Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Hi Ladies....I haven't been online for a week or so but wanted to catch up. Hang in the MAGOB. Worrying won't change anything and will only wear you out. Try to distract yourself either with meditation ! or activity. My prayers go out for you and all you ladies going through these tough times. I have been blessed with very few side effects myself. I am one week out from the 2nd of 4 TC rounds. I just need to try to drink more water and exercise more and I think I will be ok. Sugar77 I am also interested in finding out about menopause. I am 47 and had one period after the first chemo but that one lasted 2 weeks! The nurse said that this isn't unusual to have continued bleeding while on chemo. I am wondering about taking Tamoxifen or the other one starting with an A? after chemo is finished because these drugs are specifically for postmenopausal women. Do the chemo drugs automatically put you into menopause or is it otherwise chemically induced? I haven't considered having my ovaries removed but haven't talked with my doctor about this issue. I may not be a great candidate for the Tamoxifen because I have hypertension, a genetic blood clotting disorder and an enlarged heart with mitral valve prolapse. I know the clotting complications can be dealt with but still...... . Take care Ladies and have as good a weekend as you can. Renee0
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Boxplayer - I'm not a candidate either because mine is hormone negative. It wouldn't help me in any way.
Sherri
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I am 3 days out of my 1st treatment of t/c. I have had this lingering headache that just won't quit. Been taking tylenol without much relief. Have some mild nausea which has been controlled with zofran. Is this headche ever going to go away??? It's making me miserable
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Mary - sending you my thoughts and prayers. hang in as best you can.
Lottie
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alkum -
Lots of water and do you have any ativan or valium? Either would help but lots of fluids and rest. Take care.
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alkum - moderate/mild exercise with fresh air too
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Hi Sugar - Here's my info on chemopause with 4 rounds of T/C. I had periods every 2 weeks during chemo until after my 3rd tx. At some point between my 3rd and 4th tx, I went into chemopause. I had my last tx in mid-September and later in the month, I think I was having hot flashes. It was still warm out, so at first I thought I was just warm. In hindsight, I'm pretty sure they were hot flashes. But they didn't last long. I think my hormones were starting to come back slowly so the hot flashes stopped. I had a period again in December - about 3 months after my last tx. I started tamox a week later and I've had another period this month - so it looks like the hormones are still going - for now. I don't know what the tamox is going to do. I'm 43 1/2 - so not that much younger than you.
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ALKUM22 - to me, it seemed like the nausea meds caused the headaches. Hope you feel better soon.
To all - thanks for your TLC. Happy to report that xanax is making the wait a little easier. Slept the whole night through, and it really helped. XO, Mary
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Anybody have problems with weight gain while on TC? I've gained about 10 pounds and I swear a lot of it is fluid and not just the Cheetos I've been eating. I can feel it and see it in my ankles, feet, hands, legs, and abdomen. For those who have finished treatment - was it easy to lose the weight afterward?
I know I should worry about more important things, but DAMN.
E
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Enjoyful - sounds like roids, sister. I gained weight, too. Lots of us do. You may be surprised to find that all of a sudden, a few weeks after chemo, the pounds will just start dropping - regardless of what you eat. Perhaps it's water? Don't know, but lots of us do have this during chemo and are relieved when it goes away. Hang in there, friend. Better days ahead.
Let me be clear - STERIODS can cause the gain, NOT hemerrhoids! Wow, you know we're getting down to the real-life issues when we're talking about this kind of stuff!
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I find that I am eating to get rid of that awful taste in my mouth. Fortunately, I don't have any nausea after my first treatment, but the metallic taste and heartburn are the most annoying side effects.This will be responsible for additional weight gain as I am a comfort eater who consoles herself with food. I have been taking the advice of at least walking every day, but not enough exercise I fear.
Barbara
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Hemorrhoids...LOL.. Well, I don't know about that MAGOB. I'm sure I've gained a few pounds there as well! I know there has to be water retention involved because my ankles and legs literally swell overnight.
Barbara - I find my mouth feels dry and just plain weird, which makes me want to eat more so I don't notice at much. That can't be helping my scale issues.
Ugh...one more treatment.
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enjoyful, I also gained weight while on TC. I don't know how to get rid of it, but I was told not to lose weight while doing rads, so I will not try until after March. My ankles and feet swell and I take Lasicks on weekends. I know I eat too much salt, but that is what tastes good to me now. I am hoping this is not a SE that lasts for years.
Barbara, I am three weeks post last tx and the bad taste is finally gone. I am over eating, but everything taste good. I drank my first cup of coffee, since starting tx, yesterday and it tasted so good. So I know I am finally getting my taste back. That might be a big problem.
Enjoy the weekend, watch a football game or just rest.
Juannelle
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I had been having periods every 2-3 weeks before I started chemo. I'd also been spotting a lot in between. I started a period the day of my first chemo and then again the day after my second chemo. I haven't had one since. My 4th and final chemo was December 2nd, and still nothing. My oncologist told me it could be temporary or permanent. Only time will tell. If I never have another period I won't be sad! But for now 3 months is awesome! I'm 47 so I guess it could go either way.
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I'll chime in on "chemopause" --- I'm 51 and just finished 6 rounds of TC. My periods had been very irregular prior to starting chemo on 9/23. I think I had one period between my mastectomy and the start of chemo and since then nothing. My gynecologist told me that chemo would stop my periods completely and that's what has happened.The trade off is more menopausal symptons though -- the hot flashes make me grateful don't have the long, thick head of hair I used to have -- it's easier to cool off at least. I'm also pretty cranky ... I don't have the patience I used to have.
My oncologist doesn't put his patients on any other kind of hormone blocker but tamoxifen unless they've been without a period for 2 years or so. I'm not looking forward to my next appointment with my oncologist since we will be "talking about hormones," which to me means I'll be walking out w/ a script for tamoxifen. I'd really like to have a drug-free couple of months before starting hormone blockers. Still, I just read today that tamoxifen reduces one's chance of a recurrance by 47% ... What I need to ask my oncologist is, now, after chemo, what are my chances for recurrance? If they're 20% and tamoxifen would reduce that by almost half -- that's something. But what if the chances are less than 10% ... considering the side effects of tamoxifen, some women would take that gamble.
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Barbara: So that's why I have developed a fondness for potato chips!!!
Juannelle: I became sad as I developed an aversion for coffee. I used to enjoy the taste and smell, plus it would jump start my day, of course. Now I am happy to hear that your taste buds do improve after chemo.
I have my 5th TC scheduled for tomorrow. I have been uncharacteristically fatigued these past days. I hope the blood count is good.
Take care, girls.
Brenda
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Chyndollsmom and Lottie - Thanks for the info on "chemopause"...it's most helpful.
Brenda - looks like we're on the same schedule...I go tomorrow for tx #3 of 4. I'm also hoping my blood count is good. My onc doesn't check in between cyles, I think because it's assumed the Neulasta shot will keep them in check. I have so much energy now from the steroids...I sure wore out my puppy chasing him and him chasing me. Normally I sit on the sofa when he has his crazy time ripping around the house and my 10-year-old plays with him. Well tonight, it was me and boy did I have a lot of energy (I will pay somehow later I'm sure!!).
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Jan 17,2010
Brenda,i had a cat scan of the chest on the 7th of this month,all good there.Then this past thursday i saw the onc,who scheduled me for a doppler on my arm that day to see if i have a blood clot,and that's what's giving me all the pain,tingling and numbness and he also said my arm was a little warm to the touch.All was ok there as well,then on friday i had to go for a mri of the cervical spine,to see if it's pinched nerves or not,probably won't hear back from that til tomorrow or tuesday.Thank God for good news!!
Leta
My oncologist wanted me to have the T&C&A,but when they did the muga scan of my heart,which they do before giving you the "A" as it can cause heart damage,it showed my left ventrical was running a little slow,so he dropped the "A".
Mary,As my mom used to say"don't borrow trouble,as it will find you soon enough".Hope things go well for you and it's nothing to worry about,i know,easier said than done!!
I don't know how any of you could work during chemo,i spent most of my time in the bathroom,and none of those meds they gave me for diahrrea worked.I could barely put one foot in front of the other.Sure made me glad i was already retired!!Didn't have much nausea though,thank goodness.Good luck to all of you still going thru treatments and those who have completed them.Hope you all have a good week.
Kathi
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Brenda - The fatigue is a cumulative thing during chemo. I'm still running out of gas earlier than I think I should over a month from my 4th TC. Of course I'm doing radiation now too, but I think the chemo that's still in my system is complicating things. Take care of yourself. Hope your treatment goes well and you make it through the next week with no major side effects.
Sugar77 - Can you sleep when you're on the steroids? Since I had to take the steroid the day before chemo, I was never able to sleep that night. After chemo I could sleep because I think the chemo took out of me what the steroid put in. But at least my house was always clean before my treatments!
Kathi - I was lucky. Immodium would keep my diarrhea in check. But I had to take it carefully because I'd have diarrhea at first and then swing the other way.
I'm with Kathi, folks. Prayers for all of you still undergoing TC treatments. I'm finding the radiation much easier. I'm about half way through now and just now getting pink. I'm hoping my aloe will keep me from burning badly. Not wearing a bra is uncomfortable for me, and I have to chose clothing carefully because I need something that won't rub and irritate.
God bless you all! Anne
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The headaches can be caused by the zofran, I switched to emend and it made a difference!
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Hi everyone! Quick question about the effects of taxotere on the nails. I know there are previous conversations about it but I am too tired to search. I was just wondering why they soak your toes and hands in ice? What does this prevent? And lastly, if nothing has happened to my nails so far (after 2 treatments of TC), then will it? Has anyone else had a delayed reaction? Thank you ladies for your answers! You are great and strong and I love this board.
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Hi All - Thought I'd report in on more side effect weirdness. Seems like I'm done with chemo but chemo isn't done with me. I was so happy that I didn't seem to get as much of the skin rashes from taxotere after my final treatment. I've been comfortable enough to go without taking steroids, for which I was relieved and grateful. Then, a few days ago I noticed my feet and ankles were swelling up a little. This morning they were huge! Also my hands, arms, pretty much everything. So, off to the oncologist I go where I discover I've gained 10 pounds since Jan. 6th. Apparently, taxotere can also cause severe fluid retention and the steroids I'd been taking for the rashes were also treating the fluid retention. Since I skipped the steroids this time, I've blown up like a giant water balloon! So, back on the steroids (damn, damn, damn). I'm waiting for results of blood work to check my kidney function. If that's ok, I'll start a diaretic tonight to get rid of the fluid.
I saw a covering oncologist since today is a holiday ... she was very kind and said that after 6 rounds of TC it's no surprise that I'm as tired as I am, and that while lots of women go through TC few bad side effects, it seems that I've gotten almost all of them and that she was sorry. I took alot of comfort in that ... the doctor and nurse practioner I usually see have not especially sympathetic. Not that I'm looking for sympathy from them, but, it was nice to have a medical professional acknowledge that I've had an especially rough time.
Now, what I want to know is, when will all of the crap be over?
Hope everyone is doing well today! Best wishes to everyone.
Lottie
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Re: headaches. I've been through 4 cycles of Taxotere/Cytoxan so far, and I found that Zofran gave me a headache and Compazine did not. So, my onc said to stick with Compazine and avoid the Zofran unless I had "break-through" nausea. (I haven't tried Emend, mainly because my insurance company charges sooo much for brand name drugs and there is no generic yet for Emend.)
Re: chemopause. I'm 52 and I'm quite sure I will resume menstruation when I finish chemo. During my first two rounds of chemo, I had my period each time, but my period appeared only after the toxins had been flushed out a bit. My body just waited until the "coast was clear." Now that I've finished infusion #4, my period seems to be in a dormant stage and is not coming. But I know it's just waiting until I finish my chemo. The bad part is that now I have menstrual cramps that are worse than when I was menstruating regularly.
The most annoying thing for me: My first -- and former -- oncologist told me with absolute certainty that once I started chemo, I would never menstruate ever again. I thought, "How can she be so sure? Why doesn't she just give me the statistics and then look at me as an individual?" As time went on, I found that my onc usually looked at me as coming from the same cookie cutter as everyone else. Also, she did NOT like it when I asked questions, and I could see that she wanted to be in complete control. So, just before I was scheduled to start chemo, I walked away from her office forever and went shopping for another doctor. -Mary
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Today , is two weeks since my first treatment of TC. I thought , I would get at least another week , with my hair. But it is leaving me! I told my son, "if i met someone that didn't know, I was taking chemo, I should tell them , I just feel like pulling my hair out. " and then do it. Could you just see the look on their face. Made us laugh.
I also thought , I would leave you a tip. My hubby had brain cancer, and developed, thrush. We would put his toothbrush in a cup of "Peroxide". I am doing the same, to keep germs down.
Prayers for all
patsy
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Hey Dianne, I just began my first chemo treatment ever on Thursday. I am on TC, IV. Very honestly, I have been sick as a dog since the chemo. Every day seemed to get worse. I am doing what I am told to do, but I have not been able to function for two days (dry heaves and profound mental confusion). I finally went to the ER today. Spent all day getting IV fluids and anti-nausea, plus I am running a fever of 100.7. The ER docs tell me this is par for the course for TC-had to rely on them because my onc has not gotten back to me (like since friday). I am looking at rethinking a few things because I simply cannot be this ill (don't mean to sound flippant) but meeting with UNC Cancer Center this week to get more info on all of this. I simply took my oncs word for all of this (duh?!) Blessings, MJ
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Brenda and Sherri, I hope your treatments go well and the SEs are managable. I have a taste for salty things now also. Food is beginning to taste so good, I hope I can slow down. I was off of sugar during chemo, but now I am developing a taste for sweets again. That may not be so good.
anne, I start rads on Wednesday and I am hoping they are easier than chemo. Are you more fatigued now since starting radiation? My Rad Onc said the fatigue should start about the 3rd week and I may not be able to work, because sleep doesn't seem to get you through it. It wont be long until I know for sure.
kati, I hope you get only good reports from all the tests you are having done.
lottie, I finished chemo on 12/24 and I am still retaining fluid. I take the diuretics only on weekends, but I gained 10 lbs in a week. I am slowly losing it, but it will take awhile. It is mostly my feet and legs that swell. Good luck to you.
Good luck to everyone that is having a tx this week. It will all be over soon. there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Juannelle
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MJ, there is no reason why you should be getting sick like that. Your onco should have given you meds for the nausea and should have someone on call 24/7 for things just like what you were going through. I hope the cancer center can give you some more information, but you also need to hold your onco's feet to the fire about why no one was available to help you over the weekend and why they didn't work to minimize your SEs. You do not have to be this ill on TC.
Re: chemopause: I'm in the throes of chemopause. My last period was after my first tx in October and my onco says it will definitely come back in 4-6 months since I'm only 42. I have to say that I don't miss it.
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I think the ice thing for the nails is supposed to prevent you from losing them.I didn't do the ice thing,nor did i lose my nails,they got as ugly as sin though,grey and pink stripes,but i didn't paint them as i wanted to keep a check on them.They grew like crazy and were soooo strong that i actually used them as a screw driver one day.Now it's a different story,they have their color back,but they break so easily now and my thumbnails start breaking way back,down my thumb,so i have to keep super glue on them,because if i let them continue to break back that far they will hurt like he**.Now my toenails feel like they are growing back towards my feet instead of out and they are still an ugly greenish/blackish color.Both hands and feet still hurt as well.Doc said it's from the Femara.at least part of it,the rest he's still trying to figure out.
kathi
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Hi ladies,
It's been a long time since I've been on this thread, since I finished my chemo in August. But I thought I'd visit and see how everyone is doing.
Aimee, it was my experience that side effects can be delayed. My eyelashes didn't fall out until more than a month after I finished! Thankfully, I never did lose my eyebrows.
When I did develop problems with my nails 2 months after finishing, I thought it was another delayed SE, but it probably is due to Herceptin which will continue for me through April. I also had the ice treatment to my fingers--can't remember why they do that. Oh, it may be to keep them from turning black.MJ, I'm so sorry you've felt so sick. Did the anti-nausea given in ER help? I know that for me tx#3 was the worst because I had to switch countries and they do things differently in Canada than in Malaysia. So it was like starting again, except with the accumulative effect of the chemo, it was really bad and I felt so sick--could hardly function at all, sat on the sofa all day and thought that just being upright was an accomplishment! So for the next tx I took different anti-nausea which helped a lot and I didn't feel nearly as bad for tx#4 as I had for #3. So perhaps a change in medication will work for you and the next one won't be so bad for you. Also, I had an experience with tx#1 that, thankfully did not recurr any other time. At day 9 I 'hit a wall'. I'd heard that expression, but now I know what it means. I started getting real tired in the morning, and by lunch I couldn't do anything but go to bed. And then I slept ALL afternoon, and when I did half come to, I didn't even have the energy to lift my head off the pillow. It was awful!! But bit by bit my energy returned and I felt much better the next day. So, I don't know what hit me that first time, but I'm so thankful I didn't have anything near as severe for any of my other treatments, thank the Lord! I'll be praying your next tx won't be so bad. In general my first week was a write-off, second week was recovery and third week reasonable, until the next tx!
Blessings to all you in the midst of this, Lois
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Hi everyone, I start my chemo (TCx6) on Jan 22. Port gets placed tomorrow. Reading all of your experiences has lessened my stress about what I may experience. The not knowing has had me on edge, and this forum is going to help me get through it. Thanks to everyone for sharing!
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