Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
-
Hi MichelleRN78,
I too opted for no wig- just going to use scarves and cotton caps. My husband and I buzzed our hair two days ago (it was starting to fall out) and our 1 and 3 year olds were fine with the new hair cuts. They like to rub our heads and, since we kept it light and funny, so far haven't said anything that would make me think it bothers them.
As far as fatigue, I had very few side effects with tx#1. In fact, if you read back in this thread you'll see me ask if that meant the drugs weren't working:) I was able to play with my kids and lead my normal life (especially after the first few days). Also, I didn't have the Neulasta shot which may have been part of it. I have tx #2 so we'll see if it hits me harder.
Good luck!
0 -
Wishing you the best Michelle! I had my 2nd treatment on Friday and the Neulasta shot on Saturday. So far so good in terms of SEs. I didn't feel great on Monday but still went to work and taught all my classes. I have 9yo twin boys and was able to take them to and watch their baseball game that night. Be aware of all the possible SEs but dont believe you'll get all of them. Rest when you need to but also try and get out and exercise if you can. My plan has been to try to keep my life (and my sons' lives) as normal as possible....so far so good
0 -
Hi Ladies,
I am given 25 mg of Benadryl and 1000mg of Tylenol as pre-med while the saline runs for 30 minutes before Herceptin. Is this what ya'll get? The Benadryl knocks me out and I end up sleeping for 3 hours afterwards. I asked if I could get 12.5 mg of Benadryl and the nurse said she's never given a lower dose. I haven't seen my MO yet, but wanted to see what ya'll get.
0 -
florbo - I did not get any pre-meds once I started to receive Hercetin only.
0 -
I don't get any pre-meds with the Herceptin. They run about 5 minutes of saline and then 30 minutes of Herceptin.
0 -
I never got premeds before Herceptin only. They would just hang the Herceptin and let it run over an hour.
0 -
same here. no premeds before herceptin only.
0 -
no pre-meds for me either. A few minutes of saline and then herceptin for 90 minutes and a short saline flush at the end. It would be interesting to know why they are giving you the tylenol and benedryl.
0 -
I didn't get pre-meds either with Herceptin only. My infusion was 30 minutes.
0 -
Hi ladies: First TCH+Perjeta was 4/17 and I've had the big "D" most days since. BRAT diet & Imodium ends it, but w/in 24 hours of stopping those, it's back again. And for heaven's sake-I never graduated past poached chicken & naan & cheese. I don't mind weight loss but 9 lbs in a week is a little much.
I'm wondering if the vitimins & supplements could be part of the cause? I've started those again as soon as I stop the Imodium & increase my diet. Anyone know? I hate to stop those since I'm trying to avoid neuropathy.
0 -
Florbo - when I started on Herceptin only back in 2010 they started with the premeds to help against an allergic reaction towards the meds. I requested they stop them because I too would be asleep all day if possible! You should know by no if you had an allergy or had any other SE regarding Herceptin. The did stop the premeds and I was in/out of the infusion center within 1/2 hour and back to work. Hope it works out for you! Oh ps I'm on Perjeta taxotere and Herceptin , all l I get is saline zofran and Tylenol. No Benedryl per my request :-) good luck XO Jacquee'
0 -
Florbo - been on Herceptin ONLY now since Sept '11....NO PRE-MEDS. The tylenol and benedryl was a premed on the TCH tho and then took more benedryl for 2 xtra days after my neulasta shot. I was told that combo was to help the se's of the neulasta shot. And it did. Good Luck!
Jacquee - In 2010...how long were you on the Herceptin?
0 -
Thanks so much for all the helpful info! I'm seeing my MO tomorrow morning so I'm going to decline the premeds for my next Herceptin infusion on 5/7. This will make my life so much easier so I can drive myself there and back. This has made my day!
0 -
Hi Mema, I was on Herceptin for a year total. I started AC June 2010 started Taxol and Herceptin in August each week for 20 weeks then continued Herceptin by itself until end of August 2011. It was a year total. Sorry had to remember LoL. I love your quote! XO Jacquee'
0 -
Do you know the dosages of the T and C that you were given? I believe I was overdosed on the chemo drugs. I was given 120mg of Taxotere and I believe 65-75mg is what I should have been started on. I was given 570mg of Carboplatin when they only give 200mg for cervical cancer and 360mg for ovarian cancer. I had my nails discolor and then fall off. I had every side effect written in the book and then some. I suffered Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in my right ear. I have taxotere toxicity and never grew back hair (been 21 months since chemo) and now I am being tested for myelodysplatic syndrome (MDS...which is what Robin Roberts of Good Morning America just went through) and acute myeloid lukemia (AML). That's right, the chemo most likely caused a worse cancer! Does anyone out there know what doses they were on....why are we not told this when we are given chemo??? Anyone going through what I am?
0 -
Kbarry,
I'm so sorry to read what you are going through. My understanding of the dosages is that it is based on your weight. That is why they weigh us each time we go for chemo.
Sorry I can't be of more help. Sending good karma your way!!
0 -
kbarry67 & cgesq chemo dosage is based on body surface area. To calculate they use both your weight and height. This isn't a perfect science. If your SE are too severe ( like neuropathy) they will reduce your dose.
I remember when I first met my onc the tech that measured me said I was only 5'5". I told her she was wrong I was 5'6". She measured again and said I was wrong. When I met my once I said, "BTW I don't care what your tech says I'm 5'6" not 5'5"." My onc said "lets measure you." Of course I was right. My onc then left the room… I believe to talk to the tech about measuring incorrectly. Yeah this is important.
0 -
Minus2, please contact your onc. If it comes tight back you could be.in trouble. I assumed that if I didn't use more than the 8 tablets.of immodium that I was ok. Ended up in the hospital with renal failure. So be careful. My tx had to be adjusted. and i needed a special med for the big D. Good luck.
0 -
Michelle - hang in there. Hope today went well. My boys are just a little older than your kids. My 7 yo was more upset about the idea of my hair falling out than he has about seeing me with my peach fuzz. If you're interested in a no-fuss, not as expensive hair option, I did find a headband wig that I LOVE - much more comfy than other wigs I tried - and much more affordable ($135).
Definitely line up help with daily tasks for days 2-5 ish. We've had my sister or mom here for each round (just finished 5 of 6 Tues). Having someone to help with school pickup, getting dinner ready, etc. has been a lifesaver. Some days you'll start out feeling great, then just want to sleep. Don't stress too much about all the side effects- we don't all get all of them. (Thank heavens!!). Let us know how you're doing.0 -
Thanks Moonflower. No diarrhea for 2 full days now. I see MO on Monday & this will certainly be one of the topics.
Still hoping someone will know if the vitimins & supplements (or some of them) could be the cause of diarrhea.
0 -
Free Wigs, The American Cancer Society provides free wigs for those going through chemo. You can call the national number (1.800.227.2345) 24/7 or call your local office. I ordered mine through the local office but many of the Looks Good Feel Better programs give them out too. That national number can also help with all kinds of support including a reach to recovery partner (they'll match you up with someone who has already been through this ).
0 -
I'm 5'4" and only weigh 103lbs and had severe side effects ie diarrhea for 12 straight days and neuropathy and the dose was never decreased!!!
0 -
kbarry it depends on how bad the neuropathy is. I know one of my friends had one dose of taxotere and her onc made her stop and change do Adrymicin… and she begged to stay on taxotere but her onc said no. She would have permanent damage. Mine never seemed real bad in my feet but I do have a numbish heel. It's been over 2 years so it's not going away. My dose wasn't reduced but my onc said if it got worse she might have to reduce my dose. Never had to.
0 -
I went to the Kaiser (HMO) site to look up my past visit information on my last chemo. I was given 162 mg of Taxotere and 665 mg of Carboplatin. Looking back further it looks like I was given 725 mg of Carboplatin on my first chemo and my weight was less than 10 pounds more than it was on my last chemo so it looks like they lowered the Carboplatin a little because I had a small reaction to it on my first one.
It's hard to compare with yours though because I also outweigh you by a lot so it makes sense that I was given more.
0 -
Jerome, it took them three tx before they changed my tx amounts. I had the big d.
Minus, I take and have taken magnesium supplements, also potassium both ordered by onc. The magnesium I am up go 4 tablets a day, it was up to 6 but then I had more big D. Both of those can cause D. So, be careful.0 -
Newbie to this board....but I see some of my +++ friends.....is TCH the norm for +++ girls? This is one of the treatmeant MO are discussing for me!
ps...what does "bump" mean...I see it a lot but not sure how and when to use it?
Thanks, Dana0 -
Hi Dana,
Bump - kick starts a thread that may not be active so newbees can get info on the subject of that thread. Hope that makes since)0 -
Thanks Marcie...I think I get it....so at a new thread I may see a lot of bumps so the board gets moving???
0 -
Hi DanaM. Yeah bump literally means to "bump" the tread to the top of the active list so people see it.
TCH (taxotere/Carboplatin) is used a lot for us HER2+ gals but there are a couple of other regiments for early stage including AC-TH, TH and probably some I don't know. The AC-TH has been used longer but the A can't be given with H because they both may cause heart issues. I believe the theory behind TCH is you don't have to wait to get the Herceptin… but it seems AC-TH is a few percentage points better, but of course then more risk to the heart with A.
0 -
Tx Lago......
Any one out there get keloid scarring like me? PS recommended something like Kelo-Cote.....anyone use it before?0
