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Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?

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Comments

  • enjoylife
    enjoylife Member Posts: 187
    edited February 2011

    All of the symtons will evenutally go away it does take a while each month its better I will never have my energy level to what it was but I am also almost 3 years older so that is part of it. I got my hair cut and prooud to say it looks allot better I still have thin hair and balding around the crown after 3 years out almost but at least I am not as scarey looking so a cut for anyone who doesnt get hair back all the way helps the other hair dressers couldnt do what this one did for me. The lady who hands hurt while she was driving and talking on the phone that is easy you have made it through cancer now dont take a chance of hurting your self driving and talking on the phone meant to be nice I wish we had a law no talking no texting while driving ..

  • DMD
    DMD Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2011

    Just got back from my onco. appt. I feel bad for him because I spent a good part of the appt. crying.  It is so strange how we totally hold things together for so long and then someone who really understands asks how things are going and we fall apart.  Anyway, he spent over an hour with me and was wonderful about talking through all the things I am frustrated with (basically the things we have all been talking about...aches & pains, neuropathy, eye twitching, hot flashes, reduced libido, mood swings, weight gain...you know...the ever growing list.  Anyway, he blames a lot of it on the taxotere and also the steroids.  Unfortunately he basically echoed what we have all been hearing...that things will absolutely improve and it just takes time. He said that even though he already knows I am an impatient person that pretty much everyone he deals with at this point in their recovery is just sick of it all and wants to be back to "normal" so things tend to bother us more because we don't have the distractions of surgery, and regular treatments, etc. Anyway...it takes a toll on the body in lots of little ways and its not something you quickly bounce back from.

    So aside from trying to be patient and remembering that we are still recovering and will be for a long time, we need to also focus on proper nutrition and exercise (even when we don't want to).  Sorry I didn't get any new helpful tips. We have heard wonderful encouraging words though from our "BC Sisters" who have been here before us and it helps to just touch base with people who are going through the same thing.

    Hugs to all!

  • divinemrsm
    divinemrsm Member Posts: 6,614
    edited February 2011

    n3ypb, I wanted to mention something about your comment.  You said you're not sure if you'd have taken the path you did if you'd realized it was going to take an entire year out of your life.  I'm just beginning my journey, so I'm no expert, but I got my husband the book 'Breast Cancer Husband".  He said the book says this is at least a one-year journey.  It sort of sounded to me like whatever treatment route you take, you're in for at least a year of upheaval.  If that's what it takes to turn our health around to get better, I say we're worth it!  I see that you are about 7 months along from your initial diagnosis.  And great test results: no active cancer!  As someone who's treatment hasn't begun, that is very encouraging to hear! Just give yourself time to heal; it sounds like you've been thru so much so far, so be easy-and patient-with yourself.  God bless.

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

    Jsut to set the record i didnot mean that i was on the phone and driving at the same time. Jsut two different instances where the neruopathy bothers me.

  • arubajan05
    arubajan05 Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2011

    Hey Carrol2 - Yes, Flexeril is a prescription. I take 5mg at bedtime. It's official name is "cyclobenzaprine" . The way my integrative medicine doctor described it it is helping me sleep through the hot flashes at night and allowing my muscles to recoup overnight so that my joint pain from the Tamoxifen isn't so severe. To me, it has been a wonder drug! 

    And DivineMrsM - One of my friends bought my hubby the Breast Cancer Husband book too. He is not a reader but he used it like a manual and I think it really helped him mentally prepare for what we were going through.... :)

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

    I am not sure if the muscle pain I feel is from working out or tomaxifen. Probably just that I had not worked out in about 6 weeks.

    The pins and needles in my hands is making me nuts though. I keep waking up at night and i have to keep switching hands for some things during the day. 

  • Diana_Wigged_Out
    Diana_Wigged_Out Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2011

    I hadn't seen my real color in years and it came back gray and I was so depressed.  I tried convincing myself I liked the gray.  Got used to seeing myself gray.  Then saw my hairdresser and got it dyed a golden color which is the darker color in my wig.  I am very confused if I should go blond again (like before chemo) or go gray. Help!!!!!

  • enjoylife
    enjoylife Member Posts: 187
    edited February 2011

    Frosted blonde it perks up your face the older you are the most color you should use on clothes and hair me I am one that doesnt have enough hiar to make much of a differenece but after almost 3 years I still have hope..

  • Rachel1966
    Rachel1966 Member Posts: 57
    edited February 2011

    Ladies I have a question... At what point do we stop calling our nurses?  I'm 2 months post last TC treatment and since yesterday I've been hit with the cold virus. I'm coughing, nose is all stuffy, feel like crap.  I've been taking my temp and so far it's 37.1 - 37.5... I was told that if we hit 38 we need to go to the ER... So my question is, does this still apply now that we're done with chemo? Or do we just do the protocol of tylenol, water and rest?

    Thanks ladies.

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited February 2011

    I would still call the nurse! I imagine that at 2 months PFC (I'm at 7 weeks) we shouldn't have to worry about the fever, but I'm certainly no nurse so best to check!! Hope you feel better soon!!

  • cc4npg
    cc4npg Member Posts: 438
    edited February 2011

    Hey, has anyone had a problem with their fingernails being sensitive?  I'm talking, like I can't open a can of pop, tapping on the keys to type, pushing on the top or ends of the fingernails kind of sensitivity.  It actually hurts!  My nails look ok, not black, maybe a little white at the top and I'm done with chemo.  This started up right after my last treatment. 

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

    nothing happening to my nails but i  got the tingles in my fingers, neuropathy, about 7 weeks after i finished chemo. Makes some things hard to do where my hand might be in an upright position for more than 5 minutes.  I guess some SE can keep popping up after we finish. I wonder for how long. Major bummer.

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited February 2011

    Angelisa- I made it through chemo with no nail issues, then just after I get the sensitivity in a couple of fingers. I have faint pink ridges across those nails. They stopped hurting within  2-3 weeks. I am 7 weeks now and they don't hurt at all. I hope it stops for you soon!

    Tiffany

  • cc4npg
    cc4npg Member Posts: 438
    edited February 2011

    I sure hope so too.  I did a little search on the forum and found many people had this and some went on to lose their nails!  Chemo.. the gift that keeps on givin'

  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2011

    Hi folks,

    I had my 4th and final TC last week....yipee!  I was told that the intesity and/or frequency of my hot flashes will decrease once I'm off chemo. I realize that I may remain in menopause (I'm 46) but I would really like these hot flashes to reduce a bit so I can get some sleep.

    For those ladies that are farther along, what has your experience been with hot flashes?

    Thanks for your help.

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

    I did not have any hot flashes during chemo. I had a few  nights with sweats but only during on tx then stopped. I am 10 weeks PFC. I did develop neuropathy in my hands which is annoying. And my muscles are very stiff but not sure if that is the chemo or the tamoxifen.

    Anyone know how long before the chemo is out of the system? 

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited February 2011
    Sharon- I am over 7 weeks PFC and still having hot flashes and bad night sweats. I asked my onc about it and he said it could last for weeks or years! I sure hope it's not years!!!
  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited February 2011

    Sharon789-CONGRATS for being done with chemo!  Doing a version of the "happy dance" just for you!! 

    I am just over 6 weeks PFC and am still having "minor" hot flashes..just enough to wake me up in the middle of the night and I have to just cover up with a sheet and stick my feet out to cool off...

    Carrol2--I have had the same question as you...not sure if it's correct or not, but I recently read the current article about Robin Roberts in PREVENTION magazine.  She made mention that it she was told it could take up to a year for the chemo is completely out of your system...I see my ONC tomorrow, so I'll try to remember to ask...

    Re: Nails...I didn't have any issues during treatment, but now I have ridges on my nails...they seem to be growing out though...my baby toes look discolored though...not sure if I"m gonna keep them or lose them...

    Hope everyone is having a great day...and those of you warrior women still going through treatment...YOU CAN DO IT!

    peace and prayers,

    Tori

    DE COLORES! 

  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Carrol 2 and TifJ. 

    I guess I will just have to wait and see.  Like everything else, SA are individual.  I got the hot flashes but no neuropathy so far.  I just want to look forward to a good sleep at some point!

  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 75
    edited February 2011

    Hey Ladies,

    My friend is getting adriamycin/cytoxin.  She has hoarseness and can only speak in whispers.  She thinks its a cytoxan se -- anyone have throat troubles?   What did you do for it?

  • AnnetteS
    AnnetteS Member Posts: 22
    edited February 2011

    I get quite hoarse with each Taxotere Cytoxin infusion. 

  • julia2
    julia2 Member Posts: 18
    edited February 2011

    I got hoarse but I thought it was from the Taxotere, slowing the drip down solved it.  Cytoxan SE is usually headache.

    Julia 

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited February 2011

    Hi ladies. Did anyone develop a dry cough during TC. I did around tx2 and still have it 8 weeks PFC. Is this normal? I don't cough all day- just sometimes. Any thoughts?

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited February 2011
    Tiffany might be esophageal reflux. Have you been getting a lot of caffeine, alcohol, tomatoes, mint or citrus? Maybe decrease that and see what happens. I take pills for it but i was about to go off them when I got diagnosed because as long as I watch my diet i am fine. But many people get reflux from chemo and it does not always cause heartburn. For me it was never heartburn just in my throat. very commonly misdiagnosed as a sore throat.
  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited February 2011

    Carrol- that's something to think about! I get a slight burning feeling toward my back when I cough. I never thought it could be heartburn- I've never had it before. I bought some Prilosec when I first started treatment, maybe I should try it? Thanks!

  • AnaM
    AnaM Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2011

    Hi, I am new here......will start Taxotere/Cytoxan this Thursday March 10, 2011...VERY scared of this combo as I was told by doctors that it was not all that bad but I read here the side effects are BAD. I will have 4 rounds, one every 3 weeks. THAT is what is helping me cope wth the anxiety and fear. I tell myself that I will be done in 9 weeks..........good luck and many blessings to all of us here. Ana Maria

  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2011

    Hi AnaM,

    I finished TCX4  2.5 weeks ago.  This combo is very do-able for me.  Everyone is different but I did not have any nausea or neuropathy.  I did wear ice mits and booties during the infusion and had a neulasta shot the day after. I had a skin rash once, some heartburn and constipation but all were managed with medication.  I did lose my hair and always felt out of sorts from day 3 to day 5-6...nothing specific.  Oh, I went into chemo-pause with hot flashes.  I've noticed a reduction in those but I still have them.

    Believe it or not the time did seem to pass quickly sometimes.

    I can totally relate that not knowing what it will be like is stressful but after the first round, it does not feel as stressful.  You know what to expect.

    Sharon

  • divinemrsm
    divinemrsm Member Posts: 6,614
    edited March 2011

    AnaM,

    I, too, began Taxotere & Cytoxan (and Zometa for bones) on Feb 26 of this year; my 2nd chemo is this coming Wed.  I did not have many issues at all.  Hopefully once you begin, your nervousness will subside as you see, like Sharon says, it's very do-able.  I was rather nervous for several days prior to my 1st  chemo, too, but getting started helped.  Will keep you in my prayers.

  • enjoylife
    enjoylife Member Posts: 187
    edited March 2011

    Ladies we have put out the warnings several times go with anything else but Taxatore gave some of us with out being told it could leave you bald and any side effect from another is better than this 3 years ago I stopped chemo this summer and I have to WORK and its very hard I have too much hair for a wig but I look like a young 80 year old who escaped the nursing home and I have been to all these doctors and the company who makes the drug no one can do anything even Ins. wont cover but 100 life time for a wig so now in the state of MO I am seareching for someone who is a proffesional who can order and fit a top piece for the top and crown that looks and feels good having not much luck with that but it will pan out eventially I will not let my chemo take a 4th summer away from me even my ong. cannot get over it my hair is fine and thin that is there too much for a wig not enough to wear and look normal everyone looks like at me like I am still on chemo yes I am alive but a large part of me is dead and I am single and miss going places so please listen to us if your ong. will not give you the info there are woman all over the states and UK and Germany India everywhere that are in the same spot...

  • AnaM
    AnaM Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2011

    Ladies, I do not have a port. I developed celullitis in one leg 3 weeks after surgery, and it caused some small blood clots that traveled to the lungs. I was placed on coumadin and Lovenox shots, all of which I am still doing. Doctor did not recommend a port now, since I would have to be taken off the blood thinners and that would be a risk right now. He also said that since it is only 4 rounds of chemo every 3 weeks, he thinks my veins will be ok. Plus, my poor chest is like a war zone because of the incisions and TE's, etc......I did not feel comfortable having another surgery for a port.

     Question:is the Taxotere/cytoxan combo too heavy on the veins? Are there tips I can use to make my veins behave well and hold up? Thanks!

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