Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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I'm reading in these threads where many T/C patients are getting treatments every 3 weeks. I had 4 treatments every two weeks, and yes the SEs were cumulative and wearing. Does anyone know why an onc would choose 2 vs 3 weeks apart?
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I assumed to recover from the SE. My third week was a joy.
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well if you do every 2 weeks you save a lot of time. 8 weeks total as opposed to 12. dunno if thats why. My week 3 felt much better almost normal. look forward to that as i come around round 2.
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Ouch - my scalp hurts. My hair is falling out, I have my first bald spot. But my scalp, my head, is sooo sensitive.. Just turning my head on my pillow causes pain. Does that stop once all the hair is gone? Anything to do for it?
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Mine has been falling out for a few weeks now. I sleep with a knit hat to keep warm. Doesn't hurt though. My hair has always been very thin though.
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Mine hurt until it all fell out
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I am not on TC yet, but will be. I started out on A. I got a beautiful real hair wig for free at the American Cancer Society. This was a new one donated from a wig store. Try to go see them. They are wonderful. The lady there was just finishing her chemo and was very helpful. I tried on many different styles (before losing my hair). I also got some wig "tips" and catalogs. Please go to ACS for advice and tips on a lot of things that have to do with breast cancer. They also have a special makeup class for cancer patients.
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Here's a tip for scalp pain at night. Satin pillowcase! Much less friction. Someone advised me to get one at the beginning, and it has really been a good thing. Can't be sateen though, has to be the real satin. Good luck. Hope that helps. Believe me, it's worth a few bucks.
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Hi hrf
We are learning soooo much from each other. I am interested in your second diagnosis. It was 5 years inbetween and what kind of tests did they give you during that time to look for any reoccurrences and is there any way of checking the nodes? HOw did you discover your cancer the second time round.? What was the fec treatement you had the first time? How did you choose CT the second time? Can you have rads a second time? Thank you so much for helping us learn what is before all of us? Again, thanks so much and good luck. Meadowlark
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suzigrafix i got a pretty nice syntheitc wig at Acs too. My center had limited choices though I was very glad to get it.
feeling better today. Made breakfast for hubby and me (came out bad but tahts ok). and cleaned up he elaves a mess everywhere.
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Rachel1966, like Carrol2, I used a knit cap because my head was cold and I didn't want hair all over my pillow... it was like my security blanket for weeks! :-) But the satin pillowcase is a good idea too.
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Meadowlark, I finished my first tx (surgery, chemo, rads, pbso) in August 2005. The second primary was found in Jan. 2009 -- so more like only 3 1/2 years in between. The first was in my right. The second in my left. Had to do surgery, chemo, rads again ... could do rads because it was on other side. In between I was being seen every few months for clinical exam, had mammos, mri....the whole thing. It was found by the bs when she found an enlarged lymph node under my arm. I think the FEC is pretty standard tx. The E part is a once in a lifetime only because of the potential for heart damage. Onc recommended TC second time.
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Shiamg,
I reacted to Taxotere quite badly on infusion #2 and switched oncs and infusion centers for 3 and 4. This reaction is totally preventable! It is unacceptable that they let this happen to you twice. If the infusion is started very slowly and gradually increased you may have no problems at all, They should've done this automatically on #2 after you reacted on #1! Also, they could give you benedryl in your pre-meds if they're not doing so already and possibly more steroids. I totally relate to your anxiety, I was ready to quit chemo and could not have finished up at the center I was going to. My 2nd opinion onc. convinced me she could get me through with changes in the infusion protocol (more steroids, benedryl pre-meds, very slow drip), and she was right, the experience was entirely different. This is not stuff to mess around with.
Good luck!
Julia
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julia,
you kind of freaked me out - does this mean i'm seeing a bad onc? i am given benadryl but the streroids are another story. i am taking the standard amt of steroids and can't increase bc i get really tachycardic (fast heart beat which i get normally).
should i double the amt of benadryl? it was so scary but went away after less than a min. i just fear the next infusion bc the 2nd was worse than first.
what exactly was your experience?
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No it doesn't mean you're seeing a bad onc., I actually liked my 1st onc. but I thought his nurses might kill me :-) My experience was that I had a mild reaction on the first tx that i didn't really recognize as an allergic reaction (sore throat, hoarseness/loss of voice after infusion). On the 2nd tx I got flushed and hot immediately, throat felt like it was swelling, was given benedryl, started drip again slowly, which was fine, then nurse returned it to normal speed after about 15 min without telling me and I had another reaction, then more benedryl, then finished with slow drip and told to come back the next day for Cytoxan. The point is that this is preventable, my 3rd tx was given very slowly, we started at 15% of normal speed and increased to 50% and didn't go any faster than that, I had no problems at all. Julia
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Just posted a long explanation of today's first treatment with cytoxane and taxotere on the Chemo Nov 2010 site. Amazingly, so far, it has gone much better than I expected! 6 1/2 hours later and no side effects yet!
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Today, day 19 after my 1st treatment - all my hair is GONE! It started falling out on day 14 but yesterday, day 18 - I was shedding like crazy.. My hubby took his shaver and "cleaned" my head. Today, I'm bald. Hubby thinks it's cool and says I have a nicely shaped head. It feels very strange not having hair.
I have my 2nd TC treatment on friday. I'm hoping it goes as well as my 1st treatment.
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Love your hubby
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Rachel1966...I go for my 3rd T/C treatment on Friday...so I'm with you on this journey! Hope all goes well for you! Sending extra good vibes and prayers your way for minimal/tolerable side effects (if any at all!)
Prayers for all of us traveling the "chemo" road together! We can do this!
Peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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Thanks Tori,
I'm hoping it goes well too... Prayers to all of us indeed. We are so strong for going through this. I can't wait for this to be over... 1/2 way there.
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I had my 2nd treatment yesterday. It went well during the infusion. I felt great at night. I still have no problems as of today. I'll be getting my Neulasta shot later in the day. So far so good. I'll be hit by the mack truck starting sunday, but so far, so good. Still no taste buds which sucks, LOL.
2 down - 2 to go.
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Hi All,
I usually hang out on the Sept chemo board, but I originally read most of this thread before I started and found it incredibly useful. I just had TC #3 on Tuesday. Each time I have gotten a big white tongue (I think that might be thrush? Each time it has come a bit earlier (day 5 today). I do all the preventative things like the salt and baking soda, biotine, toothbrushing,etc, but I am just prone to it. So far, not too bad - I am taking Nystatin and hoping that will do it.
I have had much worse neuropathy this time in hands and feet - just hoping it subsides before the next one.
I know some days are worse than others. For me, I am blue today because somehow I have it in my head that I should have turned the corner. But I haven't. When I look back at my daily notes from the other 2 TCs, I actually felt the same (just maybe more tired and cranky this time) because I feel breathless whenever I try to something. Anyone else have trouble with feeling breathless and weak? I just can't seem to do anything and my pulse is running fast.
I wish everyone a s/e effect free day! Best, Beau
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Hi Beau,
I had my last TC treatment on Sepy 9. After my last treatment my heart would race & I had an overwhelming feeling of weakness & exaustion. When I called the DR she thought I may be dehydrated & recommended drinking more water. So drink, drink, and then drink some more water. Hope that helps you.
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Beau, I feel like I can't breathe and get a rapid heartbeat just walking to the kitchen. I have asthma and don't know if it is related to that but it took me several days after my last treatment to get it under control. Also, if I get agitated it starts back, I've just been trying to stay calm.
I am so excited because #3 se's have been less than #2. #2 was so much worse than #1 that I was prepared for this one to be horrible and even though I have been more tired, my stomach issues have been minimal.
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I had my TC treatment #2 yesterday and today I just got my Neulasta injection. So far, I feel good. I don't have the mouth issues I had with treatment #1. I don't have the hives or pain yet. I'm expecting to start feeling that mack truck feeling tomorrow until Tuesday - which is what happened to me with my 1st treatment. I'm hoping my s/e are minimal and that the next 2 treatments are easy as well.... God is great, as He's carrying me through this journey.
I pray that everyone is s/e free or very minimal and doing great. We are Survivors.
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I am on day 12 of my second TC treatment two more to go. The se for the second seemed more under control than the first. Probably because I knew what to expect and had everything i needed ready.The first time I was very jittery from the steroids i think but the second time I took ativan right away with them and no problem. I also had this strange itching with no rash so far not had that. And I had bad headaches , none so far this time.I did get thrush right away both times and I have to take nystatin. Seems like I will have this the whole time. The nystatin works it was going away the first time but as soon as i got chemo two it kicked in full blast again even thought i never stopped the nystatin.I am a bit fatigued but if I don't give in to it i feel better. If i get up go out exercise and i agree the fluids very important all helps.0
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Hi Annabel and Dawney,
Thanks for your reply about your own feelings of breathlessness. It makes me feel better to know that I am not the only one struggling with this. I will try to be patient. I am so looking forward to my walks, but I don't think I can do them right now since just going up the stairs drives my heartbeat up like crazy. If by Day 9, I haven't improved a bit, I will probably raise it with the onc. The last two times, I had some weekness and breathlessness, but it wasn't as noticeable and I could start my walks by day 7 or so. I know that they say the side effects can be cumulative so that may also be part of it. Still, it is scary to feel my heart pound in my chest with the slightest effort. I hope it quiets down soon.
Carrol2- I am on day 6 of TC3 and also have thrush (which I had the last two times as well). Before, it cleared up in a few days so I stopped taking the Nystatin. What about you? Did you take it the whole 20 plus days and did you have a white tongue the whole time? So far, I have been swishing and gurgling, but not swallowing. What about you? Do you swallow some of the mixture as well? This 3rd TC has really whipped me so it is possible that my thrush won't clear up so quickly.
I am feeling more positive today, but still sleeping an enormous amount. I guess that is what my body needs so I am going to try to enjoy some old movies. I also had the pleasure of a visit from a good friend. We lit a fire and had a long chat. Perfect for the beginning of daylight's savings and the winter weather that is fast approaching in New England where I live.
I wish everyone a s/e free day! Best, Beau
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Hello Beau and all,
I felt that same out of breath feeling, especially when climbing stairs or walking up hill, after treatments 3 and 4. It started about day 5 and lasted for a week or so. I think it may be your red cells not carrying enough oxygen to your muscles. Drink lots of water because dehydration can also have the same effect. And you want to wash the excess drugs out of your system.
Liz
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beau i took the nysatin the while time I am still taking it im on TX #2. My tongue started to turn pink right away the first time it took a few days after the second chemo for it to get pink again. I do swallow it, the directions are swish and swallow. Thrush gets in the throat too you ca;t always see it.
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HI Carrol2,
Thanks for prompt reply. Swish and swallow it is, although I am hoping to be off after 10 day course, but we shall see. I hope that you are holding up well otherwise. I am starting to gather a bit more energy and looking forward to it continuing. Best, Beau
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