Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Kimby, I know today will be a long one, waiting for that 1st tx was so scary! Try to do something nice for yourself and relax. I hope your SE's are light, I found it has not been as bad as I thought.
I hope everyone has a great day!!
Pam
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kimby - mines at 11, so I'll be well home by the time you start. Keep us all posted - it'll all be fine. My oncologist even hugged me before my 1st one !
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Hi all again, I got my second tx last monday July 13th, 1st and 2nd day ok, 3rd day tire a little sore, 4th day until yesterday my bones hurt so bad I eat percocets like candy. My muscles ache and I just hurt. I could eat but everything had to have lots of salt or sugar, I was in a total fog. It suxed. I still have hair that refuses to fall out, but comes right out with a tug.
Today I feel normal. Thank God.
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Oh yeah something I thought of as strange, my skin is like silk. It is smooth and beautiful, better than ever before in my life! What is up with that? I thought skin was supposed to get rough.
Is anyone else getting fits of rage? I am not sure if this is a side effect or just me not dealing with this well.
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cherneski - My skin too is improving, but it's because mine was oily and acne prone, so now it's normal due to the drying! Not noticing anything related to emotions so I can't help there.
OK, here's an update - I got #3 of 4 today, one more to go! My onco says he thinks the chemopause may be temporary but we won't know for sure for a while. Blood counts were good and he says I can have my implant exchange 6 weeks after last treatment, 9 weeks from today! Now I get to try to schedule with PS and see when he can do the surgery. But, I feel like I am finally making progress and am not on hold anymore. Good luck and sending all of you wishes of minimal side effects!
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Saw my Onc this morning. Blood work was good. Started 5 year plan of Tamoxifen today. Doc took me off of the Potassium and Lasix that the other doc put me on while he was on vacation. He told me all that Lasix is going to do is dehydrate me and worse with the heat outdoors. He further told me my swelling in the legs and feet is from chemo and could take months to go away. Basically hang in there and it will go away. Talked to him about the problem with my nails and that is also chemo related. They told me I may still loose some but also may not. On dry skin I was told keep drinking a lot of fluids and applying lotion. I also asked about my hair growth and was told the peach fuzz is indeed hair just like the shorter ones. The visit was a good one as usual and the RN also spent a lot of time talking with us which was helpful. So bottom line once done with chemo the effects can still hit us for months to a year (sometimes longer). I told the Onc that I sure don't want to go down this path anytime soon. I see him again in 4 months.
Near forgot the pharmacist and doctor both told me with the new medicine for 5 years I "could" have hot flashes...I told them both, "Nothing new I already have them, and they are wicked".
Hope everyone is doing good. Your all in my prayers.
Nadine
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Nadine, the lines are indeed from the chemo. I have a line and a raised ridge on all my finger nails, one for each of my 6 rounds. The new nails are about 1/3 of the way grown in with no lines or ridges. So, it does go away.
I saw a new doc for my swollen foot today. He said, that he believes it is lymphedema secondary to chemo. No surgery needed. Just the chemo alone can cause it. He also feels it is delayed recovery and will improve with time. He said 4 months post chemo isn't very long for things to resolve themselves. He recommended compression, a lymphedema pump, elevation and exercise. He referred me to a new LE specialist coz he didn't feel like the one I was going to was competent based on what she had told me about my foot. So, I'll make an appt. tomorrow with the new LE spec. and see what happens. Oh, as far as an LE pump goes, my insurance won't even pay for a sock or a sleeve, much less a pump. Guess that option is out. Oh ya, new doc said I should save my latte money and buy the foot cap. Like I go out and buy lattes every day or even once a week or EVER.
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Firni, I believe they MUST pay for the pump under a federal law. Not sure but check it out. I have BCBS and a pretty crappy plan from them (just last week I was laughing at them on the phone). My dr. wrote the script that I needed the pump, I got in touch with the company that supplies them and within 2 weeks it is all mine. I am sorry to hear that you have it, that sux.
Greytmom, I think my moods are from lack of understanding and or help from my teenage children. I am just not sure if it is them or me sending me over the edge. But also the amount of pain I have been in has been helping me be a big B also. As far as skin goes, you said it, I usually have very oily skin and now smooth like silk, but I break out the week of TX really bad and then they dont go away for a least a week.
Best to all.
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- Nadine, have you tried putting some bag balm on your feet? My Mother had really dry feet with lots of calluses so I've been determined to have soft feet. When she got hand and food syndrome from chemo she was on a long time ago they told her to use this stuff, comes in a green can and it's really thick, feels kind of like vaseline but has some kind of medication in it. I try to put it on my feet at least a couple of times a week after taking a shower, and it helps that, so I'm sure it would also help the chapping. They have it at Walgreens here, and off and on at Walmart, either with the lotions, or in the pet dept.
- I'm going for my 3rd treatment tomorrow, and have only felt "normal" for the last 2 days, not that I ever feel really normal lol. I have severe fatigue, and cognitive issues from Multiple Sclerosis, so the effect of the chemo just about does me in, could sleep for days. I had REALLY bad chemo brain a few days, went to Marshalls looking for something, left there intending on going to Ross, and realized I didn't know where Ross was, or how to get there. I have lived in this town my whole life, granted these stores weren't here all of my life, but just the same, I should know how to get from one to the other, then I went to the drive thru ATM, and realized later I forgot to get my money, hopefully the person behind me who got it, needed it more than I did. I didn't shave my head because despite the fact that probably 95% of my hair had fallen out, I still had a fair amount, so my daughters friend just cut it really short. More has fallen out, but still not all out, but now I have foliculitis, and wish I had shaved my head. I'm going to as soon as my friend brings the clippers, makes it much easier to put the neosporin cream on my head, right now I look like a mad scientist when my daughter puts it on, because my little bit of hair ends up standing straight up, very attractive. I went into a Regions Bank to cash a check yesterday that someone had written me, and since I don't have an account there I had to go inside. The teller pointed to this sign, and said I had to take off my hat, in addition to being thumb printed and charging me $5. I told her I'd take it off as long as nobody laughed at my almost bald head. I meant to call the manager there and complain today, but forgot about it, will add it to my list for tomorrow. I realize there is no "looks like a bank robber" but it was a baseball hat on a 50 year old woman, tall fat one at that lol
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Tamara1201: I have used Bag Balm in the evenings and wore socks for a while then after it was feeling like it was absorbed I took the socks off. My question: Putting it on first how long do you leave on before showering? Also it doesn't wash off in the shower and then loosing the effects from the application before showering?
Nadine
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Deborah, thanks for the info on the pump and BCBS. That's who I have but I know they don't pay for compression garments. I'll check on the pump. I'm sure that chemo and teenagers are not a good combination. But then chemo itself is enough to put anyone over the edge. My face and hands broke out with every round of chemo. Like you, it lasted about a week and then I was good until next time. I used Benadryl cream on the rash. Worked pretty good. I'm still using Eucerin cream and that keeps my skin moist and soft from shower to shower. It's kind of like lard, but it works real well.
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Nadine, I used to use Vaseline once in a while like you described using the Bag Balm. Once the stuff has soaked into your skin, it doesn't wash off the moisturizing effects with one shower. Just the excess is washed off. I would do this maybe twice a month in the winter when my skin would get really dry. I'd sit around for about an hour with Vaseline and sweats on before showering.
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Jeez Tamara, I hope your chemo brain clears enough that you aren't leaving money all over the place. Please do try to remember to call that bank and complain. Pretty insensitive. I hope you don't get lost driving around town. Maybe you should get one of those "Safe Return" bracelets that Alzheimer's people wear. (Kidding)
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Greytmom sorry i forgot Congrats on the exchange! Very happy for you!
Tamara, I am so sorry you are going through all of this. But my sick twisted mind I am laughing my butt off because you sound like me. I sure hope the ppl at the atm behind you appreciate you! And I hope the teller at the bank stubs her toe really bad the second she gets out of bed first thing tomorrow morning.
Firni, yeah I dont know why they wont pay for a sleeve for me either. Funny they will pay for a pump that cost about $1000.00, but I guess that is because they are required to. I was laughing at them last week when the girl told me that I am responsible for $9000.00 per calender year out of pocket for out of network in addition to my $3000.00 out of pocket in network, on top of prescriptions and co pays. LMAO I think she thought I was a little crazy cause I really was just laughing at her.
My kids are 19 - he just asked to move back home because he doesn't know everything
14 - she knows everything and doesn't understand why I dont let her do ANYTHING
and then a 6 and 4 year old. The teenagers I am about to kill. The little ones are really great through all of this, much better than I ever thought they would be.
For anyone with dry skin, Crisco. Yep the stuff you cook with! It is cheap! It is also really great to protect your face from wind and cold. It will make your skin beautiful. Think I am crazy but I am telling you try it!
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Nadine, I'm sorry, I think people can read my mind sometimes, well most of the time, fortunately you can't or you would be as confused as me lol. Actually I think I write/type in shorthand and leave parts out, brain and fingers not going the same spead. I take a shower first, it's my way of soaking my feet, I read or heard somewhere that moist skin absorbs lotion better, but don't have any idea where I heard it, or how reliable it is. Then I put on the bag balm, and the socks and sleep in it all night if possible. If you are going to be wearing sandals you might need to wipe your feet with a wet cloth, since I always collect sand if I don't, but it's really sandy where I live. I hope this clears it up, a little
Firni, I think I might need one of those "safe return" bracelets, if only I could remember to put it on lol. Seriously, my Neurologist told me I needed to get a medic alert bracelet because my balance is so bad from the Multiple Sclerosis I told her I was afraid I would get arrested for "drunk walking" or they would see me walking and then watch me get in the car and figure they had a sure one
Cherneski, I'm sure the people after me at the ATM thought it was there lucky day, probably bought lottery tickets, and won, if only they would share it with me. I had to laugh at your description of your kids, my nephew is 19 and his sister is 14, although the 19 year old hasn't quiet gotten to the doesn't know anything stage, I figure it's about 6 months off and I can't wait ti see it happen, but then it's not me he will be moving back in with
Okay, I'm going to take my drugs, steroids, and pretend to sleep before I go for my third chemo tomorrow.If I was real industrious I'd get up and do something productive when I can't sleep, but that's just not going to happen, might confuse the dog lol
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Tamara, I do feel bad you have several levels of SEs from different things, but you just make me laugh.
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I just got back from having my counts taken. Whites are low so I have to watch for fever. Today is an emotional day. I just want to cry~ wtf? No reason, just want to sit and cry. I did ask about my rage and mood swings, I was told the chemo pause will help me have mood swings and such. Yipeeee, I hate this disease.
Firni, did bcbs pay for a wig for you? They tell me they wont pay for it for me, but I think they are lying like they do.
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cherneski - Get your Onc to write a prescription for a "cranial prosthesis". When Annabelle got her wig, United Health Care told the shop - associated with the local hospital's women's pavillion (we didn't do the asking ourselves) - that they would only pay $500; and the rest was our responsibility.
The hospital took care of all the billing (~$1000); and after the standard insurance company discount, they covered it all (~$840) - subject to the 80-20 split. By that time we had already hit maximum out of pocket for the year, so it didn't cost her a dime.
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I have bcbs and they did cover the wig. I had an rx for it. Dutch is right, you need the rx. I hope they pay for you. I guess it depends on your plan. I hate fighting with insurance companies. They love to take your money but they don't want to pay for what we need.
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Firni, I tell myself that my sense of humor helps keep me sane, but I guess my friends and family would know better about how it is working lol. Seriously, I have numbness, tingling, weakness, burning of some extremity most of the time, so I've gotten to the point I pretty much ignore it. I noticed a while back that my right leg was weaker, and felt different but didnt' really acknowledge that it was numb until I gave myself a shot in my stomach, and didn't feel it lol. I've tried to make myself pay a little better attention since then, but some days are better than other. the sad part is I'm a nurse, but I'm much more observant of what is going on in others, than myself.
Cherneski, I'm sorry you are having a bad day, I hate that just wanting to cry for no particular reason. I had a partial hysterectomy 9 years ago, but still have my ovaries, so figure I still have pms, just don't know when it is. It makes me feel better, or so I tell myself. I had to call my insurance company a couple of times before I found out if they covered wigs "cranial prosthesis" it will cover it, but the only provider is about 2 hrs away. I have to go there next week to see a doctor, so might go by and see what they have. I live in Florida and it's too hot to wear one right now anyway, although I did get a free one from the ACS, did you check with them? It wouldn't be my first choice, but since I'm not sure I'll be wearing it anytime soon,especially since I have foliculitis now, but it would do in a pinch. Good luck. hope you feel better tomorrow, I hate that emotional rollercoaster when I have things I need to do.
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Deborah, BCBS did pay for my wig. I don't remember what the amount limit was. Something like $500.00. But they will only cover the cost of one per calendar year. Even if the wig was only $100.00.
I talked to my new LE therapist on the phone today. She said my ins. will pay for an LE pump but she doesn't recommend them for several reasons. She'll go into all the detail when I see her on Aug. 3. Both my PCP and Physiatrist suggested I have one for my foot. I'll see what she has to say, but at least I know if I want one, either of those docs will Rx it for me.
Has anyone had their insurance paying statutory interest on claims? I've had mine pay interest on several already.
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Had my first infusion today. There was a mix up with the scheduling on Wednesday so I got pushed back to today. All went well. I feel fine. No side effects yet, maybe just a little tired. Do the SEs kick in once you stop taking the steroidsand the nausea pills?
Hoping everyone has a great weekend with minimal SEs.
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Kimby, everyone is different. Some sail through with minimal SEs and others suffer greatly. Most of us are in the middle. Personally, I found that once I got off the steroids, that I would start to crash. Also I had a Neulasta shot 24 hours following chemo and that had an impact as well. Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones who sails through. Have a great weekend.
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Kimby, my side effects didn't usually kick in until day 2 after chemo (probably more having to do with the Neulasta shot like Helen). I had round 3 this past Tuesday, Wednesday was fine, Thursday and Friday I felt terrible and today I'm feeling better. I've had mild side effects that are manageable with Advil. Every day gets a little better. Hang in there. Good luck with your treatment.
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Nadine,
I did 6 sessions of T&C and my nails looked like He**.They were/still are striped with grey lines,white spots and red spots,and underneath they were kinda a brownish grey,look like they are dirty.BUT one thing they did do was get stronger and longer and didn't break or come loose.Matter of fact i was sitting in my chair one day and noticed a loose screw in my tv tray.I used my thumbnail to screw it back in.
I finished chemo in feb,and my nails are getting better.Most,not all of the discoloration is gone or going away,my nails are not as strong now either,and they are back to breaking,even though they wouldn't break at all during chemo,but got sooooo long i had to clip them.
My toe nails are still ugly as well,however i didn't lose any of them,a couple of them weeped a little,and at times(still) they feel like they are growing inward instead of outward.My feet in general feel like i walked thru fire,and then thur shards of glass,and they still feel that way,and they always feel cold,especially when i lay down or sit for long.the rest of my body will be dripping with sweat,while my feet freeze.Dr did check them and said they have good blood flow.
Other than that i'm feeling pretty good,arm hurts at times and hand goes to sleep,and sometimes the body can't sleep at night.But ,"This too shall pass".
Hang in there,it does get better!! My hair is growing back,and my head is totally covered with it now.Towards the end of my chemo i went out with my bald head,hats and head gear were just too hot for me.So i put on makeup,big earrings and went Commando!!
Kathi
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Thanks dimc and hrf. I'm still fine today. Take my last steroid pills this evening so time will tell.
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DIMC...I'm right behind you on treatment.....my third round is next Tuesday. I am curious if my SE's will be cumulative as I have been a little more tired with round two. I also have had for two weeks red mosquito like bumps on my scalp. Dutch and someone else had recommended how to treat it which matched what onc said. However, they are not as red but still with me. The itching was bad until I started an anti-histamine which really helped. Am really tired of it though. Anxious for onc to see scalp on Tuesday and advise. I have a feeling he will not have any suggestions.
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Nadine -- I also have the lines in my fingers, and now I see little white marks like when you hit the nail. I have had 4 of 6 T/C. My toenails are black and blue at the base and I expect I may lose them. But a few years ago I dropped a box during a move on my toes and I lost a toenail. But it grew back without incident.
Cherneski -- I'm sorry about your emotional rollercoaster. I get terribly depressed about 3-4 days after tx and cry uncontrollably and regret pretty much everything I've done in my life to take care of myself health-wise, and so now I have some understanding of depression. I've always had such a sunny nature but this is crazy lady times 10. But I only have 2 more tx so I just want to get it done and get it over with. I have no magic answer to help you, but know that others are experiencing this too. It doesn't make it any easier on those days, though. I have done everything to try to avoid it -- exercise, eating right, keeping busy w/ kid activities, etc. Hang in there.
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For those of you just losing your hair and those of us just trying to grow it back, I ran into my hair dresser yesterday. Haven't had to go see her for awhile now, ya know. She told me to use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner, system 1. She said it will stimulate the blood flow in my scalp and really help the hair to grow in faster and thicker. Since talking to her, I've read two other posts on bc.org saying the same thing. I went and got some so we'll see. She also said our heads need oxygen to get the hair growing, so as much as possible, go commando.
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