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Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?

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Comments

  • holtbolt
    holtbolt Member Posts: 302
    edited February 2009

    Fran... OMG.. the same thing happened to me on Tuesday!!!  TX 1 went off great on Jan 20th then this Tuesday... TX 2... I had that same reaction to Taxotere that you described... eventually they got things back to normal and tried again and it went in successfully so I guess I'm still on course... what you described was what happened to me!!!  Some scary sh*t indeed!  Did they give you the option of trying again?

    Lashon... I'm glad you checked back in.... I'm glad the tumor ended up smaller...  good vibes still coming your way...

  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2009

    Anybody besides me totally overtaken by sinus congestion after these things? It was pretty yukky with the first TX, but now with #2, I'm just bowled over. I've had a "cold" in my face for two stinkin' weeks and now it's worse instead of better. Onco says, "Wow. You're allergic to chemo! Who knew?" Yes, my Onco is a twisted individual.

    I'm on Claritin for the Neulasta, Benedryl for the rash and Zyrtec for the sinus mess--and I still can't breathe!

    Is this common?

    While I'm at it, I'm going to whine and complain about this hair thing. Would it just FALL OUT ALREADY? I had a super short pixie done yesterday, which felt good at the time. Just getting the weight off relieved that achy tight ponytail feeling. Today it's back. I'm just ready for it to GO! Day 16 and I'm barely shedding. GRRRRRRRRR!!!!

  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2009
    P.S. Hotbolt I forgot to come back and give you my dosage last week. I'm 5'5" and 135lbs. I get 123mg Taxotere and then 984mg Cytoxan.
  • babyc
    babyc Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2009

    Fran, during my first dose of taxotere, I immediately experienced the numbing pain in my hip bones which then circled across back and abdomen.  Infusion was stopped, I stood and cried for about five minutes, doctor and nurse said it was very unusual (and suggested it was due to my anxiety???)   Drip was slowed down and infusion continued and pain eventually subsided.  Second chemo, I had no reaction but I think they did slow the drip.....  Now I wonder about my medical team's experience.......  It does sound like taxol may be used; take heart!

  • babyc
    babyc Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2009

    Fran, during my first dose of taxotere, I immediately experienced the numbing pain in my hip bones which then circled across back and abdomen.  Infusion was stopped, I stood and cried for about five minutes, doctor and nurse said it was very unusual (and suggested it was due to my anxiety???)   Drip was slowed down and infusion continued and pain eventually subsided.  Second chemo, I had no reaction but I think they did slow the drip.....  Now I wonder about my medical team's experience.......  It does sound like taxol may be used; take heart!

  • apfuentes
    apfuentes Member Posts: 12
    edited February 2009

    Hi ladies - The Cytoxan is the sinus/headache culprit according to my chemo nurse.  She slowed down the drip my last cycle and I didn't get a headache or any sinus congestion.  It took 3 times for someone to even ask me about headaches, which I had no idea was related to the chemo.  I go for my 4th and FINAL (yeehaw!) TC on Tuesday and I will request the slower Cytoxan drip again. 

    Those who are just starting...this chemo thing is doable.  The ladies on this message board will get you through this.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Back in December I was dreading the start of chemo, and here I am already at the end of my treatment.  I know mine was short compared to some, but one day we will all look back on this time in our lives and hopefully realize we became stronger because of it.  Big hugs to everyone! 

  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2009

    Webwriter - I had to shave my head on day 15.  The sore scalp was driving me crazy.  I had not stared shedding but I could pull out some by running my hands through my hair.  The soreness is what drove me crazy.  As soon as I shaved my head - instant relief.

    Sonia

  • flb1011
    flb1011 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2009

    Everyone, thanks so much for your kind words and sharing your own experiences.

    When I left the dr.'s office , they said I would not get Taxotere again, and that Taxol would now be out of the question as well.  I see him on Thursday to discuss Plan B, and will start new regimen in 2 1/2 weeks.  But after your experiences, I am going to try and see if he will let me try again.  I guess if they give me the Taxotere first, and my reaction is the same, they can stop it immediately and go to plan B then, so no more time is wasted.

     Thanks again,

     Fran

  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2009
    Thanx apfuentes and swest. Both great info. Will check with Onco about slowing C and will get this head shaved ASAP!
  • LASHON2008
    LASHON2008 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2009

    I dont know i am going to ak my onc when i go in on monday to have my port flushed and my check up

  • misty123
    misty123 Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2009

    Hi Group

    Prayers to all, we are all having diffrent SE and stressers in our lives but it help so much to have someone who really understands what we are going thru on a daily basis. I am 1/2 thru with TC, 2 more treatment to get thru and one of my friends from work sent me a halfway care package, it was so sweet I cried, becoming overly emotional seems to be one of my new SE.

    I hope everyone was able to enjoy Valentines Day in some special way.

  • Talk2Me
    Talk2Me Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2009

    Just a little note...

    I finished Tax/Cyto in mid Dec.  Each of 4 rounds brought something different.  Never thought I'd walk through that "chemo cocktail lounge" door and now it's behind me.  Hang in there!  On my last day we drank Ginger Ale in Champagne glasses! 

    Thought there would be no silver lining but there were many.  One of the best is all the great encounters with amazing people... strong, crazy, insightful, caring, funny and thankful and more.

     Hang in there.  Pick a goal and keep your eye on it.  Mine is to be here as long as possible for my kids. 

  • flmomof3
    flmomof3 Member Posts: 12
    edited February 2009

    When i read about some of the serious side effects i feel blessed not to have experienced them and I am praying for those of you struggling to find the right chemo...for me the stress of waiting to begin chemo was worse than the chemo itself!

    Some advice please... My counts went low this weekend ( day 8/9) and I started to get sick so i had two shots of Neupogen and antibiotics which should help. I have had excruciating headaches the past 3 days( both before and after the Neupogen) with scalp pain...I assumed the headaches were from whatever virus I was fighting but now I think it might be due to my hair??? is that possible? I have very thick hair which i cut to chin length but still ALOT of hair...it is day 11, no hair is falling out yet...will I get relief if I go ahead and shave it today???I can't function with these headaches and I have 3  kids to take care of!!!

    Thanks for your advice!!

    Sue from Florida

  • holtbolt
    holtbolt Member Posts: 302
    edited February 2009

    Fran - when I had the reaction to Taxotere the nurses said there was rarely an incident when they couldn't "restart with success"... that had alot to do with my decision to let them retry it... I don't know what that was all about.. my body just said NO to Taxotere at first... I hope you get back on track... why did they say no to Taxol?

    Webwriter -  yes, stuffy nose all around here.... annoying and thanks for the info... after comparing notes it seems I'm getting a reasonable dosage... 1,000 mg Cytoxin, 120 mg of Taxotere and I'm about 5'7" 130 lbs.   After my reaction to Taxotere on tx 2....I just wanna say this to all you ladies/men... don't be afraid to ask EXACTLY what is going through the IV, what drug, what dosage and check it off the list on each treatment.  I am.  I told the nurses I feel a little weird about it because it seems like I'm questioning their competence in doing so... but on the other hand, screw that... this is really important and it's my body so I want to know what's going in it and how much... all the nurses so far have been very understanding of my questions and lists.. and they admitted they'd do the same, if it were them in the chair.... (but yeah who knows if they are talking about me behind my back ...saying that I'm an annoying bi*tch.. lol ....who the hell cares right?... mistakes are made everyday in the medical field... I'm going to do my best to make sure they don't happen on me)....... anyway....for me the only thing different about tx one and tx two on treatment day was10 mg of steroids through the iv instead of 16 mg on tx one (they said they back down because there is less of a chance of a reaction on tx 2 - hmmm.... wonder if that little bit of a difference caused my reaction to Taxotere on tx 2).... who knows... but if I didn't ask I wouldn't even have known they gave me less.... I will certainly go into TX 3 with that question...... 

    TalkToMe - and all the others who have stopped by to offer encouragement... THANK YOU SO MUCH.  It really helps to know there is normal life after all this crap.

  • sama710
    sama710 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2009

    Regarding hair -- mine started coming out in clumps on Day 18 after the first of six TC treatments, so I shaved it down to a crewcut that day. Eventually I shaved it with a razor because the little "stubblies" were bugging me.  I probably shaved once during every round, because some hair on my head would always grow back.  My eyebrows thinned, but I never lost my eyebrows or eye lashes.  Haven't had to shave my legs or armpits since the first round.  

    I'm now on day 6 after my last treatment, and what has been interesting is that I've still got hair growth on my head.  It's just fuzz, but I'm trying to decided if I should shave it (will it fall out anyway?) or let it go and see if it keeps growing.  I dont' wear a wig - either have a hat on or go bald, so it would look better if i shaved it smooth.  

    I've read that some women have hair growth up to an inch and then it falls out again, but i don't know if they were on TC.  Anyone out there have some stories? 

  • plakatakr
    plakatakr Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2009

    Sama- I'm 10 weeks out and that hair is still there. My new hair is 1/4-1/3 of an inch (Herceptin slows it). I wear a wig so I am waiting a little longer before I even everything out. Eyebrows and lashes are coming and going. Facial hair has come by for a visit but I haven't shaved pits or legs yet.

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 521
    edited February 2009
    I don't have any stories about hair after TX.  I still have 2 more to go.  I never did lose all my hair tho either.  There is a fine fuzz on my head that I don't think will fall out.  I know I have to continually trim around my ears as those hairs get real long.  Nothing else is growing tho.    I do still have eyebrows and most of my lashes.  Well, one eye has lost clumps of lashes.  The other one not so much.  It would be nice if it would just fall out evenly.Cool
  • nikkidurepo
    nikkidurepo Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2009

    firni- that made me laugh about our dog-we haven't shaved his head and i don't think he would be able to tolerate a hat, but thanks for the suggestion-

    i ended up getting my hair buzzed on valentine's day-which was day 20--the shedding was out of control and my natural part was literally getting wider and wider. i ended up wearing a wig for my baby's baptism and it was fine.

    mimiwhite-you're right, i got much relief after the cut. scalp is still a little tender, especially when i remove my beanie.

    my scalp gets especially tender when i wear my wigs(s)-do you ladies know of any tricks to minimize this? 

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 521
    edited February 2009

    You can get cotton wig liners for inside your wig.  Wear it with the seams in toward the wig and it's nice and soft on your head.

  • BooBee
    BooBee Member Posts: 288
    edited February 2009

    I shave my head with my husbands electric razer.  I prefer being bald.

    How is everyone doing on their weight.  I'm up an unbelievable 10 okay 15 LBS and I walk 7 miles twice a week.  I'm eating better than I ever have but the inactivity is showing on my a**.

    My last one (6) is next Wednesday.  I can't wait.

    Holtbolt I've had to stop blood draws several times in the wrong arm.  We have to take the home court advantage.

    Renee

  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 72
    edited February 2009

    my weight went down 3 lbs after tx #1...than gained it back after tastebuds came back....now down 2 lbs after tx #2....si I guess I am right about where I started...

    You can worry about the weight in the spring like te rest of the population.

    I just noticed the bottom of my foot looks a little purple....what the he*l is that?

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 521
    edited February 2009

    My cancer and SNB were on the left side.  The side everyone wants blood, BP, you name it.  I'm always pulling my left arm back from nurses.  Only at the cancer clinic do they ask me which arm I want them to use.  I'm wondering if I should get an alert bracelet?

    My weight sucks.  I've gained 25 lbs since my surgery (10-29).  I think a lot of it is the steroids.  I seem to take more than most as usually a week after Tx, I get some weird SE and go on more steroids for a week or so. Of course there is the inactivity that I'm not used to either.

    I still can't seem to get out of my own yard with the bald head.  I was able to do the LGFB class bald, but so did 6 other women.  No big deal there. 

  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 72
    edited February 2009

    it must be the steroids....which I understand will go away with no problem after treatment.....

  • BooBee
    BooBee Member Posts: 288
    edited February 2009

    My SIL said, within 2 months, the steroids ware off and it's easier to loose the weight.  Talk about insult to injury.  I also take more steroids than the norm due to a breathing problem.

  • nursekim
    nursekim Member Posts: 11
    edited February 2009

    I had check ups today with my surgeon and oncologist, and had my mammoogram.  Everything was fine!!!  Finished 6 of 6 chemo 11/13 and 30 radiation 12/30. Need to work on getting off this 35 lbs I've put on, between steroids and quitting smoking.

  • kathimdgd
    kathimdgd Member Posts: 84
    edited February 2009

    Thank goodness i didn't gain any weight,in fact i lost 22# since the mastectomy.Of course the chemo gave me diarrhea each and every time,and i still have it today,and my last chemo was the 5th of this month.I have prescribed meds for it,but it only does so much. For the record i did have diarrhea problems b4 chemo,but not as bad.The chemo sent it into overdrive!!

    The only steroids i had was on chemo day through a drip,and i'm glad about that,as it kept me awake,and something threw me back into menopause type hot flashes for about 3 to 4 days after chemo.Each and everyone of my 6 treatments gave me different side effects.The only SE that was the same was the diarrhea.

    Kathi

  • misty123
    misty123 Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2009

    nursekim ~ kudo's to you for your good news and wishing all a good report.

  • slortiz
    slortiz Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2009

    Hello Everyone!

    I'm just checking in. Here is a new picture of me and my hubby, taken last week while we were skiing in beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho. I'm the one with the hair!!. This is what I look like approximately six months after chemo, but don't worry, your hair will probably grow faster. Mine grows very slowly, but at least it is coming in dark and kind of curly and fairly thick. It's frosted with grey, which actually looks quite nice.

    I'm feeling really well and hope everyone else is also. The only downside is that my latest labs seem to indicate I'm developing hypothyroidism--a new complaint. I've read a few things suggesting chemo can sometimes result in damage to the thyroid gland, so I'm kind of concerned, but hopefully it will resolve on its own. I sure do NOT want to have to take any more prescriptions  than the FOUR medications I'm already downing on a daily basis.

     To those asking about how long it took to recover:  I felt perfectly normal starting about 3 weeks after stopping chemo and all my blood work was normal at about 5 weeks. I started a rigorous exercise program mid-October, about  six weeks post chemo, and think that really helped me recover my strength and stamina. This is a new lifestyle for me as prior to my cancer diagnosis I prided myself on being a couch potato.

    Cheers!

  • holtbolt
    holtbolt Member Posts: 302
    edited February 2009
    Sandra.. look at you!! ..  skiing, rigorous excercising and HAIR!! Outstanding and encouraging post, thank you!  There is a nice life after all this for us... maybe even a better one! Smile
  • bobcat
    bobcat Member Posts: 526
    edited February 2009

    Sandra -

     Good for you!  I missed skiing this year so much....   Just 11 days out from last TC and today is not a good day.  Just feeling blue and this morning the rest of my brows fell out and now the lashes are going.  I was looking forward to feeling better but this thin skin and slap of losing more hair just got me down.  Guess I'll get my butt off the chair and go for a walk.  Sorry for complaining and I really shouldn't since I'm all done but just so tired of it all and nothing I put on looks good - I end up wearing the same top all the time and just switch out neck scarves.  Must get showered and moving.  More later when I'm feeling better.

    Bobbi

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