Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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I have the lines on my nails also. So that is normal?
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dawney - my nails are only just getting to the stage where the lines have grown out (they are only left at the tips now next chop they'll be gone!!!). I had my last chemo in July so it's taken a while. My nails felt really weak so I kept nail polish on them until recently as they felt stronger with nail polish on. I still don't think they're as strong as before chemo but they are definitley better :-)
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Ladies my nails are just now coming out of it but its so easy to hide them with polish now my hair is so thin after almost 3 years and there is no hiding it unless you wig it and I wont so I am going to have to put out big bucks for extensions if I am even a candidate for them going to look into it for spring not going through this for 4 th summer. Also my eyebrows never all came back lashes did i didnt have great ones but they have so many things for them I purchase from Laura Guellr from QVC the eyebrow marker it last for a long time you can also get them tatooed we have found a cure for all of it accept hair but dont give up yet if you just endeded it If I was to do it over I would shaved all the fuzz off and give it a clean start my opnion though you have nothing to loose but fuzz I use Rogaine and have for over a year. My muscles hurt too but within 6 months allot of it was gone now I can bend down like I use to its great. Hope this helps I did use Tree Oil on my nails but I couldnt stand the stink of it.. like I said polish them and pray for hair ...Maura.
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Adding a comment....
I have one more treatment to go and my hair is coming back. Well it's fuzz but I'll take that.
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Hi all- I am 21 days post last tx. I never lost all my stubble- now I am losing some! I still have eyebrows and lashes (used the eyebrow and lash gel), but am still worried they may fall out. I also never had nail issues during tx, but now I have a few sensitive nails with the lines across them. Does the sensitivity persist for a long time?
Rachel- I actually feel pretty good physically 3 weeks out. I did end up with a port catheter infection 5 days after last TX, so that has put me down a bit (very painful), but otherwise i feel good! So, don't lose heart you will feel better!!
Tiffany
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Hi all,
Has anyone had extreme itching and nerve twitching around the eyes from either TC or Neulasta? Following my first tx on Dec. 3rd, I don't recall anything except slight twitching but that was when I was still stunned from the diagnosis and barely conscious. After the second tx on Dec. 23rd, it was severe, and today, 4-5 days after the 3rd tx on Jan 14th, and the Neulasta shot on the 15th, the itch in both eyes literally makes me want to tear them out. Does anyone know of any relief? I am afraid to think of what it will be like following my last tx on Feb. 4th. Also, does anyone know if three treatments are just as effective as four? Are there any studies that recommend 4? Thanks for any help...
IDC, 1.3 cm; Stage 1; Grade 3; 0/7 nodes; ER-; PR(1-10%??); HER2-
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That is interesting about the red blood counts and breathlessness. I had not seen it mentioned as an SE and was slightly concerned about it a first. However, it went away so quickly that I did not worry too much. My mom and I speculated that it may have to do with low red blood counts causing lack of proper distribution of oxygen. Sound like it is tied to red blood cells somehow.Also funny about being told to eat red meat. After my first tx, I had a massive hamburger cravings. I ate them every day for an entire week - very unlike me. I wondered if that was my body craving iron or whatever is in red meat that helps with this. Never had the same craving again, though.enjoylife - Your post from a page or two back took my comments way out of the context in which they were meant. I was not suggesting the perm hair loss is untrue. In fact, I specifically acknowledged hearing about it, being concerned about it ahead of time, and being relieved that mine came back. My point was that it is not common, so much so that my onco and nurse have never had one single patient have this problem. I feel for you, I really really do. I would be devastated if my hair did not grow back or even if it grew back, but in a less than complete manner. However, your nasty comment about me and my onco is out of line.0
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ChrissyMH-
I am 12 days PFC from 6 tx of T/C. I did not get Nuelasta shots, but I can certainly relate to the eye twitching. It started in my left eye after tx 3 and I am still having the twitching, but now in both eyes. (I have not had any itching) It is not constant, but I have twitching almost everyday. I'm hoping it will subside and eventually disappear though!
Hang in there!
Peace and prayers,
Tori
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Annette - I just saw you post about your vein. I had what seems like a similar experience with my last tx. The first 3 were in the same vein and I never had a problem. I could not even find the place where they put the IV in after a couple of hours. They switched veins for the last treatment and I ended up with a red, swollen and sore place just above the IV site. It was about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch wide. It seems like it was sore for about 2 weeks. The pain eventually stopped but the mark was still there. Then it started to peel - almost like a sunburn. I am now 7 weeks PFC and, while I can still see the mark, it has faded a lot. I hope it will eventually disappear completely, but if not, it is not terribly noticeable.
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Irr4993 you are right I should not have lashed out at you the only defense I have is I must of been having a bad day. I am in the middle of seeking out extensions I live in a very small town and I know first it will be hard to find someone and second most important not sure if I have enough hair for them plus the expense my insurance paid a huge amount of money that covered the chemo that did this to my head but I cannot get assistance at all from them with this they call it cosmetic so I lashed out at you and for this I am sorry and hope you understand. I would of much rather wore a falsie for my boob then to loose my hair do you believe its not cosmetic to have my boob re-built they covered all of it so I wont give up I will figfht for hair I am single and income is scarce but at least I work and I go to work with my thin ugly hair showing so maybe it will look good this spring if I get extensions. I would love to fight the ins. companies on this not for me but for all the other ladies maybe that will be my next goal to fight for because the pink stuff doesn't get it for me as I have been told its political and so much of the money doesn't go where we thought it did. You learn allot from this disease makes us stronger in a strange way ...
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Just wanted to chime a little late. I did 9 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan along with Zometa. Lost my hair very quickly, within 3 weeks. Nose hairs were the worst, everything smells HUGE even if someone leaves a glass of milk on the counter for 5 minutes! Peoples cologne ARRRGGGHHH! I don't think you can do anything about that, but do watch your nails, toes and fingers.Nobody told me to use ice chips or cooling methods for that. My nails all of them started to lift and it did become painful. I did slow down on the naseau meds, cuz it was tolerable because the nausea meds gave me medicine hang over. Everybody is different when it comes to chemo, so just pay attention to your body and rest when you can. I worked through all 9 treatments. With the exception of Friday's when I got treatment.
Good luck I hope this helps,
Peace and Love
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EYES...My only problem since my first tx, which was yesterday, has been hot eyes... I put ice on them and it helped... no twitching or itchy though
BREATHLESS : I had read and confirmed with the nurse that you can get breathless when you have fluid retention. Thats why you take Decadron, to reduce fluid. When the fluid builds up around the chest, it makes it harder to breath. I read this can be serious, so if it gets bad, you need to seek medical attention... Maybe you need more pre-meds?? if this happens to you?
HAIR... I too made a conscience decision to take TC instead of Taxol... I am aware that I have a 2-3% chance of my hair not returning... better that than neurapathy with Taxol, which is more prevalent.
VACATIONS ... Cling... thanks for your post. I am headed to St John with Oncs blessing... Having an infusion March 3 (Thurs) and then 3 weeks and 4 days later on March 28... I think I have planned it well... leaving the states on March 16-26... so my vacation will be at the tail end during "recovery."
BROWS AND LASHES... TifJ... I bought the gel... should arrive soon, so I will start on about day 5 after first Tx.. I am curious to see if it continues to work for you... please let me know. I am a bit inclined to get the prescription latisse... I think it would be cheaper.. I just paid $60 for a 30-day supply of Brian Joseph gel.
Betsy
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enjoylife - I do understand, thank you for your apology and it is happily accepted!
I hope you get your extensions worked out. I completely agree with you that hair loss is more than just cosmetic. Although mine has only been temporary (at least I hope . . . it is early but growing nicely), it has been a truly horrific experience and is life changing in a way that people cannot understand unless they experience it. I cannot imagine facing it for a lifetime and wish you every success in dealing with it.0 -
I am 14 days post tx2 and was so excited that I still have almost all my eyebrows and eyelashes. After reading the past few posts, I am going to appreciate having them, but now I am thinking they will probably still fall out.
Irr, thanks for sharing about your experience.
Although the IV site was itchy and a little red, it did not get painful until about three and a half weeks after the infusion. Now, the second IV vein is starting to itch and get more red. I sure hope it does not turn into the painful burn that is at the first site. I have four more tx to go, only one side to work with and over half of the top of my hand is red with about a third of it being quite painful.At this point, I don't care if it is red the rest of my life. I just want it to quit burning constantly.
Chrissy, I was also wondering about the research regarding the number of tx. Seems like everyone has either 4 or 6. I"ve never heard of anyone having just three of them. I wonder if I could get away with 4 of them instead of 6.......
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I am slated for 6 also... I think it is just a little more aggressive, but curious to see if you find out why some get 4 and some get 6.
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Regarding the eye twitching - i had it lots during my 4 rounds including a twitch at the side of my nose near the eye and the occassional finger twitch too. They disappeared soon after my last round of chemo and I don't have any issues now. I found Eye drops helped a bit but it's one those SEs that was just annoying more than anything for me!
In regards to the numbers of rounds, I have heard that Oncs have a lot of different types of chemo and regimes to give out these days instead of the 'one size fits all' approach that they used to use. I think it's great that they can now tailor the treatment to the individual depending on the specifics of your case. As I live in Australia I don't claim to have exerptise on this, but I've read elsewhere on this forum that occassionally what is covered by insurance can also be a factor on what dose you get? And I THINK (please don't quote me on this) I have read elsewhere on this forum that the actual dose you get is the same it's just a matter of how they spread it out. Maybe just some answers on the differences but I don't claim to be an expert just what I've read :-)
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Just an FYI with info on my tx of 4 TC. I don't know how they diagnosis how may tx you get. I did see three doctors and they all said the same thing. I am on medicaid and it pays for everything.
I am 43 days post final infusion.
My hair on my head started to sprout about a week ago. Looks like lace or a spider web so far. I am getting impatient for coverage but happy to see it is growing. My mom and sister have very thin hair so i worry what i will end up with.
I never lost my brows or lashes and so far they are still in tact.
My finger nails are fine but they have lots of ridges on them. One toe nail started to lift but never fell out and that part is almost all grown out.
I am on a strenuous road trip and doing fine. My energy is good and my body feels fine. My biggest issues are deciding to wear a hat or wig at the show. Hats are more comfy the wigs can be itchy. Plus it's kind of rainy and snowy so a hat might be better.
I do also seems to still have thrush a little. I have been on nystatin so long it's hard to tell if the white on my tongue is from that or the thrush so I am taking a break from the medicine to see if it goes away.
I wanted to share my experience with you all for anyone who is worried about SEs and how things are after tx is done. I had pretty minor side effects throughout my tx. I did very well. The last one was the worst because my counts were too high and could not get neulasta , i had 4 days of really bad fatigue and got a bad sore throat from thrush and sores. I then got neuprogen and it all seemed to get better.
Before my tx I read about all the SEs and made self very nervous. But it was good to be informed so that I knew how to handle the things that I did get.
Please accept this one piece of advice that i think is so important.
If you get a side effect, no matter what it is, call your onc office and get advice or meds or something to treat it and nip it in the bud. There is no reason to suffer for one minute, plus you want to tell them what is going on and make sure it's not anything serious. The SEs are very different for everyone and your onc doctor and nurses don't know what will happen to you ahead of time, they are expecting you to call with whatever you experience so they can help you.
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Carrol2,
You stated that your counts were too high for neulasta. When was your blood work done that showed your counts were too high? I am just wondering because I get my blood work on Tuesday, chemo on Thurs. and have not been told that the blood count has anything to do with the shot I get on Friday. My counts have been within the normal range each Tuesday before chemo. Were yours above the normal range?
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Carrol2: my fingernails suck right now. Hopefully by summer things will improve. I tolerated treatment pretty well. I am glad to be finish this THURSDAY!!! I don't know whether to jump or hide. Now the waiting game begins.....................................
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I just had my last treatment! Noticed a little bit of spotty numbness to a couple of fingers over the last couple weeks. Anyone else have this and did it go away? It's not all the time and is not significant... just enough to where I'm like, "hmm.. that feels a little funny" and it's just a couple of fingers. My fingernails look fine.. no ridges or darkness, but some have said it came after treatment finished. So hoping not to feel like death warmed over this week, but I will get thru it because... I'm DONE!
Now on to exchange and ooph... then I'll celebrate.
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My nails didn't start up until I was off chemo several months and yes the tinge-ling went away on me I have the hair problem of course and it doesn't grow any where on my body I would NEVER B if I had to shave my legs and underarm every day ha.. my eyebrows got worst several months after chemo ended I have been out August 2008 not looking good hair wise and nails are still a mess but going to start on a new vit. Hair essentials and if it doesn't work you get all your money back 99 for 3 months I have wasted it on prenatal vit so I will try this and let you ladies know ......
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AnneteeS My doctor said my nutrofils were too high when they did my blood work the day before my chemo. The neulasta was making my counts very high and this was too high so I did not get the neulasta shot for my 4th tx.
I am 54 days PFC. Hair still growing like a chia pet, i can still see scalp all over though. I did develop tingles in my hands when i go to sleep for some reason, like pins and needles. It wakes me up a lot. I stopped the nystatin and my tongue seems ok. I think that was making my tongue white making me think i still had thrush. I feel great. I did fine traveling on a 16 day road trip one month PFC. Now I ahve been going to the gym every day. Getting in shape beofre my reocnstruction. I gained 6 pounds eating raod food ugh!.
We are expecting 15 inches of snow tonite in KC so not sure if will make my follow up visit with my oncologist. I knonw she will be prescribing tomaxefin.
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Eye twitching - I had quite a bit of it, everyday shortly after my last round of TC but now it has completely gone away....it has been 9 weeks since my last treatment which was end of Nov.
Fingernails - only ridges in them...nothing else
Toenails - no problems...yay
Hair is coming in nicely...about 3/4 of an inch right now with even growth
Eyebrows & Eyelashes - unfortunately lost them about 6 weeks after my last treatment...that was a surprise and a bummer!
All in all just wanted to say the my 4 cycles of TC went pretty well (thank god) it is always good to hear both sides. I know many women have so many more problems with it....I just had lots of little side effects that didn't last too long (so far anyway). I have learned to expect the unexpected though. So crossing my fingers that nothing new comes up.
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I guess it's a trade off, I still have lashes and they are longer now. Brows are a little thin. But my hair is not covering my scalp yet. Guess it will just take time.
P.S. I also have to shave my legs and armpits now, sorry if that is TMI some people my want to know lol.
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I am 6 weeks post my last TC. I have lost all my eyebrows 2 weeks ago (4 weeks post TC).
I have all my eyelashes except maybe a small area one eye but with eyeliner, you can't tell.
My hair looks like a chia pet. It's everywhere but I can still see scalp. It sure is taking it's time. I also do not have any hair growth armpits, legs or other areas.
I have the nail issues with Beau's Lines.. Toe nails seem okay.
I have the heel numbness.
I have water retention.
I have the pins and needles in my hands when sleeping and waking up in the morning.
But what bothers me the most and that started 3 weeks ago (so 3 weeks post last TC) is this awful muscle and joint pain. My calves, my hips, my groin area, my arms.. Holy Mother of Toledo is it every painful. Getting up from sitting on the couch, ouch! Getting up from sitting on the floor with my daughter, ouch! Getting out of the car, ouch! Anything I do that requires movement is causing me so much pain.
Other than that - I'm okay.. I am nowhere near I was pre-chemo and I don't know that I'll ever be. Maybe this is my new normal but it sucks.. I just want to be like I was before all of this shit.
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Rachel dod your doctor tell you if there is anything you can do for the pins and needles in the hands? I can't I drove in the snow and forgot to ask about that. My muscles hurt but probably because I have been taking classes at the gym every day. Do you still have your port? I wonder if that is related to the tingles, mine seem worse on that side.0
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My onc told me to take Vitamin 6 and vit 12 for the neuropathy in my hands and toes. It hasn't been working too well. I just upped my dose of Vit 12 today.
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i have been taking a b complex but i just read something online about gettting it different ways than jsut going to the drug store.
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Hi folks,
I was wondering if anyone has noticed changes in their vision while on TC. I have finished 3 of 4 infusions and just feel I'm not seeing as clearly whether it is reading or distance vision. Nothing major but it feels like I need a new prescription.
Has anyone been given any advice from their onc?
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Sharon789: YES... it has been a problem for a few of us here. I'm having the same issue.. nothing major and it wavers in and out. I just finished my treatments Monday. Taxotere can cause the vision disturbance but so can Decadron. I cut back on Decadron myself and also on Zofran but not everyone can do that. Benedryl also can cause some disturbance. Onc's really don't say much about it. I've heard to give it like a month after treatment to see if it clears up.. but you are not imagining it.0
