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Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?

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Comments

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited February 2011

    Sharon- like CC4npg I have vision issues too. I am 5 weeks from last tx and it is getting better. Still watery at times and have trouble focusing, but not nearly as blurry as I was during treatment.

  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited February 2011

    Ditto on the eye issues. I am a little over 3 weeks PFC and still having twitching.  Even with my glasses on, I still don't see like I should.  I spoke to my Onc about it and he said that it's normal.

    I missed my yearly eye exam in October because of treatment and was told to wait at least 3 months post final treatment to go get them checked...let's hoping it clears itself up...

    peace and prayers,

    Tori

    DE COLORES! 

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited February 2011

    Yes.. same here... blurry vision. It is definitely the chemo... For me the blurriness started almost right away... Would love to know that is will go away for sure when I am done... does it get worse? I have only had one of six treatments.

  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2011

    cc4npg, TifJ, ToriGirl:

    Thanks for your responses.  It is good to know that I am not going crazy!  I'll just be squinting until it's time to get them checked.

  • Rachel1966
    Rachel1966 Member Posts: 57
    edited February 2011

    same here with the eye issues... My blurry vision started after the 2nd infusion. I don't see as well as I use to and have to remove my glasses now to see things up close. Ugh!  I also have the teary, watery eyes, although that seems to be getting better.

    I'm almost 7 weeks post TC.  I have a bad cough and am snoring way louder than I ever snored before. Still have a sore throat. Still have a white tongue although that seems to go away by the afternoon. I have the feet pain and heel numbness but mostly what I have is muscle and joint pain. It almost feels like arthritic type pain.  Doctor said to take a supplement of Calcium Magnesium so I'm taking Caltrate Plus. Advil or Aleve are not  helping with the pain much.

    I have to admit I am 60-65lbs overweight and am not at all motivated to start exercising because of the pain I have in my arms, thighs, legs, calves, back.  I think I'm probably depressed somewhat. I just want to feel like I did before chemo - I want my normal again.

  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2011

    Does anyone use any drops that relieve dry eyes?  The ones I have used don't seem to work.

    Rachel1966-I get depressed too and have to force myself to search out help.  I'm starting with a support group at Wellspring next week.  I'm adding that to other resources like social workers and making sure I make plans regularly.  I think I need the endorphins of exercise but havn't done as much as I should.

    Bdavis-thanks for the info. I haven't found it got noticably worse over my 3 treatments but I guess I have to wait and see.  My eyes seem dry.

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited February 2011

    Forgot to mention- 5 weeks out and the twitching has stopped!

  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited February 2011

    Rachel-I know EXACTLY how you feel....I was about 40lbs overweight before chemo, now I"m about 60-65lbs overweight because of chemo...I have rads to start soon and can't lose weight during that time because it messes with the precision of the radiation treatments...I mean, I get it, but it blows that I can't do more right now...I have the same muscle/joint aches when I get up (3 weeks PFC) and have just learned to do some stretching before I get up...it seems to help me a little bit.

    I'm hoping things start to get better after rads and I can start to take off the extra weight...

    Best of everything to you! 

    peace and prayers,

    Tori

    P.S.  I started another thread about "fuller figure" ladies out there needing some help, advice, encouragement, accountability after treatment....hoping to get some ladies wanting to help each other out in the process...please feel free to join in on the discussion if you want! 

    DE COLORES! 

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 706
    edited February 2011

    I had the same se's. My face was twitching, my vision changed. Those have all improved. I have a little bit of neuropathy left in the toes of my right foot. My hair is the problem. Very thin and sparse. And the hair I do have is "fried". Not having my hair back is the worst. I also would like to find a place that will do extensions to thicken hair as opposed to lengthening. I'm feeling desperate and am also upset that this will cost a lot of money. Someone should have to pay for this. Not only do I feel that I will never be my normal again, I feel that I have lost many different things that I will never get back.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited February 2011

    HRF... is this your second round of chemo??

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 706
    edited February 2011

    Bdavis, unfortunately the answer is yes. My first time I had FEC. The second time was TC. Both were very hard.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited February 2011

    Ladies i just want you to know that as soon as your last cycle you will start feeling so much better. Hang in there this will all pass. The only thing i have now is some tingles in my figners

    It feels great to be done and know that I did something great to fight my cancer. 

  • enjoylife
    enjoylife Member Posts: 187
    edited February 2011

    Still after almost 3 years out of chemo my nails are horrible especially my 2 ring fingers and also my feet tingle at night if I dont wear a small sock on them but I can live with both of these its the hair I need a miricle a large one ....

  • cc4npg
    cc4npg Member Posts: 438
    edited February 2011
    enjoylife:  I'm so terribly horrified to hear about the hair issues some of us face.  I wish they would come up with something to really make it grow back.  I've followed many of your experiences with the hair issues and it breaks my heart to hear these things.  It's a big deal to get up every morning and still see what this beast has done in the mirror, and no, I can't begin to imagine what it's like.  I hope and pray hair will start growing for all of you.  I don't understand why the taxotere has that effect... yes I've read some of it but still, it just doesn't make sense.  That is a horrible side effect!  And there are many in the world living with it, either from taxotere or radiation or something they had to do in order to live. 
  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited February 2011

    HRF... After lots of reading, it seems to me that often the permanent loss is after FEC and then Taxotere... just an observation, and not 100% of cases... maybe the body just can't handle it... ???

  • Blindsided
    Blindsided Member Posts: 28
    edited February 2011

    Just wanted to send a word of encouragement to those of you that are just beginning or in the middle of treatment.  As tough as it is while you are going through it, those nasty side effects do go away.  I am now 4 weeks PFC and essentially feel like my old self, and chemo is just a bad memory at this point.   The only remaining problems are a mild numbness in my fingertips and toes, mildly impaired taste (of all things, water still tastes bad!) and a bit less strength and energy than before.  Oh, and most importantly, the bald head.... Hang in there, you will feel better sooner than you think!

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited February 2011

    according to the taxotere info that they gave me when i started chemo there is a 3% chance that the hair will not grow back. So far i can still see scalp, 8 weeks out,  but i do have hair growing back all over.

  • enjoylife
    enjoylife Member Posts: 187
    edited February 2011

    Carol I see scalp after almost 3 years out of chemo and they gave you the wrong info its much higher than 3% I really hope you and everyone else gets thier hair back we are a group who wants to help there are so many out there that dont even access computer to contact us I feel for them. good luck with the hair but 8 weeks is nothing so if your getting hair it will probaly all fill in for you.

  • Rachel1966
    Rachel1966 Member Posts: 57
    edited February 2011

    I have the chia pet look on my head.. I see growth but I still see scalp.  My hubby says it seems darker and slightly more than a few weeks back.  But I have NO hair growth anywhere else on my body.

  • arubajan05
    arubajan05 Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2011

    Hey Rachel and ToriGirl - Just wanted to send a word of encouragement about the joint aches and pains.  Mine were TeRRIBle right after my treatment (by the way are either of you taking Tamoxifen -- I saw Rachel, you are ER+) Any ways if you are on Tamoxifen like I was (my onc started me 3 weeks PFC) it is even worse!  BUT  today I am a little more than 6 months PFC and I feel great!  I only have joint pain every so often and it will get better.  I have also pro-actively sought out an integrative medicine specialist who has given me some advice and meds that have really minimized my side effects.  I take a 5 mg Flexiril every evening at bedtime which helps to make my muscles relax and recoup while I sleep.  I also take several supplements - Zyflamend (for inflammation), Evening Primrose Oil (help with hot flashes), Vit D, B-Complex, Calcium and Biotin (healthy hair and nails). I am feeling 100% better than I did following my treatments. IT WILL GET BETTER!!!

    ((Big Hugs)) to all!

  • Rachel1966
    Rachel1966 Member Posts: 57
    edited February 2011

    I have a question... I know about the feet neuropathy because I think I have a mild case. My heels are numb and after standing for a while, walking - my feet hurt like mad.  So I'm assuming this is neuropathy.

    Here's my question. Does it happen to hands as well?  I am just not understanding what is happening to my body. 

    My last TC treatment was on December 17th - other than 2 days of hell, I have to say it was the easiest of my 4 treatments, BUT here I am 4 weeks and more later and I'm having all these pains. First it started with the calves, then it went to hips, then to arms and now hands. So I have all these muscles / joint pain from my feet up to my collarbone. Even the bone on top of my right shoulder seems to stick out and is sore. 

    I feel like I'm 100 years old. Getting up from a chair takes me a good 5 minutes and is brutal. And now my hands are so bad I can't even grip my toothbrush or open a bottle of  vitamins. As the day goes on, it will subside only to get bad again at night. I can't bend my fingers. It feels like arthritic pain, I don't know. Can't wear my rings anymore either.

    I'm seeing the oncologist on the 22nd to start Tamoxifen, but I have a feeling she'll just brush this off again as a side effect to Decadron and Taxotere and it's just taking my body longer to recuperate.. Well if that's the case, why are these symptoms happening 4-5-6 weeks AFTER I'm done with chemo? And why is it with one area then adds a 2nd area and so on and so on?

    I just want to feel normal again...I hate having to say no to my daughter because mommy is in pain.... Just hate it!

    Thanks for listening.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited February 2011

    Rachael I am 61 days almost 9 weeks PFC and just started to get neuropathy in my hands about 10 days ago. it feels like my hands keep falling asleep, i get the pins and needles that wake me up when i am sleeping and takes a while after i wake up to go away, and it still bothers me during the day when i hold my hand up to use my cell phone and when i drive. I did not even get this at all during chemo. My onco nurse said there is a script they could give me for it. But they figure I would not want to take any more drugs if I don't need to. She thinks it will go away on its own eventually but if not i could take that drug.

    I just started tamoxifen 4 days ago. Not sure if it is related but my muscles kill after i work out which sounds normal and maybe it is but it doesn't seem like i am working out that hard.

    arubanjan05 what is Flexiril is that a prescription?

    I am taking a multi, vit D, B complex, folic acid, and biotin 

  • DMD
    DMD Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2011

    I appreciate hearing your comments ladies. I am 49 years old and 10 weeks out from my last TC treatment and I feel like I am 80 years old. I have joint pain and all over muscle aches that I don't understand. It hurts to climb or descend stairs and god forbid I kneel down or try to get up off the floor it is such an effort to get back up. I started back to exercising about 5 weeks ago...nothing but brisk walking, a little leg work and stretching so I was attributing it to that and the fact that my body has been beaten up with surgery and chemo.  I see my onc today and will see what he has to say, but maybe this is more common as a delayed side effect than we realized.  I will be starting on Arimidex this week and am worried that will just compound the problem. Yeesh!

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 496
    edited February 2011

    Ladies I finished CHEMO I don't know who I made it through. I worked the entire time because I pretty much had no other choice. :(

     I wish everyone all the best!!!

    Sending hugs! 

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited February 2011

    Great News Fighter!!! I hope you are feeling better and ready to get on with life!! I am 5 weeks out and am seeing hair!!!

  • theresap60
    theresap60 Member Posts: 849
    edited February 2011

    I just want to send a word of encouragement to you ladies too.  I am 8 months post chemo and am on tamoxifen.  My hair came back very thick and curly, but each hair cut I get, the curl gets cut away.  I let my stylist color my hair the first time (I'm gray... was before chemo too), but now I'm coloring it just fine again.  My joint aches and pains are gone... but they were real and I felt 30 years older.  My nails are normal.  Eye tearing and twitching long gone.  So there is life after chemo!  God bless you all.

    I'm still tired and my immune system seems more compromised this winter, but honestly, I have a desk job and don't get out much.  I think if I could/would exercise every day or most days, I'd get my energy back quicker and I'd be healthier.  I see my onc this week and know that's what she'll tell me.  It would probably help with some of the extra weight I've put on too.

    But all in all, it's a distant memory.  February is the anniversary of my first and second surgery.  2010 was not a good year!! :-)  Don't come back cancer!!!

  • Linda-n3
    Linda-n3 Member Posts: 1,713
    edited February 2011

    This is in response to the question about dry eyes.  I tried several drops - found Refresh Liquigel eye drops helpful during the day, even though they seemed a little bit blurry when first putting them in, they were quite soothing.  For nighttime use.  I used a lubricating ointment which lasted all night.  I had to have someone else put them in for me but it was well worth the effort.  My eyes remain dry for approximately 10 days after my last three cycles and it does seem that my vision in one eye is a little bit blurry, but overall no major vision problems.

  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited February 2011

    I'm just over 4 weeks PFC and I feel all the aches and pains you are talking about...I didn't even feel like this during chemo, so I dunno what's going on...

    I"m afraid about what my AI will bring along...

    Tori 

  • Linda-n3
    Linda-n3 Member Posts: 1,713
    edited February 2011

    In reply to DMD and theresap60, thanks for the encouragement!  I too am two months out of my last treatment but I'm not regaining strength and energy as I had anticipated.  (I thought I should be feeling better within a couple of months.  I'm not sure I would've chosen this path if I had known it was going to take an entire year out of my life, and yet the alternative was not great either.)

    I do have some hair growing back, but would trade this in a heartbeat for intact peripheral nerves.  This has been the most devastating part of my treatment in that I am unable to type without pain in my fingers or speak for long periods of time without pain in the tip of my tongue, and I make my living by teaching (writing and giving lectures).  I do get some relief from prolonged rest and also from gabapentin, but this medication also has side effects, which are difficult to manage, such as slow thinking and difficulty finding words that I did not experience while on chemo.  If anyone has any encouragement for me on the neuropathy, I would be very grateful.  All I seem to get for my oncologist is that I might get "some improvement" but it will take "some time"in the amount of time she estimates could be up to two years or never.  So between this and the fatigue I am somewhat discouraged at times.

    The good news is that all of my tests showed that there is no active cancer at this time!

  • theresap60
    theresap60 Member Posts: 849
    edited February 2011

    n3ypb -  I had some of that neuropathy too and was told the same thing.  I couldn't pick things up with my right fingers for the longest time.  And getting out of bed in the morning, putting my feet on the floor, ouch!  It's all gone now.  Everyone recovers at a different pace.  I had 4 treatments, 2 weeks apart.  I know a lot of you have it worse.  I hated it when my doctors would tell me "it takes time"  or "it's normal".  Well, it didn't FEEL normal to me!  I had expected my energy to be pretty good by summer last year (planned a move and everything), but I was zonked.  Our bodies took quite a beating from those chemicals and have to be retaught what normal is.

    Tori - you handled chemo so well.  The side effects you're feeling will go away.  I forced myself to exercise through the achiness.  I have a recumbant bike at home which I haven't been on since I got bronchitis.  Sometimes I could only do 15 minutes, but at least it was something.  Oh, and I can't forget about the vitamins that my doctor put me on... I think those helped me more than anything!!!  How can I forget those?  She checked my vitamin D levels and they were low, so I'm on 4000IUs D, B12, adult gummy vitamins, calcium (dark chocolate), and magnesium.  You might tolerate the AI very well.  Maybe expect side effects for a few months until your body adjusts.  It took a couple of months for me to get used to the tamoxifen... I still wake up with hot flashes and will talk to my onc about it this week.  You know, with winter upon me and the winter blues, maybe I should increase my Vit D... I'll ask my onc this week.

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