Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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I'm seeing my mo on Thursday to go over my echo and how my sister's newly diagnosed bc affects me. ( I'm sure there goes the ovaries) Does anyone know if that's a big deal??? She has ILC and I'm just learning about it. She had surgery today and is very scared. I can't believe how the tables have turned and I'm giving her advice and support. There r a great group of ladies in ILC but she's still too freaked out to give it a try. She asked how I was so strong, I told her my group they are always there. I mean you guys
Thx again for all your support.
SpecialK so icing was just to keep nails from lifting? Anyway I believe it works. That's a se I didn't encounter. Are u taking supplements for Arimidex?
Thx
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shasha - Not sure I'm understanding your question about the supplements for Arimidex, but I will assume for the moment that you are asking about taking supplements for the side effects. I actually started on Femara, took it for six months and developed a trigger thumb on my dominant hand - pretty painful. Right at that point I also had a bone density scan that showed me moving from osteopenic (diagnosed 10 years prior to BC - but I was stable) to osteoporotic. He started me on Prolia injections every six months, and pushed both calcium and Vit. D to go along with the Prolia. I was already taking both, but upped the dosages. He also casually suggested we try Arimidex, which I took for a year. Developed more triggers, so asked if I could switch back to Femara since he favors that drug and if I am going to have trigger problems I would rather it be on the drug he likes. I also take Krill oil with joint supplement, and a bunch of other vitamins, I continued the Acetyl L-Carnitine from chemo, and also added probiotics and fiber. I just had a bone density done and I am no longer even osteopenic - all my density measurements fall into the normal range.
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Special K you answered my question. thx . I heard about the joint pain. So far ok, no se. just 1 month though. I'm taking glucosamine/chondroitin. I was wondering if you recommend anything else? My bone density test came low, I'll find out more exactly this Thursday. thx agin
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So far so good 2 round of TCH. I know last time it didn't hit me until 3rd day but I have not had any problem with constipation which was the worse last time at this point. What I did was start taking Zantac every morning and I believe lat time I took too many Tums last time which caused the problem or else it may have been my nausea medication. My DR switched it at my request and it does not make me feel dopy...Praise God! Truth will be told in a few days but I feel this time around easier because I know what to expect and not as many surprises. Thanks for all your support on Monday ladies.
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shasha - if your bone density is a bit low I would definitely supplement with calcium and Vit D. The Vit D is also important - a lot of breast cancer patients are very low in Vit D at the time of diagnosis - a lot of oncs like it to be higher than normal - seems to be a link to recurrence? Probiotics are also interesting - since much of the immune system is in the GI tract, optimal health there is important to keeping your immune system strong. Glucosamine and Condroitin is a good idea as are the B-Vitamins - I take B-complex and extra Vit B-12.
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Thx Special K I'm on Vit D, b12 shots. Mo will probably add something this week for my bones.
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shasha - I am on Prolia injections every six months - I had been osteoporotic for more than 10 years but this med has improved that to the point that I am now normal at every measurement. It is different from bisphosphanates that coat the bone and make it less elastic and more prone to fracture. It is a monoclonal antibody, like Herceptin, that targets slowing down the old bone removal process that can accelerate as we age. Seems to be working so far for me, with no adverse side effects.
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10 prunes a day may increase bone density.
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Grandma, usually RuthBru is the one pushing prunes! LOL
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Anyone having issues with weight gain? I'm not sure how long the steroids stay in your system. Do you? I've gained that now I am above what I was pre-surgery. No, I'm not working out yet, but I'm not eating more than normal either. I was just wondering if the weight gain is related to TCH or if I just need to get my butt in gear. My appetite is huge but I'm keeping it under control.
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!!!!!!!!
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Shasha - I have terrible bone pain. I usually got it in my jaw but round 5 and 6 I had it in my legs. I was able to take some Tylenol depending on the amount of pain or Norco if needed. I hope it stays at bay for you.
Lovewins - Zofran, one of the antinauseating meds the Dr. gave me caused me to have terrible constipation. He put me on something else. You can ask your Dr. to change your meds for you. Try stool softeners. They seemed to help for me. Good luck and I'm glad round 2 is OK so far.
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Good news. I'm resuming Herceptin on Monday. My mo said the numbers were better but not great.but good enough to resume. I'm so happy. I'm still on meds for my heart and seeing the cardio tomorrow. I'm starting actonel for osteoporosis. I have to see my dentist first and then start. My mo went over the se. I said ok what's new. She was great. We discussed my sisters bc and she felt there was no need to do anything immediately will wait for my sisters Brca and then discuss it. I love my mo. She really makes me feel that everything will be just fine. And I do. I wish everyone a super weekend. Thx for all your support.
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Sasha happy you get to go back on H. Yay.
MC, I an glad your SEs are small for this tx.
Lovewins hope this tx is better for you. For all those who get tx this week, small SEs and much love.0 -
Hi Ladies, TCH #4 is pretty tough. For me seems like each round getting harder n harder. Feeling so fatique but have to force myself to get up on day 3 for a walk at least 25 or 30 mIns, that all I can do. Each chemo I lost at least 4 lbs :-( but I get my 4lbs back when I get my appetite back on day 6 or 7. Day 8 still have that yucky taste in my mouth.
I hope I don't have EF issue. I need all Herceptins infusions. I am trying to walk daily at least 35 to 45 mins a day. Would be nice if I can do 1 hr but Im too tired.
Shasha...happy to that your echo # is back up. Yay!
Mcgis, I hope I can gain weigh during this treatment. I lost 10 lbs since I start chemo. My husband not too happy about it. I'm not too happy either but nothing I can do about it.0 -
Soriya, Im so sorry you have been having bad days. It does kind of get worse but so many people thought 4 was the worst. On the other hand you only have 2 more! Hang in there. My taste came back on the weekend right before my next tx. So I always got one of my favorite dinners either the night before tx or on the way home from tx. I need to lose weight and lost about 20 lbs during chemo but got back 10 since.
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Moon, I hope #5 n #6 have some mercy on me. Somehow I am craving for seafood right now ( Lobster n crab) sounds so yummy!
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thanks moonflower...in some ways easier. Haven't had the big D, but more nausea and the new meds make me cry. Just woke up vomiting but now nausea gone. I am on day 5 now. It is hard to imagine 4 more treatments. You all have my upmost respect going through this. Hope I feel better today. Hope you all have a great day...better days are coming!
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It's final chemo Friday! Very anxious as the SEs are starting to build up. ...but this is the last one!
Questions about the transition to Herceptin only:
1. How long did it take you to feel relief from TC and begin to feel better (fatigue is my real problem)?
2. How long to get relief from neuropathy? I have a miserable and almost constant, visible to everyone, eye twitch and dead toes.
3. How do you feel on just Herceptin? SEs? I want the fatigue to clear up.
4. Radiation SEs? I start radiation on 10/21 for 25 txs.
Thanks for any insight!
It's final chemo Friday!!! I am almost there....0 -
Good for you Tracy....glad you are al,ost finished. sorry i can't answer any questions i just had 2nd treatment.
anyone have fluttering muscles? This time I feel like I am down longer. Thought I would feel better today.
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maine - most of us felt better at the 6-8 week point, same for the eye twitches, but hard to say on the neuropathy - some of it may be permanent. The eye watering took a couple of months. I had GI upset on Herceptin alone until one of the onc nurses suggested that I try a probiotic - it made a world of difference and I am still on it - should have started years ago. The most important thing I did (besides the probiotic!) was to continue to have my Herceptin infusion run over 90 minutes just like they did during chemo. They ran the first H-only in 30 minutes and I had terrible hip/leg/back pain for several days - could not sleep in the same position for more than 15 minutes. Slowed it back down the next time - no problems. Other than that a bit of fatigue and towards the end, maybe the last 3 tx, I had a frequent low-grade headache. Sometimes I took Tylenol, sometimes not, it was not severe. I can't speak to rads because I didn't have them, how long of a break until you start?
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Miss SK...your H side effects sound like how I am feeling this week with my first H only tx...I did ask Onc to slow down my H but she said to try the 30 mins first.....ugh
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mcgis, I gained about 10+ pounds during chemo, but it came off pretty quick after I finished.
soriya, I think #4 was the hardest for me, both physically and emotionally. Only 2 more to go!
Maine, yay for last tx and last time dealing with the SE's!!!
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Special K
I'm thinking of asking the nurses if they would slow down my infusion of the Herceptin for me on Monday. I didn't have se, but maybe it won't be so hard on my heart.( I guess that was a SE) but different. Anyway, It's worth asking. I never thought of it before. Thx for mentioning it.
Soriya. TCH was very hard on me. Basically I slept from Feb-June. 2013. Once the chemo was finished I started to feel better about 3 weeks later. The strange thing for me was my lashes fell out 1 week after my last chemo. Until then they had thinned, but were there. Lashes are coming back now. Still thin. Lost my taste buds during chemo. Everything had a metallic aftertaste.
Maine. I started rads 3-4 weeks later. I was lucky didn't feel fatigue till the end due to the boost. For me it was much easier than chemo. Congrats on finishing and good luck with rads
Thank you all for your good wishes. And good luck to everyone0 -
My ladies,
I am not looking fwd for 5 & 6 at all. But I have to do it. :-( I am still feeling exhausted day 9 already. I want my energy back.0 -
(((Soriya))) hope you feel better real soon.
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Soriya, Maine hugs. Hang in there.
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shasha - don't ask - tell them that is what you want. The dosing and instructons from the manufacturer state 30-90 minutes for infusion - nowhere does it say it needs to be 30 minutes when given without chemo - that is just a way to get you in and out faster. If the seat is available they should do it for you. I went later in the day, like 2 or 3 p.m. when others had finished and it was not so crowded - since I no longer needed to see the MO prior to each infusion I was only there for a couple of hours. The nurses at my center were very cooperative and flexible about it.
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ChickaD - that makes me furious that your Onc said to 'try it' at 30 min first. What does that mean? Try it and IF you have a problem, they will slow it down? You dont WANT to have a problem. I know how hard it is to push back to doctors (believe me, I know, and I am VERY assertive in other areas of my life). But the ONLY reason they want to do 30 min is for THEIR convenience. I would say "I'd rather start at 90 min, and THEN if there is no problem, perhaps we can speed it up." But I don't know if I would have said that or just thought it -
But now you don't feel well as a result (presumably) and now if I were you I would INSIST on 90 min next time. I am really upset when medical professionals place their convenience/efficiency over our health. It is (unfortunately) up to US to self-advocate, and that is so hard, b/c we are feeling quite vulnerable during treatment. I know I was.
As an example, I had an onc who was a cranky old man. He was at times rude when i questioned anything. I was afraid to switch and refused to until my treatment was done (the nurse practitioner finally insisted). I switched to a young female onc in the same practice and I LOVE her. She is super communicative and not defensive at all. But for 1.5 years I would not switch b/c I was so afraid. In fact, when I DID switch, I slunk into the office TERRIFIED that I would see him. I felt like I was cheating on him. Is that ridiculous? Absolutely - but it was very real to me.
So I find that using phrases like "I'd be more comfortable if..." or "I'd appreciate if we could try..." make it a little easier to express our preferences.
But now that you have had one H-only, and it was not easy, I would ask them ahead of time to allow 90 min for your infusion, so they plan accordingly.
Funny thing, I used to ask my onc (the cranky one) to SPEED UP my H infusions b/c I had places to go, things to do. And he flatly refused, said 90 minutes, period. So he was definitely wise, just had no bedside manner.
Love to all - the strength we gather from these boards is so crucial to help us navigate this journey.
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Thanks Miss Amy....I will be more assertive next time
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Please don't feel like I am scolding you at all, Chicka. I have stuggled with this same thing, that is why it is a hot button for me. ESPECIALLY when it ends up affecting us adversely.
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