Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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greytmom_17-I just had my first TC with no port. I drank alot of water before I went in, I washed my hands with hot water just before I got my IV in and pumped my hand up. When the nurse put the IV in I bleed all over. I told her what I did and she said thats why. My veins were plumped and ready and I had no problems with the site. I drank water the whole time I was getting the chemo. Iam on day 3 and still feeling good. Good Luck you should be fine. We only need 4 pokes, the nurse doesn't see a problem.---Geri
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Greytmom_17, I am a teacher also. My chemo starts on the 8th, so I will be out for a week, come back for 2 1/2 days and thankfully summer vacation will be here. I won't be using a port neither, as long as I keep hydrated. I am Crossing my fingers hoping that on the 8th my veins will be plump .
The jury is still out about wearing a wig for the next school year! But we will see! Diana
Stay positive even through the darkest hours!
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I just finished 4 rounds of TC 5/13 and I did have a port. Never bothered me one bit. You don't need general, just heavy sedation to have it put in. You wake up feeling great and the port is there ready when you need it. The site was sore for a couple of days but never painful and I never took anything for it. I am glad I had it as they used it for all blood draws and for the one time I needed fluids the day after chemo due to my BP dropping too low......definitely drink fluids as much as you can during and at least the first 5 days after chemo. I was only tired after TX 1 and I think it was because of the steroid crash......I never had reactions so they dropped my decadron to only 12mg during infusion so I really had no problem with my final 3 tx's.
Good luck!
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Hemen...like Catherine, I get my Neulasta shots in the stomach now. Much less pain from the actual shot, but in my case anyway, no difference in the bone pain resulting from the shot.
However, the bone pain for me is not too horrible. At its worst, I can manage it with 3 Advil. My pain usually lasts for 3 days after the shot, then nothing.
Water is ridiculously important for the chemo SEs in my opinion
As the old saying goes, "the solution to pollution is dilution."Hope things improve for you soon.
Nadine
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Hemen,
I've had the Neulasta shot after each of my TC treatments so far (I've had 3). I get my TC on Fridays and the Neulasta on Mondays. The first Neulasta was so painful I really thought I was dying. I had bone pain everywhere--from toes to cheekbone and I couldn't open my mouth because it was so painful. I couldn't chew so I was only able to drink from a straw some soup and gatorade. I didn't medicate myself until it was too late. I could barely move out of bed. I finally felt better by Thursday.
With the second shot, I took Tylenol Arthritis an hour before my shot and took it every 8 hours around the clock even during the middle of the night. I still felt bone pain, but I was more mobile and was able to chew soft foods. I also did warm Epsom salt baths which really relieved some of the bone pains. I felt better by Wednesday.
With the third shot, I did the same with the Tylenol Arthritis and the warm baths. This time I was better by Tuesday afternoon to the point I was picking my kids up from school.
Have you tried watered -down root beer or some ginger ale? Sometimes I can't stand the taste of plain water, too.
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If your nurse warms the Neulasta before giving the shot, it doesn't hurt at all to get the shot. My nurse would carry the syringe around in her hand about 10 min before giving me the shot.
florbo, you are so right about keeping ahead of the pain. Take your pain meds regularly. There is no prize for being noble.
As far as ports go, my onc never used them for 4 tx. 6 tx or more, the person gets a port.
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Thank you all so much for your replies-- you are are all wonderful--I feel like I have a plan of attack now for next cycle.
Eadsla: I took clairitin yesterday and this a.m. I actually slept throught the night with little to no pain last night, so maybe it's helping!
Holbolt: 22 is an awful number, I totally agree. I started with Tylenol and then found Advil better, probably as I can take more at once and it does seem to work better for me. Hair is starting to come out now in clumps--let the fun begin!
Kmmd: You are so right about asking for and taking the meds. You feel so radioactive with these chemicals, you just don't want to add more to your poor body. It is good advice-- my husband will thank you too, as he keeps saying to me, why suffer?--just take some meds.
greytmom and Abuelaboricua. I'm also a teacher (abuelaboricua: enseño español) and will be back in school in the fall doing RADS at the same time. I could not imagine trying to teach through this chemo-- I am in pain and I am so distracted (must be the famous chemo brain) that I can't focus easily. I have small veins, but the chemo nurse too one look at my hand and said "no port you'll do fine!" . I was so happy! I had NO problem at all with the insertion in my hand (and I HATE needles)-- I found it really helpful to hold a stress ball the whole time (from needle insertion to needle withdrawal) the infusion was going as it kept my hand at an angle where I was not so aware of the needle:) --it made a huge difference. The next day, you could see a tiny pinprick, that was all. I did drink loads of liquid the days before and during chemo and I also washed my hands with warm water prior and generally tried to keep warm (I tend to get cold the instant I wallk into a hospital!) and I am sure that helped.
Nadine: I am glad you have been able to control the bone pain somewhat-- advil does help--. The liquid is so important--I could not agree more. I must get up 2 to 3 times a night to pee though:( I'll try the stot in stomach this time.
Florbo: I am on my way to get some tylenol arthritis. I got ahead of the pain with medications with the 2nd neupogen shot and it did make a difference. I will follow your regimen and hope it helps. I feel like an old lady right now hobbling around and I was walking 6 miles a day prior to chemo:( I'll try the watered down soda--good idea as water does take on a wierd taste-- especially out of a bottle? My nurse had recommended epson salts too-- once day I took 3 baths! My water bill will be through the roof-- but it really did help the pain.
I am so happy to have poeple " to go through this with"--best wishes to all-
Helen
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Hemen,I teach middle school Health. I was planning to teach On-line Health for HS students this summer but did not think I could do it, so I gave up my position. Hopefully I can teach next summer. My last chemo will be on the 10th of August and we got back to work on the 20th so I have sometime to recover. Like you I will be doing RADS during the school year. Will see how that goes!
I wish everyone a great day and I hope you are feeling better soon! Diana
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Has anyone had problems with A-fib within a couple of days of their treatments? I have only had two rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere with a shot of Neulasta on day two. I've had no nausea or vomiting because they also give me Emend, Zofran, and Compazine. My cycle starts on a Wed. and by Fri. morning I wake up with rapid heart rate, flipping and flopping all over the place and very irregular. This feels like having tremors. The first time I thought, "oh, so this is what chemo feels like." By 4:00pm that afternoon my husband had me in the emergency room and the monitors showed A-fib. I converted back to normal on my own by about 7:00pm and was fine.
Well, it happened again this round. Same day, all day. I didn't go to the ER because they really didn't do anything for me, and I was hopeful that I would convert again on my own later in the day.....no, it took until the next afternoon. This is scary because if your heart doesn't beat properly blood can coagulate and develop clots. My plan is not to go through all this treatment for breast cancer only to wind up having a stroke!
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echosalvaje - I had an extremely irregular heartbeat during my TC. I have an irregular beat now, only really notice it if I am very stressed, and I have meds for it. During my tx, it would almost beat out of control - I too ended up in ER, they did a complete series, everything was fine except for that. My normal meds, Atenolol, didn't do anything - it just had to wear off after each treatment. One of the reasons I neded up stopping treatment early, I was dealing with the really irregular beat to the point that it was pulsing in my throat, my chest, everywhere, and my onc agreed with me it wasn't the best se to have. I was on tx as a preventative measure due to my oncotype score of 18, and have now moved on to rads, which is progressing fine.
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I have had sinus tachycardia for 3-5 days after each of my last 2 TC txs. I did meet with my onc and a cardiologist about it, and the cardiologist put me on beta-blockers, which helped. But it does seem to be a SE that improves as the days increase past Tx.
I asked the cardiologist what he thought it might be and he said, "chemo, steroids, thyroid, early menopause from the chemo....pick one." I'll stay on the beta blockers until after chemo, then we'll see how the rate is then, and probably stop taking them.
It's always SOMETHING, isn't it, lol???
Peace,
Nadine
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Has anyone had troubles with severe swollen feet and ankles? I have my last treatment on June 3rd and plan on talking to the doctor about my feet and ankles. However I have tried drinking until I nearly drown, elevating the feet. My blood pressure medicine also has a diuretic in it but the BP is staying down but the bloating is bad. Hurts like crap to wear shoes and slip on sandals can only be worn for a few hours until the swelling gets so bad they have to come off also. One foot is far more swollen than the other. There is also pealing skin on the bottom of the worst foot, could be from so much swelling, but I don't know. Both feet feel like they belong to someone else and not me. Both hands are swollen but far from the feet problems. Suggestions?
Nadine
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Oh Nadine... Yes, I had sever swelling of my hands, feet and ankles from Tx 4-6. After Tx 4 onc gave me a medral pack of steroids. That took care of it till after Tx 5. Then onc switched my diuretic. Not much results from that but he said if I could stand it for one more tx, all of it would go away after chemo because the swelling is from the Taxotere. Now I'm 10 weeks post chemo and my left foot and ankle are just getting worse. I have one pair of flip flops that I can get on my foot. Did an ultra sound today to make sure there are no blood clots. Had an xray 2 weeks ago to make sure I didn't have any fractures in my foot. So tomorrow, I go back to oncy to see what plan C is. It's gotten pretty debilitating having to keep it up, ice it and not be able to wear anything but a flip flop. Hopefully yours will go away after your last chemo. Oh, my feet did peel too. It was like the callouses on the bottom of my feet filled with water and then deflated. It was just a bunch of empty skin. Gross. See if your onc will give you a stronger diuretic. That might be enough for you. I'll keep you posted on plan C of the ever enlarging foot.
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So far I'm coping ok following TC #3.... the usual SEs...lots of fatigue...the folliculitis is better (thanks Nadine & Chelev). Some bone pain but manageable - am taking Claritin and some Tylenol Xtra strength as needed. I have some peripheral neuropathy but still able to use fingers and toes ok. I'm putting loads of cream on my hands and feet a few times a day. I'm in week 6 of the 12 weeks. Sorry to hear about the heart problems, swelling etc. that some of you are experiencing. It seems that with every tx there are new SEs. I hope you feel better soon.
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Took my second round of TC May 25. I felt like dancing for two days and then oboy! Bedridden and down for the count ....rash on my head, my neulasta shot does not give me any trouble, ive had two now, blood work great, feeling much better today. Gained about six pounds and have fatigue, but this is doable. Two more to go. Feel confident i made the right decision to have this chemo. The water is a problem. I have no thirst. I drink two quarts per day. Its a job. It helps to have some beautiful weather and flowers out and birds singing when you are bedridden. I threw open the windows and watched the food network for four days. Today i am up, doing the bills, and will go shopping for some fruits and veggies today. So my pattern thus far, the first seven days are downtime, then normalcy. Kids stare at my turbans. I need to go get a wig. My head was on fire after the chemo, i got a heat rash like over the scalp. I slept with ice on my head. But my scalp is a normal temp now but still itchy. I have some black stubble on it. It probably will fall off in the next few days. Been so grateful for the ability to overcome this. My faith is growing every day.
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Wow.
Folliculitis. Swollen ankles, feet, and hands (typical of Taxotere). Peeling skin on the soles of your feet (that's hand/foot syndrome). Bone pain. Neuropathy. Water tastes terrible, but you have to drink it anyway--lots of it.
I say, "wow", because that all sounds so familiar. I am posting because one year ago I had my 4th of four infusions of Taxotere & Cytoxan. For 3 months, I lived on this thread, and on the "May 2008" chemo thread.
I know it's hard to believe, but you can do this. (You know you can.) By sticking together and helping each other, you can get through these weeks and months of treatment. Some days, you will second-guess your decision to "do" chemo; but that's not surprising, considering what you're going through. Don't let anyone tell you how lucky you are that chemo "is not as hard as it used to be." That's b.s. That sort of thing comes from people who don't have a clue. Chemo is just as "hard" as it ever was; but our oncos are better at helping us manage most of the SE's than they used to be.
One year out, my hair has grown back, and it's the same color as it used to be. (Okay, maybe there are a few more gray hairs scattered in there; and it is still pretty short.) My hands and feet are no longer swollen. My nails look perfectly normal. My fingertips and toes don't tingle anymore. My eyesight is actually better than it was.
And, best of all, I have absolutely no regrets that I "did" chemo. None. And, I'm grateful that my onco agreed it would be Taxotere & Cytoxan.
Hugs to each and every one of you on this thread...
otter
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I had my 3rd round of TC last Thursday...have been feeling lousy but hope that improvements will start today like previous cycles. For the folliculitis, my onc prescribed Dalacin*T which is an antibiotic solution that I have been applying to my head. It has helped a lot. The TC is hard. I come to these discussion boards every day for information and support.
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Otter, what an inspiration your pep talk is. I'm 10 weeks out from chemo and still have some lingering SEs. But knowing that by next spring I could be completely back to normal is giving me hope. And you're right about chemo being hard. The taxanes come with their own set of misery. Just coz you can control the nausea doesn't mean it's easy. Hang in there everyone and remember Patience. Something I've had to learn thru all of this.
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I have my last TC (#4 ) coming up on Friday. I rented "He's just not that into you" for some light 'infusion entertainment"! Funny, the last two cycles I rented "Juno" and "Mamma Mia" -- I think I enjoyed both movies but I can barely remember them due to the benadryl-decadron-ativan combo of premeds! Oh well, at least they keep me occupied while I'm there. I have absolutely no memory of what I did during the first infusion :-) .
Otter - thanks for those words -- they are really great to hear. I've been lucky to escape most of the worst side effects but it still has been difficult to not feel like "myself" -- although I may need to redefine what 'myself' is.....especially since I still have tamoxifen to go.
Thank you!
I'm scheduled for my implant exchange on July 13....hard to believe that will be six months since diagnosis -- it has gone so slow and so quickly at the same time.
I'm so appreciative to all who have posted here for your wonderful words and insights.
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aoandrews43--Seen you where wondering about how you would feel on tomoxifin. I was on it 6 years ago for five years. I took 1 pill a day. The only SE I had was it stopped my periods (which were regular at the time) and I had hot flashes a few times a day. They only lasted a few minutes so it wasn't to bad. I kept different jammies on the side of my bed, some for hot, some for cold and some for medium weather. I went to bed in one pair and might wake up with 2 different pieces from two different Pj's. I would take them off--get cold, put one on etc-etc. Besides that I feel fine and been off it for 1 year. My periods never came back and I feel I sailed thru menopause quite easily compared to what most women go thru. Good Luck--Geri
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Otter,
Thanks for reminding us that we CAN get through chemo.
aoandrews43---I'm doing my 4th TC on Friday, too. I'm going to call it quits after that. My onco wants me to do 6 treatments, but my body has had enough. I can hardly wait for all this to be over. The Komen 5K is on Saturday 6/6. I'm hoping to be able to drop by and see all my friends who are running for me.
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Thank you Otter for all the words of encouragement! I really need to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Talk about taking every day as it comes-- that is the only way I am getting through this, otherwise it seems just too long and too scary.
My hubby buzzed my head for me last night as my hair was coming out in lovely big chunks (which did not hurt!). But the stubble that remains (maybe 1/4 cm) hurts a lot and itches. I have a bunch of acne on my head too-- lots of small red pimples? I hope that's not the start of folliculitis? Just picked up my wig--it's cute but is painful to wear at the moment.
Florbo-- you do what's right for you -- you areso brave.
Hope everyone is doing OK -- you are all amazing to me.
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Firni: I talked to the doctor today about the swelling and peeling of my feet, the bumps on my ankles and the swollen hands. After great discussion it was decided to keep an eye on it. The doctor told us that he would rather not give me any diuretics or other meds because it would drain me of potassium which could be a new set of problems. He feels the swelling will go down with time along with the weight which is caused from water retention also. So will wait and see on that. I see him again in 6 weeks for blood tests and the start of my five year drug therapy.
Otter: Thank you so much for your posting...made me think I had walked in your shoes at times.
Had my 4th and final treatment today. Go in the morning for my shot...sure won't miss having the shot from hell! As usual I had to be poked two times. The first nurse was one I hadn't had before but seen her "work", she is one of those that looks busy but never seems to do anything. She started off first thing giving me a lecture on drinking...damn what does she think I do...she went on and on and I looked at her and told my self sister just get this going so I can get out of here. She was telling me a line of crap and at one point I really wished I could toss her in the chair and hook her up with an IV for a while. Then she pokes my hand...maybe I should say she was sticking the needle in the hand and it felt like with each jab once it was in the vein it felt like it was heading to my elbow. After considerable pain she tells me that its not in right...gee you think there was no reason to keep jabbing it deeper once it was in. So she pulls it out and tells me she has to get another nurse to try a vein. She calls one of my two favorite nurses and she sets down and with in seconds everything is ready to go...do to my veins being so poor they do the blood draw and hook up the line for the IV in one poke. The second nurse is so good there was no pain. I told her I wanted her and not the other nurse and explained what happened. She told me there was no reason for what she had done. When my chemo was done they turned on music and danced and sang and gave me some wonderful gifts. I will stop in each time I have to see the doctor to say hi to these ladies they all were wonderful (except the one).
The plan is I go in six weeks for blood tests and start the drug therapy. I will see him every four months for a year (if I remember correctly) then once a year for the remaining 5 years.
As far as the chemo I told the doctor this was like a bad trip I really don't want to go down anytime soon. I made a commitment for the full 4 chemo treatments. At times I had totally had enough but kept pushing on to see it to the end. I am glad I did it all. I now wait to see what the final SE's will bring, like I told DH I am ready for anything...knowing it is finally the last. So for now I take one day at a time and go the slow recovery to being normal again. My hair is growing slowly so with that I know there is hope of a head of hair in the future. I still love not having to shave, and really do hope that takes its time. I will post how my SE's are this final time.
I have found such love and support from this forum and plan on staying here after I am done with my SE's and offer support to others. I learned how strong I really was and also drew from the strength and knowledge of others here. God bless everyone! Hang in there we can get through this together! Next year I will be marching as a survivor and the hope for a cure of the breast cancer that has hit so many.
Nadine
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Hi Nadine!
Congratulations to you !!
Heres hoping the se's are minimal and you get a good start on the road to recovery.
Take care my friend
Anna
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Hi Nadine, congrats for finishing!!!! It has been a long journey but you can see the finish line now. I'm very glad for you.
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Nadine, congrats on getting thru the chemo. Not an easy journey by any means. I do hope your swelling goes down quickly. Let me know how it goes.
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Annadou: Keeping my fingers crossed on mild SE's. Will email you later.
Hrf: Pushing for the finish line. As long as the hair keeps growing I know there is hope and hair.
Firni: Will keep you posted on the swelling. Seems more I drink the more I bloat...but got to keep the fluids flushing out everything I can.
To Everyone: Can't say this was any fun going through the past 3 SE's but not matter what if I can do it everyone can do it. Don't give up, keep marching forward. I wanted no regrets if I had stopped part way through the treatments. We are strong people even when we don't feel so good and want to toss in the towel...KEEP MARCHING FORWARD. Many hugs to everyone!
Nadine
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Anyone else run into your insurance company not covering any cost for a wig? I just called today to check - no go :-( Suggestion? I am contacting the ACS Gift closet in my area and will see what they have, but anything else?
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greytmom_17--Go to the Look Good Feel Good class- Register with the ACF first and they will give you a free wig and over $200.00 worth of brand name make-up and other goodies. Also you'll get a skin care and make up class. It is so well worth going!--Good Luck--Geri
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Annabelle is at 2 weeks since T/C #2 and feeling pretty good right now. The only problem has been a severe head rash & scalp pimples since she lost her hair.
Initially A&D Ointment seemed to keep it minimized; but after a week or two, it seemed to lose its effectiveness. It's also very greasy, which is a no-no for folliculitis. Benadryl Cream helped the itch, but didn't seem to have any effect in reducing the inflamation.
Talked to both her Onc and our Family Doc yesterday. Both recommended the use of anti-bacterial soap to wash it and to keep it uncovered. The Family Doc also recommended the use of antibiotic lotion or cream. She washed her head with Dial soap and I applied Neosporin Cream (not ointment, as it is greasy and doesn't absorb) last night - generic works well too; and she's left it uncovered as much as possible.
Results: The inflammation has receded a whole lot and the itch is pretty much gone. Looks like this is a winning combination; and the whole mess will - hopefully - be gone in another day or two.. I'll keep you posted.
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