Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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I'm done with my 6 TC treatments last Wednesday, so I'm about a week out. Manageable. I worked through the whole time.
Towards the end, I had the white tongue pretty bad. Biotene and salt water swish didn't do it any more. However, adding baking soda to salt water did the trick.
I didn't use ice for fingers/toes and they held up well. At one point I thought they were turning purple (after the 3rd treatment I think) but they were merely a slightly darker pink now. Beau lines, yes, but barely noticeable.
Hair is starting to grow, although slowly. From a distance I still look totally bald. Most of my brows and lower lashes are gone. Upper lashes still there. Hair virtually gone everywhere else (still a few left down there).
Hot flashes were bad after tx #3, but seem to have subsided somewhat. Period stopped after one treatment (I'm 41).
Now on to rads in late June after a vacation. I got fitted for a sleeve and a glove for the plane ride just in case, since I had 7 axilliary nodes removed.
We can do this!!
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I am TC#1 Day 10 - Developed a small (dime size) itchy red spot about 1 inch from the infusion stick point. Anyone have an idea what that's all about?!? (already called onco to report)
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fotopet, that happened to me also, it got bigger and itchier with each infusion, and always happened about the same time. My Onc thought it was an allergic reaction and had them give me steroids IV before the taxotere in additon to the decadron I was taking. That seemed to help
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kmmd - thanks. my doc confirmed probable allergic reaction. He has me putting benedryl lotion on it for now.
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Hi, I'm starting TC next week. 6 cycles every three weeks. Start date is June 8 unless something weird happens.
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I had a reaction to TC each time (3 treatments for far).
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I am on TC. 1 treatment so far. Hasn't been bad. I went shopping after my treatment. Went to the boat races the next day. I only have 3 more to go. Stay busy, drink a lot water and try to have fun.
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Congrats Faithfulc. I am starting tomorrow morning for 4 treatments. Hope I do as well. I am taking frozen peas to put on my toe and finger nails, hope it works for me. You have to feel so wonderful, maybe not physically but mentally to have this part behind you. Best of luck with your rads.
Char2010, sorry you are having a reaction each time, and three at that. It must be torture having to go each time and hoping for no reactions, Hope #4 is uneventful. Good Luck
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Hey Gail48 ~ I will have my third TC treatment on Monday (started 4/26). My onco nurse recommended applying "Tea Tree Oil" to my cuticles, fingers and toes, daily (sometimes I do 2x/day if I remember) and my nails have remained beautiful. I also keep them covered in polish. You can get that at CVS or Sally Beauty Supply (about $10 for small bottle) Just an idea... My treatments have been do-able as well. Drink LOTS and LOTS of water... it really helps and don't be afraid to take a Senocot-S the first couple days.
Hugs to all!
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arubajan05, I will pick some up, thanks for the tip. I am drinking water, water, water and have my bag almost ready. I think it will be tough sleeping tonight because of the steroid. But sleep will come. Thanks again for the info. and good luck on your next treatment.
Gail
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Hi All
I just completed 4 rounds of TC. I took ativan with my decadron the night before treatment to help me sleep. It also works as a anti-nausea. The day of treatment I got Emend, Aloxi, zofran and decadron AND a benadryl IV I had the rash and swollen tongue the first time so they added the benadryl every treatment, it too helps with nausea.I ended up also taking benadryl the next day as well for the tongue issue. I would say the most important thing is to rinse many times a day everyday with water salt & baking soda, I also used Biotene mouth rinse from dry mouth it was great. I avoided greasy,spicy, salty foods and NEVER had mouth sores! Being well nourished is most important, i ate even if i didn't feel hungry. PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN. It saved me! I never got sick and my blood counts were always good. My doctor was amazed at how I "hung on" to my red blood cells. Healthy eating is KEY. My biggest problem was fatigue but I was also working a lot which was hard. I also bought nailtiques for my finger nails its a protein you brush on like clear nail polish. I had the white lines on my nail beds show up a couple days after my last treatment but no real damage to them...knock on wood. Oh I also got Burt Bees Almond hand cream and gloves that I slathered on at night and slipped in my gloves to keep my hands and cuticles moisterized while I slept. Other than losing my hair but not all my eyelashes or eybrows everything went pretty well. I hope it goes well for all of you. Good Luck! It definitely feels good to be done!
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Gail, Good luck; will be thinking of you. Yes, lots of water will be very helpful. I thought I was drinking a lot, until I read 3 liters/day. And echoing Jan, have some Senecot on hand. I had to take that, plus Colace, plus one other product for at least the week following tx. I didn't use the ice, and didn't need it. If you don't like the smell of tea tree oil, try Solar Oil, available at nail salons.
Best wishes to all for few/no SE's.
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Decadron. You know the three days that are recommended. One day before taxotere, the day of taxotere, and the day after... My oncologist wants me to do it different: two days before the infusion and the day of chemo, but none the next day. I've been challenging him for his rationale for just about everything, and before I push it, was wondering if anyone else was given this schedule.
Thanks.
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Ladies, made it through 1st treatment. Had a hard time finding a vein and am a little light headed now and tired. But nothing terrible. I am drinking water as I type. I drank some during infusion, but it was becoming a problem because I had to get up and go potty so often, but will try to make up for it tonight.
Retrievermo, thanks for the tips. I had thought about taking some Ducolax when I got home but nurse said some people get the runs and to wait and see which way I go. I am really nervous about getting constipated so may take a Ducolax before bed just to see how I am tomorrow.
Ordinarymammal, I take the Decadron day before, day of and day after. Every Onc. is different and I am sure he has his reason. When you find out let us know.
Warm healing thoughts and wished going out to everyone.
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YAY, Gail48!!! You are 1 down! That's great! I hope that you have mild SE's and get plenty of rest. Listen to your body and you will know what to do! And remember we are right here when you are feeling down or have questions. Just an idea, I have taken both the Dulcolax and the Senocot-S... for me the Senocot-S was much gentler, but that's just me. I find I have bad constipation the first 3 days after my treatment and then the opposite for about 5 or 6 days (if it's really bad then I take ImmodiumAD) but my best advice is to keep that whole area very clean. All those "burning" drugs seeping out of every crevice for my first treatment made me get very bad "diaper rash", many women get hemmorhoids and both are very painful. The second time around I used a water bottle (like after I had my kids) each time I used the bathroom and I didn't have that painful and embarassing side effect. Just a tip... maybe it will make you laugh that we get so "intimate" and personal on these posts...LOL Relax and drink more water!!!
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arubajan, thanks for the support. I am day two after treatment and feeling better. Foggy head is much better and only a little nausea but still get tired. I have been fortunate not to have had constipation. I drink fluids and take a doculax and seem to work. If it doesn't get any worse I feel very fortunate. Hope things are getting better for you also. Keep me posted on you progress.
Way to go to everyone that has completed one or more treatments and positive thoughts for anyone beginning. We will make it through and come out healthier when done
Gentle hugs and few side effects to everyone.......
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DiDel, It was so good to see your post. I am having a pretty decent time too! I have lost my hair and my nails are thin,but no really bad side effects at all. I'm sticking to the protein and lots of water too and BTW my blood counts rocked at my second treatment on Fri. I am going to start to get back into a workout routine today. Nothing tough, just a little pilates, pushups and 30 mins walking. I make every day count and an event! My next treatment is 24 Jun and I'm going dressed as Holly Go Lightly! And drink more water!!!! It really helps.
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I had 4 rounds of TC and finished in February. My eye lashes, eye brows and toe nails (3 of them) fell out 5 weeks after my last treatment. I thought I was done, done, done and then suprise I lost these too! Happily they are all back now. I joined a clinical trial for Latisse for chemo patients and now my lashes are longer and fuller than ever before...so take that cancer! Now though I am having tingling and numbness in my right arm and it seems to be lasting longer. Has anyone else had this or heard of this?
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Brendaskids: My right (affected) arm is driving me nuts with tingling and numbness. And my left foot swells. My rad onc says once rads are over, things should calm down. Sure hope so. My last TC was early Aprl.
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Will be having my last round of chemo tomorrow morning (6/7) Yipeee! The taxotere has really had some nasty 'abnormal" side effects. I have RSD (neurological condition) and the TAX really heightened that. I was given Neulasta my first round of chemo - that landed me in ER twice in one day. I'm opting out of the radiation treatment - None of my doctors could have predicted the intense added pain. Radiation I fear will be worse, plus that treatment can cause my RSD to spread to treatment area. My RSd in lower limbs, as it is I can barely walk - BUT still worked (reduced hours) through chemo. Summertime and wearing tank tops - my surgical scars are badges of courage and survival!
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kathyb64.....Yay!! I'm so happy for you, my husband and I are going out to dinner Saturday for our anniversary and i am going to have my one cocktail to celebrate you and everyone who is having their last day of chemo this week...sure wish i was in that group. I still have two to go but I can't wait to get this behind me.
So far the side effects for me were severe nausea but the 2nd treatment i was given emend which helped. The worst side effect thus far aside from obvious hair loss was after i got the neulasta shot, got flu like symptons and very sad for a few days but no bone pain.
Have a great evening, only happy thoughts tomorrow.
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ordinarymammal my onc was going to change up my decadron dosage to two days before chemo and two days after chemo because of how sick i got after the first infusion. could this be part of his rationale?
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brendaskids: I'm also in the eyelash trial! It's only been a couple of months, and I still can't tell whether the new growth is regular or from the topical treatment. About your tingling: I still sometimes tingle, but it only happens on the arm where the lymph nodes were taken out. I was dx'd with very mild lymphedema.
retrievemom: Your foot swell might also be a side effect of chemo. I swelled up in the middle of my 6 TC treatments.
westiemom: I know that decadron helps with nausea and swelling.
Brenda
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Brenda - nice to hear from you. I've been wondering how you're doing! The new photo is great. You look like a movie star...
Sherri
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Now for a little humor.
Why is it that the hair you DON'T want to grow back is the first to make it's appearance known.
I don't know if anyone else has this but I have had a mustash for several yeare before dx and wouldn't you know that's is where my regrowth of hair has started first. grrrrr. Eyebrows-no lashes- of course not hair growing back-you have got to be kidding.
But maybe this means the rest is on the way too. I hope so.
Hope this brightens eveyones day.
Laurie.
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Laurie - I totally know what you mean about the hair making it's appearance. The hair on my legs never left...go figure! On the bright side, rads took care of some of the hair under my right arm so that's a good thing and I stopped wearing my wig four weeks ago at 12 weeks after chemo.
Sherri
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Sherri,
Didn't have rads but this Thur. I will be 5 wks out from last chemo yahooo so I'll wait and see what grows back next. Hveing my luck it will be under arm hair lol.
Laurie
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Hi Ladies,
I am starting TC x 4 tomorrow. I did not get a chance to go through all pages of this thread. From what I had read, I picked up lots of good tips (such as the ones about ice and B vitamins) that doctors and nurses have not even mentioned to me. I was told to be prepared to be at the hospital up to 6 hours. So how long does everything really take? Can any one tell me which drug they usually start with and how long they take to infuse? Do I apply the ice for the entire duration of Taxotere infusion and how long after? Anything I should do for the Cytoxan part?
Thank you all for your help.
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Hi, Sling,
I brought ice packs and iced my fingers and toes only during my Taxotere infusion. I also took L-Glutamine along with vitamin B during my treatments.
They usually begin the treatments with steroids and anti-nasuea medicine. If you get a bad taste in your mouth when they begin the infusions, suck on peppermints or a popsicle. Ask your nurse about which drug they are infusing you with each time they change bags. Infusions last a while because they like to infuse the drugs slowly to check for reactions, especially the first time. They are very careful. I do not know of anything to do for the Cytoxan part. Bring a lot of your favorite liquids to drink. Bring a throw or something in case you feel chilled. I was usually at the treatment center 4-5 hours.
If you have nausea, Zofran is good. Ginger ale helps nausea too. I also heard that Emend is a really good medicine for bad nausea. If you are a meat eater, eat lots of protein.
Biotin toothpaste and mouthwash is good for keeping your mouth healthy and free from mouth sores. Use a soft toothbrush.
I will pray for you tomorrow. Always call your oncology nurse if you have questions about side effects from treatments. They want to help you.
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Sling - chomp on ice chips through the Taxotere infusion, too. That will help your throat. I did that and didn't get any mouth sores and I had quite minimal yucky metallic mouth. Oh, and if you get the Neulasta shot, take Claritin the day of the shot and for the next few days afterward. That's supposed to help with bone pain. Good luck!
Sherri
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