Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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i had itchy head from the wigs too, but guess what. i went into a baby store and the caps that fit 6 mos olds fits my head. and they are soft and small enough not to stick out. seriously, i have average size head. try on baby caps, i was amazed and i can wear the wig all day no problem. i have had minimal probs with side effects but im afraid of the taxotere just building up in my body. i think im being over-dosed with it, im 127 lbs now and they have been giving me 340 every treatment. im tolerating it okay now but just worried about long term issues so im going to ask my onc if we can bring it down a bit. this menstral cycle appears to be delayed. i know chemo can delay it or make the period worst. just a reminder for sleep, the ambien works wonders and i take morning walks with the dogs and a load of supplements. tx number 3 is oct 22nd, sending positive thoughts to all of you
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I have a question for everyone here. I had a diagnosis of triple neg IIA breast cancer 4 years ago. I did dose dense TC , A and rads. I am doing well and happy to be this far out. My mom (75 years old) just had a lumpectomy and sentinel node bx. Triple neg, 1C, no apparent node involvement. Due to size and hormone negative status will be doing 4 sessions of T and C. I have advised her to try and get a port since she has such poor venous access, usually anesthesia usually has to start any iv she needs for procedures. What's your opinion? Kris
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Good Morning Ladies
Just checking in and reading how everyone is doing. I feel pretty good today but have some rib pain. I guess it is those WBC's working.
Chrisct- Thank you for the info on a reaction to the taxotere. I thought it couldn't happen again if they premedicate me. I will keep that in mind.
Kimby- The past 2 days my toe nails on my left foot have been sore and I just thought it was my shoes. I forgot about the nail problems this tx can cause. Thanks for reminding me.
THINK POSITIVE
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Tencious_P - were you advised about Alpha Lipolic Acid too? I read that both fight neuropathy but that L Glutamine is especially good for your stomach after chemo. I already NOT to take it for the day prior to and 2 days after chemo. I should ask my onc but I'm concerned that she'll poo poo the whole idea.
My 2nd tx was yesterday. I get decadron and benedryl IV, and an anti-nausea med shot into the line (STING!!!!!) I saw her hang the bag of taxotere and then I was gone ... I woke up when they were taking the IV out. So, I didn't see the Cytoxan ... I also get a big bag of fluid that runs the whole time. I keep getting praise for my great veins ... yippee, I'm there to please ya know.
The nurse didn't recognize me because my hair is gone. After my first treatment the steroids made me a wonder-woman for days 2 and 3, but today I'm wiped out. I only got about 2 hours of sleep last night -- that was the steroids I guess, but, where are they today?
Anyway, back to bed.
Lottie
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Well, 7 more days to go till tx #3. I gotta get alot done before then.
Talked to my onc nurse last night. She said they are concerned that the skin is peeling from my hands after only two treatments, and that my mouth took such a bad turn this last time. When I mentioned that my feet and hands are numb, she freaked. They are cutting way back on the Taxotere next time. Hopefully (keeping numb fingers crossed) they will do what they say and I'll have an easier time next round. 12 days recovery SUCKS!
On a lighter note, I think I lost a pants size this morning when my bowels decided to move
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Good morning all.
I hope everyone is doing as well as possible. I'm dealing with a bizarre combo of steroid jiggies and nausea this morning. Got some ativan and compozine onboard and hope to feel better soon.
I've been reading posts this morning and think that maybe my oncologist goes heavy on the pre-meds -- i've managed to avoid any significant reaction to taxotere unlike some of you and I've never felt any sinus pressure from the cytoxan. I get a liter of fluid via the IV plus 25mg (I think) of decadron and a bag of benedryl. Also a syringe of an anti-nausea med. Like I mentioned, my 2nd tx was Wednesday and I slept through almost the entire treatment.
There was an older woman across the room from me who was really suffering -- lots of stomach upset and all of the related sound effects. I felt so bad for her. The kindly nurses kept walking by and she'd ask to have the curtain closed for privacy. They'd close the curtain and then another nurse would walk by and open it. This went on until I fell asleep. She was gone when I woke up.
Pameljo - skin is peeling on my hands as well and the doc thought it might be the taxotere or that I'd "gotten into something." Do you wear gloves to protect your hands when you're cleaning? I think I might have reacted to something while I was scrubbing the sink or counters. Also, my oncologist said that numbess and any other sign of neuropathy would be a reason to stop by treatment at 4 cycles instead of 6. How many are you in for? Also, are you taking any supplements.
Hang in everyone. Thank you for being here.
Lottie
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lottie,
nope, I no longer do the heavy cleaning at my house. I mop, but my hands don't touch the water. I don't do dishes by hand, but use the dishwasher. The peeling for me is due to the Taxotere....I'm burnt where my wedding rings were. After a week of pure lanolin on them, they are getting better. I'm due to take 4 treatments, but they are backing down on my dose of Taxotere since I'm having liver failure, skin problems, nails falling off, neuropathy and my tongue....my poor tongue. Thankfully it has healed over now, but my taste buds were gone, not just altered, for almost two weeks. My tongue feels like silk now, but I'm starting to taste certain things again. Thankfully I was hungry even though I couldn't taste. I just ate whatever I craved, and imagined it tasted good. They were more worried about my skin that my liver. We shall be discussing that in depth next Thursday when I go back for #3. I've been down this road before and I want assurance that this isn't going to irreparable damage.
Everyone, hope you are all doing as well as can be expected today! You guys are so sweet thinkin I'm funny.. most people just think I'm annoying. I'm working today...well, sorta. I'm just not that into entering this data anymore. I want my old job back. I want to be a munitions destroyer again
Nothing beats a good old case of frustration like blowing something up. Unfortunately, I probably won't ever get to do that again since I can't lift over 15 pounds with this bum arm of mine. Farking lymphodema. But, at least I'm working and I can keep paying my insurance premiums. Silver lining, flitter flitter blah.Okie dokie....I'm out. I have to get this stuff done today. Love ya
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Hang in pamelajo - sounds like your SEs go deeper than many of us and I'd forgotten your history w/ other cancers. Lymphedema sucks. And I'd rather be blowing things up too.
love
Lottie.
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Hi Everyone
I have not posted on this thread but have followed it closely. I had my second T/C two days ago. I sailed through the first one with no problems during infusion and minimal side effects. The chemo nurses thought I would not have any trouble with tx 2 but they were wrong.
As soon as they started the Taxotere, I had an extreme pain and burning from my navel up to the bottom of my eyes; turned red then purple and had stabbing lower back pain. The nurses kept telling me to breathe (thought I was, actually) - they stopped the Taxotere and added steroids to the IV and then liquid benedryl.We waited another 25 min. and then started the Taxotere again this time with no problems. I have to admit it scared me.
I had taken my pre-chemo steroids and anti-nausea oral meds before each treatment and I sure did not expect that reaction. Now I am quite nervous about treatment 3 in three weeks. I was a bit groggy on the way home so had a sleep and not really having any problems with side effects yet.
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Try taking oral benedryl before hand. It really helped me.
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Hi Ladies:
I come back to this thread periodically... it was a lifesaver when I did TCx6 -- the last was in April. Hang in there -- it will be in your rear view mirror before you know it. Take care of yourselves.. You will feel better. Your hair and eyebrows and lashes will return. Your appetite will return.. your GI systems will recover. Your mouth will lose the weirdness. Your nails will recover. Your energy will return. Rest and do not overdo. Let people help you....ask for help... people want to do something -- let them.
You are strong. You will get through this.
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Lottie~ that is dispicable (sp) what they did the that older woman!
Pam~ You know I am so sorry for what you are going through.
Delaine~ Sorry you had a scare, hope the rest of your txs are better.
Kathy~ Thanks for the uplift for the Ladies, I too am done with tx. I just finished almost 2 weeks ago so I am still dealing with SEs. BUT I am starting to get some hair that doesnt pull out! YIPEEE!
I have the skin peeling, on my feet. My hands are ok, but feet are still peeling thick lizard skin.
Dr. says I will need to see a specialist about my neuropathy, along with the pain in my back.
Remember tell your Dr. EVERYTHING.
Hugs to you all
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Hi, All - sorry to be truant for so long. Tuesday is my next appointment - was supposed to have tx4, but we aren't sure that will happen. Need to discuss the se's with my onc - the central nervous system is fried. Things have improved as the days pass, and I just whince at the thought of another chemo. I need to butch up, huh? Only one more to go. If I could be sure it would not permanantly blow a circuit, it might be easier to walk down that hall and sit in the big chair. Deborah - how cool it is to hear that your hair is coming back in! Oh, to dream...Delaine - nice to meet you. Take good care of yourself. KT57 - you are a cool breeze across our discussion board. Thanks for the good words- I hope relief comes soon for all of us who are in the trenches. Lottie - thinking about you. Hope you are doing well post tx. To all of the other friends on this discucssion board - I read your posts and follow your progress, but it is hard to say hello to each of you personally. Know I am in your corner and thinking about you. Thanks for the tips, inspiration, and the laughs. XO, Mary0
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Hi Delaine - sorry to hear you had such a scare. They will most likely give you the premeds (Benadryl and maybe Pepcid as well) before the Taxotere next time. And they will probably watch you for several minutes (maybe 5 or 10) to make sure you are okay. Usually, if you are going to have a reaction, you have it right at the beginning of the taxotere infusion. And hopefully, they will be careful about the infusion rate. I had a reaction during tx 2 and then again, even with premeds, with tx 4, but my nurse stopped the infusion, the reaction stopped, and then she started it again, but more slowly. And if you are still having a reaction, they have other ways of stopping it and taking care of you. Maybe you could tell your nurse next time that you are nervous after your reaction last time so that she knows to watch you carefully. Hoping for minimal SE's for you.
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Ladies, I have a question....I thought that it was very common for your period to stop during T/C treatments, but I have seen some are having longer periods? How long?
I started my normal period 3 days before treatment #1...and am still going strong on day #19! I am going broke buying boxes of tampax and pads:< ...and it is HEAVY flow--like my first 48 hours of every period. I don't know how much more I can bleed. I was anemic prior to treatment due to my heavy periods (wanted an ablation but BC intervened) and I am now VERY anemic. I am waiting to hear from my oncologist just how low my H&H have dropped this month. I am praying it stops with treatment #2 on Wed---something to look forward to with a chemo treatment---weird as that is.
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Good Morning Ladies,
I just had TX #2 yesterday. My MD seems to think I will now breeze through this & the rest since he changed by anti nausea meds this round. But I am still having this lingering nausea already. I also believe I had the same pre med you had (LOTTIE) as it was definately stinging as they pushed it. I do not feel energetic from the steroids - more wired like - I hate the feeling. Last night I found myself needing to make & effort to swallow a few times while eating dinner...anyone else experience this?
Renee Jean - I'm VERY sorry to hear of your period situation. I just started mine & it was very odd looking day one & the following days aren't happening like normal. Please keep us posted.
Pamelejo & others with peeling skin: There is something called "Bag Balm" that comes in a green can & usually you can find it at Walgreen's. Its actually & old time ointment that is recommended for get this cows udders. However, I have used it for years & whenever I get peely, scaly (especially on feet) patches I use it. You will be surprised how much it helps. Its thick & kinda smelly. I use socks & gloves for my hands. Last time I bought some I had to get it from Drugstore.com because its sometimes hard to find in stores. I also noticed that it wasn't quite as good from there (not as thick) but it still helps. Maybe they just don't make it like they used to anymore - kinda like Twinkies - remember how good they used to be back in the day.
Also, I know I asked before. But I'm liking wearing my hat better than my wig. Do we just ignore the looks or do you say something???
Hope everyone is feeling good today.
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Lilin Texas, when I wore my wig (for about a year), I just ignored the stares. Otherwise you end up explaining yourself to far too many people. Not wearing it would be even worse, I think. I hate to say it, but my experience has been that most people who stare have bad manners and telling them why you're wearing it won't change anything for the better. It might even give them permission to ask nosey questions. Remember, this is a matter of your privacy.
It doesn't necessarily end when you stop wearing the wig. My hair came in curly and it's about 4" long now. It's very unruly and does whatever it wants, no matter how much time I spend on it. When it's windy, my hair sticks up everywhere. The first time it did this, I told my students (who were staring at me) that I was impersonating Einstein. We had a good laugh and now I just don't pay any attention when I get stares. There's not much I can do about it --I'm trying to get it to grow out a bit more-- so I just smile. I guess it's easier for me to get away with it because then people just figure you're an eccentric professor. There are plenty of them around here.
Bottom line: you don't have to explain yourself to anyone. Especially not to rude people who have no manners.
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LilinTexas - I wore my wig out last night -- first time out for any sort of social occassions, dinner and a concert with my significant other. LOVED the concert - Hated the wig! It's a nice wig and it looks fine I guess and I'm not feeling too bad about hating it since insurance will reimbuse.
Ignore the looks! What matters is how you feel and you need to feel comfortable and you are beautiful regardless. I'm most comfortable in a baseball cap and, sadly, there are lots of women I see everywhere sporting the same look. When I was first diagnosed it seemed like every time I walked down the street in Boston where I work, I'd see a woman with no hair wearing a scarf, a hat or nothing (it was July). Anyway, like I said, ignore the looks. Maybe they're wondering if they would have the courage to just be who they are, if they were in your shoes.
The skin is peeling off my right hand. I know I'm reacting to something I'm cleaning with -- funny thing is, all I use is Simple Green or vinegar and water. I've been using Aquafor. I should probably be digging out those rubber gloves too. Bag Balm is great. I also use Dr. Bonner and Sundogs orange/lavender balm for my lips and places on my face. You can find it on Amazon if you look. I've been using Dr. Bonner's soaps for bathing too ... very very gentle.
Today is day 3 post chemo. I still have the steroid jiggies and the nausea is setting in. Compozine works great for me though. If I follow the same pattern as last time, next thing will be the funny, fuzzy, buzzy, senstive mouth. Also, my teeth feel like they're loose in my head. Lovely....
One thing I know I have lost is my patience. Like I mentioned, I was at a concert last night and I couldn't tolerate the people b*tching about their seats, the crowd, the venue (a beautiful old music hall), the weather, the this, that and the other thing. I just wanted to give everyone a big slap ... with my wig! Must be the steroids.
As far as periods go, I'm 51 and was peri-menopausal when this all happened. My gynecologist and oncologist both say that the chemo will stop, and probably end, my perioids. I'm sorry for those of you having to deal w/ discomfort w/ your periods on top of all this other stuff ...
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
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A question for the veterans who have finished tx: First, did your skin start looking like plastic? And second, did it ever get back to the way it was before chemo? Gosh, my face just looks so weird - never mind the loss of brows and lashes. Oy! Using lotions and potions to the max, but that all goes on the surface. There is nothing to do for the skin that is drying out from the inside out. Is a beef jerkey complexion in my future, or will all be well with time? Alas, sisters, throw me a bone. I will be on the crying couch until I hear from you. XO, Mary
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Hi Everyone,i havn't been here for awhile either and i see a lot of new faces.Sorry you all had to join this sisterhood,but at least we can B**ch and vent to those who'll understand.
I finished my chemo in Feb this year,and my whole head is covered with hair,only about 2 " long,but still covered.It's straighter than it was before and my sister asked how could that be,as it was stick straight before.LOLIt's not as thick as it was before either and i hope it thickens up,as it was very thick b4 chemo,and was my favorite thing.Itook losing the hair harder than losing the boobs.
I'm on Femara now,they tried Aromasin first,but i couldn't tolerate it.My feet still have neuropathy in them,and my toenails are still ugly and hurt.They feel like they are growing into my toes instead of out.
All in all i feel pretty good though,and glad that chemo is behind me now.I also lost 47 # during that time and have kept it off,thank goodness.I never wore a wig,just hats.I made myself a bunch and some friends crocheted some for me as well.At home i went commando.Once i started getting some hair,(more like prickles) back i shelved the hats,told dh if they can't take me as i am,that
their problem,as it's too hot for hats,scarfs etc.
Today i'm actually back at my sewing machine making my GGD a princess costume for halloween,and i'm sure she'll also wear it for play dress up.
Take care everyone,and remember this can be hard,but it's doable and "This Too Shall Pass".
Kathi
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MAGOB....My skin also dried up during chemo. I am now 8 wks PFC and doing radiation. So I am using Vitamin E cream (Jason) on the booby and am also using as my face cream. In addition, a friend recommended Egyptian Magic which is olive oil, honey, beeswax, and royal jelly. It takes a while to soak in but my skin is looking much better since using (alternatively) these two items. You can google the Egyptian Magic and order online or purchase at Whole Foods. The Vitamin E cream I have found at health food stores. Patti
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Lanolin is my skins bestfriend. I slather it on religiously every morning and a couple times during the day. It's highly waterproof so I don't have to keep reapplying it. I even put it on my face and lips. I'm an all natural girl, so I don't use anything with parabens in it. Most breast cancer tumors hold some amount of parabens. It's in our OTC lotions and some soaps. I make my own. I have for years and ironically, I got bc, but it's from previous radiation to my chest. Staying on the homeopathic regime though. Thats a wagon I'm not falling off of, no matter how bad I feel.
Neuropathy: My mother is giving me B12 shots every two weeks. She is an RN and has diabetic neuopathy and it helps her. I'm putting my faith in that. It makes me feel better and if it helps these dead stumps commonly referred to as hands and feet, I'll take it. I hate the way she gives shots though....she's one of those ungentle nurses
Lottie: I tell people not to mess with me when I'm on my steriod train. I could lift a truck, so their chances of getting popped are pretty good. If I was a man, I'm sure my testicles would be pea size LOL Makes me wonder how they keep the roid rage at bay........
As far as people staring.....screw em. Stare back! I do. My husband has told one guy to stop staring cause I bite. LOL Some people have no class. I learned from my first go around of being bald that you don't stare at anyone. Not the guy in the wheelchair, not the kid with one arm, NO ONE. If I see a disabled person, I smile and say hi....... I don't stare. Being stared at hurts. We are not on display for anyones amusement. If that is indeed the case, the the starers need to start putting out cash. I went out with DH to his class get together last night, and no one in the club we went to stared. First time I've been out without it happening. Maybe it was because the people I was with made it seem like the girl with the scarf at the table was just another girl at the table. I don't know. I do know I'm tired of people looking at me and pitying me. Thats the worst part of being bald. I hate pity.
Have a great day, and I hope your skin gets better, no one stares and SE's are non existent for all of you
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I will start my chemo this next week and want to ask if I should stop taking some of the supplements that I take. I am scheuled for TC x 4.
I take B, E, C, multi vitamin and Flaxseed oil. I also take crestor because I have high cholesterol. I just changed my calcium to a pill, with no soy.
I normally take naproxen also but have switched to Tylenol. It doesn't work as well, but on some of the threads people say their doctors say not to take naproxen.
I have made a list of all my meds for my doctor, but will not talk to her again until my treatment day.
Thanks,
Juannelle
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Kathy, your post was a great help to me--the rear view mirror reminder is a great one. This is my first post, though I've been following you ladies for about a month now. I'm on day 9 of my first TC treatment and it was a miserable week. But now on antibiotics and after a Neulasta shot I can find my old self a little. Thanks to all of you who walked the road ahead of us who are on it now! Just to let all of you know I appreciate you sharing your experiences and sharing your burdens. Makes me grateful--you all are awesome.
Querida
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Juanelle - if your onc says it's OK, you might want to see your dentist for tooth cleaning and a fluoride treatment before you do chemo. I was told the mouth can get dry during chemo, and a flouride treatment can provide a little added protection for teeth. Thanks to PAP and Pamelajo for encouraging words. XO, Mary
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Juanelle -
My doctor cut me off of almost everything!! I still take Calcium/Vit D and Omega 3 oil. He said NO C, E, A or Bs right now. No antioxidants because there is some concern that they protect cancer cells along with everything else. I think B12 may be ok if you get neuropathy, but I don't have that. Yet.
He said I should switch from Ibuprofen to Tylenol. Which I hate because (1) it doesn't work as well, and (2) I drink and have been conditioned to believe that tylenol and alcohol will immediately cause my liver to explode.
He said I can eat foods that have soy in them, but no soy supplements.
I think my onc is conservative. My friends want me to see a holistic doctor, but I'm not ready to ditch science yet.
Don't worry, you will get through this!
Laura
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Hello everyone, this is the first time I've posted to this thread. I've posted once before somewhere else on this site, but honestly I can't remember where. I don't know if that's compliments of my chemo brain or the Fabulous fifties...smile... Any way... I really thank you all for the encouragement and info in your posts. I visit here often and I always learn something or get an upshot of encouragement for this journey.
I've only had one treatment so far, and I felt so blessed to have it go well. Once I got through the first three days post-treatment with horrible headaches and no sleep... it seemed to be mainly a matter of dealing with the usual mouth issues and fatigue and one night of leg and hip pain from the Neulasta shot. Finally reached a point where, mainly, I just feel grateful to have made it this far because i had so much fear, I was doing a real torment job on myself.
My greatest concern right now is that the wound from my Savi catheter treatment (done about 1 month before chemo) still has not healed. Did any of you have Savi radiation treatment prior to chemo? And if so did your catheter wound take a long time to heal? Although the depth of the wound seems to have closed ok my problem seems to be that the sunburned skin around the wound is starting to peel away and make raw area bigger instead of smaller. Ahhhhhhhhh...
The onc says that it looks good enough to have treatment, but I'm beginning to wonder how it can possibly heal with all the changes my body is going thru right now...
Oh well... hope one of you has had a similar experience and can share info or offer suggestions.
I wish each of you Blessings for New Health, New Faith, and New Hope...
Esther
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Juanelle - my doc is fine w/ me taking Zocor for high cholesterol, a multivitamin and fish oil. I need to ask him about certain supplements to prevent neuropathy, seems like opinions are divided on those.
Pamelajo - you're a tough one. how do you make your own lanolin? my hands are a mess. and, yes, the steroids are definitely shortening my fuse. I have no patience for fools or stupidity -- I didn't have much to begin with, now I have none.
Here's to everyone having a great week. My goal today is to simply get off my a$$. My 2nd tx on Wednesday knocked me a little harder than the 1st one did. I'm so tired but at the same time I feel like I'm atrophying ... got to move or I'll stay that way.
Lottie
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Hello All. I haven't posted for several weeks but just thought I'd weigh in with how it's been going for me. I had the 5th of 6 TC tx last Friday and have been experiencing increasing SEs, but still plugging along. I've had the common constipation and fatigue in the week after tx, but after tx #3, I developed a very severe case of hives in week #2 that benedryl wouldn't knock down. I saw the NP at onc's office who said I had both severe hives and a more common type of chemo rash. Hives were on my thighs, stomach, arms, face and scalp and the chemo rash is on my chest. A medrol dose pack knocked down the hives, but the chemo rash on my chest has remained. I got hives in the second week after tx #4 as well and had to take another medrol dose pack. It seems to be a pattern, so now I have a dose pack ready to take if it happens again this time. Has anyone else had hives this far after tx?
Other wierd SEs include eye twitching, which I see others as well a local friend have also experienced, and painful muscle contractions in my feet and toes. When I'm in bed, sometimes one of my middle toes just moves down toward the bottom of my foot. I also get "charley horse" type pain in my arches and sometimes my thighs.
Thankfully, I have had no nausea and the fuzzy tongue feeling only happened in the 1st 2 cycles, although my taste buds are still off, expecially with liquids. I get some bone paid after the Nuelasta injection, but it is managed with Advil and Claritin.
The best thing is that since I am getting neoadjuvant chemo, I have had two follow-up MRIs to see if the TC is working and it is. I originally had 3 tumors, two of which are no longer seen and the large one (5.8 cm) has shrunk in volume very substantially.
Best wishes to all!
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Good evening ladies.
Marry -- luckily I had my teeth cleaned last week, it just happened that way. Are you enjoying this beautiful weather we have been having?
Laura -- thanks for the information about the supplements. I stopped by B, E and C a couple of days ago. I just wanted to be sure.
Lottie -- I have a complete list of my meds that I will take with me on Friday,but they already know what prescriptions that I am taking. They have not mentioned any medicines that I should quit.
Hugs
Juannelle
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