Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Hey all! I'm back on the D train somewhat this morning - after having been normal several days. Has this happened to anyone else? I also have started the sniffles (herceptin, I'm sure) and watery eyes (Taxotere tears I hear...going to get tear replacement drops).
Otherwise these minor complaints, I feel fantastic!!! My walking is perfectly fine now, no limp, no pain! Lots of energy and feel as close to normal as ever!!! One week from today it starts over, but having this reprieve really, really helps.
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Yes...happened to me...it will all straighten itself out. I would have the big C the first week, the 2nd week was the big D...then I switched to the big D for both weeks...and by the time I got to #6, I was somewhat normal.
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Thanks dougieswife!
All - had a tiny bit of blood with the runny nose. Is there anything I should be doing prevention-wise on this to keep it from worsening? Vaseline or something in the nose? Or just leave it be? It wasn't too bad. I just have a phobia about nosebleeds....always have!
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Saline spray in your nose a couple of times per day will help the sniffly and bleeding of the nose. Mine progressively worsened with each treatment - and lasted longer. The saline spray helped a lot.
While on TCH, I struggled with D nonstop. It truly limited my ability to function in the world as I was always worried about where the bathroom might . . or might not be.
Now after finishing TCH, I have the opposite problem. My stomach is so bloated and full all of the time, and I am lucky to have a bm once every several days even on a stool softener. I have an appointment with my GP on Monday to see what he thinks as this has gone on now for a couple of months. Of course, it is making my mind go to scary places . . .
Anyone else have this problem after TCH?
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Dance - my best friend on TCH was my vaporizer. I used it every night when I noticed my nose was bleeding and I never had another problem. Before that I used a small amount of Aquaphor on a q-tip and swabbed it in my nose (gross, I know) but it helped. The vaporizer eliminated the need for the Aquaphor.
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DanceT I had the bloody herceptin nose in the winter mostly and when I was also doing chemo. I don't mean a tiny bit of blood either. I mean bloody nose gusher that was hard to stop. I did use Vaseline but be sure to not gunk it on. You don't want to inhale it. Just cover the surface.
ILBoysMom I had the big C with TCH (no D). I took Nutra Flora (still do… helps with bloat too) with my yogurt and ate a lot of fiber. On the days I knew I would get the big C I took Metamucil 3X a day (as directed) till things moved at normal speed again. That was about 3+ days for me. I would also ask your onc. My first TX I was so constipated I came really close to going to the emergency room. The Metamucil finally kicked in. I started taking it the night of chemo after that.
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Thanks all so much!!! You are so awesome and NEVER let me down. I am so lucky to have my TCH sistas!
I'm not past TCH, obviously, ILBoysMom, but I will second the NutraFlora (thanks Lago!)...but maybe start with a half dose and work your way up. I didn't do that and had some bloating and cramps at first. I'm also on probiotics now, and they really seem to be helping (it is hard to tell 100% what is what with me, though, since I'm in the middle of TCH, and my GI sx fluctuate).
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Vist with the oncologist last week, looks like I'll be starting TCH the end of next month. Still have some other tests to do, etc., but that's "THE PLAN" getting my port put in on 5/15. I have been reading this thread for hours (suppose to be working don't tell anyone):) My daughter who is now 30 was diagnosed with BC at 26 - almost exactly the same diagnosis as mine except I got to wait until age 62 and the same treatment plan.
I know everyone is different, but she felt punky the night of the TCH and for the next 2 days - achy flu like some nausea and then was fine. From what I've been reading most of you seemed to experience your bad days several days after in lieu of immediately after the TCH, is that correct? The reason I ask, is that I was planning on scheduling on a Friday, then off Saturday/Sunday from work which I thought would be the worse days, now I'm wondering if this is a good idea/plan? I have to continue to work and loose as many days as possible. Fortunately, I have a desk job and work from home on the computer or phone most of the day. Just looking for feedback as to how to actually schedule chemo days and the general thought as to when SE might hit.
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rgina - Welcome, sorry you have to be here at all but glad you are joining us!
I had my treatment on Tuesday. By Sunday I was starting to feel better. I think I felt a little worse than some of the other women though.
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Thanks for the welcome, you all are a wealth of information and so thankful to be here even if not happy about the reason that I am:)
When did you start feeling bad? Immediately or a few days after your Tuesday treatment?
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rgina we're all different. I had my infusion on Tuesday. Felt great on Wednesday. Thursday-Saturday were the more challenging days. When I finally got the taste changes (mine were minor) they were the following week. I never got the flu fatigue nor any nausea. You just don't know till you go through it. I wouldn't be surprised if you reacted like your daughter.0
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I had mine on Thurs. Felt fine Fri/Sat (even a little hyper from the steroids - lots of energy). Then Sunday I was more tired, and by M/T/W i had some gastro issues. Not nausea but more big D and cramping.
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rgina - Everyone is different and has different symptoms and timeline. I wrote how my 'things' went and called my onc PA if I had any questions.0
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rgina - yes we are all different. I've only had one TCH. Don't go by me, I have had some extra difficulties...but I still made it through and feel great now (this is my 3rd week, 2nd TCH next week).
I had TCH on a Tuesday, had a bit of GI issues/abdominal pains that night. Wed felt pretty good (still on steroids). Thurs eve started with more strong abdominal cramps and constipation - took colace (doc now recommends Miralax for me - gentler). Friday started a low grade fever which ran for 11 days (in the 99's). Extremely weak and SOB all weekend, GI issues changed to diarrhea, developed some pretty severe indigestion/reflux issues (I have gastric reflux pre-chemo as it is, so it flared). I was on the couch pretty much the entire weekend.
Monday energy started improving, but developed thrush. Indigestion continued to be bad.
Tuesday trending back towards the big C. Saw MD. Meds switched up. Bloodwork showed pretty severe neutropenia.
Wed - felt significantly better with the med changes!
I think I personally would have been able to go back to work on this day...but again...others have only missed one or two days of work. I had other complications, including later a reaction to an antibiotic, ER for possible blood clot,etc., etc. All of that is not your typical. So, basically, for me, without complications I think my worst days would be days 3 to 7 post chemo.
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rgina I had just posted on the March board because I did not have really bad side effects and wondered if after the 2nd treatment the SE's got worse. I too work from home in a desk job. I had my TCH on Monday, did not really feel bad. Took my Nuelasta shot on Wednesday (late) and Thursday I felt like I had the flu...bodyaches, joint aches, headache, low-grade fever. Friday I felt better. I would say that I did break up my day on Tues-Thurs. I worked like 6 hours then made up my 2 hours later that evening. If you are able to do that it helps. Cause I usually work from 6 to 2:30 and around 12 I could feel my energy really draining. If you cannot break it up then I would recommend taking a nap on your lunch!
I had the taste changes by the weekend and they have continued. I would not necessarily describe it as metal, not sure how to describe it, just not good! I also have had some diarrhea and indigestion which I rarely ever had before.
Anyway, like I said I am almost scared to get my 2nd TCH for fear that the side effects will be worse since I did not have major ones the first go round! Hope you have minimal ones also.
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MT4ever My SE the first tx were a little difficult only because they were not managed (took over a week to get heart burn meds… don't want to talk about that, took a bit to figure out how to manage the big C and the first Nuelasta is the worst). My 2nd and 3rd tx weren't bad at all. Because it's cumulative the SE start to last a bit longer each time. My 4th TX I got LE so that really got me down. By the time I did tx 5 & 6 I just didn't want to play anymore but I knew I had too. I had the nail lifting issue really bad then…every single finger and toe nail. That was one of the worst for me. Lucky it's not as common of an SE and most people if they do get it don't get it as bad as I did.0
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OK girls. Do hot flashes feel like a fever, yet you don't actually have one? I think I've moved into chemopause already...is that possible so soon, with just one treatment? My lips are all dry, and I feel like I need to keep drinking tons of water...super thirsty. But no actual fever. This is an odd, odd sensation.
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I found on chemo it was more like a wave of heat that would start from the back of my head and move down my body. I never got really sweaty. I'm not sure when they started but I know my last period was 2 weeks before I started chemo.
Funny story:
So I ready that you were not supposed to wear tampons during chemo (harbors bacteria) so I went shopping for pads. I wore a pad maybe twice in jr high when the tampon wasn't enough if you know what I mean. Anyway I'm in Walgreens looking at these things trying to decide if I need ones that fly (with wings) or extra long etc. I had to ask another woman what she recommended. Can you believe at 49 YO I had to ask what to purchase. Ironically I never needed them.0 -
dance - I just looked back at my notes and I had one short period after chemo 1 and my hot flashes started a few days after chemo 2.0
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rgina - Welcome! I had my TCH on Thursdays. I felt great that day, Friday and most of Saturday. Saturday night I started to feel the achey feeling and was pretty much a slug on Sunday. By tx 5 I had to take Monday off work...just no energy. My taste changes started during infusion and lasted about a week to 10 days and was the hardest SE for me to deal with. I was hungry (never got nausea) but nothing tasted good. The best advice I got was to drink, drink, drink. Staying hydrated before, during and after is so important. Good luck!
dance - I agree with lago's description of a hot flash. I had one period after tx 1 and have not had once since. The hot flashes feel like a flushing that starts at the top of my head and goes down my body. Not pleasant, but they don't last long.
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Thanks guys for the feedback on hot flashes. It didn't feel like a wave of heat or anything. No sweating at all. And it lasted a couple of hours at least. Felt just like a fever, even a slightly scratchy sore throat. My temp was around 98.9. My normal is around 97.2, but still, I was in the 99's for over 10 or 11 days and never felt that hot, thirsty, dry lips kind of feeling. It has passed somewhat. Who knows. Our poor bodies have no idea how to deal with what we are putting in them!
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Hi Ladies,
I had my port put in yesterday and I am supposed to start my first TCH today. My port felt ok last night I guess because it was still numb. But in the middle of the night and this morning it hurts like heck. It isn't red or inflammed, very bruised though. It hurts alot worse than if looks. Is that normal? The port sight, the neck spot and over towards my arm hurts... ouch
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Ladybug...that is exactly how mine felt!!! I had twinges down my arm and very weird sensations in my chest. I still, almost 5 months later, have discomfort and weird feelings in there.
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Good luck today ladybug!0
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Good luck ladybug! The port may be a pain today, but you will be sooooo glad you have it!
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Dance - I had a period right after tx#1 and right before tx#3. I had hot flashes during the first few tx's like the others are describing but tx#4 has been crazy - they are lasting for hours as well. I can't seem to cool off! I was supposed to get another another period on Monday but it hasn't come yet so I'm thinking it has stopped. My DH said he hopes I turn back to 'normal' after...which is using my electric blanket every nite and putting my freezing feet on his to warm them up! I always used to complain about being cold...now I can't wait to be cold again!
Lago - Your nails started lifting during chemo? Mine are sore and discolored. Did you notice anything weird right before they started lifting? I have 2 more tx's to go and I'm hoping that doesn't happen.
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Love74, LOL!!! I too have always been the heat-seeking foot monster!!! I always would wake up diagonal on the bed - feet over on DH.
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Love they were sore. When I told my onc she said that is a sign that they will lift and maybe fall off. I never lost any fingernails but did lose several toenails… and one toenail had to be removed. Have you reported this SE to your onc? Its important that you do. It's a sucky SE. I hope you don't get it as bad as I did. It started with the fingers after TX3 but the toes started sooner. I can show you pictures but it will scare the crap out of you. I had it really badly0
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Lago - I did mention it to the doc...she said they look good still but I just want to make sure I don't miss anything before I meet with her again before the next tx.
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Love74 - are you icing your nails during the Tax? I know it doesn't prevent it in every case...but just in case, might be worth a try if you aren't already doing it.0
