Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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I'm starting Taxotere/Cytoxan in six days... I'll have 4 cycles total. I'm trying to do whatever I can to proactively address and potentially avoid side effects. Its imparative that I stay as strong as I can through this, since my sister is terminal with Ovarian cancer and I don't want to miss a day by her side. Looking for suggestions on meds or a nutrition regime that someone followed prior to the day of chemo, which helped them get through the 21 day cycle. I'm fortunate to have a good prognosis, and am only 39 and otherwise healthy... but I'm scared to death that I've elected do start chemo when my sister may need me the most.
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MKR39, so sorry for all you're facing. I know you'll hear much more beneficial advice than mine but being well hydrated was very important for me. I didn't have a port and endured numerous sticks when I didn't drink, drink, drink. Being well hydrated made each TX easier and quicker for me as well as the nurses. Fluids after cleanse your body of all the drugs.
I had GI issues to begin with and found a bland diet (BRAT - bananas, rice, applesauce toast) eased my digestive system. I also used a lot of Immodium for cramps and gas. Never any nausea. I took Emend (pill) before infusion as well as Aloxi iv. I had meds for any nausea after infusion but never needed them.
The mouth se's are annoying and can interfere with nutrition. Many of us sucked on ice chips or popsicles during infusion. It's debated whether it helps but did seem to lessen my oral issues.
Not exactly the info you were seeking but I know others will help.
Prayers for you and your sister.
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Deanna, I don't know how Claritin helps with the bone pain from Neulasta & Neupogen. I don't even know if Claritin has ever been tested with a randomized, double-blind clinical trial to see if it really works. All I know of is anecdotal evidence from women who have used it. There are women who say it doesn't work.
IClaritin blocks the "H1" histamine receptors. Mostly we think of those receptors as being involved in hayfever and other allergic reactions. I wonder, though, whether there might be other places in the body that have H1 histamine receptors, like maybe in the outside layers of bones.
Histamine does a lot more than trigger sneezing and watery eyes. It can change blood flow into tissue by affecting the diameter of tiny blood vessels, and it can cause pain by triggering nerve endings. This is totally hypothetical--there is no evidence that I know of--but, I wonder if maybe the bone pain we get from Neulasta and Neupogen involves histamine release, and that's why Claritin can help. The bone pain from Neulasta and Neupogen is believed to be due to all those new neutrophils crowding together to get out of the bone marrow. The pain is thought to occur in the periosteum, which is the outer layer of bone. The periosteum is filled with nerve endings--it is very sensitive to pressure and injury. So, all those neutrophils are jammed in there, trying to squeeze out into the blood...
Anyway, I really don't have a clue; and even though I did a literature search on the topic, I couldn't find anything except anecdotal stories.
If it works, use it.
otter
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Dear MKR39--Welcome aboard. Sorry you have to be here. Sounds like you had enough on your plate without needing this too. I think you will find these women full of helpful advice and support. T-C isn't a walk in the park, but it's usually tolerable. I was one of those lucky people who had fairly mild side effects. Most people do not suffer the highly feared nausea and vomiting of old-time chemo.
Since I keep track of the schedule for the group, I have noted your regimen and starting date. Good luck with the journey!
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MKR39... There's an excellent thread on here entitled TIPS FOR GETTING THROUGH CHEMO. It's anchored at the top of the treatment board, I think. I read through it one night prior to chemo and made a list of all the little things mentioned to have on hand (i.e. Biotene mouthwash, Claritin for Neulasta pain, antibacterial wipes, Colace, etc.). I picked them all up on one shopping trip and had them ready & waiting in a pretty little basket in my bathroom. Feeling "prepared" was empowering.
As far as how to eat, my onc said not to worry about doing anything special, although you should, of course, be eating as healthy as possible anyway. Hydrating, as already mentioned, cannot be stressed enough. It makes a world of difference. Other than that, I don't think you can "outwit" whatever SE's you may get by eating differently for a few days, so try not to worry about it. Just eat well -- good wholesome foods -- so that you have as much energy as possible.
I'm so sorry about your sister. Deanna
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Hi Unique,
I, too had the pain in the pelvis area. That area was the most disturbing for me as I also had it in my femer (which was more expected). I am curious, too about te Clairan and Neulasta pain. Also, Could whoever taked about the steroid taper throw that info out there again, please. I am doing 4 dex on days 0,1,2, and then 2 dex on days 3 and 4. My Onc said I could do 1dex on days 5 and 6 if I wanted too. Is that what others have done?
Thanks for all your help, girls. Hopefully I'll have it all figured out after this Tx!
Meg 0 -
Hi Meg,
In response to your dex question...I get 8 mg twice a day the day before chemo, the day of(along with the dex they give IV before the taxotere) and again twice a day the day after. I take an Ambien to sleep on those days which works for me. It's a prescription med though so you'd have to ask your dr. for it.
I did not get the Neulasta shot for my first treatment and my white blood cells and neutrophils were dangerously low. This time they ordered the Neulasta. I'll see how it goes.
MKR39...my prayers go out to you and your sister.
L
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HI Deanna:
From what I am reading on here concerning Claritan (which is an antihystamine) and my own problems with rash on chest, inflammed bowel, etc, I am thinking there is a histamine response to this chemo. Nothing worked to relieve the rash and pain until I took Benadryl 50 mg and it gave me complete relief. The following day I took 25 mg twice and by the third day I was completely rid of any symptoms of irritable bowel and chest rash was gone.
I am so sorry about your sister. Please take care of yourself and give yourself time to rest after treatment.
Katie
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HI Everyone:
Has anyone had their liver enzymes jump up after chemo. My ALT is 180 (normal <35) and AST is 105 (normal <35).
Katie
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Katie,
I don't know what my liver enzymes were after chemo, but my onc said that it is expected that they will be elevated during chemo. I think this is because taxotere is processed through the liver. After chemo though, they should go back to normal.
On the claritan discussion, I believe the reasoning that it helps with the bone pain is that it has an anti-inflammatory effect on your body. Just as with an allergy, your body often will react to things that happen to it by swelling up. It's that swelling that causes pain for many. That's why the NSAIDS help so many with the bone pain. Just like there are differing degrees of allergic reactions, some people have a much more severe reaction to the Neulasta and I presume that's why there are such differing degrees of bone pain. I just started Claritan right before my first treatment and I have been taking it daily since. My bone pain with the 2nd treatment was much less severe. I'm thinking that the fact that the Claritan had more time to get into my system by the second treatment helped greatly.
MKR39 - I am so sorry about your sister and that you have to go through this now with everything else. You have come to the right place as there is so much good information on these boards. You and your sister are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sherrie
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MKR39... I thought of something I did prior to chemo that I don't think I've seen mentioned anywhere else, and that I think was beneficial re. warding off a potential SE. After reading on this board about all the mouth problems, I called my dentist's office, explained I was starting chemo the following week, and had them work me into a last-minute cancellation for a teeth cleaning. I honestly don't know if it's made a difference, but I feel like it may have helped because I haven't had any mouth or throat problems. Deanna
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My liver enzymes remained normal throughout my four treatments.
Gina
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Meg, my steroid taper was 4 mg dex in the AM for days 2-5 and 2 mg in the AM days 6-8. It helped me stay out of bed.
MKR39, I think you will be able to be there for your sister emotionally. If she is counting on you to do a lot of physical support care, you might line up someone(s) to help until you find out what your energy level will be. The first cycle gives you a better idea of how you will respond to TC -- it's very individual. --Lani
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Thanks, Lani. Did it mostly help with the nausea or was it more beneficial for the bone pain and fatigue?
Meg
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Meg, it was for the fatigue. Nausea and bone pain haven't been too big a problem for me, but I needed to be able to get out of bed and get the kids off to school. Some of us just crash when the steroids wear off.
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I had 4 mg of the steroid the day before chemo (Sunday lunchtime), 8 mg (breakfast/dinner) the day of and 8 mg the day after, and 4 mg the day after that (Wednesday breakfast). I was definitely tired Thursday and Friday but was fortunate not to have to get my kids out the door and to be able to sleep in if I needed to (very lucky to have a flexible husband and flexible job...).
I'm having a new side effect - has anyone else had itchy (but without a rash) hands and feet? For the past couple of days I've had intermittent bouts of extreme itchiness on the soles of my feet and sides of the tops of my feet, palms of my hands, and sides of the tops. And occasional random itchiness elsewhere like elbows, under my arms, back of my head. I'm assuming it's taxotere-related (isn't everything) but hope it will go away soon...trying to get to sleep with itchy soles is challenging...
In better developments, there is new hair on my head! Not much of course, but there is definitely some dark fuzz that wasn't there a week ago. And it looks like a couple of new eyebrows are poking through. I'm still in the last week of TC #4 so maybe this will all fall out again, but fingers crossed it'll hang on.
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Dcgirl, Yes I had that problelm after my second treatment. But mine also delveloped into hives . The Onc nurse said it was from the Taxotere. Benadryl will help with the itching.
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Dear MKR,
I wish you the best and also for your sister. I am on Day 6 of Round 1 and I was fine Days 1 and 2, lousy on Days 3 and 4, fine Day 5 (except in the evening when I had bone pain, see above!), and so so today. So I think you will probably find days you need to rest and other days when you can do all you want to do for your sister.
Do you have friends who can help with this? We are going to have some difficulty over here because my sister is looking after me and lo and behold her father in law is having an operation soon, heh heh. But I have friends who can pick up the slack and so does she, so I think we'll manage.
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MKR39: I am so sorry about your sister. I guess when it rains, it pours.
To everyone else: Sounds like we are all holding up fairly well this week. I had my second TC last Friday and at this time on my first round I was in the hospital. I'm thrilled to report that I felt as good as gold today so cutting the strength to 80% must have been the magic answer. Yesterday, I was tired and took a nap at work in my chaise lounge that I took up there, but all in all I am feeling great except for an achey foot. My eyebrows went on vacation this week and I'm not too good at drawing them on. Glad I have bangs on my wig, covers up a world of sins. Other than tummy troubles which I am hoping the Imodium helps, things are looking up. Went for a nice walk tonite and even took the dogs for a walk. Hang in there, girls!
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Me again. Just thought of a question I meant to ask. My fingernails are only about 2/3 of what they used to be before chemo. To explain, everytime I need to clip them, they lift up and I have to clip further back. I'm afraid if I don't clip them back to where they are loose, I will catch one and rip it up. Does anyone know how you cover they nailbeds if they come off? I have a latex allergy and can't use regular bandaids but maybe a nonallergenic surgical tape or something? Anybody else having fingernail problems? They haven't discolored at all, no darkening or anything.
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Hi MKR39,
I you would be interested in seeing if you could help your sister try and survive this disease I have a couple of ideas. How long do the doctors give her. Let me know. Birdsong
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Hello Gals ~
Had a pretty good day today! Slept well last night, didn't need any Tylenol. Horses galloping in the pelvis very faintly and only every now and then. Only thing today a headache and stuffiness in the sinuses. Tired. Round 1 Day 7. Maybe I will feel okay until the start of the next round? I hope!
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Hello ladies
Day 3 of round 2 and I'm feeling better than first tx. A little gas but no nausea or vomiting. Appetite coming along ok. Completely bald and looking good. Talk to you later.0 -
I love your attitude, Pinky!
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Iowagirl,
I'm so glad the dose reduction seems to have helped! I'm sorry I don't know what the answer is for your poor nails...
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Iowagirl... About your nails, I'd read somewhere that Tee Tree Oil is beneficial for them during chemo. I doubt if it will reattach them if they're loose, but it might prevent further loosening. I've been massaging mine with it as a preventative measure. Deanna
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I just want to say I found this site and it helps so much, I am reading and saying yes yes oh really? I have T and C for 6 treatments, my first last week, thanks so much
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Welcome txtina... Sorry you are in the position of joining us, but you will find a lot of support and great information here! How did your first treatment go? Feel free to join in and share... Deanna
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Good morning everyone,
I woke up this morning experiencing some heavier vaginal bleeding with large clots. I've been spotting for a few days and now this. It's day 10 after my 2nd TC cycle. Has anyone experienced or currently experiencing this? I called my onc but I thought I'd ask here too.
Thanks guys -
Sherrie
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Good Morning Ladies. Having my 4th and final tx on Tuesday, then we discuss radiation. I was invited to the Mayor's Breakfast on Breast Cancer Awareness today. Although I had some testing and 2nd opinions at a major breast cancer center in Boston, for numerous reasons I chose to have my surgery and treatments at our local hospital, which is 26 miles north of Boston. Today I learned that our hospital is breaking ground for a Breast Cancer Center which will include a breast MRI facility. Wish we were at a point where we did not need these centers any more, but glad that a state of the art one will be local.
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