Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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I also take iron for anemia, a multivitamin, the B is for neuropathy, glucosamine/chondroitin for arthritis pain although that's not helping much now that I've started the arimidex. I did make my appointment for my fipples next week - yeah! Maybe I'll look halfway normal with these fake boobs.
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Jan - They are different for everybody. My second treatment was similar to my first, it was #3 that nailed me but I was dealing with the baldness and loss of brows after #2. Mostly stay as hydrated as possible and get some exercise if you can - you want to get those chemicals through your organs as quickly as you can. Good luck next week. How's your hair holding up?
Bobbi
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Bobbi -- Exactly two weeks after my first tx, I started the shedding process... two days ago. I had already cut my hair to the 1". That night, I buzzed it. My avatar is of me in my wig. The "Pube Fairy" visited me as well this week and I am now pleased to report I am getting a FREE BRAZILIAN WAX!!! Woooooo Hoooooo.... Life is good!
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My onc told me to continue the vitamins and supplements (Vit D, calcium) I already take, and I have heard that taking B6 with taxotere can help to prevent/reduce/eliminate neuropathy. I am thinking about adding this to my regimen, but will check with the onc first. I also read something about L-glutamine to help with any nail problems but I have not started that either.
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Gotta love those painless Brazilians!! You sound like you have a great attitude - that's what it's all about.
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Mom_of_boys: I was lucky, I guess, because my 1st was my worst, mostly because of the neulasta I think. After that, the reactions were milder and shorter. I wish the same for you! Hydration is so very important.0
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Mom of Boys, the free Brazillian wax cracked me up. For some reason that bothered me more then my head going bald. I've embraced the bald and never worn my wig, and only worn hats due to our cold midwest winter. Partway through decided to pretend I'd "deliberately" gone for a Brazillian wax and psychologically it helped. I have to confess though, one day at work a couple of the younger girls tried to fill a few of us older girls (I'm 48) in on all the different types of waxes out there. I was amazed, I had no idea what a smorgasboard of choices was out there. I remembered it for all of about 2 days--if I don't use the information I'll forget it. So, I'll take your word for the fact that its a Brazillian that chemo gives you.
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Well, I think it's a Brazilian! I googled it and the wikipedia version popped up. Let's just say that wikipedia is NOT alway family-friendly. And... what the heck is a "landing strip"? ROFL!0
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How long does TC stay in your body?
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My ongc told me that TC stays in your body for 21 days, BS agreed with that #
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That would explain the reason I'm so slammed. It's not getting out before I hit it again, doubling it so to speak, for 7 days of every cycle. I was doing okay until #4 but now I just can't seem to get back up. I couldn't figure out why I'm taking this so much harder than every one else. Guess that may be it. Thanx for posting that!
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webwriter: So sorry to hear this is hitting you so hard. My onc told me they're finding TC is really kicking people down, I can't imagine how hard dose dense would be. I'm thinking about you and sending good throughts your way. Wish I could help more.
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kmmd, it's good to see you. I've been thinking about you so much! How is the recovery going?
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I'm doing better. Liver is almost normal. Kidney function vastly improved by leveled off, too early to tell if it will go back to normal or if I'll always have some residual damage. I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired. You know the feeling, just weak. I'm ok sitting down, but try and get up and move around, or worse, try to walk up and down stairs. My onc told me I'm expecting too much too fast which I'm sure is true. I'm sure ready for Spring to get here and leave this winter behind.
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Okay, I know I'm exceeding my limit of questions... BUT...
Is it rare for someone to have an allergic reaction to the SECOND tx if that person (well, me) didn't have one to the first tx?
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MOB - I did read where someone had a reaction on the 2nd treatment. But that is only one person in hundreds on these boards. Did you have a reaction?
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When I saw my med onc today (following a very challenging first round of T-C that resulted in an initial WBC of 1.4), I was advised that I would face a possible allergic reaction to the Taxotere during the second round even though I did not have an allergic reaction to the first round. He said what I already had read elsewhere: that the risk of allergic reaction is present typically at both the first and second rounds. Sorry I don't have stats for you. Aren't you about to have your second treatment? If so, I hope you respond with no significant problems!
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swest and Brendatrue ... Thanks for the responses. My second tx is in two days. Wednesday. I did not have a reaction to the first tx. I think I read it on these boards somewhere as well, swest. Brendatrue... my first round resulted in a WBC of BELOW 1.0! I got the Neulasta shot and it went up to 9.0 within a few days.
Well... I'll just wait and see. Hopefully, I'll be just fine for the second tx!
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Hi MOB - It was me that you may have read about on the second round of TC. I had a reaction as soon as they started the drip. The nurse turned it off for 15 minutes and then restarted very slowly. That was my longest infusion day. On the 3rd round she started slowly and when I didn't have a reaction was able to increase the speed and all was well. Don't really know what causes the reaction and my onc just said that happens sometimes even if you get through #1 with no problems. If you're concerned, just ask them to slow down the drip at the start and monitor you closely which I'm sure they will anyway.... Good luck on Wednesday!!
I have my nipple recon on Thursday - I'm very anxious but excited for these final steps. Still having some lingering SE's and not sure what to attribute to TC or now the Arimidex. Anyone on here having problems with Arimidex?
Bobbi
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Hey MOB - My onco is warning me of a possible allergic reaction on my Tx #2 on Friday. He said it is quite common...like your body has been exposed once and now is going to put up a fight. He is having me take extra decadron the night before and the morning of. All my fingers and toes are crossed for you!0
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Thanks bobcat for the input!
Gina -- My onc didn't say anything. I'll keep ya posted. I start the decadron tomorrow. Maybe this time I'll get the buzzed feeling and work really, really hard tomorrow! NOT!
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MOB - I did not have a reaction. However, I did ask the nurse to slow down my drip of Cytoxan. The Cytoxan caused me to get light headed. You and Gina will probably be OK. I truly understand the anxiety!
Bobbi - Congrats on the Nips! Yea! I'd be so excited if I was that far in the process. I'll be thinking of you on Thursday!
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My ONC said 100 mg B6 for neuropathy also, as well as potassium as my boold pressure is high. Also iron as my WBC is low. They also give me sudafed before the Cytoxan to help with the reaction.
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I also found out that in my first round they just ran zofran for nausea. I was nausueas (sp) for the next few days. I asked my onc and she wrote an order to run Aloxi next time. MUCH BETTER. Zofran is cheaper...go figure!
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No allergic reaction to taxotere my second tx.
Had second tx on Wednesday... at work all day yesterday... and at work now. I certainly realize that days 4-5 will be worse, BUT so far this second time is equal or even a touch better. 0 -
MOB - so glad to hear that you made it through #2 - that's great that you didn't have a reaction. Good luck this weekend and hope the SE's aren't too bad.
The new nips are awesome! A little pinchy and I have to keep them covered for a couple of weeks with donut like pads but a small price to pay
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Hello to all--MOB, glad to hear that you tolerated well your second round. I am amazed that you were able to work Thurs and Fri. I am a strong person who rarely misses work and I was out for 10 workdays after my first TC round. I was shocked! With my first chemo, I was out for about 2 days (maybe 3 or so for #5 & #6) and that was it. I go for my second TC round next Thursday, with a quick trip for labs on Tuesday (my WBC went from 1.4 to 1.9 to 20.9 after 2 shots of neupogen, with no signs of infection, so we will check again before the actual chemo day).
I am totally hyped up when I take the decadron, beyond the point of being productive; I just feel kind of crazy headed. Also, I am still trying to make up my mind about the neulasta within 24 hours vs. neupogen afterward. I guess I will have time to do some more research over the weekend. Just can't seem to do enough reading and contemplation, then more decision-making!
By the way, my onc said it was fine to take B6, but not more than 50mg, although I have had "just" intermittent neuro type pain. I'm also shedding even more now and I am hoping the scarves that I ordered will get here soon!
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Hi everyone - Looks like I am getting switched to Abraxane (a cousins of Taxotere). I had a major reaction today at Tx #2 on Taxotere. Within a minute of the drip starting, I saw stars and felt light headed. My husband said my face was turning red and then I could feel my chest tightening so I started to cough cause I was having trouble breathing. By that time I had about 4 nurses gathered around me with their anaphylactic shock kit and defibrillator. I think my hubbo was in shock. The worst part is that as soon as the lung tightening/coughing eased up, I started to have spasms in my lower back/pelvic area. It feels like it went on for ages, but it probably wasn't long at all. The nurses immediately got me off of Taxotere, added more benedryl and Avitan to my drip. Probably something else I can't remember.
Why am I posting all this - not sure. I don't want to scare anyone. It is certainly not something that can be avoided. If your body is prone to an allergic reaction, it will. The best thing was that my husband was by my side and alerted the nurses very quickly. I think if I had been on my own, it may have taken me longer even though they were literally around the corner. You do dumb things when you are sitting in a chemo chair with and IV drip rack connected to your chest. I told my husband later that I would have had difficulty calling them or even standing up and wheeling my IV cart around the corner. His response "You didn't think of pressing the nurse call button right there next to your hand?" Oh, nope, I guess I didn't.
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ginagina - what you describe, minus the back spasms, is the exact thing that happened to me on TX 2 and then on TX 3 I still had a reaction but it was less violent. Both times, they tried again and were able to get it through by slowing down the drip. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I know how frigtening it was. I was alone when it happened (TX 1 went off without a hitch so I told my husband I didn't need anyone there on TX 2, it was just a matter of watching tv... HA. Anyway, I managed to pull the nurse cord thankfully, but yeah, same "ER" type scene). TX 4 for me is Tuesday and I hope the hell it doesn't happen again. My onc wanted to switch me to Adrimyacin on TX 3 when it happened again but I begged her to retry. No, I'm not a glutton for punishment I just want to get this over with and stay on course. Anyway, she reluctantly agreed and they ran saline with it and slowed it down and my body tolerated it eventually. In preparation for Tuesday I'm doubling up on the steroids and we are going to cross our fingers again. You know it's bad enough to recover at home after these stupid treatments without this stuff going on during the infusion so I feel your pain and hope Abraxane works for you. Hang in there.....0
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Gina - I had the same reaction on TX#2 minus the back spasms. Luckily the nurse was in the room watching me and stopped the drip immediately. Started back up slowly 15-20 minutes later with extra saline and then I was ok. Went slow on 3 and 4 just to make sure. It just s***s that we go through all this - I'm glad your husband was with you. Next time, hold that nurse button in your hand. Happy Saturday everyone - it's spring in the northeast and we are heading to the Jersey shore. I'm not allowed to exercise for a week so will enjoy some sunshine on the deck.
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