Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Hello everyone I still havent experience any nausea but I have been very fatigue. Being anemic I knew that would be a problem even more. I will have my iron infusion next Tuesday. I still got a Neulasta shot the next day even though my wbc was high. My appetite is slowly coming back. Still dealing with hemmoroid but that is getting better. hopefully next TX will go well without the hemmoroid. LOL. Take care.
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Hi Pinky, I am glad you are not feeling too bad. I didn't have much nausea myself. I did get very fatigued, even more so with the second tx. I did get one Iron infusion. 3rd tx so far I didn't feel as fatigued. I will see what my blood test shows. I too have problems with hemoroid/fissure. It will get better about the week before next tx, IE if you take stool softners, and or fiber. Which I forget to do sometimes.
Take Care,
Audrey
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Hi Barb, No I have never tried the pillows. I am on 8-12 average 9. I will PM you.
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Hi Katie;
Re Neulasta vs Neupogen:
I had 12 neupogen shots between treatments, starting 4 days after treatment. I experienced very little bone pain, certainly nothing that required any type of painkiller. The only problem is that either you, or someone else, must give you the shots (in the belly is the best place). My visiting nurse showed my dh how to do it, and he really had the magic touch!
After your first neulasta shot, I'm sure you'll be able to judge whether or not the pain can be handled. I doubt that it would vary from shot to shot.
Good luck! You'll be finished treatment before you know it!
Linda
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Well, I know everyone is different, but, I've had Neulasta with each tx, and everyone of them has been different. I had fairly severe bone pain with my first tx and Neulasta shot, and very little in tx 2 & 3. I had my 4th tx last Thursday, and am having some moderate pain now but nothing ibuprofen and an occasional Vicodin doesn't handle. Personally, as long as I can handle the pain with medication, I prefer to not have to worry about low WBC's and infections....
Sherri
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Hi, all ~ I am curious about those who've mentioned using Aleve and Ibuprofen for Neulasta pain. The hand-outs and verbal information I received from the chemo nurses, as well as the web RX sites I've checked, all say not to use any products containing aspirin or ibuprofen with T or C. Acetomenophin (Tylenol) products and Claritin are okay. Was anyone else told this? Deanna
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No Deanna, I wasn't told that and I do take Aleve and Advil for the Neulasta pain. Tylenol doesn't touch it. I also take the Claritin but not sure it does anything!
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Re: Aleve/Advil -- I asked my onc about this, because I normally take Advil 3-8 times a month for headaches, cramps, etc., and was planning to take Aleve to hopefully prevent bone pain (ha!) with Neulasta. I was told that the issue is that, being NSAIDs, they can inhibit blood clotting. And of course TC has the risk of decreasing platelets, which would also inhibit blood clotting. So the fear is an additive affect leading to abnormal bleeding. I was okayed to take either Aleve or Advil the first few days after chemo, since it should take TC several days to have an impact on platelets.
As it turned out, I had CRAZY bone pain on days 4-6 from the Neulasta, which was not prevented or touched by Aleve, Advil, Tylenol, Claritin, Benadryl, or Pepcid in various combos at max dosages (my nurse said some women have luck with a Benadryl/Pepcid combo because it blocks two kinds of histamines). Vicodin or Percocet didn't really work either (though the Percocet made me high enough that I could at least calm down, which was nice). As the bone pain faded, a severe headache appeared so I kept taking 600 mg Advil every 6 hours, but with little effect. On day 7, I think it was, I got a scrip for Darvocet (mild narcotic called propoxyphene + Tyelonol). When I spoke to the on-call onco, he was like "NO MORE ADVIL!" (He also feared that I had bacterial meningitis and I had to talk him out of making me go to the ER!) Luckily the Darvocet did the trick.
So, my point is, it might be a good idea to check with your onco about what OTC pain meds are okay/best. I'm sure they vary in their recommendations. It was never mentioned to me, though, until I asked specifically about it.
And related to all this, the Neulasta/Neupogen thing. I am switching to Neupogen this cycle (next tx is Tues 9/16) in hopes that I'll have less bone pain. I'm going to self-administer once a day x 5 days, starting on Day 2, I believe. I'm an LPN and nursing student, so no problem giving myself shots -- in fact it'll be good practice! My onco nurse says she's had luck with this switch helping patients in the past, and I've heard from several women here and on the YSC boards who felt the Neupogen was more tolerable, so I've got my fingers crossed! And I agree with Sherri -- IMHO better bone pain -- which COMPLETELY sucks, don't get me wrong -- than febrile neutropenia, which can derail treatment, lead to hospitalization, and even be life-threatening.
Good luck to all,
Drea
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Sandra,
Haven't posted in a while, been out enjoying life. I have my fourth and final tx this Thursday. Thanks for keeping track of all of us. Can't really find much to complain about, my SE's have been very few. Luckily, my onc didn't give Neulasta routinely, and I only had my WBC's checked two days before the next tx, and never needed it. So, no bone pain either.
To all you new girls, just starting out and reading all these comments about the side effects, remember there are so many of us out there not writing, who are not having problems and are feeling good through treatment. I am not working right now, and maybe that is helping, but other than the hair loss, I feel pretty normal most of the time. Chemotherapy is totally do-able.
My question to anyone with information, my oncologist recommended having my ovaries out as another way to fight recurrence. I am 45, still having periods, and my cancer is ER/PR+. She is recommending Arimidex over tamoxifen, and thinks stopping estrogen production in my ovaries is worth doing. Anyone else had their ovaries out? Looking for pros and cons.
Good wishes to all getting tx this week.
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HI ladies. just wantes to stop and say hello.. havent been on in a while. just wanted to see how everyone is doing.. have chemo on wednesday (#3).. not looking forward with her.. but i know i have to go.. have a blessed week ladies..
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Hi all...I'm new to this thread. I had my first TC treatment Sept. 8. I haven't had horribly bad SE's other than diarrhea from day 3-present. I was down 7 lbs in 5 days. I don't hear many people mentioning this. Have others had diarrhea and what have you done to keep the weight on? It seems to have subsided today...day 7. I have been drinking much water, trying to eat things on the BRAT diet as often as I can and eating high-calorie, high-protein food today. I can't afford the weight loss especially if it is cumulative.
CaliforniaRN, I am 47, still having periods and am ER/PR + . I have mentioned to my medical onc, surgical onc, and radiation onc that I would like to consider having my ovaries removed to stop the estrogen production. They have all looked at me like I was crazy. My medical onc told me that we would discuss it when I'm done with chemo but he is recommending tamoxifen. I, too, would like to hear the pros and cons from those that may be considering it or who have gone through with it.
L
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Hi all!
I was recommended to do TAC but am thinking I prefer the TC because of the heart problem. Where are you all being treated?My onco says TAC is gold standard, TC is new but very promising. Going to do head to head TAC vs. TC trials soon. So ... feeling like I want to do it but now worrying about it not being *quite* as effective as TAC. I am Dx. 6/11/08, ILC, 4cm, Stage IIB, 2/12 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- Guess we don't know yet! Ay ay ay! Will come back once I am on it to moan about the symptoms.
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I didn't get bone pain with Neulasta, but I got various muscular aches and pains and frequent headaches that I attribute to Taxotere. And my onc said ibuprofen or aleve were fine with TC, so I've been using them.
Lili, welcome. I did have a severe problem with diarrhea and finally got an rx for lomotil. The brat diet got old after a couple of weeks, and what I ate as long as not spicy didn't seem to make a difference. With lomotil (stronger than Immodium), you can take two at a time, up to 6 a day. Gotta keep up the fluids. Finally went away midway through tx #2. Only took lomotil once for this tx #3, and ate pretty much any non-spicy foods.
Hi, Lashon. I hope tx #3 is mild for you. --Lani
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Barbara,
I have my first treatment tomorrow morning. Thanks for coming on and reminding us that some people are feeling pretty good. It helps. I will also not be working during treatment, and can rest whenever I need to.
Thanks,
Chris
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Lili46 - I had diarrhea with tx 2 and 3. My oncologist told me to take Imodium and gave me a prescription for Lomotril if the Imodium didn't work. Never had to get the prescription filled, and mine didn't last over 2-3 days. I tried to eat a little bit every few hours - white rice, crackers, ciabatta bread and french bread seemed to be the easiest to eat. Plus, I got calories from Sprite and Gatorade - I couldn't handle water at that point. I lost some weight, but as soon as my two weeks of misery were over after every treatment, I ate like a horse and it made up for what I lost.
Hope you feel better soon.
Kathy
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Hello again, Well just wanted to comment on taking Advil or Ibuprofine. I too was told to just take tylenol for pain. I too would like to know about ovaries being removed. I am 43 and I thought that if you have them removed you may not have to take Tamoxifen, Is that true? I can't say I still have my period because these last 2 txs I haven't had one.
Audrey
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Hi:
I'm having my first treatment on Wed. I feel so blessed to have found this site. Even though all of this info regarding side effects scares me to death, it empowers me to feel so knowledgeable. I will be having 4 treatments ever 3 weeks and my onc gives the Neulasta shot the next day as a matter of course. I have fibromyalgia and type 2 diabetes so I don't know if they'll get worse. I have read a lot of these pages but not all of them. Has anyone with diabetes had any blood sugar problems from the decadron?
Peeps
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Chris and Peeps,
I just started my tx on Fri. 9/12.... so far no nausea, but on day 3 today, beginning to feel a little achey.....I go back Thursday for blood work so hopefully, all will be well. Good luck on your first tx..I am still trying to decide about work...teach 3rd grade so I don't know yet....taking the next 2 weeks off for sure. I also have type II diabetes and yes my sugar was u somewhat, but manageable. My first tx went so well.....much easier than ever expected. God bless! Let me know how things go.....Hugs!
Luanne
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Good morning ladies! Another new week.
We have four new people starting treatment this week. Hope it goes well for all of you. A special Congrats to AMANN, Kim1965, dcgirl, texasmom, sherry38, catlover44, CaliforniaRN and gk2bc0, who finish up this week. Hope you still keep in touch and let us know how it is going with you.
Schedule for Week of September 15thth:
Monday, 9/15-AMANN (#4 of 4), Kim1965 (#4 of 4), KLG (#4 of 4), Young79 (#4 of 6), dcgirl (#4 of 4), Sue508 (#1 of 4), hopefullady (#1 of 4)
Tuesday, 9/16-texasmom (#6 of 6), sherry38 (#4 of 4), MariaG (#3 of 4), Drea (#2 of 4),
Wednesday, 9/17-catlover44 (#6 of 6), Hood1980 (#3 of 4), Agnes17 (#2 of 4), dlb823 (#3 of 4), LASHON (#3 of 6), peeps1111 (#1 of 4)
Thursday, 9/18- CaliforniaRN (#4 of 4), gk2bc0 (#4 of 4), rosemaryap (#2 of 4), DesertRider (#2 of ?), Diane1214 (#1 of 4)
Friday, 9/19-wdornan (#6 of 6), Nico1012 (#3 wkly T for Sep)
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Another question for this amazing group...
What were the percentages given to you as reducing risk of distant recurrance by doing chemo? For taking tamoxifen (if hormone receptive)?
What convinced me to do radiation was that same-breast recurrance was reduced from 30-something % to less than 7%. I am now trying to get into the mammosite program, although I'm a year too young, as opposed to whole-breast external beam.
I am trying to wrap my head around chemo still. Guess y'all can tell.
If I am able to get into a clinical trial and/or get approval for mammosite, the radiation will be done before chemo, so I have some time before I'll have to decide about chemo...
Thanks, as always, for your incredible responses.
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Hello everyone,
Day 7 for me and feeling awhole lot better. Had the bone pain on day 6 and took Loritab. I probably took so much I thought I would overdose myself. But I'm still aching but getting around better. I ate a sandwich from Subway couldn't help it but that was the biggest thing I had eaten since tx. Never ran a fever but I still monitor just in case. I have lost a few pounds not sure how much but my sister said I looked skinny. I told her I have 2 more weeks to make up and eat now that my appetite is coming back. LOL. Just wanted to say hi and good luck everyone starting this week and also finishing. 3 more tx's left for me.
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Unique, I would be interested to hear how your onc arrived at TAC as the gold standard. The only study I have seen shows it superior to FAC but not to TC (http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/BreastCancer/tb/1137. However, TC has been shown to be superior to AC (http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/fe22a.htm). So, unless there have been studies comparing TAC to TC, it's just speculation at this point.
Audrey, your adrenal glands make estrogen, in addition to your ovaries. That's why menopausal women also have to take an estrogen blocker like aromasin inhibitors or tamoxifen.
Shari, the chemo numbers are better judged by oncotype score. Without that, the onc plugs in your pathology results into adjuvantonline and gets the risk numbers and benefits of chemo. It assumes tamoxifen if you are ER positive. You can do it yourself if you have the path results (https://www.adjuvantonline.com/breast.jsp).
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OK, so I'm a prude, but did you just use Joe Smith to register with adjuvantonline? Is there a generic login for dorks like me?
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Thanks Lani, and Sandra dear my last tx is Wed the 17th. I am sorry if I confused you.
You are doing a great job, keep up the good work!
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Shari, I registered as myself. I may have had to say I was a health care professional -- I'm kind of a professional managing my own health care these days, since experts do not agree. That was all it took.
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Hi Girls:
Chemo # 2 is this Wednesday. I am not looking forward to it. In the past 2 weeks I finally felt well in the last 2 days and here I go again.
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Hi everyone:
I am starting my treatment on Wednesday 9/17/08 - still scared to death but with the OncoDX score of 30 I had no choice. Getting my head buzzed tomorrow and natural hair wig styled and placed. I am DREADING THAT. Thank goodness there is a private room off of the salon so nobody else can see. Thank you to everyone for sharing your stories. I will keep you posted on my experiences. God Bless everyone here.
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Hiya everyone ~
Here I am, responding to myself, hoping for responses! Where are you all getting your TC treatments? How did you make up your minds to do this chemo? I am thinking I want to do it instead of TAC or AC+T, my doc says okay but he would do the more aggressive A because of my 2 positive lymphs nodes. The TC seems promising, and without the heart side effect.
Dx. 6/11/08, ILC, 4cm, Stage IIB, 2/12 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
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Hi Unique,
I am having my treatment done at a clinic.It is very close to my doctors office, just a few steps I did lot of research on which treatment, gave it a lot of prayer and got a definite answer for me. I di d not like the side effects of ATC and found a wonderful website from Dr Jones who started the ATC treatment 30 years ago and now is promoting the CT treatment because of less side effects, yet positive results.. You see his interview on this site: www. medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/sabmeeting/tb/7689. I thinkthere are other sites if you want to learn more. I know how overwhelming it is to face soooo many decisions. I am now in my 3rd of 6 treatments. They give 6 instead of 4 to address the positive nodes. Have a cat scan and a MRI to determine if the cancer is contained in the breast.I also had 2 nodes and a 2.9 cm. Am er+pr+ which means you can take a pill for 5 additiional years to stop the cancer and good that you are Her2- because otherwise, you would be taking some chemo for a year, since it is a more aggressive cancer. You will be fine. The side effects have not been that bad. If you wish, I can talk with you on the phone, I have free phone time. Give me your number if you wish. . Love, Birdsong
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Hi, Unique ~ The first onc I saw recommended AC. I went to UCLA for a 2nd opinion on surgery, and when they reviewed my entire dx, their onc said TC would be better for me. TC is a newer regimen that many oncs have been slow to embrace. But it's hard for anyone to advise you since chemo needs to be decided based on a unique set of factors about your bc, whether your pre or post menopausal, etc. Have you talked to more than one onc? Most insurance co's allow multiple opinions, and this is one area where you may want a 2nd or 3rd opinion. If there is an NCI rated hospital in your area (most states have one -- UCLA, MSK, JH, etc.), that would be a good place to go because they see far more bc than most community or regional hospitals and doctors and are totally up on the latest research. Hope this helps. I can also direct you to an on-line video-taped presentation re. the different chemo protocols. PM me if you want that info. I know how hard your decision is, and it's frustrating that there is so much disagreement and differences of opinion amongst oncs on this topic. Deanna
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