Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Josie 2009-I refused Neulesta b/c I didn't want anymore side effects. By the time I was thinking of getting it, it was basically to late so I just had to ride it out. Luckily, I did bounce back up each time, but the low period was a little hard. I've heard some about the mushroom (Purple?) boosting WBC's make sure its OK with your onc if you decide to do it.
Lottie-Yes, I am finished at 4. You & I were nearly on the same schedule except for you having 2 more to go. I wish you well on your last 2. Hopefully, your body will be able to handle it better now that you've had so many tx's....I wish you all the best.
Still wondering when others started their tamoxifen, etc. after chemo.
Have a great day!
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Hi Ladies, how long do I need to take the Claritin? I had my first tx on Monday, Dec. 7th and had the Neulasta shot the next day. I've been taking the Claritin since Tuesday but am now wondering if I'm at the point where I can stop until the next cycle. I've come down with what I think is a cold (stuffy nose and some aches)...but that could be a side effect of the TC. Can someone let me know when the Neulasta is supposed to be working and when I can stop the Claritin?
Thanks, Sherri
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Hello,
I just had my first treatment of TC 11 days ago. I had a horrible reaction to it and I have to change drugs. I got amnesia during the second infusion, went home, vomitted uncontrollably despite the pre-meds, and as the night progressed I became more and more mentally confused to the point of delirium (according to my partner). My pupils were dilated and the only thing I remember was extreme difficulty breathing at 2 in the morning. I should have been in the emergency room but apprently my partner called the doctor and the doctor said I was experiencing normal side effects!??????? My partner then fell asleep and I was left wandering around the house in a horrible state unable to do anything or communicate until I finally collapsed. The next morning I was lucky to wake up. ANYWAYS, I am pre-menopausal, and last night I had night sweats, which is a first for me. I'm getting TC as adjuvant therapy, and my CT scan was negative. I'm wondering if anyone else got night sweats from TC? I know it can put you into chemopause.
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Lotti and Lili, I started Tamox a couple of months after chemo because I also had to do radiation. The rads onc said they like to have you wait to start it until rads is over. I've heard others that didn't have rads say they waited about a month or two after chemo to start so that they could start feeling a little better and have a clearer idea of what was SE's from the Tamox vs. leftover SE's from chemo.
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Thanks echosalvaje. It's good to hear that I might have a bit of a respite between end of chemo and start of tamoxifen. I'd like to be clear of most of the chemo side effects first. Not looking forward to tamox.0
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sugar77, after my first TC I had flu like symptoms, aching and pain, no fever. I haven't not had it after my other two treatments. I would think you have taken enough Claritin, but if you have any big bone pain, take something as soon as it starts. I take hydrocodone for mine. My Onc said the Nuelasta doesn't really start until 10 days after the shot.
sea_nymph, I know we all react differently to the TC. I do not have any reaction to it at all. I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time. I think that if you are pre-menopausal that you would be put into the phase and that night sweats and hot flashes would be a common occurrence. I am post menopausal and I was having night sweats and hot flashes, but when I started chemo it all went away, so that was a side benefit for me. Be sure to discuss all your symptoms with you Onc. I do hope you get to feeling better.
Hope everyone had a restful weekend and are all ready to meet the new week.
Juannelle
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Hi Folks - I had my last chemo on Friday and am now enjoying a few choice SEs...what did someone call it...."swamp mouth?" And, I'm experiencing the brain fog as Josie2009 so cleverly wrote, "They talk to me like I'm normal. I'm not feeling well - get to the point!" Exactly! And my patience is shot. For me, I also get neck and shoulder pain. I am excited that it was my last treatment of 6, and now wait for some relief from the side effects and the gradual return of energy.
Chynadollsmom - Thanks for the heads-up about the mapping. I have been having muscle twitches on my face as well. I hope your energy returns and we can finish this year strong.
What a story with about the bartender's comments, Lottie. Wow. My oncologist recommended I begin Tamoxifen 3 weeks into my radiation treatment. That is simply his arrangement because he would like to begin it immediately at the beginning of radiation, and the radiation oncologist would rather wait until radiation is over, so he "splits the difference." My eyebrows are barely there... came out mostly in the last month. I hope your 5th treatment goes as smoothly as possible.
Several people have written about weight gain or loss. I have gained about 5 pounds throughout chemo, and now am hoping I can get this weight and a lot more off. My onc does not want me to be hard on myself, but I have significant extra weight to lose. From what I read, nutrition and exercise can have quite an effect on recurrence so I hope I can lose some of this gradually. I look forward to the steroid weight loss if I am so lucky. I know someone else has written this before, but if I have been through all of this with chemo, then surely I can commit to healthy exercise and nutrition which should come with much less pain.
Here's hoping everyone has as healthy a week as possible. Hang in there, women!
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Oh my goodness, Sea_nymph, that was a horrible reaction! I hope whatever they switch you to doesn't give you any SE's.
As for chemopause - I had periods every 2 weeks for my first 3 chemo cycles, but then they stopped and after that, I did have night sweats/hot flashes. I didn't realize it at first because it was September and I thought I was just hot, but afterward, I realized they must have been hot flashes. They didn't really last all that long because by then I had had my 4th treatment and not too long afterward, my hormones started working their way back. I think they are completely back now - I just had my first period 12 1/2 weeks after my 4th and last TC. Now I get to start Tamox. Yay. Can't wait to see if the hot flashes come back...
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Oh Jillilene isn't that facial twitching annoying! I mean it's by far not the worst side effect that I've had, but it ranks right up there with annoying!! How do your finger nails look? When you look at mine, the new growth at the cuticle is sunken in compared to the existing nail, so I guess I'm going to at least have ridges in my nails. I read that it was from an interruption in the growth. I have my first radiation on December 23rd. I'll try to remember to let you know what that's like.
Nearly 2 weeks out from my final TC and my legs still feel like jelly. My forearms and hands feel weak and shake. My eyebrows are only about half there. My hair is growing in some areas, but my temples are pretty sparse. So now the dilema, do I try to grow what's growing to see if I look like a clown? Or do I trim everything up again and give the other more time to think about growing.
Juannelle your final tx on Christmas Eve. Wow, I guess it's a gift that it's the last, but I wish your Christmas didn't have to be overcome with chemo. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
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Juannelle,ask your onc if you can postpone your chemo a few days so you can enjoy christmas. I postponed my final chemo for almost a week because I had a huge dog adoption event and I didn't want to miss it since I missed so many due to surgery and radiation and such. It also gave me a bit more time to heal from #3. My onc said it was fine and that a lot of people do it every 4 weeks.I wish I would have known this so I could have had a few more days between numbers 2 and 3.
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Hi Ladies,
I've had 3 out of 6 rounds. I have a little neuropathy, but not as much diarrhea as I had the first 2 rounds.
The s/e that bothers me the most is my appetite or lack of it. So far, the appetite cycle goes like this: First week: no appetite; Second week: strange cravings; Third Week: Normal appetite. Then it starts all over again. I am on 21 day cycles.
This is a really good thread. Thanks to all of you for being here!
Brenda
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Jullilene, glad you have finished your last tx. I know you are excited about that. I have also gained some weight, it actually goes up and down. Mostly up, but I guess that is to be expected. When things finally taste good, I just can't stop myself, no self control. I do hope you have mild SEs and they start going away soon.
chynadollsmom and dogsaver,I could change the tx to 12/28, but that would mean I am sick the rest of the holidays. Since I feel good for 2 days after tx, then that would get me through Christmas and maybe I would feel good toward the end of the week for New Years. It is a dilemma about the best way to go. I just hope this tx doesn't kick my a$$. I go back to the Onc on Thursday and we will go over it again. I am still leaning toward Christmas Eve.
brenda,I am also on a 21 day cycle and after the 1st tx, I was good for at least 2 weeks before the next tx, but as I get each tx it is taking me longer to recoup. Of course, having my RBCs drop this time didn't help. I can barely make it up a flight of stairs. I feel like an old woman.
Hope everyone has a better tomorrow.
Juannelle
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I finished my last round (#4) yesterday! Now I'm just wondering how long to keep the black nail polish and wait to lose my eyebrows and eyelashes. How long does it take to get this crap finally out of the system? How long to I wait before I can stop being afraid that I'll loose my nails? I'm prepared for the immediate se's, but I don't know when to start taking supplements to help my hair grow. I guess I'll have to check with my radiation oncologist before I do anything with vitamins or whatnot.
Juanelle: I've got a lot to lose too (though I only gained 7 pounds during chemo), and so I'm using the book Cancer Fitness for inspiration and getting a pedometer to inspire me to start walking even now. I keep reading that excercise will help fight the fatigue from radiation, so maybe I can make some progress during my tx.
Love and minimal se's to all, Sido
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Sido, maybe you won't lose your brows and lashes after all...since they've hung on this long! Congratulations on finishing your 4th round. I had my first on Dec. 7th and the next is on Dec. 29th. I can't wait until this is all done and I can move on to radiation. What supplements help hair grow? I just want to be prepared for when I can start that, too.
Sherri
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Sido, I am like you on the black nail polish, except I am getting to like it now. I just want my hair back. I may look for the book so I can start getting on track. It has been forever since I have exercised and I know I need to start eating right. It is just so hard now, because food taste so bad and then when it starts tasting good I just can't control myself.
Sherri, how many tx did you say you were having? How did the first one go, did you keep ahead of everything, so you SEs were mild?
Have a good evening everyone.
Juannelle
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Juannelle - I'm having 4 rounds of TC. I had the first one on Dec. 7th and my next one is on Dec. 29th. I'm feeling pretty much normal this week except I'm a little more tired than usual. I followed all of your advice last week and the side effects were manageable. I was congested, achey and very tired but fortunately had no nausea, mouth sores or constipation. Got my GI Jane buzz cut on Monday and have been wearing my wig since. It's not started falling out yet but I figure it will start next week??
Sherri
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Sherri, I am glad you are doing well. If you stay ahead of everything, then it does make the tx doable. I still have hair after 3 treatments. I am sure if it was longer it would fall out. It is not growing at this time. I felt better after I got my hair cut, just knowing that it would fall out, kept me on an emotional roller coaster that I couldn't get off of until the hair was gone. But I am now ready to get some hair back. My Onc said it would be 6 weeks to 2 months after the last tx before the hair would start growing and staying in.
Juannelle
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Sherry and Juannelle: I am soooo looking forward to getting my hair back. It has really been the hardest part for me. I have been reading about Biotin supplements and Nioxin shampoos and conditioners on the "Hair, Hair, Hair" thread, but I haven't started anything yet. I want to wait for approval from the oncos before adding any supplements. The shampoo will wait until something starts growing.
Sugar, I'm cautiously optimistic about the brows & lashes, though I lost a bit more brow a few days ago...
At our monthly breast cancer support group tonight they offered free manicures, so I'm trying navy blue polish for a bit. Hopefully it's dark enough to stand in for the black!
Love from chilly Illinois, Sido
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Sido - there's an awesome nail polish colour by OPI called Lincoln Park after Dark. It's a very dark plum that looks almost black. I used to get the UV Gel nails (I stopped about 2 months ago) and I bought this polish during my last manicure. It's a great colour, very trendy and would mask and discoloration. I found a link to an image below of this colour.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2773277395_4f1631ed7f.jpg
I also received a bag of stuff from Sanofi Aventis Canada, the manufacturerer of Taxotere. In the bag was a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, vitamin E hand cream, an amazing nail hardener. I guess this is their way of helping with some of the side effects of their medicine! I've been using the nail hardener faithfully because my nails are already compromised since I stopped doing the gel nails.
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Hi all ... take heart those of you who are doing 4x and not 6. From what I've heard you will more than likely not lose your eyebrows/lashes all the way. Also, perhaps I've been out of the loop, but I haven't read anywhere here about losing one's nails after 4x either. I don't know what the black nail polish is for? Is it supposed to be of some help, or just to camouflage ugly nails?
I just had tx #5 yesterday and feel exhausted. I just took some compazine, queasiness is setting in just like clockwork. My oncologist said my bloodwork looked really good, just a little anemic. He believes in the less medicine the better and doesn't give Neulasta as a matter of course, only if bloodwork indicates that it would help. He feels the side effects are best avoided. I'm prepared with prednisone for day 7 when the skin reaction I've had the last 2 txs will probably kick in, but it's a very short course, about 5 days and it's better than itching.
Even after 5 tx, I still have hair on the top of my head, bald on the sides though. I have lost some brows but not much and my eyelashes are thinning. I'm hoping I make it through #6 and maybe not lose all the eyebrows ... time will tell.
I will tell you that the exhaustion from chemo and my focus on exercising as much as I can, staying hydrated and working as much as possible leaves little time to worry about my appearance. This isn't necessarily a good thing -- if you remember my post about the bartender saying I looked like a bank robber ... maybe if I'd worn a more feminine hat and re-applied some make up before leaving my office ...
Anyway, please everyone hang in there and take care of yourselves! My respect and best wishes to those of you going onto radiation after your chemo ... I'm so grateful that I will just move on to tamoxifen. My right breast was removed and my chest wall is clear ... no need for rads.
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Sido, keep us informed on the supplements. I want my hair to grow as fast as possible. But like you, I am not adding any other meds right now unless they come from the doctor.
Sherri, I have been keeping my nails painted black or some other dark color and I have no discoloration or anything. I also do not have any ripples in them where they have stopped growing. Maybe I will come out Ok in the nail department.
lottie, I did read somewhere that you usually didn't have nail problems with only 4 TC Treatments. I am just trying to make sure that I didn't, so I am taking all the precautions that I can. Nail polish is an easy solution.
I am retaining water now and the doctor put me on Lasix. I am having trouble catching my breath and thought it was from the low RBCs, but no it is something else. I had gained 10 llbs since last week. I will barely get over the SEs from my last TX when I will do another one next week. But I did go for a slow walk through the mall today and I am feeling much better tonight.
Sending hugs to everyone that had a tx this week and wishing for mild SEs.
Juannelle
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It's been 3 weeks since my 4th and final TC. I'm starting to feel like a human being again. It's kind of funny I have energy to get things done, but at the same time my legs still feel a little like jello. I'm sure in time that'll pass. I am starting to get the itch, though, to get the leashes out and take my 3 dogs on a walk. Before all this started we'd been walking 2 1/2 miles every day. They enjoyed it so much which made me enjoy it. I took them on a walk before my final TC and didn't get too far before I was ready to drop. Guess I'll just have to start slow. But it'll do us all some good. Don't know if it's the cold or a SE, but I'll be working along and all of a sudden I ache everywhere. End up having to take something to be able to keep moving. I've also got another SE that I think is from the SNB. I've been having pain on the top of my hand from the middle knuckle radiating up toward the wrist. The pain's been there for at least a couple weeks if not more. But now the hand is swelling. I was afraid it was limphedema. I called the surgeon's office and was told that it was to be expected and that I was just to elevate the hand. So, don't really know what it is. My nails are splitting something terrible, and my hands are really dry. My eyes go back and forth between being dry and itchy and tears just rolling down like I was crying. One puff of wind and the waterworks begin. People probably think I'm nuts! All in all, though, I feel good. I've been able to cook meals again. And I think my taste is starting to come back to normal.
You're all in my prayers. Take care everyone.
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Hi, I'm confused. Does the dark nail polish help avoid discoloration or is it to camouflage nails that are looking off? So far my nails are fine...I'm just putting on the nail hardener given to me at the hospital. As I said in an earlier post, I already have a really nice dark blackish plum polish that I can use if needed. Because my nails are cut so short, I've just been doing the clear.
Sherri
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This is my first time posting on the thread, so hello to everyone!
I had my first treatment Dec. 7th and my next one is scheduled for Dec. 28th. I've been really lucky as far as SE's go - my biggest complaint is the AWFUL, AWFUL taste in my mouth that showed up around day 3. It's finally getting better, but nothing really tastes quite right. I will definitely chew on ice next time!
I had my blood test on Monday and found out that my WBC is really, really low. I was given an antibiotic prescription yesterday because my glands were really swollen and sore. I was feeling almost normal until I heard about my count, then I felt just a little out of sorts and tired. Not sure if it was just in my head or not. I've been stuck at home all week...my one adventure is driving my daughter to and from school. WHOO HOO! Oh well, better safe than sorry!
Has anyone been using tea tree oil on their nails? My oncologist recommended using it to keep the nail bed healthy. It has an AWFUL smell, so I sure hope it works!
I sure hope everyone is having a great day!
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Welcome Mommaof2. Your dx and mine are about the same and I am also having trouble with my WBC and my RBC. I am now retaining fluid, so my Onc put me on Lasix. I tried the tea tree oil, but it smelled so bad I only used it once. I have had 3 treatments and my nails are fine. They chip more now and haven't grown much through tx, but they are not discolored and have not turned loose yet. I only have 1 more tx to go, so maybe they will be OK. I have a cousin that lives in Colorado Springs. It is beautiful there, so close to so many activities.
Juannelle
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Thanks for the welcome Juannelle,
I'm so glad there is someone else out there that thinks the tea tree oil smells so bad! I had my husband take a whiff and he said he thinks finger nail polish remover smells worse! I'll have to tell him someone else agrees with me.
Our dx are very similar, including the Oncotype - mine was a little lower 22. Did your oncologist recommend the chemo treatments? Mine recommended AGAINST chemo, but I have a 5 year old and a nine year old and with that score..well, I felt I had to do everything I could to keep it from coming back. If I didn't have the chemo and it came back, I KNOW it would just haunt me forever.
Colorado Springs is beautiful, we are really lucky to live here. We've had a nice winter so far, not too much snow and not too cold.
When is your next treatment? Yeah! The final one!! I can't wait to say that!
Good luck! I hope all goes well!
Liz
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Liz, yes my Onc suggested chemo, since my score was high mid range. I am like you I didn't want to look back in 5 years and say "Darn, I wish I had done chemo and now I have to do it for sure, plus much more". I am 60, but if I had small children, I would do everything possible to give me the best chance to see them grow up. Last December I had a spot that they wanted to watch, so I had to go have another mammo in July. Luckily the spot from last December was gone, but there was a new spot. I couldn't believe that BC could grow that fast, but it did. I am just thankful, that I didn't have to wait until this December to have another mammo. I think of chemo like insurance, maybe I didn't need it, but I did it and I am glad. Best of luck to you on this journey.
The chemo is very doable. I have done very well with very few SEs, but the fatigue is getting to me now. Normally I have been having two good weeks between treatments, but not so this time. But it is still manageable and I am glad that I made the decision to do chemo.
Juannelle
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Hi Juannelle - have you had your final tx yet? I hope your fatigue lightens up!
I'm surprised at how good I've felt this week. I have tried to walk on the treadmill every day since my first treatment....I just go for less time and at a slower pace than pre-chemo. I'm not sure if it's helping at all with fatigue but it seems to help ease some of the stress of this whole cancer thing.
Liz, we're on basically the same schedule so I hope you feel great for the holidays. We're celebrating New Year's Eve on Dec. 28th (my second tx is on Dec. 29th) and I might not be up to doing much on Dec. 31st. We figured it'll be easy to get a dinner reservation on the 28th. Plus, I'll be hungry on the steriods and might actually make it until midnight this year! Our 10-year-old is looking forward to our "secret" New Years Eve night out.
Sherri
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Did anybody else find that the fourth treatment really knocked them out? I ended up in the dr's office a week later for more fluids and meds because of the exhaustion, aches, nosebleeds, blech.
Are the 5th and 6th worse? Or is this a plateau? Please tell me it's a plateau....
E
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Sherri, I will have my last tx on 12/24, my Christmas present to me. My Onc said to get some exercise, but I just haven't felt like it. I did walk the mall one day and that seemed to make me feel better, but the next day I was wiped out.
enjoyful, the 3rd tx has been my bad one. I am still fatigued and my next tx is next week. So I am going to go into it fatigued. I am so glad it is my last tx, maybe there will be light at the end of the tunnel. I will now probably start rads fatigued and then it will only get worse. But it is almost over.
Juannelle
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