Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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lottie and bobcat thank you for your advice. I did take the required doses.
Did anyone have any headaches or body aches (maybe this is from the neulasta)? How long did it last? Did you just take tylenol? I am going back to work tomorrow. If you did work outside the home, were you able to work all through treatments?
limegreen, thinking of you.
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I don't know about anybody else, but I am on Taxotere, with Neulasta the day after. My shot was on a Thurs. - by Sunday nite, I felt like I was having electric shock treatment. I was grunting and groaning thru the pain, to the point that by Monday a.m. I was almost hoarse. Called the doc, who prescribed oxycodone. That helped A LOT. Not sure if this is from the Tax or the Neulasta - all I know is, round 2 comes Wed., and I hope this time I'm prepared for it. Has anyone else experienced this shock-like SE?
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Marm - no I didn't have the same side effect. I did get the Neulasta shot the day after infusion and had some achiness but I never figured out if that was from the Taxotere or the shot. Did you try taking Claritin along with the shot? A lot of women say that helps them. I took the day of the shot and for the next four days. On another note, we're looking to have the GTA get together on April 17th around Yorkdale. I will send you a PM about it.
Sherri
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I'm on TC and had Neulasta a week after the first treatment because my doctor and I wanted to be sure I needed its help. He believed that I did and he was right. Before the shot I never had any bone pain. About 36 hours after the shot, I started having some minor and occasional pain in my thighs, pelvis, and lower back. It lasted 2-3 days but was not to the extent that it would change my routine in any way. I didn't take any medication for it either.
For me, the pain definitely comes from the shot, which told me that it was working. (My doc said that as the bone marrow was stimulated to produce more white blood cells, it literally expands - and that was why the pain was there.)
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So far, after one Tx, none of the bad SE's. My neulasta pain was like, but less severe than the menstrual cramps I remember. Hair loss is bugging me.. it itches! I got a crewcut on Day 13, now is day 20, and it's not done falling out. Someone on BC.org recommended duct tape to pull it out - that hurts! I'm currently grooming my head with a masking-tape lint roller! Haven't decided to get a wig yet, lots of hats. My free headwrap hasn't arrived yet, I am eager to see that too. Next chemo on Thursday, I am working like mad to Get Things Done before that. Blessings to all. Kit
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Kit ~so glad the SE's have not been unbearable so far. Maybe you will get lucky and not have bad ones.
I used a lint roller on my head for several days after shaving it because the stubble kept falling out. It was very itchy and then I got red bumps on my head lol... not sure if it was from the lint roller or not. But it went away in a few days.
I have a few wigs I wear when I go out but at home I have a couple of different hats ( one is a sleep cap ). It used to be the first thing i would take off when I come home from a long day was my bra... now it is my wig LOL.
Hope Thursdays chemo goes well for you, Will keep you in prayers. Thursday is my last chemo, I hope it is not a rough one.
Peace and Blessings~
Catori
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Hi KIt - I'm glad to hear you arer doing so well after your first treatment. I just finished my last treatment on the 10th and I can tell you that you will be through with treatments before you know it! Time goes by so fast, its amazing!
I bought two wigs and hardly ever wear them....I wish I would've stuck to hats...it would've been much cheaper! The lint brush really works with getting rid of the stubborn hairs - never tried the duct tape though. OUCH! Sounds pretty painful!
Good luck with your next treatment!
A question for anyone finished with treatments - how do your nails feels? My nails look really good - there is a white line across them, close to the nail bed,and they are still pink BUT they are really sensitive! I've been using the dreaded tea tree oil but wondered if there is anything else to help ease the pain?
Thanks so much and I hope everyone is doing well!
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Mommaof2 - my nails feel fine. Did you put them on ice during each Taxotere infusion? I think that really helps. It's something the nurses had me do. To be honest (I don't want to jinx myself), my nails have never been nicer. They are strong, pink and don't hurt at all. For the past few years, I've done the UV gel nails because I wanted them even and tidy. If my nails were like they are now, I wouldn't have done the fake ones and save myself $$$. My toe nails are good, too. I hope you're feeling well. The yucky taste is finally going from last week's treatment. Yesterday I discovered putting lemon in my water helps with the taste. Too bad I figured that out after my last treatment. You must be so glad to be done, too. Now, we just have to get radiation over with. I wonder if there is a thread for March radiation?
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Sherri, you are SO lucky not to be going through the neuropathy thing. Mine is a thousand times worse! You and I had our last TC's on the same day, remember? Since then, I have fallen 3 times and have bruises on my knees. I blame my numb toes for all those accidents. And they are starting to cramp and hurt as well. Am I having delayed side effects?
I went to get my nails done last week, just manicure and pedicure. The ladies were very careful because they thought I was hurting. My nails look good now, but they feel very, very weird. Typing and playing the piano helps my fingernails. What do you suggest for the toenails?
Take care, ladies.
Brenda
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My ex-onc said he had never seen anything like the reaction that I continue to have (the tip of my nose turned black/red this AM). Thank God another woman I met in a meeting this morn said it happened to her too. But when problems started my ex-onc vanished!! i could not get a hold of him in any way that matters-so switching to another ONC this week. The result is that I am far behind on Chemo treatments (have a wondow to get it done in before RADS) and my ex-onc vanished when he said "i had something he had never seen before" and he did not know what to do with me. He stopped treatments until March 11, to see if my body can recoup. I am told now that SE from TAX could last a year-just great! SV
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Earaches?? Anyone experience earaches or just a weird sensation inside their ears?
Perhaps, I am getting my children's cold, but I have this weird sensation at times that seems to come from my ear?? Strange...
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Brenda - so sorry to hear about your neuropathy. Keep in mind, you did two more treatments than me so that could explain why you have it and I haven't experienced it. For the toenails, I do the same as I do for the fingernails. I rub tea tree oil lubricant every few days and also rub a cuticle cream on every once and a while. I have a nice hand cream that I've also put on my feet. I am not as faithful about doing the toenails, though.
StillVerticle - I wonder if perhaps your ex-onc gave you too high of a dose? Maybe the other lady got too much, too?? It's based on weight and height and my dose increased after the first Tx because I gained weight (I swear it's fluid retention and not all the Kraft Dinner I've eaten to settle my stomach).
Sherri
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Sherri - Yes, I kept my fingernails on ice during my Taxotere treatment, except for my last one t(the benedryl drip knocked my socks off and I slept during most of the infusion). My toenails are fine and I never put any ice on them, I just couldn't bear that when it was so cold outside. I think my nails are just really thin right now...I'm going to have to have my DH run out for a bottle of nail strengthener and give that a try. My ONC recommended a particular brand, can't think of the name right now.
I haven't seen a thread for March rads - perhaps YOU would like to be our fearless leader and start one?
I'm also so relieved to be through with treatments, although I have been in a funk the last few days thinking of radiation starting up. It just seems so daunting to have to go EVERY single day for a treatment. I just hope I will be able to get an appt. time that will work for driving my kids to/from school and allow me to get started working out at the gym again. My little boy is still in half day pre-school, so it doesn't give me a lot of flexibility. When do you go in for your simulation? I still have a few weeks before I go in for mine. Glad your taste is coming back, mine didn't seem to be as affected this time around. YEAH! I can't wait to go out for a really, really nice dinner!StillVerticle - Boy, so sorry to hear that you have had such a terrible time with SE's. I sure hope your new ONC gets it all figured out. Take care of yourself!
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Mommaof2 - okay, I just set up a thread called MARCH 2010 Rads Group. It's listed in the radiation section. Let me know if you need the link.
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I just wanted to jump in to say that today is my last round of chemo!!!! I don't look forward to more side effects from this one but know I am almost finished and on the mend. I am thinking of all you ladies with more stuff to go through. I still have at least 2 more surgeries after this but I don't worry about them. Hugs to all.....Yeah! I am almost done!!!
Renee
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SUGAR 77 - I am having Taxotere tx#2 today, Neulasta tomorrow - I did pick up the Claritin, and if I'm correct, should take it about an hour before the shot, and once a day for a few days after. So, this time I'm prepared, and we'll see if it helps. (Also, got pain meds from doc - told him if I wanted electric shock tx's, I was on the wrong floor of the hospital!! LOL)
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Marn - yes, I took Claritin a hour before the shot and for the next four days after (five days on Claritin). I also took one extra strength Tylenol shortly after the short and a few times a day thereafter to stay ahead of any pain. It seemed to work well. There was always one day where I needed to take 2 Tylenol at any given time, but for the most past, one did the trick.
Good luck!
Sherri
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Boxplayer - Hurray for you! Good luck with your treatment today! My last treatment was by far my easiest and I have had very few SE's this time around. I hope you also have few SE's, Let us know how your day went.
Sherri - thanks so much for starting the March rads thread. I will go look for it, although I don't have very much information to add yet.
Hope everyone has a good day today!
Liz
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My cocktail will be taxotere and cytoxan. I hate to hear that some women have gotten such horrible side effects with taxotere, and you are in my thoughts.
Neuropathy can involve muscle weakness in arms and legs, as well as the pins-and-needles pain, burning sensations and the sudden "electric shock" feelings.
I had perpheral neuropathy in my feet and lower legs years ago when I had a bad problem with two of my lower vertabrae. They were fractured and the disc material was encroaching in the spinal chord, causing nerve damage throughout my legs.
They can give you neurontin while the neuropathy is acting up, but it's my understanding that with chemo, the neuropathy is temporary. Even with mine caused by my back problems, it has improved over the years and is not as harsh.
And yes, it very often gets worse at night when you are in bed. There were times when I could not stand to have any blankets or sheets touching my feet because the surface contact pain (like pressing needles into my skin) was almost unbearable.
If you are having neuropathy symptoms, have your bloodwork checked for anemia as well. Sometimes anemia can cause neuropathy.
The B complex vitamins help, especially B12 (cobalamin), which you can sometimes get by injection. The problem with B12 is that our body doesn't readily absorb it by mouth.
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Congratulations Renee!!! So happy you have finished with the chemo!
I finish mine tomorrow and just like you will have a couple of more surgeries before I will be done. One more step closer to the finish line YAYYYYYYYYY!!! After reading what others were saying about the claritin helping with side effects I went and got some today and hopefully it will work.
Ezscriibe..I will mention to my Onc tomorrow about the nueropathy effecting the arm and leg muscles, last time when I mentioned my pain with it he suggested maybe I am pampering myself too much ( that was after I told him my last chemo put me out of commission for 5 days).
Maybe he will be a bit more understanding this time...oh well if not at least it is my last tx.
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No, catori, neuropathy does very much affect muscle strength/weakness, which, in turn, can also affect balance, too.
I know that for me, I even had a "dropped foot" for a while. In other words, as I walked, my foot would not raise up all after the "push off" and when I pulled my leg forward, I would have to be careful that I didn't trip on my own foot. But that only affected the right foot.
The muscle strength will return, but it is annoying at the very least until it does.
Here is a link to the neuropathy website. They have a "bulletin board" there, as well, but I haven't posted on it in probably 5 or 6 years since my neuropathy had improved greatly. My guess is that it will return as a side effect of the chemo, but, oh well, at least I know what it is and how to handle it. Sometimes it's simply a matter of mind control. During the day, I can keep occupied enough where it's not so noticeable. But at night, when in bed, it gets a little harder to handle. That's usually when I went ahead and took the neurontin. It DOES help.
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Catori and Renee and anyone else I am neglecting: Congratulations on finally reaching the end of this most difficult part of the bc journey! My ONC said once you've had TC you can take anything!
Neuropathy affecting balance makes so much sense. I fell 3 times and hurt both knees on 3 different occasions. All 3 accidents happened within a week after last infusion. Be careful, ladies. Learn from my experience.
Take care,
Brenda
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Thank you Brenda !!
Sugar how is it going with the twitching of the eyes and tearing? Has it gotten any better now that you are done with chemo? Mine is driving me up a wall, and it feels like it is very noticable to others ( probably not but FEELS like it is )
Ezscriibe the losing balance makes so much sense. Just recently I was walking into a store and out of no where completely lost my balance and sort of fell into the door as I was walking in (soooooo embarrassing ) and I had no idea what it was about, I didn't trip over anything and it just came out of no where. My legs and arms are so incredibly weak.
I used to work all day, after work go to the gym and do the treadmill for an hour before doing leg presses, arm curls etc. Now I simply walk from my car through the parking lot to a store and I have to sit down once I get inside and rest my legs and back. Then I need a shopping cart to lean on as I walk about and I can not stay long because then I have to make the trek back to the car and I am completely wiped out from it. This is soooooo Not normal for me. I hope if it is nueropathy that it will go away once chemo is over. I hope I regain my normal strength soon because I can no thandle this , I feel like I am 90 years old. It is much worse at night and once in bed it hurts too much to try to roll over to get comfortable. What a journey this has been.
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Catori - yes, I still have the twitching but it seems to be easing off a bit. I've been taking extra calcium/magnesium and got a lot of sleep over the past weekend. If you can, try to go on the treadmill no matter how tired you feel...maybe just waking fast for 15 or 20 minutes. I've made an effort to go on 5 days a week no matter how tired I am and I know it's helped with my fatigue. It's somthing to consider.
Take care all!
Sherri
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Sherri so glad it is easing up, that is encouraging.
I am going to make an extra effort after my chemo tomorrow to get on the treadmill. I got some claritin so maybe the SE's will not be so bad this time. I am hoping anyways. Even if I do a few minutes here and there throughout the day it should help regain strength.
Have you regained taste yet? I can not wait to be able to taste food again LOL. Seems like it has been forever.
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Ezscriibe- & Catori You totally described EVERYTHING in detail (nueropathy) in regards to what I have experienced in my first 2 Taxol treatments (SEs). WOW, thought that I was the only one going through the electric shocks, having to lean on to a shopping cart in a store, tripping over my own feet, and the worst in when you have battled the nueropathy ALL day and you get snuggled in bed and BAM it gets WORSE!!!! My onc even scaled my 2nd dosage back by 10% to off set some of my initial SE's (the nueropathy) just being one. I also have it on my lips and tongue (tingling & numbing). I was told that is a rarer form of nueropathy. I just hope and pray that this will go away after the treatments are done. I have 2 left to go!
Thanks for posting the nueropathy link!
Frankie
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No problem.
Don't be afraid to ask for neurontin. It does work, especially for those nights when the feet and legs are in hyper mode!
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Anyone having surgery to remove their ovaries? If so, how long after chemo/rad will you have it done? There is a part of me who wants to plow through it all, but after 2 treatments, I can see my fatigue building. Anyone done it? Any advice? Thanks.
Barbara
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Hi Ladies,
I went in this morning for my last chemo session and my ONC told me he did not feel comfortable allowing me to continue with the last treatment. He said he believes I have suffered bad nerve damage from it and to continue with the last one could cause long term damage. He has refered me to a Neurologist that I will see March1st. He told me to begin taking vitamins B100 immediately until I see this other Dr.
Soooo... I guess I am finished with chemo either way... I asked him how this will effect my survival rate or chances of it coming back and he said there are no tests to say if 3 tx vs 4 tx is better. I just hope I didn't do all this chemo for nothing.
I guess it is all a wait and see and hope for the best game now.
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Hi. Had Taxotere and Cytoxin a little over a year ago.....4 treatments 3 weeks apart...Also had herception along with it.....Radiation followed.....Since then my vision has changed alot...I now have to wear glasses daily for the first time in my life...I become more farsighted...My tear ducts developed into dry eyes so drops are necessary....But the worst part of it is that there are actual visual distortions on the tv and nothing really looks like it used to....Just horrible and am trying to find out if taxotere has caused this.....My life has completely changed as I hide from the world due to the distortions....This all seems so bizzare....I spoke with Aventis, the manufacturer of Taxotere and they really had no long term visual disturbances reported...Am I the only one on the planet that was lucky enough to get this???? Am trying to find out what is really going on but the doctors don't gave me any specific answers since they probably don't know themselves. Has anyone else experienced anything like this??? Would really want to hear from anyone that has gone through something similar.....thanks.
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