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Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

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Comments

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited August 2013

    speedy - I found the tearing cleared up after about 8 weeks.  Your muscles are most likely lacking the oxygenation provided by hemoglobin which has dropped due to chemo.  You should start to see improvement at about the 6 week PFC point.  The bigger the muscles the more noticeable it is - I think that is why the legs seem to bother us the most.  I did retain fluid throughout chemo and still have some issues with it - I was prescribed a diuretic to help with it after chemo #3.  I took it for quite a while as every time I tried to wean myself off I seemed to rebound with more fluid retention.  My MO is reluctant to leave me on it long-term because he is concerned with possible drying of the bladder - yikes, right?  I have stopped taking it but I can feel the difference.

  • Speedy4
    Speedy4 Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2013

    Thanks SpecialK. I will talk to my MO. I didn't even think to associate the muscle tightness w/ my low hemoglobin. Maybe I should eat more spinach!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited August 2013

    cgesq:  Not sure how I got Perjeta.  Since I have a recurrance w/probable mets to the lymph nodes within 2 years after clear BMX, and I'm HER2 positive, I've just been greatful that my MO was willing to throw everything at this darn BC.  Now that I've discovered it's mostly for Stage IV, I'm beginning to wonder if he just hasn't told me how how bad he thinks it really will be when they re-stage yet again after more surgery.  Sigh.  Always surprises with this disease.

  • bren58
    bren58 Member Posts: 688
    edited August 2013

    Yes Speedy it does get better! At about 6 weeks PFC my thigh muscles stopped hurting. And about the same time I started to feel a lot better.  My eyes did stop tearing at about 8 weeks but then started again about 12 weeks. I have been to the eye doctor and they do not see any problems. I still use eye drops b/c they think it is from dry eyes due to chemo. I will be very happy when this residual SE leaves for good!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2013

    mcmacey Sorry been MIA. Been so busy. I had heartburn with chemo. First on Prilosuc… didn't work. Then on Protonix. Had to switch to Nexium due to insurance change but also on Carafate after my 4th tx.

    I too got very very stiff. All of a sudden 5 weeks PFC (post Fn Chemo) I started to loosen up. I never thought I would but I did.

  • rickysgirl
    rickysgirl Member Posts: 139
    edited August 2013

    mcmacey - Been out and about the last couple of days, so I just saw your question about the Neulasta.  I never had it.  I asked my onc about it and she said she didn't like giving it for two reasons: 1) the side effects and 2) the cost.  I had to have tx's #'s 4,5, & 6 put off for a week because of my low white count, but they were JUST under the threshold.  I actually felt as good as could be expected when I went in for #4 and 5, but the blood work showed otherwise.  Since it's a long trip for me to the center, I asked if I could just put off #6 for a week, to save the trouble of having to make 2 trips.  She was fine with it, but said from there on out, my Herceptin will be every 3 weeks, no ifs, ands, or buts. I don't know if my situation is what made the difference, but I was put on this chemo regimen as a precaution.  At my last chemo, I asked if I had anything else to worry about, and she told me she wasn't worried about me from here on out, for the rest of my life. (encouraging) After my last Herceptin, I asked, again, if I had anything else I needed to worry about, and she told me she was never worried about me in the first place, she was just being extra diligent in my treatment to keep it that way.  Made me feel really good, but now, everytime I get the slightest weird pain, or experience something physically different, I always think...Uh-Oh, here it is again.  THAT I would like to get past, but maybe that's normal.  Anybody else feel that way?

  • ChickaD
    ChickaD Member Posts: 971
    edited August 2013

    Hi TCH sisters...I have 2 new unused Raquel Welsh wigs and I would be happy to share them with someone in need...they are the same color..one is s bit longer than the other but very similar.....please PM me if you are interested.

    Here are some photos......

  • mckatherine
    mckatherine Member Posts: 180
    edited August 2013

    I ended up on Carafate, Prilosec and Pepcid after my surgery, with some Prevacid for a few days, too. (We tried everything!). Heartburn started after round 5 of chemo, and the antibiotic+ pain meds+ anesthesia with surgery made it unbearable.



    But now I'm 6 weeks out from surgery and finally my tummy is happy again. :)

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited August 2013

    ChickaD, um, I saw the last pic when I was scrolling down the page and thought you were holding a dog! Like looks just like one. LOL



    I need Omeprozole even though I am 14 months PFC. Oh well.



    Much love.

  • ChickaD
    ChickaD Member Posts: 971
    edited August 2013

    Miss Moon .... too funny -- here is my pooch, Cooper,  he is a Morkie....

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2013

    McKatherine I had heart burn with the first chemo. Granted I already have IBS (controled by diet).

    Chickad What an adorable pooch and picture.

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited August 2013

    chickaD - so cute!

  • mcmacey
    mcmacey Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2013

    Hi rickysgirl

    Thanks for reply. Glad all went so well for you. I had 2 today. My blood work was really good everything bouncing back nicely--even better. So so pleased by this and dodging neulasta for now. Hope that continues.



    Love the cow...a friend?

  • ChickaD
    ChickaD Member Posts: 971
    edited August 2013

    Thanks on Cooper..he is 8 weeks old today and he will remain that small..under 10 pounds..he is a registered service dog which my cancer center helped me acquire!  Here is one of my big dogs, Samantha,  with him...just to give you an idea of how small he is...the other is me and Coooer...

  • bren58
    bren58 Member Posts: 688
    edited August 2013

    ChickaD, your pooches are adorable!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2013

    Awwww too cute

  • mcmacey
    mcmacey Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2013

    I've taken to calling my dog "Prozac".  Her name real name is Macey.  Looks like you have a couple anti-depressant pooches too...

  • cgesq
    cgesq Member Posts: 183
    edited August 2013

    Great pics!!

    ChickaD, you have a great disposition and it comes through with your posts!!

    I hope the remaining treatments are easy for you!

  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2013

    Hey Ladies, 

    Can I join you?  I am done with TC (well, I did two treatments of Taxotere and Carboplatin and then my doc switched me to 6 weeks of Taxol because I was having such a hard time with the SE).  Anyway - I'm done with my taxol and on August  20th will begin my 9 months of Herceptin only.   I'm of course worried about any potential SE that might come with that.  Do they give you any pre-meds with that?  Or do they just hook up the Herc and let it run??

    I'm slowly starting to feel better after 12 weeks of consistant nausea.  Having a hard time now as I just got a work promotion where I"m required to dress "Business Professional" and none of my clothes fit due to the extra 15lbs!!  Plus, I have to wear my wig every day and it's REALLY uncomfortable for me...

    Anyway - My name is Kate, I was diagnosed 3 days before my 42nd birthday with no BC history in my family. I have 3 kids ages 13, 11, and 6 and work full time.  Live in Holly Springs, NC but originally from London, UK.

  • bren58
    bren58 Member Posts: 688
    edited August 2013

    Welcome ukkate! Of course you can join our merry little group, everyone is welcome here. I have 4 more tx of H only and I have found them to be very easy compared to the TC tx. The only SE I have with H is a drippy nose. I am sure others will stop by with their experiences too, but overall H only is so much easier to do. There does seem to be some variance on the amount of time that each center has the infusion run - between 30 minutes and 90 minutes. Some of us have done better with the longer run time and some are fine with the shorter one. If you start with a shorter run time and have issues don't be afraid to ask them slow it down. I don't get any pre meds with mine, just a saline flush at the end.

    I have to wear my wig everyday for work too. In the beginning I found it to be uncomfortable and tight, but as it loosened up it became more doable. But there are still days when I rip it off my head as I am heading out of the parking lot!

  • Heidi9256
    Heidi9256 Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2013

    With my first Herceptin only infusion I had about 24 hours of mild nausea (leftover chemo meds took care of it) and moderate muscle & joint pain (like the flu) - really pretty minor compared to what I was used to with the chemo and only lasted 24 hours.  With the next Herceptin infusion, I had only a little nausea for about a day - nothing else.  Then with the last one (the third), basically nothing but the runny nose.   I have my infusion run over 45 minutes and that seems to be working well.  Herceptin is MUCH easier than the chemo.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited August 2013

    Any ideas about nose bleeds?  Just had #6 last week and haven't been able to stop the skin inside my nose & nasal cavities from scabbing & cracking & bleeding since #5.  I've been using Vasoline to coat and couldn't get any other suggestions from MO or from the infusion center.  My poor nose is soooo sore & I wish I'd bought stock in kleenex.  Thanks in advance for any tips.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,261
    edited August 2013

    minus - your nose is most likely bleeding for two reasons - soft tissue irritation from chemo and a lowered platelet count.  Platelets help the blood clot and when they are low you bleed more easily and for longer.  I used Aquaphor in my nose, I found it more moisturizing than Vaseline.  I put it on my face, hands, and feet too.  Also, I found my nose ran more easily because I had no nose hair - never thought I would miss nose hair, right?

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited August 2013

    Thanks Special.  You're right on both causes.  I'll try Aquafor tonight.

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited August 2013

    Minus, I vote for the aquaphor too. You can buy a small tube meant for lips to try before buying a huge jar. Much love.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2013

    MinusTwo I had terrible nose bleeds on chemo/herceptin that were really hard to stop. My onc said it was from the Herceptin and it was winter so the dryness didn't help. I think the chemo made it harder to stop them. When I was only on chemo they weren't as much of a problem but it was also spring/summer. If they get real bad they can cauterize but you would have to see an ENT for that. At least my onc's NP warned me if they got worse that's what they would have to do.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited August 2013

    Thanks Moon.  I had a tube from previous derm surgeries.

    Lago - thanks for the 'preview' - I think.  Sorry to hear herceptin may be the culprit.  Even tho I've finished 6 tx w/tax,carbo,herceptin & perjeta - I'll continue with the herceptin & perjeta every 3 weeks for a year.  MO did say I could see ENT but I wasn't thinking what they'd advise other than 'stop the tx', which I don't want to do.  Maybe there's some Rx ointment?  At least I know cauterization is an option down the road.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2013

    BTW MinusTwo after I posted I took a shower… and I got a nose bleed! Ha ha I do get them sometimes when my nose is too dry. Usually not in the summer but being on Anastrozole now for 2.5 years I think everything is drying out Tongue Out

  • cgesq
    cgesq Member Posts: 183
    edited August 2013

    MinusTwo,

    I hate to tell you, but I only have one more herceptin treatment and my nose still gets very dry and cracked.  I do find aquaphor to work.  I put a little bit on each end of a q-tip, then line the insides of my nostrils with it at night, before I go to sleep.  I find that I get less nosebleeds when I remember to do this.

    Good luck!

  • maureenb
    maureenb Member Posts: 47
    edited August 2013

    Just finished 4th (and last) chemo-  yay!  Now on to Herceptin for a year and Tamoxifen.  Anyone else doing that after 4xTCH?  

    My biggest trouble right now is severe insomnia and hot flashes.  I have tried every sleeping pill and nothing gets me to sleep through the night.  I am always lying awake when the alarm goes off.  

    Onc thinks its anxiety and wants me to see a psychiatrist but I have read that Herceptin causes hot flashes and insomnia.  Anyone else?  I am prone to insomnia anyway but usually a quarter of an ambien does the trick.  Nothing helping now...  

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