Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
-
dogsaver - I weigh ... ummmm ... 184. my treatment plan says i get 75/m2 of taxotere and 600/m2 of the cytoxan ... now, whatever does /m2 mean?
0 -
Cherneski- I'm very sorry it has been so bad for you, and am so glad you made it through! You are an inspiration to those of us who are still getting through! One day this will be a distant memory!!
Today is day 17 post tx 2 for me, tx #3 is next Tuesday. I have been feeling ok for a while, but suddenly today I feel like I feel the day of my treatment?? My teeth feel loose and I have that horrible taste in my mouth, my bones ache and I'm so tired. Anyone else go through that? Last time once I felt better, I kept feeling better until my next treatment. And what happened to Chemopause?????? I started my dumb ol period- 2 weeks late- and it's the worst one I ever remember having. I tell ya, can NOTHING good come from this darn disease! LOL Well, I guess not shaving is pretty nice! And I get to wear really pretty scarves. I believe I'm starting a trend with the kids I work with. They are all grades K - 5. A couple of them started wearing scarves to school! I thought that was pretty cool! I'm a trend setter!!! haha!
Dogsaver- I will have to ask what my dosage is, I never thought to ask. I will find out next Tuesday. It would be interesting to see what everyone is getting. I'm glad your se have been tolerable.
Everyone else- Keep staying strong! We will beat this darn thing and be better, stronger women for it! You are all such wonderful people, and I am so glad to be part of this positive thread. It really is helping me get through this terrible confusing time.
0 -
Magob, your symptoms resemble mine when I was on taxol and taxotere. After more than a year, I still have nerve problems in my legs and some numbness and muscle weakness in my left hand. For the pain, which was bad enough to make me curl up in a ball and cry (and I'm usally pretty tough,) I was on oxycodone.
There wasn't anything I could do except the painkillers and prilosec. Out of every two weeks, I had about 4 good days where I almost felt my usual self. I didn't take mirilax (I had the opposite problem throughout chemo) but the chocolate milk sounds good!
0 -
I got my period durning chemo # 2 I think, it was so bad I thought there was something wrong with me! It was gross, but I havent had it since.
As far as the taste in your mouth, you may have thrush. I did, I had special mouth wash (it was gross, but helped) and Diflucan, it helps A LOT!
I know my dose of Cyt. was 1200mg I weigh about 195. Pretty sure my Taxot. was 150, but I will have to double check, then like I said, they dropped it in half.
Hang in there ladies you will make it!
0 -
I'm pretty sure they are overdoing my dosage. My skin is sloughing off in sheets, my tongue is doing it as well, although I've eaten yogurt and it has helped (thrush sucks). I have a vaginal yeast infection too (which I'm using PLAIN yogurt up in there (I'm an all natural girl as much as possible). My poos finally have a little color. For anyone else who doesn't know why this happens, my RN mother explained it is our livers revolting against the amount of toxins........bile and your liver indicate the color of bowel movements. Lack of color means they are taking the day off.
I can't explain it to my family, but I feel like I'm dying or rotting slowly from the inside out. I know it will pass and I'm trying to cowgirl up, kick myself in the ass and get jumpstarted, but I'm low ladies........I'm very low. That is sooooooooooo not me. The saddles hangin off the side of my horse and the cancer is at full gallop. I just gotta hang on to that little bit of mane for just a little longer and it will stop.
I think the thing about hitting a wall is true. You may be sleeping fine, feeling ok, and then bam.....the wall beats you upside the head. I came home early from work today because someone hit me with a big truck hauling a big wall. Just wanna sleep
0 -
Sleep well Pamelajo. I am so sorry you feel so bad. What # treatment are you on?
Please hang in there cowgirl. Your posts and your sense of humor have been an inspiration to me. But, allow yourself some sadness — you're a strong one, it won't pull you under.
As a facebook friend said to me "You're the Queen of the Rodeo! We know you'll kick ass!"
Lottie
0 -
thanks Lottie
I'm on tx #2. Half way to the finish line. I just think I'm expecting too much of myself and the fact that I don't feel as well as I WANT to feel is beating me down. Hey, if any of you are on Facebook and would like a friend, my username is Pamela Plummer Pruett
Feel free to add me
0 -
Pamelajo - as soon as I get my freaking facebook back, I'll "friend" you ... my account has been down since Sunday and since I currently have virtually no social life, I'm really bummed :-(
My #2 is 10/14. I'm supposed to have 6 if I "do well" --- yippee
0 -
I too feel like the rotting from the inside out. I have hope now that I am done with chemo, but I still have a few weeks of feeling like crap.
I dont think they give you the dose based on weight. I could be wrong but I think it is based on how aggresive the TX is. So whoever goes to the onc. next please ask.
I know they dont tell you everything they give you. I think they dont want to scare us with everything they give us.
0 -
Hugs Lottie.....I will still be there when you are granted access once again through the magical doors of FB land. It's my soul form of communication at the moment, other than work, and thats just a bunch of army guys. Well, and the lady who uses me as her petri dish, but I choose to ignore her.
Deborah, HUGS! I know how you feel *dramatically throws herself down and places back of wrist against her forehead* If it wasn't so close to Halloween, I'd be a little more frightened about this rottening feeling. I think I will go with "turning Zombie" without the whole brain eating mess and just roll with it. Congrats though......it's all better from here on out! No more chemo for you......I know it! Radiation isn't bad. I've had full body. Takes longer to get undressed than the procedure. Just stay out of the sun and moisturize! Bless your heart. Just like a penny through a two year olds colon, this too shall pass my sweet!
0 -
Jenw- we are on the same path. I am day #16 post TX#2 and going in for #3 on Wednesday. The first 8 days after round 2 were tough, but not as bad as round 1. Diff SE this time. Days 10 - 15 were almost normal....it was surreal to feel good. Then today Im weak, sleepy, headache....got my period today too. Since the age of 11 my period has been a nightmare....long, heavy and painful. I was sooo hoping that it would leave me during chemo but no such luck. Eyebrow thinning is happening now too which stinks!! I'm not sure I can handle the cancer girl look. Where is my time machine already!!!!
Also, I asked my onc and she said chemo drugs are given based on weight. I weigh 115 and was so scared they were gonna overdose me so I asked over and over again to make sure.
0 -
Dear Diane,
I have just completed 6 cycles of taxotere and cytoxan. I have had the normal fatique,nausea, low white counts, hair loss, and lack of appetite. I have had a few episodes of severe dizziness but really I have done well and continued to work. Yes, you can do it!!!! Your life depends on it. I am a hospice nurse and have a very strong support system from my family, friends, and co-workers. Your hair will grow back and just think of this you can have any hair style you want on any given day and no more bad hair days!!!! Nothing is worth your life!!! Please just listen to your body, rest when you can, and eat whatever you like. Drink plenty of fluids after your treatment. Hard lemon candy will help with the metallic taste, use plastic cutlery, and drink from a glass not a can. You are a strong woman and you too can beat this disease. If I can be of further help to you please let me know.
Blessings to you,
JKO
0 -
WildRose - Thanks for telling me about your se's. My onc tells me it is rare for this stuff to linger after tx, but says there are some folks who have lasting trouble. While I hate that you are suffering, it does help to know I am not the only one out there who has this freaky stuff happening. You start to question yourself after a while, you know? I went into chemo with central nervous system issues already, so I wonder if that means this stuff could have a lasting impact on overal quality of life. The onc is not sure we will do round 4. The tramadol did not do much for the pain, and when I brushed my teeth this morning, there was a lot of blood in the sink. We don't know if the tramadol is doing it or if it is the chemo. How many tx did you do? You said you are still dealing with se's - but have they improved enough to make you think they will eventually go away? Your help is most appreciated. Nice to know you, WildRose.
Cherneski - glad you made it through, sister. Way to go. How are you feeling these days? Puh-leese tell us there are days ahead where a trip to the potty is not an adventure and a meal is pleasent. What's it like post chemo?
Jen and Revrikci - hope tx 3 treats you like ladies. Take good care of yourselves.
Pamelajo - you go right on and flop down on your fainting couch. It's probably a good thing to let go and have these feelings when they come to the surface. The sooner you have them, the sooner you'll get to the sunny side of the street. I hoist my mirilax cocktail in your honor - here's to you sister. Hang on and feel the love - we're all sending it wafting across the fiberoptics to you.
Love you, ladies. Hang tough. XO, MG
0 -
yes i am torn on asking the oncologist to lower my Taxotere doses for the last two treatments since the side effects have been manageable, but i dont want them to get worse or have long term issues. im interested to hear what doses of taxotere people are getting, as a comparison. i do think some doctors go for the "overkill" route. i really like my onc but she looked at me interestingly when i asked her what dose im getting. mainly i wanted to make sure it was the same dose as the first treatment and no more. but then again i dont want to go through this again..
0 -
Pamelajo- There is no reason for you to be suffering like you are! I had the same SE with trhe first treatment and have been in Diflucan and Immodium ever since. It is dangerous for your bowels to be that depleted. Please talk w/ your Dr. and insist on meds to help you! You are in my prayers! Christi
0 -
Hey ladies! I just had my final round of TC last Friday! I am still weak and fighting the bone pain from the Neulasta. I went to the grocercy store today and had to sit down in the check out line. I think I scared the poor girl checking..she wanted to call the EMTs. Can anyone who has finished 4 rounds give me some kind of idea of a timeline to healing from this point on? I know you all know what I mean when I say that I just want to start feeling like a person again instead of a science project! Blessings to all!
0 -
I am happy to report that I woke up at 3:30 a.m. this morning, pooed regular color poo, drank water that tasted like water and my tongue is lookin more like its sexy bumpy self instead of well.......we won't go there. Suffice it to say that it wasn't sexy.
Today, I am temporarily tattooing my noggin with reflective tats and hanging out around the house just in case that truck that hit me comes back.
0 -
MAGOB: don't question yourself. I don't think they can tell you this upfront or we'd all run away from home, but if you really start reading and questioning, about 5-7% of women on this regimen have debilitating SE's that mean decreasing doseage or shortening the number of treatment cycles, 1% have life threatening problems during treatment. The support and encouragement and "you can do it" get the other 92% through, but don't let that discourage you or make you second guess yourself if you're in the group that needs to do things a little differently. Some day they'll be able to look at our genetic profile and better fine tune these treatments, for now, they just have to watch our SE's and change treatment plans accordingly.
Christi in Texas: not a good answer, but again when it comes to recuperation everyone is different. I made the mistake of listening to a few that said they started feeling like their old selves about the time their next dose would have been due. I was crushed when I still felt bad 3 weeks after my last dose. But, since then have talked to many others who felt the same way. A lot depends on your side effects. Some feel much better within a few weeks, some a couple of months, some of us are still fighting the symptoms several months down the road. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you are in the first group, but whichever group you are in, from the last cycle you will start to feel better, some faster then others, but you will start to feel better.
0 -
Magob - (good to meet you, too) Yes, sometimes I, too. thought I was crazy, or maybe my onc was! She kept telling me my SEs weren't from the tx! I said, "don't be silly. I never had this kind of problem before the taxol." She didn't like me telling her that, but she got me an appointment and when she saw the blistering rash, she knew I wasn't just imagining things or being "difficult." The pinched nerve in my back was from a fall in the winter of '95 (icy sidewalk) and I think the taxol took advantage of that weakness! To her credit, when I told her I was losing the feeling in my fingertips, she did switch me from taxol to taxotere. I finished tx in June '08 and still have slight numbness and weakness in my left hand and foot (I'm right handed). It could have been a lot worse. I don't know how long this will last; there hasn't been any discernable change in the past year, so I may be stuck with this.
I did 2 tx of taxol and 2 tx of taxotere (before that I had 4 tx of A/C).
0 -
Had my 2nd T/C tx yesterday and it went well. Having only dizziness and "drug fog" but no nausea! YEAH! I still have to take the decadron tabs (steriods) and that's what started the nausea last time. Hope I have enough of the ant-nausea meds on board to keep it from happening today! Going at 1:00 to get the Neulasta shot so I'll take my Claritn 1 hours before. So sorry to those of you with lots of se's. Just remember, this to will pass and we'll get our old selves back soon - only BETTER!
0 -
Torona-I'm glad #2 went smoothly, I hope for you smooth sailing all the way through! Good luck with your Neulasta. To me it's the DEVIL, but the Claritin definitely helps!!
Pamelajo- I am soo glad to hear you are feeling a little better. You crack me up with your posts, and it's unfortunate that things are going so crappy for you, but you have such good humor with it that it surely puts a smile on many faces, so thanks for that! P.S. Luv your picture!
revricki- It's amazing how similar our paths have been. I have noticed my eyebrows thinning also. Usually I would get them waxed every time I had my hair done (every 5 weeks or so) and if I didn't do touch ups in between they would be crawling off my face. Now, it's been about 3 months or so since my last hair appointment and my eyebrows look better than ever! (exept for the one spot that is totally gone and I have to fill it in with eyebrow pencil). I am hoping they just stay thin,and not fall all the way off. Good luck to you next week, I'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best for you. And, when you find the time machine, would ya send it my way?????
Has anyone lost arm hair? I have not lost any at all??? Weird.
Also, night sweats? I am the type who likes to sleep in sweat pants and socks and layers of blankets, but lately I wake up in the night sweating like crazy and ripping cloths off! Twice now I have woke up with out my shirt on and sweating and didn't even remember taking it off!!! Just wondered if this is normal?!
Hang in there everyone and have a good weekend!!!!!!!!
0 -
Jenw-I hope you guys don't mind me jumping in but I thought I'd just share with you. I finished my TC x 4 February 13, 2009. The night sweats will continue throughout chemo and for a while after. The chemo is blocking the hormones. The night sweats will get less intense after you finish. I could not stand waking up every 1-2 hours, covers off, covers on, covers off.....
Christi_in_Texas - It took me 3 weeks to feel human and then another 3 weeks to feel totally back to normal. Don't over do it just because you finished. You body has a lot of rebuilding to do. Just do what you can.
Good Luck Ladies! I'll be reading to see how you are all doing!
0 -
pamelajo: How are things going for you today? It's been a while since I've logged on this board and I was sorry to hear you were having such a tough time. Hang in there and keep on keeping on!
Lottie: my hair is coming out in clumps when I pull on it; I'll likely have it shaved off before the weekend. I'm not nearly as stressed about it as I was a week or two earlier. How's your skin doing?
I go for tx #2 on Friday of this week - after the first round, i felt pretty much back to myself after day 6. I'm getting a little scared reading about how difficult subsequent treatments have been for some of you!
I wish you all peace today and the courage to get through this all!
0 -
one more thing - anyone have insomnia?
0 -
Good morning all
fluteplayerrox - my buzzed head is definitely thinning fast. if i'd kept it long, i'd be pulling it out in clumps by now. hair is sparse elsewhere too -- i wonder if i'll get away w/o losing my eyebrows. The weird purple thing on my forehead is less angry now, I've been using aquafor and bio-oil which I'd originally bought for my mastectomy scar. I also found that soaking in colloidal oatmeal bath helps everythng, so I'm alternating my showers with these soaks.
My 2nd tx is Wednesday and I'm a little scared too. I've got tickets for a concert on Friday. Last treatment I didn't crash until Saturday, hoping that's the case this week as well.
INSOMNIA! yes! the other night I was wide awake from 2 a.m. until 5. I'm was thinking that may have something to do w/ my changeover from one antidepressant to another. That change is because tamoxiphen is rendered useless when combined with paxil, prozac or zoloft, and when I'm done w/ chemo I'll be taking tamoxiphen for 5 years. I'd prefer not to take any prescription sleep aides, but if the insomnia keeps up, I'll ask.
pamelajo - how's tricks, cowgirl? I hope you're feeling better and better
I bought a nice wig yesterday - monofilament and not at all pricey, and a new baseball cap. I'm thinking the cap will see more daylight than the wig, but, you never know.
best to all
Lottie
0 -
Good morning all
fluteplayerrox - my buzzed head is definitely thinning fast. if i'd kept it long, i'd be pulling it out in clumps by now. hair is sparse elsewhere too -- i wonder if i'll get away w/o losing my eyebrows. The weird purple thing on my forehead is less angry now, I've been using aquafor and bio-oil which I'd originally bought for my mastectomy scar. I also found that soaking in colloidal oatmeal bath helps everythng, so I'm alternating my showers with these soaks.
My 2nd tx is Wednesday and I'm a little scared too. I've got tickets for a concert on Friday. Last treatment I didn't crash until Saturday, hoping that's the case this week as well.
INSOMNIA! yes! the other night I was wide awake from 2 a.m. until 5. I'm was thinking that may have something to do w/ my changeover from one antidepressant to another. That change is because tamoxiphen is rendered useless when combined with paxil, prozac or zoloft, and when I'm done w/ chemo I'll be taking tamoxiphen for 5 years. I'd prefer not to take any prescription sleep aides, but if the insomnia keeps up, I'll ask.
pamelajo - how's tricks, cowgirl? I hope you're feeling better and better
I bought a nice wig yesterday - monofilament and not at all pricey, and a new baseball cap. I'm thinking the cap will see more daylight than the wig, but, you never know.
best to all
Lottie
0 -
Fluteplayer and Lottie:
I found that during chemo, lorazepam (ativan) at night helped with the insomnia. It can be difficult to stop taking it (I had a rebound when I tried), but if you work with your doc on it, he or she can switch you to something else (non-habit forming) to ease the transition.
Lottie, you can also get half-wigs that are very inexpensive and stick out from under your hat! I got my wigs at www.namebrandwigs.com; very nice people, a decent return policy and good prices.
Jenw - the hot flashes will continue and I agree, they're a royal pain. If you're going to go on tamoxifen after chemo, you may be stuck with them for a while.
0 -
Good morning everyone,
I have just finished # 6 T/C which was my last cycle. I have had insomnia since my first cycle. I have had severe bone pain and abdominal pain this cycle. The Neulasta is a "devil" shot for sure. I woke up this morning to find that the eyelash and brow fairy visited me during the night! I have no eyelashes or brows. I find this more upsetting than losing my hair. I could cover up my bald head with my wig and no one knew I was ill. My face is puffy from the steriods so I look like Uncle Fester on the Adams family this morning!! I have neuropathy in my hands and feet which I hope will subside. I am having trouble buttoning buttons and fine motor skills. My onc tells me this may go away or that it could be as good as it will get!! I am hopeful that it will get better. I am looking forward to feeling like myself again soon. I am very weak and have severe fatigue. I am trying to rest in bed and drink plenty of fluids. I still have no appetite and I have found with each cycle the metallic taste has increased. I am using a 1:1 concentration of salt/baking soda that I keep in the frig. I add one tsp. to an eight ounce glass of water swish and spit that helps with the metallic taste. Lemon drops also help when I don't have the sores in my mouth. Good luck to you all and know that there is a rainbow at the end of the tunnel.
Blessings,
JKO
0 -
JKO, your SEs sound terrible. I remember the morning I woke up and saw Uncle Fester looking back at me in the mirror. I was so allergic to the taxanes! I totally commiserate.
*hugs*
0 -
The dosing for T/C is based on body surface area. That means height and weight. It's all very precise and sometimes if your blood counts are too low at treatment time they may wait until your levels come up or lower the dosage. If you are having unmanageable side effects, CALL YOUR DOCTOR! They have so many more options to manage them than before and they don't want you to not come back. Also, your liver and kidneys are taking a beating filtering these drugs out of your system, DRINK, DRINK, DRINK lots of water all day.
I am seven weeks out from my last T/C x 6. During treatment the toxins caused a heart condition so I got to take meds for that too. I had all the neulasta bone pain, weepy eyes, hot flashes, numb hands and feet, sore hair follicles, sore nail beds, fever, atrial fibrulation, no ability to focus attention on anything, shortness of breath, brick in the throat acid reflux, total body weakness to the point of not being able to walk up stairs and a mouth that tasted like a scummy aquarium. I'm certain there were other things too but my chemo brain won't let me remember.
I first started to notice things getting better about 4 weeks after my last treatment. My tastebuds returned but the condition of my innerds is still a bit sensitive which is understandable after having a chemical peel from the inside out. I can walk up the steps in my house without stopping to rest. I am back to yoga but taking it slow since I am concerned about avoiding lymphedema from by bilateral mastectomy. My hands and feet are still numb and my nails are lifting off of the nail beds and will probably fall off, BUT I have hair coming in. No eyebrows or lashes yet. My heart is getting better. Most of all, from the first day after finishing chemo, I felt an overwhelming sensation of relief and a sense of power that I had made it through one of those things in life that makes everyone cringe with dread that it may happen to them.
I did it! There were times I didn't think I could make it but I did.....and so will you. We are stronger in the broken places. A very wise woman helped me during a time that I didn't want to go on because I hated all the excess of drugs I had to take to combat all the side effects. She reminded me that all those pills were my army. They were out to fight for me and I should welcome each and every one of them into my body. Welcome the Allies, they won't be there forever.
I feel very energetic these days. I am three weeks into 35 radiation treatments and dealing with new side effects, but thats OK, it's temporary and at some point, I'll be able to look back on this and have a hard time remembering what it was like. Hang in there girls, you have the power to do this.{{{{hugs}}}}} Mary
0
