Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Thanks Marcie for the encouraging words.
Welcome stiener, and what omaz said. Warning though, that thread moves FAST! LOL0 -
Welcome steiner18. We're here for ya !!!!!!!!!!!
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Ok....awkward question....
Has anyone had vaginal pain? I'm not talking a UTI (I've had those, this isn't it.) It doesn't feel urinary related, its mostly toward the front, and feels very sore. Strangely, this mostly hurts at night when I'm going to sleep.
I mentioned it to my MO's nurse practitioner who deals with most of the SEs and she hadn't heard of it. She wanted me to go to my ob/gyn, but I'll never get an appt before Thanksgiving, and frankly, I'm sick of going to drs appts, especially when I'm 99% sure this is chemo related.
I figured I would check with my ace team and see if any of you have had anything like this on TCH, and frankly, know what to do about it. I should mention that I'm having other systemic issues, like dry, tearing eyes and periodic nose bleeds, which I am managing. I had my 4th TCH last week, and this just started 2 nights ago.
Just another wonderful benefit of chemo.......
Thanks for any advice,
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cgesq even if you are managing your SE you must report them to your onc every visit. These aren't that unusual but your onc really does want to know everything. I came in with a list.
Many of us did get soreness during sex but not spontaneous. I would see your gyn about this. I too was sick of seeing doctors but I'm glad I did when my onc recommended the podiatrist then the dermatologist… especially the podiatrist when I was having nail issues.
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cgesq - Somewhere during chemo, I can't remember when, I had some discomfort and mentioned it to my onc PA and she said that the chemo can irritate the mucosa of the vagina and that might be what was causing my discomfort. It went away after a bit.
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Cgesq, I have had a vaginal yeast infection that hurt, not just itched. That's why you need to see a gyn. Good luck.
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Cqesq..Look up vaginal fissure, I too was on tch, very painful, tell your onc and ask him to prescribe a cream for it. Hope you feel better soon, it will get better.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.0 -
Has anyone had terrible muscle weakness/pain? Mine started in my legs after my 3rd tx. I can walk but only slowly and bending down/kneeling is nearly impossible and extremely painful and then it is very hard to get back up again. Even laying in bed- I can't bend my legs, I can only lay straight. I try soaking in the tub as that usually helps muscles relax but even while IN the tub, I cant do little stretches without a lot of pain. It started in my legs, then my right arm started doing the same thing. now my left arm is doing it as well. The nurses all seem to act like it isn't something they hear of as far as side effects. I see my MO this week though before my next chemo, so I will see what she thinks. I hate this! Honestly it kind of makes me wonder if I am going to end up in a wheelchair before the end of this. The thing is- I don't feel tired, I have no fatigue- my mind isn't tired but my body just doesn't cooperate!
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I had a lot of leg pain and muscle weakness during treatment. I actually didn't feel capable of walking around the block without someone with me because I was afraid I'd fall. I didn't, but I did trip alot, there were many days that it was hard to lift my leg high enough to step up on the curb. I would stay upstairs most of the time, just so that I wouldn't have to go back up the stairs. My knees hurt terribly, I couldn't pick things up with my hands well, I dropped alot of things. After treatment it got quite a bit better, I still have moments, but generally, not too bad. It was kind of like my body didn't want to move, I remember sitting on the couch thinking I had to go to the bathroom, but I'd end up waiting until I really had to go because it was such an effort to get there. I wasn't tired, just had a really hard time moving.
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LindaKR...I also had similar muscle problems, at one point I couldn't even stand I had to try to pull myself up. Finally the MO gave me a magnesium infusion and I took magnesium for a bit and that helped. I also was afraid to walk anywhere or go anywhere by myself
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Mine hasn't been so much muscle pain, rather, my legs feel like concrete. After #'s 3 & 4, it was severe. I fell a couple of times, and walking even the shortest distance was quite an ordeal. It just exhausted me. I could move for just a few minutes, then have to sit down. Getting a load of clothes out of the laundry was excrutiating. I just did #5 on the 15th, with the same results, but just today, it is markedly better. It lasted almost the entire 4 weeks between chemos last time, but this time, I seem to have been spared. I, too, felt like I might need a wheelchair to get where I was going. Come to think of it, I actually did when I went for my echo. It was entirely too far for me to walk to cardio. I was freading going shpoping next Saturday, but as of right now, I'm ready to zip.....
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These posts about leg pain and trouble walking are worrying me now. I start TCH on Dec 4 and am planning to keep working full-time (if possible!) How long do the symptoms last?
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Steiner, the SEs are very individual, and how long they last also differs from person to person. It is impossible to predict which ones you will get and how your body will react. You just have to play it by ear! I've found that keeping moving/exercizing (to the extent you can) really helps. Also, drink a lot of fluids for several days after the treatments. That really helps flush the chemicals from your body.
I have been mostly fortunate in that the SEs I've experienced have only lasted a few days (mostly.) I've gotten my TCH treatments on Weds or Thurs, and I've found that by Monday, I feel mostly better (usually.)
Good luck....it is doable!
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steiner not everyone has these problems. I was working out on the elliptical and treadmill (under 13 minute mile power walking) for 70 minutes after my first 3 tx. After that I stopped going to the gym but continued to power walk through the park. I did get very stiff towards the end when I stopped walking as much (too cold in December) and I regretted that. I think that's why I got so stiff.
I strongly recommend trying to walk every day if you can. I was 49 when I went through chemo.
I also had no nausea but got the less common nail lifting (some fell off)… in a big way. I mean every single nail on feet & hands. So go figure.
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steiner - I didn't mean to scare you, sorry, I was just responding to someone above who was having those issues. Everyone has different side effects and to different degrees. I know several women that have worked through treatment with only a few days off. The side effects didn't last the whole time either, they came and went with the treatments. I suggest drinking lots of water, eating healthy (organic if possible), I ate a lot of protein also, keep moving when you can. I did make myself walk at least a little every day. Some days it was easier than others. You just can't tell until you're there how the treatment will effect you.
One thing that I would do differently is listen closer to what my body needs. I tried to push through at first, keep working almost full-time, sometimes from home, sometimes from the office. Now I wish that I had taken more "me" time to heal, I had plenty of PTO & short and long term disability, so I didn't have to worry about income so much. I think, for me, it would have been better to take off work starting with the sugery all the way through radiation. I ended up losing my job anyway (long story, poorly run company, craziness), even though they asked me to come back 3 times after they laid me off. But, if possible, it really is the time to take care of yourself and don't feel bad about it. My surgeon told me tissues at rest heal best (now he didn't mean don't move, by any means), but I think he's right -
Chemo was much easier in many ways than I expected it to be. So don't plan ahead for something that may never be a problem for you. It's good to be aware of what could happen, but don't over worry - you may never even have that side effect.
Take care - and sorry if I scared you
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Steiner - I had no leg pain during my treatment - in fact I honestly felt like my body was adjusting - weird but true. It's been almost 4 weeks since my last one and I do feel like I am getting more energy
just listen to your body. It is doable and everyone is different.I totally agree with Linda - this is the time to take care of you. If someone offers to help you agree - I know it's hard - trust me - but if ever there was a time to let someone help and let control go - this is it.
Just wondering if any of you had your onc do the calculator thing to figure out recurrence?
Take care everyone -
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Marilyn - do you mean before or after treatment? I didn't have the oncotype DX and when I asked my MO why not, he said there was never any doubt as to what treatment I needed. If you mean after treatment - yes I did ask - and he did some quick calcs using what treatments I was having and counted if I completed the AI and gave me a less than 10% chance of recurrence - without the treatments, other than MX, I had more like a 50% chance of recurrence.
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Marilyn my onc told me my stats based on my age and diagnosis when I first met her and we talked about treatment. With only surgery my changes of recurrence in the next 10 years was/is 58%. If I did chemo & hormone therapy it was 14%. At that time they didn't have stats for Herceptin so I'm sure it's probably even better than the numbers I was given. I believe she used Adjuvent online.
I did not have an oncotype. People who are HER2+ and getting Herceptin don't get one because Herceptin is almost always given with chemo (because it is more effective that way). The test is expensive and would be a waste of money since you are getting chemo anyway.
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Lago, when did you start Tamoxifen (or which ever drug they put you on to address the ER/PR+). Did they wait until you completed Herceptin?
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Lori my onc started me on Anastrozole (generic Arimidex) right away even though I was peri-menopausal when I started chemo. At my age and family history she didn't think I would go out of chemopause but monitored me for several months. She wanted me to start 4 weeks post chemo but my NP said wait 6 weeks so I could start on March 1st. I didn't end Herceptin till the following September. I know that at my treatment center they don't start these drugs till after radiation which is about 5-6 weeks.
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This is not completely on topic, but I just had BMX (w/ reconstruction) and am supposed to start chemo (TC-H) next. How long did they wait after surgery to start your chemo regimen? I called the office to get more information, but they haven't gotten back to me yet. What is common? Shoshana
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ably - usually about 4-6 weeks after surgery but it depends on your healing progress. Once you begin chemo you will not heal as well so it is a subjective decison made with cooperation of surgeon and oncologist. Most docs want you to begin chemo before 12 weeks have elapsed as studies show the potential for diminished effectiveness beyond this time period.
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ablydec are you getting a port? I waited 5 weeks but I think they would have had me go in as early as 4 weeks after BMX. I think it took 2 weeks for the final pathology to come back. I wouldn't want to start chemo before that final pathology was in and my onc reviewed it.
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Lori - my MO started my AI (Anti-estrogen) about 3 weeks post final chemo, and before I started rads, I received herceptin for another 7 months after I started the AI.
ablydc - I started my chemo 5 weeks after my MX, I would have started a week earlier but had an abcessed tooth and they didn't want to start me until I was off antibiotics for that.
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Thanks everyone for the info - I appreciate it
take good care!!!M
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I searched and am glad to see that I am not the only one having leg pain and weakness. It has truly been one of the most difficult things for me. It started after my third treatment. My MO said it is from the Taxotere.
I worked full time from home when I first began chemo on August 14th, but by October 1st I needed to go onto full time medical leave. I know many people do not have that luxury.
Steiner18---if you get the leg pain and weakness, and that is a big if because I think many women don't, I have found 2 Aleve every 12 hours helps a lot, sitting is fine no pain. I feel weak and achy when I first start walking or if I have to stop and stand for long periods of time, short little trips from fridge to sofa hurt...but once I am up and moving and can keep moving I feel better. Again IF you experience leg weakness, I suggest you keep walking and doing light excercise to keep those muscle working. I just had my last TCH today and plan to go back to work on December 10th...the leg pain did not keep me from Black Friday, or helping with Thanksgiving dinner and won't keep me from returning to my career. It is an annoyance, not a debilitator.
C
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Okay so I haven't had the carboplatin nor will I get Herceptin, but I was looking for those of you who have had Taxotere and leg pain or muscle aches with the taxotere and low and behold you guys were talking about that very thing! Although I don't know that any of you can answer my question. I was wondering how long it will last. I just finished my last chemo treatement on 11/14/12 and my muscles ache a good bit. I haven't stopped exercising, but I have slowed down a good bit. I used to do spinning classes, but haven't been able to do those. Instead I have been doing water aerobics because it's so much easier on my legs and arms. It's still hurts to do it, but I give it my all three to four times a week hoping that it will ease the muscle aches that I have. I also take hot baths at night and stretch out in the bath each and every night to try and loosen up, but it doesn't help either. How long will this last? I don't want to scare anyone this isn't debilitating. It's muscle soreness like you would get after working out really hard...and I haven't done that. You can function with the way you feel it's just hard to do anything strenuous. It seems like your legs weigh an extra ten pounds and your arms weigh an extra five pounds. You can function, but it seems to take more effort to do certain things. So if anyone knows how long my legs may feel like this I sure would like to know. I can't wait to feel like myself again.
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sonson I swear 5 weeks PFC I woke up and all of a sudden my stiffness was about 50% improved! and it continued to improve. I was so stiff by my 5th tx that I couldn't even sit Indian style. My knees wouldn't go flat.
I'm telling the 5 weeks mark is like a miracle. Granted my eyelashes & eyebrows finally started to come out then too but the new growth was right behind… just pushing out those old dead hairs.
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Thanks, lago, that gives me something to look forward to. It hasn't even been three weeks yet so I know I'm rushing things, but I just can't wait to start feeling more like I used to feel before all this cancer mess took over. I'm so sick of feeling sick. I just want to feel more healthy again.
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Yup I hear you. After your last tx everyone is cheering you on but you feel shittier than ever. It does get better… a lot better. Cancer treatment and recovery is just one big time suck. ♥ ♥ ♥
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