Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Thanks Psalm121!
and thankfully, I love dill pickles!
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Hi all, i finished four rounds of TC mid november and it was tolerable. number 3 was hardest physically and number 4 was hardest emotionally. the B vitamins and alpha lipoic acid helped prvent long term neuropathy. the issues i had during chemo were fatigue, and really dry eyes and moodiness. the eye issues and fatigue cleared up once i was done with chemo. i would take about 4 days off for each treatment. i did shave the hair after second chemo and it is now wearable out. didnt lose the brows. lost the eyelashes but they grew back about 4 days after i lost them. i was really against chemo at first. now im glad i did it. in fact if there were a maintenance chemo that i could do once a year i would do it. im getting ovaries out in april because family hx and i did not tolerate the tamoxifen too well. i found with the chemo i could not tolerate losing so much estrogen production and was very moody and emotional. the moodiness did not seem to go away and i was told it would get worse with ovaries out so they are giving me a very low dose of estrogen through the patch, .25 mg. my gyno simply told me that no estrogen would be best but that it was getting to be a quality of life issue. the dose ill be getting will be 25 percent of what my ovaries are producing. different people have different tolerances. anyways i hope minimal side effects for all.
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PS i would drink propel electrolyte water through my chemos. i did regular water through the first one but was still dehydrated and getting headaches, someone told me about gatorade but it has a lot of sugar so propel was great.
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I'm planning on drinking Propel.
How much water should I try to drink per day before/during/right after tx? I start in less than 2 days and I'm starting to worry and feel like I remember nothing I've learned here.
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Horsedoc - I drank tons of water. I've always been a water drinker so on a normal day I drink at least 8 glasses so for me it was no problem. I probably drank 10 to 12 glasses easily. I probably drank more than necessary but I was merely increasing my normal amount. Good luck on Friday!
Sherri
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Thanks!!
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Horsedoc - I forgot to mention...I also enjoyed ginger tea while on chemo. It also helps settle your stomach and counts as fluids because there is no caffeine. You might want to try some of it. The day before and for next couple of days I also drank V8 with fibre. It helped with constipation and provided sodium for my electrolytes.
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ok, great; thanks again!!
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I was told 3 liters of water a day, starting with the day before tx. My nurse friend said, "enough that you have to go every 2 hours night and day and it's clear." Forcing that much water has been hard for me, but beneficial.
My SEs are worse my 3rd round, after thinking I'd gotten thru ok. Eye twitching, muscle weakness, and totally wrecked gut. I'm glad I only have one more round of this. I feel for you gals who are going thru the allergic reactions and such. I've had the jaw pain, too, and thought it was from the neulasta. Sore and tender neck the day after the shot.
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Retrievermom- I'm sorry to hear that the 3 round was rough for you... I can't even imagine after my SE of the 2.... Wish you well. It took my 6 days to feel better after round 2... Tomday is better then yesterday.... How many more do you deed to do????
Dogsaver- good for you you are done... I will live through what you say about your SE ... I go to for the 3rd on4/8 last 4/49.... I wish you well and healing...I also need my ovaries out after breast exchange and chemo.Please keep in touch with us..
I wish you well everyone with little or NO SE.
Talk to you later.{{{HUGS}}}}
Donna
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cbraanner: I am 2 TC tx ahead of you, had #4 yesterday of the 6 and the acne only happened after the 1st, thank goodness! My day 4 is when I am the most tired, likely because I am coming off the steroids. The Neulasta shot only troubled me the first time around. I do get hot flashes as many do, my onc said it is our hormones and also from the steroids those first couple of days. I find that my sweats are worse though the days I don't do mild exercises. Perhaps b/c I walk fast enough to get up to a sweat and it helps get stuff out of me? I have had thrush the last 2 times, it lasts 2 days. I just devoloped the eye twitching about a week ago, not too bad comes and goes. No signs of neuropathy and still have eyebrows and lashes and my nails are still strong:) Be well!!0
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Day 10 after treatment #3 (out of 6). Eye twitch subsided a bit. Thumbs still have that purplish base but overall nails remain very strong. No pain, but hot flashes are bad!! Now you sweat, now you don't, oh wait, now you sweat again. Had my last period on time but less volume wise. Not sure if I'm going to get it again.
Have had Neulasta after every treatment. The pain wasn't much to begin with is getting milder every time. This time around it was some sore around the knee area for a day and a half and that was it.
Have had no mouth sores or thrush - guess the Biotene toothpast and mouth wash have helped. Plus the salt water rinse twice a day.
Still having eye brows and lashes and not much thinning there. Since I'm having 6 treatments in total I'm only half way done - hoping that they will hold on for a little longer. Stubble growing and falling all at once, and there are some areas with no growth at all. I had really bad zits on my scalp around the time of my second treatment, but now things have cleared up.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
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Well, yesterday I finished my TC! Today was my last Nelulasta! I was expecting this to be the worst, but so far things are going ok. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because the eye watering and twitching last time drove me nuts! After 1 & 3 my face broke out....So i'm hoping this will be like #2 and my skin will be great.
I ALWAYS get diaahrea and heartburn, so i'm expecting that.
I'm even getting a excited that I could start growing hair!
Deb
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Had my first treatment today and it went well. I drank about 3 qts. of water yesterday, and another quart of electrolyte fluids. I had to pee almost every hour! My treatment went very well, but the IV stick wasn't so great. (it makes me nervous which makes it worse!)
So it sounds like I can expect to feel ok for a few days, until I come off the steroids. I also get a Neulasta shot tomorrow afternoon but will be taking Claritin in the morning so hopefully that will help with those SE.
The steroids DID give me horrible heartburn by yesterday afternoon but I started up the Prilosec again (I've been on it before) last night and it's helping.
I feel terribly bloated though, does that happen to anyone else?
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Horsedoc - yes, I felt very bloated on the day of treatment. Just keep up with the fluids. I figured since I wasn't going to be able to sleep while on the steroids, I might as well be up peeing every couple of hours through the night flushing the stuff out of my system. Sounds like you're on the right track. I'm sending you good vibes for minimal (...or no!) side effects.
Sherri
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thanks Sherri, glad that's a "normal" feeling. Luckily I'm staying at my aunt and uncle's tonight and they have a big tv and LOTS of movies so I can stay entertained if I'm up all night!
Congrats Deb on finishing up today! Hope your hair starts growing back soon!
Teresa
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CONGRATS ON FINISHING DEB!!!
Wanda
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Teresa: The steroids keep you from swelling, especially around the ankles. Take your steroids religiously.
Deb: Good for you!! You are all done with the hard stuff!
It's been 7 weeks since my last infusion. I don't see any new hair growth yet. The good news is I am starting to feel less muscle pain! My face no longer tingles, and my toes and fingers are not as numb as they used to be!!
Brenda
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Brenda, I am glad things are getting better for you. I am really feeling good these days. I do get tired, but I have been working some long hours at work, trying to catch up. I stopped wearing my head coverings, my hair is short, but it is hair and I am so proud.
Congrats Deb for finishing. There is life after this.
horsedoc, sounds normal to me. Keep hydrated and eat your fiber you will feel better.
Hugs to all.
Juannelle
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thanks guys! I'm doing a little better today; still felt bloated off and on but not quite as bad as the days before. I'm looking forward to tomorrow; another warm sunny day, and I'm sure I'll be feeling a lot better! (And I'm going to try to ride my horse in the evening!)
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Brenda - I have a lot of bald patches on top and it's not growing fast enough for me. I hope it fills in eventually. How's the Latisse working?
Juanelle -so glad to hear you're feeling good these days! I'm going through rads. Today I finished 8 of 21.
horsedoc - riding will make you feel better and help with fatigue. Animals have a way of keeping us in the now. Brandie, my bichon poodle has been my little buddy since I've been home on leave from work. He's the best little companion during the day and I get lots of kisses (...when I have treats for him!). I'm glad to hear you're doing better today.
Sherri
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I had my next to the last chemo treatment today. So far, so good. Last time I was sick the same day. As of now, I'm doing okay but preparing for a not-so-good weekend.
They took my Taxotere down a notch today since my blood counts dropped so significantly last time. Also, they put me on a much slower drip. Hoping this means positive stuff for me this round!
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I saw a lymphedema therapist today. I was diagnosed with a mild case, and I was told that I was "lucky" because a lot can be done for my case. I was praised for seeking help early, because visually, you won't see any swelling. After I disrobed and followed PT's directions, I was told that I indeed had lymphedema and needed PT so it does not get worse. So I have 10 appointments already scheduled for physical therapy.
Sherri V., do you get Neulasta or Neupogen shots? They are supposed to help with the white blood count. You have one more after the last chemo! Good for you!
Sherri: How are you feeling these days? You have been so lucky with the TC side effects. I'm hoping that you are as lucky with rads.
Juanelle: Short hair is good! You must be so glad to be rid of the hair coverings!
faithful: The zits on the scalp may be follicle-itis. I had it after my second round of TC! My doctor recommended sensitive Dove soap and it worked wonders!
Everyone else, keep doing what works!
Brenda
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sherri, rads will be over before you know it and then you can go on with healing and get on with your "New Normal".
Sherri_V, I am hoping that you have mild SEs this time. Yea for only one more tx, you are almost there.
Brenda, sorry to hear you have a mild case of lymphedema. Hopefully it will not get any worse. I am so afraid of getting it, I try to be so careful. I am enjoying my short do. It is so easy to take care of.
horsedoc, I always loved to ride horses. I never got to ride as much as I wanted, but loved it when I did get the opportunity. Enjoy your ride.
Have a great weekend everyone and hunt some eggs.
Juannelle
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so i said hello to a few things today. my blowdryer, hairgel, and ironically my period. i hadnt seen most of those items since chemo started in sept 2009. this period has been furious with the cramps and bleeding and breasts are swollen so made everything hurt again. but im getting the ovaries out april 16th (family history of ovarian cancer and breast cancer oh the joy) so im enjoying and cursing this last period. the hair is now officially wearable in public. so glad but i will miss the easiness of wigs. hopefully you all had a decent easter and minimal side effects.
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Thanks to all of you for being so generous with your advice. I started 4 rounds of T/C on April 1. I know that I would not have been nearly as prepared as I was without the help that all of you have provided. May God bless each and every one of you for your kind and sharing spirits.
I did decadron the day before. Decadron and Compazine Days 1 and 2 post Tx. Have Zofran but haven't needed it yet.
TX1 went slowly. I tend to believe that is a good thing. My cancer center does not routinely infuse Benadryl but the nurses I met on my tour sure do recommend it so I checked with my OC and he said it was OK to premedicate with 25-50 mg and I did 25 mg. I think I will continue to premedicate with the Benadryl in the hope of preventing a Tax reax. Especially as they go faster with the next TXs.
Lots of fluids is good advice. My nurse was able to get me with the first stick. She also used a heating pad on my arm and hand to plump up the veins before she even tried. IV was placed in my hand with no problem (and I'm a HUGE wimp about needles). I love this nurse.
Decadron in the IV premeds. Aloxi in an IV push. Push took about 10 minutes so that it wouldn't hurt. I really love this nurse. Cytoxan @ 125ml/hr (I think) and then Tax starting at 100ml/hr and ending up at freeway speed at 250ml/hr. No reax this time. Pray for the same to follow.
Neulasta shot day after TX1. Although it is kept refrigerated, when I arrived for my shot it was already warmed up to room temp for me so that it would not hurt. I love this nurse too. Note: if your Neulasta is cold you can hold it in your hand for about 10 minutes to warm it up. Thanks to all who suggested Claritin 24. I took one an hour before my shot and had no bone pain. Have and will continue to take Claritin til day 5 post TX.
Sucked on ice chips during TX. Tongue is a little tender but food still tastes ok and no mouth sores yet. Also use 1tsp of baking soda + 1tsp salt in 500ml water as a rinse/gargle and have Biotene Wash. And running the tooth brush under hot water before brushing softens the bristles. I also routinely use hydrogen peroxide as a dental rinse.
I am taking probiotics for my digestion. So far no problem there. I dump a tsp of L-Glutamine into my morning juice to fend off neuropathy. I also take 100mg of B-6 and 200 mg of alpha lipoic acid for the same reason. I sure hope it works. I started on milk thistle for my liver but my OC said "absolutely not" and showed me a bunch of studies that convinced me that milk thistle is not for me especially as my tumor was er+.
I am using Nailtiques to hopefully keep my nails. I also iced my fingernails during TX. My OC also recommends ice for the fingernails.
I am using Systane ultra for my stinging gummy overnite eyes.
And I am trying the Penguin Cold Caps in an effort to save my hair. They are labor intensive but not as uncomfortable as I thought they would be. I won't know if they are working 'til right before TX 2 and the suspense is killing me but lots of women are having luck with them so I'm hopeful. I'll keep you posted.
That's all for now and I hope that my posts help others as much as all of yours help me.
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Hello to everyone....I am new to this thread. I had my bmx on March 1st and started 1st of 4 rounds of chemo on March 26th. Got my hair all chopped off into a pixie and awaiting the fall out. I had very minimal se's with the first round. However, I was holding some fluid on the left side TE that had to be drained and go on an antibiotic. It is all cleared up now and I am feeling dare I say normal. I got for round 2 next week. My doc said that I should fair about the same next time, but that the fatigue would be cumaltive. Anyone with some words of wisdom for round2? I have always drank a ton of water and continue to do so, don't know it if helped but the nurse said it did not have to stay in your system it just had to go through. Also, I have been able to walk and exercise (although limited due to the bmx). Again don't know it it helped or not????
So for those of you who had an uneventful round one....how does round 2 or 3 or 4 hold up????
Thanks!!!!
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Dublin - welcome! Sounds like you're on the right track in managing side effects. I found exercising throughout treatment really helped me. I walked nightly on my treadmill and it helped with fatigue.
Good luck!
Sherri
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How about hair regrowth?
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I finished chemo on Feb. 8th and my hair is growing back. It's still thin at the crown but is filling in. I guess it just takes time. I'm using Nixoin 2 system. There is a thread called "Hair, Hair, Hair" that you might want to check out. You'll get a lot of good information all about hair, lashes, brows, etc. I post on there regularly.
Sherri
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