Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
-
Well I got what I though was a yeast infection during chemo. I called my oncologist and she had me come in. She DID have stirrups hidden in that table. I had used a monostate the night before and woke up and it was worse. She examined me and said it was NOT a yeast infection. She told me My area was just very irritated from the chemo. She had me use A&D ointment and a spray bottle of warm water like you would use after giving birth years ago?? She said pat dry very gently and use the A&D to keep the urine off. Not saying this is what you have but might be worth getting checked. She told me using the monostate just irritated it more. Good luck!!
0 -
I call the obgyn and she thinks it's probably irritation from the chemo since it started within a day or so of my last treatment. Tangles, she gave similar advice- thank you! I bought some probiotics and acidophilus at the drugstore as well- thanks Lago and Moon!
FWIW, Dr also said perianal strep (which both my kids have right now) is really unusual in adults. Going to try my home remedies over the weekend and call again on monday if not better.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! This is my first weekend since April that I haven't been undergoing T-C and it feels SO GOOD to know the end of the "big" stuff has come! Just Herceptin to finish out my year. Whew.
0 -
Monkeymom, I don't have a vaginal yeast infection, but I seem to have thrush in my mouth ... sore tongue and inner lips. I tried the magic mouth wash first but it didn't seem to help, so I switched to the Nystatin my ps had given me and it seems to be helping. I mentioned it to my oncologist this morning and he just said he'd give me more if I needed it. Didn't seem concerned and acted like it wasn't unusual. I'm beginning to get the impression, after my first treatment, that chemo can set just about anything off, especially if you're prone to it, anyway.
I have been prone to vaginal yeast infections all my life, so when I got them after menopause I started doubling up on the 3-day concentrated ones. However, when I started using testosterone as part of my hrt, it cleared right up! I think my problem wasn't yeast at that point, it was thinning of the vaginal walls and the testosterone helped a lot. Can't take it anymore, though, so I'll have to wait and see what happens.
Good luck, y.i. are the worst!
0 -
monkeymom, I got an external yeast infection when on chemo in that area. I also got a yeast infection in my armpit while on chemo. I am prediabetic due to all of the steroids so that made me even more predisposed (although I didn't know it at the time). My onc prescribed Nystatin powder. Cleared it right up.
0 -
I saw my OB/Gyn before I started chemo and she said yeast infections are a common side effect. She gave me an Rx for Fluconazole - one by mouth. Luckily I haven't needed this so far.
Correction - one tablet alone is supposed to do the job. She just gave me two follow up pills in case one didn't work - noted safe to take another day 4 & day 7.
0 -
Hello All,
I'm new to this thread. Having my second TCH infusion this Friday. Nice to find a thread that is exactly what I'm taking. I always think of a hundred questions in the middle of the night but right now the only one I can think of is....
Does anyone get any heartburn from herceptin?
I've taken pepcid to counter it. Only works so/so. Oh and thank you to all those people that have been through it and come back to the forums to say.....it will be okay. I really appreciate you taking the time for that!
0 -
McMacey- my onc had me on Pepcid every day (seems like it was a fairly high dose, too) during TCH tx only. I did have heartburn. They said Tums were fine for me, too. The heartburn resolved for me after the TC was done. No problems when I was just on Herceptin. So I think it was from the TC.
0 -
McMacey,
I started out with TCH and had some acid reflux/indigestion with the first 2 rounds....and Rolaids took care of most of it. Round #3 it got worse so I went to over the counter prilosec. Still not total relief. The indigestion has really been my worst SE through this - so the onc gave me a perscriptiojn for Prevacid. She told me 1 to 2 pills a day (sorry can't remember the mg). I religiously take one in the morning and one at night and have had NO indigestion since then. I'm almost done with chemo (#6 in 2 weeks) so am happy I was able to get rid of it....made all the difference in the world!
Annie
0 -
Hi, McMacey. Welcome aboard. These ladies on here were my lifeline when I was going through my TCH, which ended in December. I hope I can be at least a little bit helpful. I had heartburn/indigestion, but don't know if it was specifically the Herceptin or the combo of all 3. I took Zantac. It worked quickly. After my 3rd or 4th chemo, it settled down. Part of my problem was that after a treatment, I didn't really eat for 5 or 6 days because nothing tasted good. When I started to get my taste back, I was so ravenous that I scarfed down anything and everything that sounded or smelled good. THank goodness that's over.
I'm sometimes up in the middle of the night, so if something pops into your mind, and you can't sleep, send it on. If I'm up, I'll try to help as best I can.
I know you will have those bad days, as well as some good, but just remember, we're all here for ya......from here on out !!
You'll do great, I'm just sure of it!0 -
Hi Ladies, Could Herceptin cause headache? During my 1st TCH, I don't have any headache, but I have Herceptin weekly. On 3rd week after my 1st TCH, I started to have headache almost everyday. :-(
0 -
I too had heartburn with TCH. I took generic pepcid for 2 out of every three weeks while doing tx. Once I went to H only, I did not have any heartburn issues.
0 -
Hi Soriya123. Wish I could help. I never had headaches with Herceptin, but mine was done every 3 weeks, so maybe that's why. I did 6 TCH's 3 weeks apart, then the rest of the Herceptin 3 weeks apart. Maybe being so close together is causing it? I wish I knew. Does a cold pack on the head help? That's what I usually do for a h/a.
0 -
Soriya - sorry you are having headaches
Herceptin can cause headaches, I believe. Try staying really well hydrated...that always helps me with headaches. Hugs!0 -
Mcmacey: I had severe heartburn while on TCH. I took Prilosec in the morning and Pepcid AC at night. My onc said to be sure to take the Prilosec on an empty stomach at least one hour before you eat or two hours after eating in order for it to work properly.
Soriya: Headache is one of the side effects of Herceptin. Have them slow down the drip if you can - for example, if your getting the infusion over 30 minutes then slow it down to 45 minutes. This usually helps with most Herceptin side effects. I have also found that the more Herceptin treatments I have, the less I notice the side effects. I think your body gets used to it and kind of adjusts.
0 -
Thank you ladies, I will ask my nurse about that. I didn't pay attention if it was 30 min or 45 mins. :-)
0 -
Over a year pfc and I still have heartburn . I take Omeprozole. This weekend I was going out with my DH in the morning for breakfast. I took my morning pills, (9 prescribed, 5 supplements) I retched, cause my tummy was empty, AND I had forgotten to take my Omeprozole for the last two days. (I forgot to put the new bottle with my stash) I had to take a quick acting antacid in a hurry. Then I took the omep. I was lucky I didn't lose all the meds I took. Jeesh. I know better, I have gastro issues so it shouldn't surprise me it lasted so long. But, I am glad you guys don't have to keep taking it, cause its hell on your bones too. LOL.
Also, I used to get the headaches from Herceptin too.
Much love.0 -
Thanks all for the warm welcome Ladies and all the great info! You're like an oasis in this crazy cancer desert.
I will definitely try some of these other suggestions.
One other question (well probably not just one, but one for now): Did most of you have to have Neulasta? My NEs and WBCs really took a tumble after round #1 so I'm guessing I may have to. I have to say I was so shocked at how quickly that happened. I had this idea that maybe over time, my immune system would become compromised. And one week later - BAM! Down for the count. Sheesh!
0 -
I had Neulasta the day after tch every time....it was never presented to me as a "wait and see" option, just a matter of course. My counts came crashing down, too, immediately. I made it through the first five tx all on time despite my counts, which were always just high enough to continue. The morning of my last tx my counts were too low and we had to postpone it a week....which then postponed my mx a week as well. I was devastated at the time...like I was running a race and a block from the finish someone moved the finish line! I always had a bag of IV fluids when I went in for the Neulasta as well, helped so much with nausea.
0 -
I did not have heartburn as a SE at any point but I have also had reflux surgery (1995) so have a closed stomach. Chemo causes soft tissue irritation and this is usually what causes the heartburn, and it is normally temporary. I did have problems with headaches, throughout chemo and continuing throughout Herceptin. My Herceptin was run over 90 minutes, both during chemo and after when given alone. The headache was not severe but it was present most of the time. It did go away after Herceptin was completed.
0 -
I did get heartburn while on chemo. My MO put me on prilosec (omprezole--wrong spelling, I'm sure) and it took care of the heartburn. I went off about a month after my last TCH.
As for headaches, I too got one the only time the herceptin was run over 30 min....as well as feeling like somebody put sleeping potion into my infusion. As them to run the infusion much slower. I have mine run for 90 minutes, and I haven't gotten any more headaches.
Good luck!
0 -
McMacey - like Bailey, I have had a Neulasta shot the day after every chemo and it wasn't presented as an option. Do plan on taking 24 hour Claritin for several days. My white blood count stayed OK & I only had to delay tx one time for #5 for low platelets. MO has approved #6 on schedule tomorrow tho platelets still somewhat low. I added Slow-Fe iron last week due to continuing nose bleeds this last 2 weeks & it seems to have helped.
I agree with SpecialK and others - don't let them rush the Herceptin infusion. I've been doing 60 minutes & plan to stay w/that when i start Herceptin & Perjeta only in another 3 weeks. I'll have those two for a year.
Can anyone share SE experience with Herceptin after the TC part is done? Perjeta is new enough that SEs are still being evaluated. Has anyone else taken this? thanks.
0 -
I asked this on the triple positive thread, so I apologize to those of you who follow both....
To those who have finished their year of herceptin, do you recall if you got 17 or 18 dose dense treatments? I want 18, but my MO is telling me that my 17th treatment should be my last (even though technically, it won't be a full year's worth.) I plan on asking him for 18, so I wanted to hear from ladies who have finished how many treatments you got. Thanks.
0 -
MinusTwo,
I can't speak for perjeta SEs but there were reletively few SEs from herceptin alone.
I get bloody noses from herceptin as well, but only at certain points during each 3 week cycle. I found that if I take a q-tip and put a small amount of aquaphor ointment on it and lightly coat the inside of each nostril, it helps alot. I do this routine at night before I go to sleep.
0 -
I felt better with Herceptin over an hour rather than 30 minutes, too. My tch infusions each took about 8 hours.
I had bloody nose, too, I had forgotten ..they kind of sucked! I did lots of saline mist to keep passages moistened. (The good news in the prior sentence is that you do forget! At least some things).
I had 18 Herceptin infusions.No Perjeta...new one to me.0 -
The only SE that I notice with H only is a runny nose. Of course my eyes are still tearing 21 weeks PFC, but I don't think that is from the H.
0 -
Herceptin only SE for me was the runny nose and low-grade headache, and some fatigue - sometimes I took Tylenol for the headache, but often did not because it was not severe. I had the one episode of severe aching after receiving the first Herceptin only infusion after finishing TCH too rapidly. Slowed it back to 90 minutes (as it had been during combination with chemo) and didn't have the problem again.
cgesq - I received 17 Herceptin infusions.
minus - your nosebleeds are likely due to low platelets. That should improve the further out from chemo you are, although some people still have issues on Herceptin alone. Platelets are the clotting factor in your blood and they take a hit from the chemotherapeutic agents. Once your counts repair PFC the nosebleeds usually cease. Platelets are created by the body, and die off, much more rapidly than regular red and white cells and this is why they go up and down seemingly randomly - the average lifespan of a platelet is about 5 days.
0 -
I had 17 Herceptin treatments , and I was just short of a year. I started them on August 9th 2012, and my last one was July 12th, 2013.
0 -
Thanks everybody for the H tips. Off tomorrow to do the last one with all four - Carbo, Taxotere, Herceptin & Perjeta.
There is a Perjeta thread but it's a Stage IV group and I really had to break in there if anyone else has any clues.
0 -
Does it feel weird to be finished with herceptin? I feel like I'm losing my security blanket!!
MinusTwo, If you aren't stage IV, how did you get perjeta?
0 -
Bren, funny you mentioned eye tearing because I was going to ask how long the eye tearing lasts. I am almost 3 weeks PFC (continuing w/Herceptin til April) and the eye tearing is out of control! I'm using drops a few times a day but nothing seems to help. 21 weeks is a long time! Does it seem to be getting better at least?
My leg muscles are tight too. It was my calves after my 5th TCH and now it seems to be my quads and hamstrings. I was worried that i was retaining fluid and wondered if my heart had suffered damage from the Herceptin. Good news is that I had my MUGA scan today and my EF is 76% (same as before treatment).
It gets better, right?
0
