Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Ladies, found out that the itching in the crotch is an allergic reaction to the taxotere! My onc nurse said "most" people had itchy arms or scalp. Of course, mine has to be different. Diaper rash cream was the wrong thing, all it's doing is keeping it moist, and I should use Lanocane or benadryl or allergy cream and to take my allergy meds. I took a daytime allergy pill this morning and it is much better and I will take them daily. I've been watching my mouth - what does thrush look like? It always feels coated since treatment, but not too bad and I've been rinsing with Biotene and brushing more often.
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Okay folks, I think I've read about taxotere and neuropathy somewhere on this topic. I have just finished #5 of 6, and am beginning to experience slight numbness in feet and slight rolling tingling in legs. My onc. said start taking B6 and B12. Anybody hearing anything different out there? I've got both of these. Instructions for each just say take one daily. Any input will be appreciated.
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Babyc, I'm having terrible neuropathy in my hands and feet from my TC. I'm two weeks out from my last treatment and it seems to be getting worse at this point. I've been taking a B complex throughout my entire tx. Yesterday, I came across a website about alpha lipoic acid. Just google it in. The main thing this supplement does is fight neuropathy. I'm going to get some today and try it out. There is another supplement called fucoidan that is supposed to prevent/treat neuropathy. I haven't researched that one yet. Also I-glutemine is supposed to help. Do a little research on these and if you decide to try any of them, check with your onc first.
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For neuropothy (prevention), I take a b complex as well as l-glutamine. I'm done with 5 of 6 T/C's and haven't had neuropothy yet....maybe just luck or maybe these things work!?!?
Birdsong,
I did hit the jackpot with my care at ucla! i'm very lucky that i "fell" into their system after finding my lump. i'm pre-menopausal so I can't really answer your question. i had the tamoxifen metabolizing test done. if i'm a "good" metabolizer, I will go on tamox. If I'm a bad metabolizer, I will have my ovaries removed and go on an AI.....i'll let you know what my onc says!
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HI lisalisa,
Tha nks for asking your onc on your next visit for me a about aremidex and ferema. Also to anyone interested, as I was having my port out and they showed it to me, I realized looking at the long tube how close it is to your heart. I said that I could see how some medicines going straight into your heart could be more of a problem. The answer surprised me. Compare vinegar going inot a small amount, a teaspoon of water compared to a cup. That is the diffrence between the vein and the heart. It is so much more concentrated in the vein and so much harder in a concentrated area than being difussed in a larger pool. Interesting!! I've heard horror storied of nurses missing the vein and it going into the arm . Also a cancer survivor was told by her daughter , a nurse,"Don't let them go near you without a port." There was no decision to make for me. Love Birdsong
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Birdsong,
you just made me SO thankful for my port! that, and the fact that I HATE being stabbed!
I'm keeping my port till I'm done with rads and done with my final surgeries (breast revisions, nipples/areolas....and maybe ovary removal)
I don't see my onc till after chemo #6 but will ask for you!
Lisa
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Hi Ladies...
Birdsong... a PORT is a must...I am very glad that I have it...and can't wait for it to be removed in a couple of months.
I have had blurred vision happens when I read or concentrate on something very close. Also I have noticed some very bright white swirly things going on in my eyes just after chemo...I know it sounds like UFO stuff...lol
Diaper rash...thought it may be a yeast infection...I use the "Kando's Sensitive wipes" they are for kids mainly but seem to work for me and I use them after every BM and it has kept the rash away.
Heartburn...happens to me too...I have a large bottle of Zantac that I take when I feel it coming on.
Thrush...it happens after every session and goes away some right before the next treatment. Nothing relieves it or takes it away. Just can't taste much for a few days after treatment.
Restless legs...when relaxing I experience this while watching TV or reading.
Tiny blisters on hands...along with itching ...this happens about 6 to 7 days after treatment.
Ear ringing...I have experienced this as well. Its more noticeable when its really quiet.
Ladies...feel free to add more SEs to help others know that they are not alone.....
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Just a view from the other side.................I did not have a port since it was determined that I have excellent veins. I have been told that every time I have had bloodwork all my life................guess I could have been a great druggie
. I did not have a port and absolutely was problem free with all my chemo infusions. I started with TC but after two of those I had a very bad reaction so I was changed to weekly doses of Taxol. So I ended up with a total of 8 treatments and never had an issue. I know most people do have ports, but I just wanted to weigh in so others would know that it is possible to go through chemo without one.Caren
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Aoandrews43,
I'm on day 9 after my first treatment and feeling great for now! I had the tried, stomach problems, itching scalp, sore throat, joint pain, numb tongue and coated tongue around day 3-7 and then things started getting better. I know this isn't going to last and have to keep reminding myself it gets worse.
I'm glad to hear about the white tongue since I hadn't seen anyone mention it before. It's a nasty feeling cause you can't brush it off.
Hair loss is coming up but I was wondering has anyone kept the majority of their hair taking the TC only? I know it's probably just wishful thinking. I know the A is complete hair loss with that drug.
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I don't know of anyone on these boards who kept their hair during TC. There are many who did not lose all of it tho. And many whose hair after falling out, kept growing all during tx. It was real scraggly and the girls kept shaving their heads till they were done with chemo. So you never know. The onc do say that not everyone loses their hair.
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It is my understanding that with any of the taxenes, you will lose all your hair. That being said, it is just not as bad as we think it is going to be. I finished treatment Jan 6th and I am already walking around "topless" with my inch of luxurious hair. It is incredible the compliments I get. Everything is relative...................don't exhaust your energy worrying about the hair loss. In some ways it was very freeing. No, I would never do it by choice to make a fashion statement, but it has been an experience and has allowed me to see the real me in the mirror. I am NOT disappointed.
Hope sharing this viewpoint helps.....................Caren
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I shaved my hair after the 1st treatment...around day 12-13 when it started falling out.
I have since shaved my head a few more times. I'm one of those who keeps growing hair in between treatments. But, I feel like that hair is "poisoned" and I want it gone. Wierd, I know.
After my last treatment (next week!!!) I will let it grow.
p.s. someone asked about thrush. with thrush, my tongue turns COMPLETELY white. it's pretty gross/spooky looking LOL!
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I also have not gotten a port. I had 4xTCH and am continuing with H for a year. 10 more to go. No port, no problem.
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I lost my hair early on and shaved on day 17. Since then I have shaved the scragglies and I get all kinds of compliments on the bald. My SO is turned on by the whole bald thing - I'll take that!! I am 6 weeks out of last TC and still have some patches that are not growing in so I am still keeping it smooth every couple of days. I hope in a couple of weeks to start the growing process in earnest.
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Good for those who have piped in without Ports....it can be a personal thing...and trust me if I could do the veins and not have this Alien Mini BOOB attached to my chest I would. I am looking forward to having it removed. In a couple of weeks...I can say "PORTS JOB IS DONE...."
As for hair...you can see by my avatar I am completely bald. I had it buzzed off after it started coming out in strands...I thought it wouldn't happen to me.. But it did. My family thinks I have a good head for no hair...Those at work called me AQUANETTA as my hair was my thing....I can only hope that it comes back PERMED AND COLORED so I can call my hairdresser and tell her I don't need her anymore.....Well we can wish can't we?
Good thing it does grow back....whew!!!
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Cruise - you do have a great head!! I met someone at the PS office Monday and hers was just starting back. She used to do a shoulder length bob and color a reddish brown. Well, now she's all white and it looks really attractive on her. She's vowing to keep it natural. I hope I can do the same - I was salt and pepper when I lost mine but you just never know!
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My vision problem, thankfully, seems to be most noticeable with reading and does not seem to affect my driving. I am grateful that I recently had my eyes checked, so I know my glasses have the right prescription. I have heard that vision changes are temporary. I understand about the tender scalp. Sometimes my scalp is pink or red, days after I have stopped the steroids (which turn me into a tomato), and goodness, it itches, tingles, sometimes burns. And yes, I understand about indigestion. The first time I had it I thought my chest would explode. Believe it or not, I have only very rarely had indigestion and it was very mild. So, I had to convince myself that I was indeed having indigestion and not experiencing something more serious. Zantac has limited benefit for me; my onc recommended Prilosec OTC, which I have not yet bought. By the way, my MD said 4 rounds of TC is sufficient, and until I find out something differently I will plan for 4. It is rather confusing, isn't it?
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I posted this on my "home" thread too, but couldn't leave all of you out of it. You got me through it too!
I had my last chemo today, ya'll. Amazing. I've sort of put it to music and put a simple slide show on top in my blog. I'll try to post the links here, but I don't know if I can do it. It takes two links too, but it'll do for now. It works. The music will continue while the slideshow plays. When I get back on my game, I'll integrate the whole deal into mpeg or flash and add captions and such. Not while I can't see, am on too many drugs to count and know the chemfog will make it require inordinate amounts of time.
Anyway, I wanted to include you in the celebration. So here goes:
Needless to say, we had quite the celebration. I wish I could give credit for the idea, but all I can give you is the chain of "stumble upon" that gave it to me. Yes, I did it in my usual style.However, I started reading Otter when I first got here. She lead me to Rock (formerly known as Rock the Bald.) Reading them both, I found the May 2008 Chemo thread, which I read from top to bottom and still keep up with once in awhile. I'm pretty sure it was somewhere in that thread where the Pole Dance started. Might've been another offshoot.
But they started it. I loved it. Between that, the cupcakes, trailmix and sparkling grape juice I brought, I hope the entire staff at my center had a better day too. I think they might've.
May all of you reach the end of this phase soon.
(((Hugs)))
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Congratulations Web!!! Also, your husbands good news too. Love the pole dance. I'm also an avid Otter and Rock follower.
See you at the end of the tunnel. I'm six weeks out and have some fur coming in.
Renee
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ReneeS, that's what I have fur, its patchy then I like, and ALL grey which I wasn't before, but that is exactly what it feels like when I rub my hands along my head. Feels so strange after just skin. Now if I could just transplant some of that fur onto my eyes to cover for my missing eyelashes....
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jax65 - I hear you loud and clear on the heartburn... I have never had heartburn like I've had with this chemo.... "heart attack" is such an accurate description.... I started taking Prylosec everyday and I have backup Pepcid AC .... and a bunch of other over the counter stuff.... wicked side effect.... hang in there....0
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i can sooooo identify with the feeling of a heart attack. i even called and begged my dr for an ekg. she talked me down LOL!
it sure is scary!
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Webbie: Congratulations on being done!!!0
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Congrats.....Web...and love the shoes and drip dance...
I plan on taking cupcakes with the breast cancer ribbon on each - along with pink lemonade for the nursing staff and patients who are present. Not sure if I will have enough energy to dance...with the benedryl...but will attempt to skip and hop getting there.
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I haven't started my chemo yet (4/27/09) start date and I will be on taxotere and Cytoxan (that's why I'm reading this thread!). Great idea about celebrating! I haven't even started and I'm already interested in the celebration part
!!! I'm a cookie decorator so I'll plan some special cookies for the staff - I'm assuming they're going to be good to me! I wish I could send you all some too! Here's a link to my cookies if you want to take a look. This thread has been very helpful to me in clueing me in to what I'm about to experience. It's off to Disney World then back to reality with the chemo. Keep posting!htttp://www.flickr.com/photos/andovercookiemama/
Sukiann
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Hi, all. I almost called my doc on Sunday too - convinced gas pains in chest were heart-related!! Had my bloodwork done today - white cells dropped waaaaay down, so had to get Neulasta shot. When do SE usually start with those? Also found out, "itch" in crotch is related to the white cell count - it's similar to a yeast infection, it's fungal, isn't that fun?? My doc examined me after I told him what was going on and he prescribed generic Ketoconazole 2% cream. Any ladies who are experiencing this please check with your docs - it is from the chemo, but is related to your cells dropping.
Sukiann - have fun at Disney - we did the same thing before I was to start my treatment, we had a park-hopper pass with one day left on it, so before I was banned from crowds, we went up and spent the day having fun.
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Welcome Sukiann....glad you found us...have a great time with Mickey...
The itching... is another SE of this whole thing...I find little tiny bubble blisters on my legs, crotch and hands...I try not to break the bubble...and just keep neosporin on it...
Today I had my CBC and feeling better since it had been a full week since chemo. I still have the cats tongue roughness and no taste...very tired and out of breath.
I ordered my breast cancer cupcakes for my last chemo visit on April 23rd...should be a fun party...and can't wait to celebrate..
I also booked an 18 day European cruise today...to help celebrate some family milestones...it is scheduled for April 2010. Nice to have something special to look forward to.
Going back to watch the Masters....later...
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Webwriter!!! A big congrats!!! WOOHOO!!
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Werbwriter!!!! hip hip hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Great cookies Sukiann. You're very talented. My daughter made booby cupcakes for my last chemo. She used a mini marshmallow for the nip.
I also had a hair shaving party. I did cry but It was great to have my friends with me. I was actually fun.
Drink lots of water ladies.
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