you. I was scared of a lot of things reading these boards before treatment. Hell even my LE isn't as bad as I imagined.
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Relda I got the nail issue pretty badly. It's rare to get it this badly. Things to do resolve. My toenails won't ever be the same but some polish will fix that. Several of my fingernails have not fully resolved but according to my podiatrist, the problem is I use my fingers more than my toes putting pressure on them. Therefore it's going to take a bit longer but she believes they will resolve… it just takes some time. Again a little nail polish and no one knows the difference. I did try to ice once I felt the pain but it didn't work for me.
I too had the worst constipation TX1. I found that Metamucil taken the night of chemo then 3x a day till things went back to normal worked for me. Things still moved slowly but they moved. That first time I ended up with hemorrhoids too.
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Relda - Got it! (c:0
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dance - I posted on your other thread about the anti-neuropathy supplements I used but I will post it here again. L-Glutamine (30g of powder mixed into a hot drink - 10g 3Xday), 1 tab of Acetyl L-Carnitine (I believe it was 1500mg), and a tab of B-6 (100mg). I also iced fingers and toes, and chewed ice, during the Taxotere portion of my infusions, for all 6. I also followed this regimen for nails - I painted Sally Hansen nail hardener for seven days in a row, then removed it all and started over. I also painted my fingernails and toenails with very dark polish on the day of chemo. I had read about the interaction of Taxotere with light. That may not have been necessary but aside from one fingernail that already had a high tear, my nails looked awesome after I was done. No ridges, no lines and no discolorization. I never had constipation during all of chemo - I had the opposite. Do not pre-treat for constipation until you know which way you are going to trend.
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Omaz - great to know about the acupuncture (I have severe reflux but now well controlled by meds...we'll see what chemo does, if anything, to my symptoms). So...the needles being put in is not an extra risk to the chemo-immunocomprised system?
Lago - thank you - will definitely print that out and discuss with my doc. Has anyone here tried the IV calcium and Mg as discussed in that section? BTW, I do have some baseline mild neuropathy already in my leg from a chronic nerve injury...and some on and off tingling in my left hand...thus the reason I am extra extra concerned.
SpecialK...oh my...thank you for the warning on the constipation vs other extreme! I will talk to my doc about this! And thanks for the details on the mg you used. How did you come up with the dosage? Is this what you read here, in studies, or what your onc said?
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Hello all! I just spoke with my local onc's nurse. She is going to get me set up to meet with a surgeon to discuss port placement, etc. (scared to death about this, too - man I'm a baby!). I've read lots of people have a fair amount of pain with their port placement...and I'm also worried about the incision (1) showing with certain tops (2) being irritated by my sports bra (thinking positive about returning to dance once on Herceptin only). Would love to hear feedback from you all on your experience with this.
She is also going to get me going with the heart study this week. Then, we will start chemo/Herceptin next week. OMG, can't believe this is really happening.
I had told her that I'm petrified of the whole process, and b/c I've had 3 new allergic reactions to meds happen this past fall (oxycodone, Lortab, pepcid IV), I'm really scared about having an allergic reaction to the chemo/Herceptin. She said she discussed it with my onc, and he is actually willing to have me admitted overnight to the hospital for my first infusion, if that makes me feel better. I've never heard of anyone else doing this...but it does give me a sense of comfort that if I react, I'm in the right place. What do you all think of that?
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Oh, this all seems to be moving along so fast...which I guess is necessary since my tx has been delayed for so long. I feel like I don't even have time to contemplate the whole cold caps thing, with all these other questions and concerns going on in my head, my hair seems like the lowest priority...but I'm not sure...opinions on whether to explore it or just chuck it, worry about the other medical details, and deal with the hair loss?
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Oh and wait about tooth cleaning? Someone mentioned somewhere you should have that done before doing chemo?
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dance - for the neuropathy stuff, it was a combo of research and what I had read from others on BCO - ran it by my onc first, he gave the go-ahead. He also said I could ice if I wanted to but my center didn't have any supplies - I brought my own bags of peas in a cooler, and a big thermal cup of crushed ice for my mouth. The Sally Hansen nail hardening polish came in a little pouch of stuff, with Biotene products, put together by Sanofi Aventis (maker of Taxotere) that I received at my first chemo tx. My pre-meds included steroids and Benadryl, which were included to counteract allergic reaction. I am allergic to a lot of meds as well, mostly antibiotics. My understanding is that an allergic reaction to chemo drugs is usually pretty swift - within 15-30 minutes, sometimes less. The first tx they usually run slow - looking for issues. They may monitor your vitals more frequently too. If it makes you feel better to be admitted for the first infusion, and your insurance covers it, you could do that, but also know that you can have a reaction at any tx later in the process. I developed a rash after #3, and had to go to the before/during/after steroid dosing instead of just on tx day in the pre-meds. On the port - mine is subclavian, right below the hollow of my throat. It is 100% visible all the time but you can't see it because it is super-tiny. It was placed during my BMX from underneath so I have no incision, and I don't recall a great deal of pain associated with it, but I do remember being "aware" of it because of the swelling. I stopped noticing it after a week or two.
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WooooHoooooo! I am done with hard chemo! I can't believe it! Such a wonderful feeling!
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Big SMILE slgarcia!!!!0
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Dancetrancer I don't do well with drugs either. I thought I would get every SE. Well I didn't. I didn't even get any nausea and my taste changes were very minor. Granted I did get the more rare thing (bad nail issues) but as you can see I'm fine now. They watch you so closely.
Remember people tend to post about the bad stuff. I have yet to see a thread on "Port placement: it was easy." I could have started that thread. Seriously by the time my surgeon came back to give me instructions I had dressed myself and was sitting in the chair. He was expecting me to still be on the gurney. I could have walked out but they don't let you do that after local. I had a little discomfort after that but nothing I took meds for.
Get your teeth cleaned before starting chemo. I did and my dentist made sure he did a good job too.
Congratulations slgarcia!
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Dance, port is great!I was sooo happy with it! I don't feel it at all and I don't feel when they insert needle in it ( I also use EMLA cream) I have it since August 11, and I forgot I have it. I did not feel any pain with it.
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Also, Dance, I have finished my TCH ( not HERCEPTIN, it will be till September) on January 3. I never had neuropathy or pain. One and only problem I had -was fatique. Hair loss is OK, mine is growing back now. No nausea or vomiting. You will be fine!
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Shannon - yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Lago - thank you for the input on the port - didn't know it could be done with a local...that makes me feel better! Will call the dentist as soon as I find out my other appt times. Thanks!!
olgah - thank you my dear!!!! So great to hear from you!
Special K - taking more notes! You guys are so awesome. I don't know what I'd do without all of my "sisters".
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dance - my surgeon had me draw the area that was bra-strap free so he knew where to put the port. I also had my teeth cleaned before chemo and then after it was over.0
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Thanks Omaz!
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Shannon - YAY!!!!! I am happy dancing for you!
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dance, You will probably not experience all of the SEs you read about. I know that I stocked up on all kinds of things, but didn't need them, thank goodness! My only SE was nausea. Nails did well. I used cold caps and kept all of my hair. I think keeping my hair and not looking "sick" helped me tremendously with the emotional aspects.0
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Shannon - Yay on your last tx. My last one is coming up in 2 weeks and I can't wait.
Dancetrancer - I started developing neuropathy in the balls of my feet after tx 4 but it is not too bad. Onc. said he would monitor closely to consider whether or not to drop the Taxotere for this last tx but I think I would feel better just finishing it out at this point. I have been taking L-Glutamine since day 1. I have not had any nausea ever and I don't have to take anything extra other than the steroids I take before and after tx's. I had some joint pain after first two tx's from Neulasta shot, but since I started taking the Claritin 3 days before and 4 days after, it has not been bad. I didn't ice my nails but have not had any problems. My worst side effect I think is the Hot Flashes, those totally suck!! Chemo is a tough choice, but at the end of the day, I think I'll be glad I did it. We will be here for moral support to help you through.
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Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who shared their experiences with ice for nails and/or neuropathy. And a special thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes I think I have to pick my battles at my hospital, but I am not going to back down. Thanks again everyone.
Dancetrancer...You have already been through so much. I go for my second TCH of 6 the end of this week. My worse side effect was a really bad headache that lasted a couple of days. But I still feel lucky with the SE's. I am also doing the cold caps. Good luck with your port and treatment.
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Thank you everyone for continued information and support! My head is still spinning, but I'm gradually putting it all together. This is the way it was before surgery...I know I will process it all soon mentally/emotionally...I have a bit less time, though, to process, since I'm so far behind on treatment already. Just gotta put my head down and push forward.
Brax, good luck this week!!! So your hospital didn't want you to bring in ice for your nails?
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brax - a numbr of us (including me) had a bad headache on tx#1 that did not return on subsequent tx. Also, some of the anti-nausea meds cause headache, particularly Zofran. I would insist on icing, whether they like it or not. You have a right to make the choice to ice, as long as it is ok with your MO. The nurse can just work around it. If she balks, have her call me, lol!
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brax sometimes the staff likes to do what's easiest for them. They forget you are the patient and you (and your insurance) helps pay their salary. There are other places to get treated.
This past Feb I had a liver scan. In the past I have them give me the dye in my foot because I have LE in one arm and the other also had 4 nodes removed so it's at risk. When I made the appointment I told them they would have to access my foot. (My port is not a power port so that isn't an option).
So the day comes and the tech says to me "I notice you always have your foot accessed for the IV. Well we are not doing that today."
I smiled and said "Well then I'm leaving… and I'm not kidding." I explained the issue.
He then prepared everything but when it came to accessing my foot he said "I haven't done one of these yet so I need to get the other tech to do it."
So remember this is your body. They are not the ones who are going to have to deal with the discomfort of mouth sores or nails lifting.
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hair question...if you don't do cold caps...does it always come back?
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dance - it is pretty rare for it not to - my MO said in 15 years he has only seen it happen once, but it is a published warning for Taxotere.
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Hi to All ~ Had my last TCH last Friday and not even sure if I posted that I was done. I think so, but the past few days have been pretty rough (dizzy & cramping), but hallelujah...it's the last one! Just wanted send my good wishes to Kelley and SiGarcia because I believe they have come to the end of the chemo journey as well. Now it's on to rads and Herceptin and watching and waiting for my hair to grow. I know I am pretty blah today, but just wanted to extend thanks and virtual hugs for getting me this far. So thankful I have you all to continue the journey. You are the best! Hope you are all having a great day. It's beautiful and sunny in San Diego today. Can't wait to feel well enough to go out and really enjoy it...like maybe a bit of shopping! Take care...Linda
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