Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
-
AARRGH! I just lost my whole post! What I was saying, was....
Julia, I don't think the doctors know what havoc the nurses can wreak! I've known lots of people who've left because of the nurses or the front office, including me. Why be treated so inconsiderately when you're the one paying for it and going through it? Two of my nurses yesterday and today were rude or incompetent, but I'm just going have to teach them a thing or two because I like my onco so much. So next time I'm going to be sitting there like a princess again and just do what I can to make it through 3 more chemos. Then on to a new doctor's office with the rads - sigh.
0 -
Julia & Heartandsoul
I just cmpleted TC last month. I had an allergic reaction the first time they did taxotere but they did it slowly so the next time they added benadryl iv beforehand and again sloooooowly did the Taxotere. I ended up being at each treatment for 5hours! I didn't mind though I brought a friends and we went online and played games and laughed the whole time. I also drank lots of fluids while I was there. I ran to the ladies room every 30minutes for the first 24 hrs. You wanna drink lots to flush it all out. I didnt do the ice on my hands and feet but used Nailtiques Formula 2 protein polish which really helped. After treatment I did develop the lines in my nails one for each TC treatment but the nails are nice and strong and long. My onc was impressed.
Good luck with everything, I hope it goes smoothly for you all.
Diane
0 -
Hi Sugar, thanks for the tip but I'm actually ER+ so am not triple neg. Mel
0 -
Mel - oh, I see that now. I must have been seeing things the other night because I was sure you were TN. Sorry for any confusion.
Sherri
0 -
Are the lines on ones nails permenate or will they go away with time?
0 -
Oh...the pain, the pain....Just kidding, it IS bad but I'm just being immature. Why do we have to do this???
And it's soooo hot here in Georgia! Got close to 100 today! Can't even keep cool - I wouldn't feel half so bad if it was nice cool fall weather....maybe...I'M SO UNCOMFORTABLE!
0 -
It's the same heat here in Toronto. All last week here was hotter than Florida. Has been 100 on many days.
0 -
Shoot, my son and I were just talking about taking off to Canada and not stop until we ran out of money! That settles it, then - I'm going to the Southern Hemisphere until I'm though with chemo!
0 -
Hi all,
I'm about to start my TC regime X4 starting this week. Just wanted to join the conversation and thank everyone for all the posts that help soooo much. I'm constantly amazed by how much comfort this site adds to my life right now.
One question- when did you go wig shopping? Right before, so you were ready or after when you were already bald? I think I'm going to take a girlfriend with me. If I take my awesome husband I'm afraid I'll fall to pieces b/c I know he'll be there to pick me up. Better if i have a gf to goof around with. Any thoughts?
0 -
Sweeney - I took my 10-year-old daughter to the wig shop at the hospital so she could try some on. It helped her get used to the idea of mommy wearing one. Then, I went with a friend and picked one out while I still had my hair. I had my hair shaved into a GI Jane cut after first chemo but before it started falling out. I had a human hair wig cut and coloured to match my long hair ($$$$ and wore it 5 times) and then bought a cheap Raquel Welch short wig on eBay for $25.00 (loved it and wore all the time!!!). My didn't all fall out but I did need to wear a wig. I finished chemo in early Feb. and stopped wearing my wig permanently in early May. I just look like I have a short hair cut now. I've never had short hair before and I like it and am going to keep it this way...who knew I'd like it??? Hang in there!
Sherri
0 -
I took 2 girlfriends with me. The people at the first place we visited were not kind. So we went elsewhere and found a great place with nice people. I needed to have friends with me as I found it very emotional. I went before I lost my hair - before the first treatment because they styled it for me and it took a few days and a couple of try ons to get it right.
0 -
hi ladies its been ages since ive posted but i have good outlook for those of you just starting or going through this. I was first dx about a year ago and finished four rounds of taxotere cytoxan in nov 09. i feel great and my hair is so thick and i just got all my test back, no evidence of cancer. the only side effects i got from TC was being tired and losing the hair. you can do it, the side effects are manageable. i did the laparascopic hysterectomy in april due to family hx of everything and have little side effects from that. i remember first getting diagnosed and i swore i would never do chemo now im glad i did. if i had to do it again though i would skip radiation just a personal feeling. i know at the time we make the best decisions we can. anyways i hope everyones side effects are manageable and always go with your gut feelings and always get second opinions. again i feel really good so hang in there ladies
0 -
oh i did have some eye dryness but that was managed with Over the counter drops.
0 -
Hi dogsaver! Thank you so much for posting to let us know how things worked out for you! I'm going to try to remember to do that, too - it's so helpful for those of us just stepping into this world of confusion! You've given me hope that there is life after chemo!! Lately, I've been feeling like this is what the rest of my life will be like!
Okay...time to try to relax...again.... 0 -
i agree with drinking alot of fluids. water would still leave me feeling dehydrated so they told me to get propel water so it had the electrolytes that water had but not the sugar that gatorade has. the propel was great and walking some each day and giving time to sleep. also i was very open with coworkers and supervisors about treatment and it was a blessing. feel free anyone to send me a message if you have any questions, everyones treatment goes a little different but i remember when i was on the boards alot during my treatment and seemed most peoples side effects were manageable.
0 -
I have a question I was hoping someone could enlighten me on. First of all I can't tell you how many times I come to this site and seek answers to my questions. Everyone is so informative that it really helps. I have finished 5 TC treatments and will have my 6th this week. (YEA, last one!!) I have noticed over the past couple of treatments that my muscles are becoming so fatigued. It seems to take all the energy I have to just walk from the car to a store. Is this normal? It's nothing I expected to happen and I went back several pages and didn't see anything on this so thought I would ask. My counts are fine as I take the Neulasta the day after chemo, do steroids the day before and day after as well as the iv of steroids.
0 -
Your posts have been so helpful in my preparation for TC. I've been reading for a few weeks, but this is the first time I have written anything. Thank you.
My first treatment was over a week ago on 7/16, 3 more treatments to go. I have had a side effect (I think) that I haven't heard mentioned. Has anyone had problems with hives or a rash? I first came down with a rash at the site of the port, at the place where the bandages covered my skin. My breast surgeon (who I saw to check on the port) thought it was a chemical burn from the combination of betadine and adhesive (the nurse didn't rinse the site properly). My oncologist put me on antibiotics because it started to get infected. Then there was a secondary rash (or hives) that started around my neck which was really itchy. It's starting to clear up now, but I wonder if my skin just got hyperactive or if this is a side effect I can expect every time. I sure hope not!
Has anyone else had this experience?
0 -
ronnie: As I was climbing the steps at work today, I recalled how difficult it was to do so a couple of months ago. The elevator was out, so I had to climb to get to my office. My leg muscles felt like jelly. Much better now, tho not back to "normal."
0 -
Liz2010
I didn't experience a rash, but have heard of others having one.
Here is some information from the Taxotere website:
"Rash
This chemotherapy side effect is common, but rarely severe in people taking Taxotere®. You may develop a rash that looks like a blotchy, hive-like reaction. This usually occurs on the hands and feet but also may appear on the arms, face or other areas of the body.
Generally a rash will appear between treatments and will go away before your next Taxotere® treatment. Inform your doctor or nurse if you experience a rash because he or she may be able to help you get relief."
I'm a big fan of telling your doctor or nurse about every single side effect, not only for relief, but also so they can determine if it's something to be alarmed about...
Best of luck to you!
0 -
ronnie, I also was very fatigued. The neulasta is to build your white blood count in order to prevent infection. But it's possible that your red blood count is low from chemo and that makes you fatigued. When I did my first chemo, I had to take injections of a drug called Epogen (spelling?) which kept my red count up. In fact, before I started doing that I had to have a transfusion of 2 units of blood and was kept in the hospital for several days. You should let your onc know if you are feeling that fatigued as they can give you something to help.
0 -
Hi Liz,
I came out in a rash after my first infusion - was all over my face, head and neck. My Onc thought it was more to do with the steroids than the taxotere. My GP gave me some stuff to put on - mainly to keep it clean and to avoid them getting infected. Given you've got antibiotics this should do the same. I didn't have the rash at all during my last 3, it was just the once. I'd keep an eye on it just in case of infection and if worried report it to your onc.
Mel
0 -
Hi Ronnie,
I am having the same trouble - very weak legs lately. I have finished 4 TC treatments (2 more to go!) and noticed the weakness after my 3rd treatment. I am used to being fairly active, and don't like feeling so weak after just walking across the yard. Hope it goes away!
Hot flashes - has anyone tried the OTC supplements like Estroven, etc? My oncologist gave me a prescription for Effexor, but it upset my stomach and after reading about all the side effects and difficulty that folks have stopping it - I only took it for a couple days and decided to see what else might help.
These forums are GREAT!
Teri
0 -
Fiver: I'm seeing a new gyne to see what might help with the hot flashes. Seems anti-depressants and neurotin are what the docs most commonly reach for, and I don't want those. I'm TN like you--exploring options and had my testosterone level checked. She cautioned that creams absorb thru the skin and people put them on differently, so "dose" is difficult to regulate.
0 -
Thanks for the feedback. At least I know I'm not the only one. I will ask them when I go in Thursday for my treatment. Good luck to everyone.
0 -
Thank you OrdinaryMammal for looking up side effects! It doesn't sound like my rash fits the description. It may have been bacterial or a hypersensitivity to the port infection. It has cleared up and is almost gone.
Found a great cookbook for patients on chemo/radiation or other treatments. "The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen" by Rebecca Katz was just published a few weeks ago. The subtitle is: Nourishing, Big-Flavor Recipes for Cancer Treatment and Recovery. These recipes would be wonderful anytime, but she is very aware of the needs of cancer patients (including the change in our tastes). The front includes an index of the recipes which would be helpful for specific side effects. The dried fruit compote did wonders for my constipation. I'm now making a big batch of the Magic Mineral Broth to stash in the freezer for chemo #2 next week.
0 -
Hi, ladies - Stopping in to say hang in there. You can do this. The muscle weakness was severe for me - I had to stop after 3 tx. But it goes away. Just get through your treatments, and then rest and take care of yourselves. Let your bodies heal - and they WILL heal. It's amazing, really. Drink lots of water, too. Before and after tx.
Gentle hugs and kisses!
XO, Mary
0 -
Well I start TCx4 tomorrow. We'll see what happens....
0 -
Hi!
Liz2010 - Hey, I had the rash too! I got it each time, but each time it was a little different. The first treatment I just had a small itchy rash on my neck and shoulders but treatment number 2 I had a full blown case of hives. The 3rd wasn't bad at all and the 4th I got a few hives with the rash but not as bad as treatment #2. I guess I am just telling you that because I think we are all individual and it is so different for each of us. But dont' expect the same thing each time. I got a scrip for Xyzal and Steroids for the really bad one. I also took Benedryl at night and Zyrtec during the day when I felt the itching coming on during other times.
Sweeney - I made 2 trips to the wig store. The first time 2 wks before my 1st chemo with a girlfriend and my kids to seek out a couple wig choices... we made it a fun affair (though I was near tears trying on the first wig) and tried on some goofy stuff. The second time the day before chemo I took my husband, I wanted him to like what I had chosen and I wanted to go back and make sure I truly liked the one we chose the first time. I ended up getting 2 wigs, one synthetic and one human hair. And I am glad I did. I cook alot and the synthetic hair can't be near heat and at the time I couldn't imagine my husband coming home to me cooking bald. But trust me, he has! I am glad I got the two wigs though because it gives me some variety and the human hair is SO SO SO much more comfortable and not itchy at all. Also, I feel more confident in it because the scalp part looks so natural. It's funny though most of my friends (and my hubby) like the synthetic one better. I think because it is a little bit closer to my natural color. Also, I was glad I went early because the human hair wig was on backorder! Put me into tears at the time but now I can laugh about it...
As far as the leg and muscle weakness, I think that is perfectly normal. I am 4 weeks PFC and my legs ache so bad when I walk. I asked my onc about it last week and she said the best medicine for it was gentle exercise so I am gonna push through it and keep walking. In the middle of treatment though her advice was to "listen to my body" and rest when I was tired. Now that I am done with chemo she wants me to start moving again.
(((Big HUGS))) to all!
0 -
Hi ladies! I posted this on another thread, hope to hear from somebody. I seem to be having a little vaginal bleeding now. Is this normal? My periods stopped about 1 1/2 years ago. I put a tampon in so I could determine just how much bloody discharge there is, but now I'm worried if that was okay. I was having back pains all day today, I guess that's why. Do all you ladies taking T&C still have your uterus? I just noticed on my docs report yesterday that she thinks I've had a hysterectomy, which I haven't. Am I possibly getting the wrong chemo? Any input at all will be greatly appreciated!0
-
Thank you to all who have posted on this thread. It's has been a great help, though I'm sorry I only found it today and so don't have a lot of time to read everything.
I begin TC chemo tomorrow morning. I, like most I've read, have great fear of the treatment because it's unkown. I understand that I won't have all the side effects to the greatest degree, but the idea of not being in control of them scares the hell out of me.
I've been unemployed since being laid off nearly two years ago... I'm one of the 99ers who have permanently lost unemployment. I'm a former university professor, so not many jobs out there right now. My husband was laid off in January. I say these things because the most fear I have is not being able to try to work during the chemo.
But, again, I'm glad I found you all.
0
