Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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The neurontin is a really low dose. I only ever took 1 pill maybe every other day and had no noticeable SE's from it. Just gave me much needed relief from the chemo induced nueropathy. I think the normal dose is around 800mg per day.
Good luck, it gets better with time.....then something else comes up LOL.
Hugs
Diane
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Patti, What supplements did you take? My oncologist did not mention any supplements or vitamins as possible ways to help through the process. I'm trying to learn as much as I can over the next 2 weeks before starting treatment.
Thanks, Shay
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Question. After my 1st treatment on the 9th, I went in the next day for the Neulasta shot, which hadn't been previously scheduled till the nurse asked about when I would be in for it & I said I didn't have it on the books, so it got scheduled & I had it. When I went in today the onc said when I have my Neulasta tomorrow along with my steroid pills like last time...I said wait a minute, the only pills I had last time were the compazine, she said oh no, you have to have the steroids & I said, well I didn't, so she immediately wrote out rx for this time. My question is---since I didn't have it last time, why should I take it this time? She's adamant that I take it.
Joni2
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Hello wonderful people. I just returned from the Oncologist visit and she is recommending that I do four rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan. She states side effects are minimum. I get treatment from a holistic doctor as well who I see before each step. I was not told about the bone pain by the oncologist is this common? also i was told that it wouldnt cause neuropathy but from what i am reading it does? also with this making white blood counts low do they recover? Oh all the decisions
you all are so strong and thanks for all the posts and information 0 -
Dogsaver - Everyone reacts differently. I did 4 x TC and finished Mid February. I did not have any bone pain or neuropathology. I did not have to have the neulasta shot, which I hear is what causes the bone pain. This treatment is not fun but you can make it through. Just drink lots of water, take your nausea meds on time and rest. You are STRONG and can do this!!!
Joni - The steroids are used to keep the allergic reactions away!
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Joni, I only took 12mg of steroids the night before my first chemo....after no reaction they told me I didn't need to take it anymore which I was glad to do because it also made my glucose level go through the roof and I am not diabetic. The reactions are normally to the solution that the Taxotere is suspended in. I did get steroids and benadryl day of chemo via IV and did fine. I know some gals had to take 20mg for 3 days at a time....I have no idea why though except it kept them up for hours on end. Of course they could take Ambien but WTH? I never had any problems with sleep throughout chemo thank goodness!
As for nuelasta bone pain, I didn't get it my first TX but after my counts didn't come up fast enough they told me I needed it for the final 3 treatments. BC boards had the suggestion of taking claritin day of and a couple of days after. I never really had the bone pain so I never did take it but some women swear by this. My onc's told me if I had bone pain that I probably didn't need the nuelasta as it was my bone marrow doing it's job and my counts should have been OK, not great but not .1 or .2 ....mine was usually 2.0 or 3.0 but my normal count was 4.0. If you have a fever.....NO matter what, call your onc so you can get on an antibiotic. My 1st and 3rd rounds I needed an antibiotic. Not sure what was infected but didn't care, that fever scared me silly. My 2nd and 4th rounds were smooth sailing.Good luck!
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SHAYT.....My naturopath is the one who put me on supplements with the approval of oncologist. I take L Glutamine which repairs gastric cells, so I have had practically no heartburn or upper GI problems. Am also taking 5000 mg of Vit D as well as a high dose of multi vitamin. She has me on a probiotic 20,000 billion iu to keep the immune system healthy. I take Astralagus which rebuilds the white blood cells and lots of protein to aid in that as well. My blood counts after three rounds of TC have impressed the onc nurse and doc and I have not needed a Neulasta shot. They thought I would for sure since I am 63, but I am convinced it is the supplements. I also get acupuncture treatments, two the week of treatment, then one a week on the off weeks and that supports the immune system as well as keep se at bay. I've had a little more nausea with this last round so I just keep taking the meds and try to keep something in my stomach which seems to help....even though I don't feel like eating. Good luck....you will do great! Patti
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wow what great responses and advice. I am also newly under the care of a naturopathic doc and i truly believe the supplements helped me breeze through surgery and recover. I am seeing him tomorrow to discuss the supplements for chemo regime and i will definately ask about the glutamine and stralagus and others. I truly believe in integrative medicine. And the accupuncture sounds wonderful, i will try it. I have heard to drink lots of water as well. I am sending positive thoughts to everyone out there, wish I found this forum earlier. PS anyone in AZ, i have a wonderful surgeon, holistic doc, medical onc and rad onc out here if you need referrals
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Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 BC in March 2009 and started my Tax/Cy chemo (4 cycles) in late May. Wednesday (July 29) was suppose to have been my last chemo session and I was looking forward to moving on to radiation. But I got a call from my onc's office on Thursday telling me I should have 2 more chemo sessions partly because I was diagnosed relatively young (42) and because they can't figure out why I have breast cancer. Gee, would have been kinda nice if my onc had mention this from the beginning. In any case, the choice is apparently mine so I am leaning towards going in for 2 more sessions but I just found it rather unprofessional how she sprung the news on me.
So far my side effects have been manageable although I've noticed that I have gotten progressively weaker and I cannot walk very far or climb stairs without resting along the way. Oh yeah, I'm pretty much bald but I have enough strands remaining so I've been wearing a cap when I go out and no one seems to really notice my hair issues. I have been working through most of the chemo treatment, taking time off as needed but I think I may have to take medical leave soon. Until now, I have only told a few of my bosses at work and kept things quiet but I think people are starting to wonder about me.
If anyone has any specific questions about side effects, emotional issues or anything else, please do not hesitate to ask. I am by no means an expert but I would love to help if I can.
BTW, does anyone else have sleep issues? I noticed once I wake up at night, I can't go back to sleep so I am awake at 4 am and puttering around when I'd rather sleep.
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Hi all,
There's always some drama around my chemo time. This time, I had chemo on Tuesday of this week--went to the dentist later that day for tooth pain (onc approved), who sent me on Wednesday to the endodontist, who started a root canal on me, then stopped and told me that the tooth needed pulling. Walked next door to an oral surgeon and waited an hour or two before he took me in for a tooth pull.
Then, yesterday (Thursday) I spent the day mostly in bed. I wanted something else for lunch other than cottage cheese (I'm on a soft, cold diet due to the tooth). I went to my local grocery store and promptly got woozy. Stepped into their cafe to ask for an iced tea and cottage cheese, but I put my head down and got all sweaty. They called the paramedics, who took me to the ER. I thought I was fine, and I was. Probably just overexertion--I shouldn't have gone out. They put me on a saline drip, I spent a few hours in ER, and I was sent home.
Today, I guarantee you, I'm not setting foot out of this house!
Jo Anne
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Patti, Thanks for the info. No one has mentioned a naturopath to me. Maybe because I'm in smaller town Southern Oregon. Did your insurance cover it, or did you have to pay out of pocket?
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Hi dogsaver,
I finished chemo last december. Since I had 2 nodes, my onc insisted I have 6 treatments. What does you onc think with your node involvement not giving you 6? Love Birdsong
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Hi Dogsaver,
That's awful. To think your done and then have the goalposts moved. Like you I'm 42. I'm due to have 4 rounds. I was node negative with Oncotype score 16. Knowing I was going to be doing 4 TX was integral to making my decision to go ahead with chemo in the first place. I admire your strength in the circumstances.
Good luck with the last 2 treatments if that is your final decision. I'll pray your SE remain manageable.
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RainbowConnection - I can't believe your onc sprung that on your like that. At my last meeting with my onc we reviewed my treatment regimen all over just to keep me clear. I don't know what your cancer characteristics were but she said typically the TC treatment is 6 sessions but given my situation 4 is enough (BTW I'm 45). Hang in there though and keep your head up, you've come a long way. Good luck with your decision.
Joanne - Sorry but that's a pretty funny story. I agree, best to stay put. Have a great weekend all.
Diane
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SHAYT......In many states a naturopath is considered a primary care physician with many insurance companies. I bet it is that way in OR as it is here in WA. My ins did pay except for the supplements which I gladly pay for myself because they have proven to be so beneficial and worth every dime. Where are you near in OR? I would think Bend, Klamath Falls, or Ashland would all have some practitioners. If not, you can always go to a Fred Meyers and get some of these supplements in the health section. Patti
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Hi Everyone, You got me wrong. The reason I wrote dogssaver was because she had 2 or 22 nodes posted and said she was getting 4 treatments. I have finished my six and was concerned she was just getting 4.. Dr. Sephen Jones the "godfather" of ca ncer treatment says studies show 6 is better for node involvement. I'm off to church now but if you want a website let me know. He is the one who introduced the ACT treatment 20 some years ago and now says the A part only targets a very s mall group and the heart problems are significent Be glad we are on CT. Love, Birdsong.
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Joni2 - The steroids are to prevent an allergic reaction to the taxotere. Just because you didn't have a reaction the first time does not mean you won't the second time. Although they do have side effects, I would take them - they are standard with taxotere. I am on decadron (dexamethasone) 8mg twice a day the day before, the day of and the day after chemo. After that, I taper the dose (rec by my nurse practioner and OK'd by my onc) like so:
day 2 post chemo: 8mg in the morning
day 3 post: 4mg in the morning
day 4 post: 2mg in the morning
Tapering the dose will ease you off the steroids and help prevent a "crash" (sudden exhaustion). The main side effects for most people are insomnia and increased appetite. Hope that helps!
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Regarding 4 vs 6 t/c infusions: I had node involvement, and will have 6. I was told that this is a rather new protocol that was discussed at this year's Oncology Conference. My last chemo will be mid-September, then on to rads.
Jo Anne
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I am on TC, didn't opt for the A due the possibility of the heart SEs...just did not want to chance it. Other than cancer, I have always been extremely healthy. My onc said that he was fine with my choice. I have one node involved. I am scheduled for 4 treatments...had my 3rd one on Friday and will have my final one on August 21 with 5 wks. (I think) of rads to follow.
Choices...all we can do is pray and believe that we are making the right ones for us.
BTW, my SEs at this 3rd treatment was very different. They completely knocked me out! I fell asleep in my chemo chair and only awaken when the machine beeped and the next infusion needed to be started. After treatment was over and I was headed home with my DH, I was asleep before getting onto the freeway and remained in that state until getting home. Once at home, I slept for another 4 hrs., awaken to go to the restroom to avoid the dreaded cysts on my bladder...haven't had them and want to continue to aviod them with only one more treatment to go!!
I wish all of you the very best on this journey. We will perservere!!! Stay strong and focused on getting healthy.
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Hi Everyone
,My name is Michele and I am 36. I won't repeat my whole diagnosis because you can read it at the bottom. Though I will say my HER2 has been a bit iffy as I was IHC 3++ and Fish negative. The IHC though was on my core biopsy so the oncologist (actualy my second opinion at U of Maryland) is re doing the IHC on my actual tumor block.But then I find out that was not so well preserved
so she is also requesting the origional biopsy samples. If the IHC still comes back 3++ they will redo the fish test too.I research everything...a blessing and a curse because you can drive yourself crazy!!! I am really considering TC instead of ACT though it was not mentioned to me
. I actualy found it myself and have really been looking into it. It's just a gut feeling I have...I have also been told about the 4 vs. 6 cycles and would love some actual paperwork to read on it. I'm so confused because I was told about TCH but then was told you had to be Fish positive not just IHC 3++ yet I am told if I have high protein counts 3++ I may still benefit from herceptin and it will probably be an option...but I really don't want ACT plus H. I am considering a trial of TC plus H. But to early to tell until the new test results are in.Are you guys happy with your choice. Are you mostly from the east coast? ACT seems to be the standard here...east coast. I have read that stage 2b is still early (not as early as I like but still early) would TC still be a good option. The heart issues worry me...especialy when you throw in Rads and herceptin. I had a right masectomy and full lymph node disectio...but with positive nodes now they recommend rads?
Thank you all for your input I'm just trying to figure it all out
and make the best decision for myself...with lots of prayer!!God Bless,
Michele
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My understanding is that studies about t/c haven't been completely finalized, but are extremely promising, so many oncs have begun using it. I'm at City of Hope near LA, which is a National Cancer Center, and they generally use t/c. UCLA, which was my second opinion, adds adriamyacin (sp?) to the mix. So it just depends what protocol the organization that you're affiliated uses.
I had three positive nodes and am on t/c. I've generally taken to it quite well. However, it's all individual. A friend of mine had a severe allergic reaction to the taxotere and is now on a/c.
Hope this helps--don't drive yourself crazy! BTW, I've noticed that we tend to bunch into two extremes in our reaction to cancer. I tend to put my head under the pillow and take it out only when I need to do something. My friend reads everything in sight--long into the night. Guess we all react to stress differently.
Jo Anne
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Michelle, im from kentucky my onc told me they were trying to faze out adr- and that they were going to do t/c even with one lymph node involement, they also told me that i only needed 4 instead of 6, my daughter who lived on the east coast had the atc combo with 6 treatments and no lymph node involvement, so every one is different, every onc is differnet but we are all diffent too so im sure what your onc is recommending is right for you, im like you i research every thing and all it does it make me crazy, i second guess every thing, like, im im getting the right treatment for me, but now i think i ok with there treatment plan. I hope every thing goes well for you,
you are all in my thoughts and prayers
debbie
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Hi All,
As our discussion continues about 6 vs 4, look at this website: Dr Stephen Jones breast cancer updates. Also :Look up Dr. Dennis Slayman, who discovered hercepetin. He has interesting interviews. These are all audio and you can see their faces as their are being interviewed. also look at 2008 and 2009 which has a lot of information about ACT versus CT. They have a paper called " Case to shelve anthrycyclines. or the A drug. Again they say the A drug only targets a very small percent of women.Also I read on earilier blogs that the new doctors are using CT not ACT, Hope this is helpful. Love, Birdsong..
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Thx for the responses! My onc suggested the 4 rounds of TC because initially I was so frightened of chemo as my mom went through it in the 80s and honestly i dont know if it was the cancer or the chemo that got her. My Onc reassurred me that todays chemo is different from the chemo of 20 yrs ago. My sentinal node has 2mm of cancer and axial .2mm. the other 20 were clear and she knew i was apprehensive. She said that 4 rounds of TC would suffice and Ive come to accept this, it seems like time is just sludging by slowly!! has anyone heard of cold caps to prevent hair loss? just heard of them
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dogsaver: If you're interested in cold caps, there is a thread here for women using Penguin Cold Caps to try to prevent hair loss. I used them during my first tx on 7/24 and for 3.5 hours afterward. It's too early to tell if they were effective since I understand that hair doesn't usually start falling out until the later part of the second or even third week. I am renting 14 caps to be shared with another local woman if she decides to go ahead with chemo. I spoke on the telephone with other women who used or are using them and they report only mild hair thining with no need to wear a wig. Feel free to PM me if you want more information.
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Hello dogsaver-- I just finished my 4th tx T/C and have been using the penguin cold caps. I have kept 90% of my hair (at least) I only lost strands. No clumps, no tingling or soreness on my scalp. We do have a thread on them and you can also PM me or google - penguin cold caps for hair loss and get more information. The caps work especially well with T/C. A few of the other gals that I met here have also used them with sucess. Now that Iam finished with my chemo I can get back to normal sooner. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Would love to help! Geri
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Hi Ladies,
I could use some advice based on everyones experience with Taxotere/Cytoxan treatments. About one week out after my third treatment I had an allergic reaction and was in the hospital for two and a half days. I was also diagnosed with nuetopenia. I had a fire engine red rash on my knees and forearms and my head had red, raised bumps. The rash was hot to the touch and itched like crazy. They had me on antibiotics and steriods in the hospital and I also received the Neulasta shot two times while in the hospital to get my white counts back up.
Before my fourth treatment the doctor said something about the rash only being on my extremeties and prescribed steriods for one week after treatment and a Nuelasta shot the day after. I did not have an allergic reaction after the fourth treatment however I have another concern I need your advice on.
During the fourth treatment my blood pressure dropped to 96/58. My normal blood pressure (before starting chemo) shoudl be in the 130-140 / 90 -95 range. I've had my blood pressure checked two times since the fourth treatment and it is still in the low range, running 115/65. I've done some research and found that low blood pressure is an indication of an allergic reaction to medication.
Since my blood pressure is low I'm thinking of stopping treatments. I am truly scared that one more treatment may send me into shock. My 5th treatment is scheduled for tomorrow and I dont think I can do this. I plan to have a serious talk with the onc before they hook me up. Anyone have an experience like this? If you were in my postion, would you stop treatment? What determines how many treatments is the "cure", can I be cured from 4 treaments instead of 6?
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Jean,
I also need to do 6 t/c rounds. This week I (3 days after #4) I went with the paramedics to the ER because of a blood pressure drop. I think I was okay before I ventured out of the house to buy a few grocery items.
Anyway, my onc assures me that all decisions are mine alone. He said the 4 infusions would be fine, 6 better. However, he said if I wanted to stop after 4, that was fine with him. The other two infusions add few percentage more safety, but as you said--there are other health issues to contend with.
At this point, I'm planning to plow on with 5 and 6, but be more careful about outside activity.
Jo Anne
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Hi JoAnn,
Thanks for your input. I feel my body is telling me it does not like the medicine and am scared of what might happen on the next treatment. I usually spend my time taking it easy during the first two weeks after a treatment. Thrid week out I feel better and am more active than norm. However this time I feel more drained and my heart rate seems to get rapid when I do more strenuous activities....just walking to the mailbox it feels like my heart begins to race. I've also had spells where I feel lightheaded and dizzy with shortness of breath. I immediately sit down when I have these feelings and will be still until it passes.
I have alot to go over with the doc tomorrow. Guess I'll need to go over percentages with my doctor since I'm thinking of quitting. Maybe starting radiation NOW along with hormone therapy will up my percentages.....
Good luck to you! I hope 5 and 6 are a breeze for you with no more trips to the ER!!
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Hi jeanohio47
After my 4th treatment, my heart went into afib and the medicine wouldn't regulate it. I had to have my heart shocked to start the regular beat again. I wondered if I should have the last 2 treatments. Both my onc and family practice doctors encouraged me to have the last 2. My onc said, " We can fix your heart problem, but the cancer needs to have the complete treatment to give you the best chances against reoccurance. With a deep breath and a prayer I did the last 2 and have such peace of mind to have done it. My future would be filled with more worrry had I not. I got along fine and feel so much more confident about the future. I am now on arimidex and again there is a huge stat for the help it gives also. The ex tra 2 is because I had 2 nodes. So the dr.felt her starts and information warrented those last 2. She is from China, very good has also practiced on the east coast and her father is a doctor also she is very highly regarded here in Oregon.. Ask about what would happen in your blood pressure dropped so you know they know how to treat it if it should happen. Plan for this and you will be more confident.. Love and good luck. Birdsong.
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