Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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viji, are you taking antacids of any kind? Cause that is what I think might be happening. It sounds like You have acid reflux.0 -
SpecialK, doc said take the 3mg every night for a month to see if it would help. We did talk about tinnitus and hearing loss because I was concerned that it could cause hearing loss. He said hearing loss can cause tinnitus, but tinnitus does not cause hearing loss. He said tinnitus is the result of something else, like infection, injury, rupture, damage from hearing loss. I had to have my carbo reduced twice because of tinnitus, so he thinks it is probably still residual from that. I understand the hearing loss from military service, my FIL is practically deaf in both ears from being in an artillery division during WWII. Sadly, I think many of our brave service men will have to deal with that SE as a result of their service.0 -
Moon,
Sorry to hear about your eyes...
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sorry. Gotta vent again. Had to get another mag infusion yesterday. Starting to rethink my port removal at my exchange. Sigh. Ok. Whine done. Thx! LOL0 -
Well 2 year Cancerversary passed. Still here. That's good. Right? LOL0 -
Congrats Moon,
If your veins are difficult, and you have need of IV meds...my vote is you keep the port a little longer. I think I am going to establish a life long relationship with mine...I have horrible veins... I was told always it was the extra padding... I lost weight and it's worse not better.
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Moon - congrats on 2 years.0 -
Congrats Moonflower!
I want to keep my port too...I don't care if they ever take it out!0 -
congrats on two yrs Moon, and wishing you many more yrs!!!
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Congrats moon on 2 years!!!!
Sorry about needing another infusion. Uggh.0 -
Congrats Moon let the years roll on!!!0 -
A question for experienced TCH ladies . . . which days are you at your worst/best? From reading/searching threads it seems like day 5-9 are worst?
I know that I can't control this and that nothing works as planned . . . but my control freak self still wants to try to avoid being at my worst during Christmas & days surrounding.
And we had a ski trip planned over MLK long weekend in January. I've already warned the kids it may not happen. It is travelling out of country (from US to Canada). If possible, though, I want to maximize the possibility that the trip could still be a go. I'm totally prepared to forego skiing altogether (my family can go without me). There is a nice spa in the hotel where we plan to stay and we have a suite with a mini kitchen so we can eat in our suite at night (no need to go to a restaurant for every meal). If I could swing it, I would like to . . .
I will be starting TCH sometime soon . . . awaiting dates/confirmations from MO.0 -
Well I have had 5 treatments so far with one more to go. I will tell you my experience in hopes it helps. The first treatment is hard because you do not know what to expect I am sure you have read to drink lots of water. The mistake I made first go around was waiting too long to take stool softener. And then from there it can turn into the big D as we say....it may be different for you but with every treatment I have found this and got it under control by #3. Starts out constipation then turnds to D. Also do not allow yourself to get nauseous...at very first sign take medication. I also took Clariton for nuelesta shot....this last time I only took two cuz I ran out and feel I am having more bone pain because of it. Eat every couple of hours small amounts. I ate bland food....pancakes, grilled cheese, campbells chicken noodle soup, toast and macaroni and cheese. For me the worst day was day 3, no way could I travel...after 10 days on treatments 1-4 I drove 3 hours to visit my folks but this last treatment has been much harder as far as I have almost been bed ridden for 8 days. Effects are cumulative for me. Sleeping was also issue for me and I got sleeping pills but now I am kind of sorry because I cannot sleep without them now. Sorry this is so disjointed I am sure others will come along and give advice. I hope you have light se's.
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Day 3-4 were the worst for me. Day 3 the most. I had some neoropathy on day 3 but it would be gone the next day. Didn't take Claritin, maybe that would've helped but didn't know to take it. Didn't get real sick ever just overall feel bads. I worked all during chemo. I had my treatments on Thursday and could be back at work on Monday. The further I got into treatment. I was more tired and it took longer to bounce back.0 -
Also, I started with the big D. Everyone appears to be different. Hope your SE's if any, are few!!0 -
orange mama, for me the worst were days 2-5.0 -
For me it was cumulative, treatment 3 and definitely 4 were the worst. It completely knocked me out. No way could I have worked.
I have some questions also: those who have gone on to herceptin only, did they do blood counts with every treatment and I assume no steroids or anti nausea needed- right?
Thanks! So helpful to have this thread to ask questions..0 -
Viji, yes they still do blood count. No steroid or nausea med,only saline.
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days 2 thru 5 were the worst for me too. But you have to remember that we are all different, some of us had very few SE's and some of us had a more difficult time. Make sure you check in often, we will help you through this!0 -
Days 4 to 16 were the worst for me. I had extended symptoms and had a difficult time with TCH. This is not the case for most. Many can work through TCH without too much difficulty. It depends on your DNA/how your body responds to chemo. That makes it is difficult to plan. Hope for the best and mentally prepare yourself in case you have a more difficult time than others.0 -
Thanks so much for the replies. These discussion boards are invaluable! It sounds like days 3-5 seem to be bad for most everyone. Of course everyone is different. I am in general a "nauseous" person - hopefully I don't make others nauseous! but I am that person that gets carsick, seasick, etc. . . . so I am expecting that SE.
I'm a planner and an action person so the waiting and lack of control with BC are really testing me! I'm maybe strange (!) in that I'm now raring to start chemo. Now that I've made a decision I just want to get started (and get it over with).0 -
oranj, be sure to fill any prescriptions the MO gave you for side effects. My down time always started on about on day 5, treatment on Thurs, youcky on Monday. I had different SEs each time, and they blasted longer each treatment. Sorry :-\0 -
Oranje_mama -
I am a lifetime CHAMPIONSHIP puker. I have puked on air, land, and sea,amusement park rides, car trips, and every continent I have been to. I could go on and on (and ON) but I will spare you.
So i was SURE I would be nauseous and sick with chemo. But NOPE - not one moment of nausea and not one anti nausea drug taken. Here is why I think that is. I think that you and I (and others like us) have a vertigo-based nausea - based on motion and inner ear disturbance. The nausea/vomiting from chemo has to do with the chemicals and how they affect the stomach cells. Apparently two different things.
So do not be so sure you will get that SE. I was CONVINCED and it never happened.
That being said, I did have some bad intestinal cramping on the 6-10th days (or so) in the later treatments. Not the big D or the big C necessarily but a lot of BAD intestinal pain at times.
If I were planning the ski trip, I would ONLY consider doing it on the 3rd week (the last week in the cycle, right before the next treatment). that is really the only time you can be pretty confident you will be at your best. I know I just wanted my own bed, kitchen and BATHROOM (and privacy) when I was in treatment. You may feel that way as well. I would not have wanted to go on a long car (or plane) trip.
However, a friend of mine (from Calif) had a college-touring trip to the east coast planned during chemo and she did it during the third week and had a great time.
Best of luck with everything.
Amy0 -
For sometime now my feet especially my toes and my fingertips have felt like prunes. My hand sometimes get better but my feet never do. I think the skin may be peeling as well on my feet. Is this neuropathy or something different? While it is not painful it is annoying. Does this go away in time? Thanks for any advice.
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Amy, you made me laugh! I can challenge you to a puke contest one day
. I'm also a yes to amusement park rides, ferries, running stairs/hills while training (sports). So there is hope for me on chemo. woo hoo!
I am thinking the ski trip is probably only a small chance that it's a go. We'll just have to see. I got a choice of starting next Thurs (19th) or waiting until after Xmas (26th). I've decided to go with the 19th and am crossing my fingers. I'm looking at the end date and just want that to come as soon as possible. I am having the "consent" meeting with the NP on Monday, and port placement and echocardiogram on Tues. Thurs is the first day I can start.0 -
oranje, I had my second TCH on the 18th last year and Christmas was very low key. As long as you don't expect too much out of yourself for Christmas, you should be fine. If you can, have others cook and take care of as much as possible.0 -
Lovewins - google hand-foot syndrome. Side effect of chemo. It's been a while since I read about it, but I think I recall peeling skin was a sign.0 -
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Thanks dancetrance your right.
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If anyone can please give me some answers: is it still important to keep hydrating while on H alone and has anyone developed any mouth sores or sore throats as some of the SEs? I am trying to learn what I can do to avoid another bout of sore throat/mouth. Thanks.0
