Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
-
G'morning, everybody--
Today is the first day I've felt really good during this 3rd cycle...and it's almost time for tx #4! I will be so glad when sinus congestion is just hayfever, and a rash is just poison ivy, and my poor, pitiful hair starts coming back. (I may regret that last part. Showering takes one-tenth the time it used to take.)
Senora, I don't know anything about the SE's of Aranesp/Procrit/Epogen. My hemoglobin has been dropping, too, but my onco is hoping mightily that we can avoid an "erythropoiesis-stimulating agent." With 2 more treatments to go, it sounds like you didn't have many other options.
I'm sort of glad I don't have to deal with tamoxifen. Five years past my last period, I'm not really a candidate for tamoxifen, so I'll be starting on Arimidex by the end of June. 'Course, the big problem with Arimidex and the other AI's is bone-thinning. (I'm not counting the aches and pains, which can vary a lot from person-to-person. I've decided I've had my quota of aches and pains from Taxotere and Neulasta. I'm not having any more, thankyouverymuch.) Anyway, I need to get a DEXA bone density scan within the next few weeks, as a baseline for the 5-year (or longer) course of Arimidex. I've had DEXA's before, and I wish all medical tests were that innocuous.
Karin, I did have sore feet, but I never developed any blisters--just dark red areas that were painful to pressure. They weren't on the flat part of the soles of my feet--they were on the sides, right at the edge of the callus on each heel. If you think you might be getting blisters, you should call your onco tomorrow and report it. It is possible that you are getting hand-foot syndrome (HFS): http://www.chemocare.com/managing/handfoot_syndrome.asp
This is just your 1st treatment. If the sore toes are HFS, it could get worse with subsequent treatments and your onco needs to do something about it. In the meantime, check out the website I mentioned above--it has suggestions for keeping your feet comfortable.
Coffee tastes reasonably "normal" today, and most foods are OK. Sweet and salty tastes have returned. I bought some pickles yesterday because they sounded good, but my "sour" tastebuds are totally gone. The pickles were fresh, crunchy, and completely tasteless. My dh ate some, and assured me that the problem was with me and not with the pickles!
otter
0 -
Otter, with your pickle story I'm wondering if I won't be craving BBQ potato chips so badly once I start...if I can't taste them anymore. I was telling hubby this morning about how I may hate certain foods after eating them during chemo, and he said, "Well, you can eat potato chips until you hate them!" Ha ha. Those are my food vice!
Thanks for the reassurance about the vacation...the onc. did seem to be trying to find a good time for me to go, and seems to think if I have antiobiotics in hand, just in case, and stay out of the sun, it'll be OK. I suppose I won't have to spend time blow-drying my hair in the humid Florida air before going out to dinner since it may be gone by then--I'll be ready before my husband, which is unprecedented! I told him I'd be sitting outside with a cocktail asking him what took him so long (then I thought, poo, I don't guess I'll be allowed to have a cocktail this summer). That'll be weird--the inn where we've gone for several years has a gorgeous garden/deck area by the beach, and everyone gathers around 5:00 with their cocktails or beers before supper--very nice!
I'm wondering about something my onc. told us Friday--she had just told us that the PETscan, etc. were all clean and we were so happy, then she suddenly decided I didn't need Adriamycin after all, so we were happy again....but as we were leaving, she said, "Oh, you won't need Emend now, I'm giving you a prescription for some other meds for the nausea." We were both stupid with relief at that point so just nodded stupidly and said "OK", but now I'm thinking, "Wait a minute....I want Emend!" She prescribed Zofran and Compazine, but the labels just say to take 1 every 8 & 6 hrs, respectively. So I don't know if I should take any before my 1st tx Wednesday, or if I should take them every day afterwards, for a week...or WHAT? I'm calling her office tomorrow to try to get some answers. I feel stupid for walking out without asking these things---it seems like things get thrown at you so quickly and it's sometimes hard to think on your feet. Have you been taking Emend? Are you going to be finished after #4? I wonder why some of us get 4 and others 6. Maybe the dosages are different, who knows. It doesn't really matter, we just have to do it! My mantra for the summer, ala Nike...Just Do It.
0 -
catlover44 - I'm glad all is a go for your trip. Anything dealing with the water has been relaxing for me. We won't be making our usual trip to CA this summer. The onoc wanted us to wait until after radiation which will be 1 -2 weeks before school starts and I know that I'll need that time to rest. At least we live 20 minutes from the beach and our boat, so we'll get water time there. I just love Coronado and will miss that part of the trip. Check with you onoc. about the cocktails. Some say it's ok.
I take Emend and zofran. I take Emend just before treatment and begin zofran that night for 6 doses. I also have compazine as a rescue. If you want it, ask. Most dr. are accommodating.
0 -
You are lucky, beachmom, to be near the water! I'm near the Cumberland River, but that's not exactly the beach...... I agree with you, water just somehow has a healing, relaxing effect. Especially since we are total "beach potatoes" and basically stare at the ocean for 7 days--our kids are grown so we don't have the "Look at me! Build a castle with me!" thing going on now! The most exertion is opening the cooler and wrestling with the bottle opener and sticking a lime wedge in another Corona. (That's hubby, not me. I'm not much of a beer fan. I eat Pringles all day.) But I think I will ask about those beach cocktails...I would think week 3 would be an OK time to do it if that's when I feel more normal. Hopefully?
I'm definitely asking about the Emend thing. She only prescribed me 10 Zofran, but I have 40 Compazine. ??? Unless the pharmacy just couldn't read her writing and made something up, that seems odd. I can get refills, but I don't understand the different amounts. Do you take the Zofran about every 8 hours for 6 doses? I'm usually a "good patient" and don't make waves, but everyone I know who's been through chemo says Emend is a must-have, so I think I'll be bratty for once and say, "I want it too!!" Do you find you feel more human after your first week after treatment? I'm trying to be prepared for how many totally crappy days I may have, and what days they may be! Where are you in your treatment?
0 -
Hi everyone, today is day 6. Chemo was on Tuesday. I slept a lot Wed, Thurs and Friday. I have dry mouth today. Nothing tastes good and I have a nasty taste in my mouth. I am also having a problem with diarrhea. I hope I feel well enough tomorrow to go back to work. Anyone have any suggestions? I have got to try to work, I'm not getting paid being off. Used all sick days and vacation days that I have so far this year.
0 -
Danismom: For the D take immodium. Diet-wise: Bananas-Rice-Applesauce-Toast. I drank a lot of vitaminwater and also liked limeade.
Catlover: I took 1 Emend an hour before chemo, then 1 each day for 2 days. Also got something with the chemo (it may have been zofran--how quickly one forgets!). At least I never got nauseated.
Good luck to all with tx's this week!
0 -
catlover, Taxotere/Cytoxan is not supposed to be very "emetogenic". The NCCN guidelines do not recommend Emend for routine use in women on Taxotere or low- or moderate-dose Cytoxan.
My onco admits that she is a minimalist. I get Zofran and Decadron (dexamethasone) as pre-meds in my i.v. Then at home I take Decadron twice a day for the next 2 days. I also have Ativan for anxiety and insomnia, but it also helps for nausea control. My only "real" take-home antinausea drug is Phenergan, which is like Compazine. I usually take it only on the day after my infusion, when I feel kind of queasy.
I am not especially strong, and I do not tolerate nausea at all. I can get seasick in a boat on an inland lake. That's what I told my onco, and that's why she gave me the Phenergan. Otherwise, she didn't even think I would need it.
My onco's minimalist approach toward anti-nausea drugs may be one reason why I've never had problems with constipation. YMMV, though.
otter
0 -
For the nausea I get 3 zofran at the time of the infusion and then keep taking it every 8 hours for the next 2-3 days. I also have some compazine but I've never used it. I have the decadron 2x day the day before, of, and after chemo. I haven't had any problems with nausea and I am very susceptible to motion sickness and had moderate morning sickness with my 3 kids. Emend wasn't offered with TC but I haven't thought I needed it.
It's not the nausea, it's the weakness and joint/bone/muscle aching that get me (along with sewer mouth and the resulting taste issues).
But only one more. In 10 days I'll be through with the worst of it and the neupogen injections so I'll really be able to say I'm done!
There's a bunch of us finishing up this week. Best wishes to all and to all who are just beginning this journey!
0 -
I know that this has been mentioned many times but can't find it on our many pages ... what is the mouth rinse that people have been using to avoid mouth sores? I want to pass that tip along to someone who is just starting their chemo journey for a different type of cancer.
0 -
Jisman, are you thinking of Biotene? It is supposed to be good for "dry mouth."
I've just been using a homemade solution of salt/soda water (approx. 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4-1/2 tsp baking soda, in a tall glass of lukewarm water). That's what my onco and my infusion center both recommended. I make up a fresh glass and rinse with it every few hours during that sore-mouth phase.
otter
0 -
I believe the mouthwash is Nystasin. (I'll check the bathroom right away). i rinsed 2X a day starting day 4 for 1 week. The stuff tasted better than anything else I ate that whole week. It is supposed to help prevent mouth sores. I haven't had any so far.
The Biotene is for general mouth wash. It refreshed my horrible mouth taste at least for a while.0 -
So this week is supposed to be my "good" week apart from the loss of hair which has started. I now have terrible cramps and diarhea as well as an acne type rash on my face. Is this just me? The sore throat still comes and goes but my temp is fine.
0 -
collector, I had acne after my first treatment but my face cleared up after about 2 weeks, and the acne hasn't reappeared. In fact, my face is now clearer than it's ever been, and I'm loving it.
catlover, where are you getting your treatments?
Jisman, I use the same solution that otter uses along with Biotene and have done well with them. Can't wait for food to taste really good and normal again. Had strawberry shortcake tonight and it just wasn't the same.
I actually had a lot of patience this week with the kids! They started summer break. I think the only request I couldn't handle was each of them wanting to have friends over at the same time. I'm hoping things go as smoothly this week for all of us since I go in for tx #5 tomorrow morning.
Hope everyone has had a good weekend,
Michele
0 -
Hi everyone - hope you all had a good weekend. I am feeling myself again which has been wonderful. That is except for this crappy feeling in my mouth. I hope I didn't blow it and not rinse enough preventively. Somehow I can taste sweets but everything else still tastes like cardboard. Not good for the hips.
Collector - I also have a sore throat that seems to come and go. Maybe it is related to the effects on our mouths?
Otter - is there a con to taking the Emend? I have only had one treatment but my doctor prescribed it for each one. If there is a reason not to take it I will question her at my appointment this week. Also, I know this will sound dumb but what is the NCCP?
0 -
collector..I too broke out very bad the first round by the second round my face had never been clearer. I know actually have dry skin versus oily skin. Nice change for me.
Jimmy update...Jimmy is still fighting hard but doing well. He had to have dialysis yesterday and will do it again tomorrow, has something to do with the heart his kidneys are not working well. They are hoping to get him off the breathing tube tomorrow and that will be a big improvement. Thanks for all the prayers...please keep them coming. I know this is all about us but Jimmy is such a special man I thought it would be okay to ask you all for prayers. He is on the heart transplant list and will be transfered to a major hospital in LA next week. All is looking better so it has to be all the prayers.
Now back to us....for all that had tx last week, I hope you are all feeling well. I am headed into treatment #4 out of 6 on Thursday...YEAH 2/3 of the way through.
0 -
Expensive acne treatment, Isn't it? A friend who when through chemo 10 years ago told me that her skin and hair had never been in such good condition! I won't mind that, what with being 52 and still get zits. My experience is similar to some of yours, breakouts cycle one, nothing since.
Now, I wonder what it will do for these dark circles and bags under my eyes????
0 -
OK, I won't make an issue about the Emend...sounds like some of you are doing fine without it. I still have some Phenergan left over from my surgery on 5/2, so with that and the other 2 I've been prescribed, maybe that'll take care of it. Otter, I'm the same way about getting "seasick" and even though some things I can push through, if I feel nauseated I'm just done for! Not to mention my husband, even though he is super-patient and sweet, etc., does not do vomit, poor guy! There would be 2 of us to clean up after if I barf in front of him.
Michele, you're very close to where I am--I'm in Lebanon. I'm getting my treatments at TN Oncology across from Baptist. 40 mile drive one way every time, but that's where I wound up. How about you? Looks like you drew the short straw for 6 tx instead of 4 too, but you're almost done? Wed. will be the first one for me, which is why I've been asking these nervous questions about nausea, etc! I guess once you dive in, it's not such an unknown, but it is so reassuring & comforting to compare notes with everyone here just to know if some crazy s/e happens, it may have happened to someone else too. Something else just occurred to me....does this mean I won't have to shave my legs all summer?? Trying to find the silver lining here....
0 -
Catlover - good luck to you as you start the adventure. When my onc as me my biggest fear about chemo...I told him I don't do throw up very well. So we went with the emend and also some other nausea drug in my chemo bag and then extra decadron after wards. I never had any nausea issues...and for that I am happy. I am on number 8 of rads today....finished chemo on 30 April..I am starting to get my hair back...I think.
This is a great place to ask questions...all the women are great, and I am so thankful for this site.
0 -
Sharon--just finished my last chemo tx on Wednesday and have a consult with the rad onc on Monday. Any words on what to expect? When did you start your rads? and what're they like? I'm going away on Aug 16; here's hoping I'm feeling human by then.
It's funny how some of us are plagued by nausea and others aren't....the nature of the "beast", I guess. Thx to all of you for your words of advice and for giving me a place to vent to those who REALLY understand.
enjoy the sunshineLisa
0 -
Nurselisa : congrats on being done with chemo! I am hoping your final recover is as uneventful as possible. Good luck as you move on to the rads side of treatment.
Robin
0 -
Whew, I have been at the lake this last week (no Internet) and have spent the last hour catching up on your posts.
I finished 2xt on Wednesday. The weekend was really bad but am much much better today. The infections seem to have gone as well. Today is the hair thing...it was just coming out in handfulls. I got tired of cleaning it up so I went and had my beautician (she works from home) give me the buzz cut. She then styled my wig to make it look like me. I plan to wear the turbans at home and the wig at work. There is a shop in the town I work that carries all the scarves, hats, etc. I plan to go by there tomorrow during lunch and get some more.
I feel so much better hearing that all of your surgeons said no chemo. So did mine, so much so that he was almost rude to me when I went back to him to put in the port. I thought even about looking for another surgeon. I had three oncho look at my case and they all said chemo was the way they would recommend. One even got upset when I told him the surgeon had told me no chemo. He said to remember that the surgeon knows surgery and does not even treat the people if the cancer comes back in an area other than the breast. He said the oncho knows chemo and their job is to make sure the cancer does not come back in some other area. Of course, they all said it was my decision. So here I am.
Food--the mouth is sore, had not thought of Angel Food cake but will try it as I love sweets.
Work--yes, I am working full time. I have found that if I do my treatments on Wednesday afternoon and the shot first thing on Thursday then I can work all the rest of the time. During treatment 1 and 2 the bad time hit me then over Saturday and Sunday where I could just lay around and moan. I do have a desk job which makes it easier though
I promised to give the words to a song that has really helped me...
Sorry, I don't know the writer.
"Someone said that in this life, some rain is bound to fall. Each one sheds his share of tears and trouble troubles us all. But, the hurt won't hurt forever and the tears are bound to dry. It won't rain always, the clouds will soon be gone. The sun that they have been hiding has been there all alone. It won't rain forever God's promises are true. The sun's going shine in His own time and He will see you through."
Prayer does help.
0 -
Otter - You mentioned sunburn and taxotere. Did you have problems with the sun because of the drug or because of no hair and sunburn? I'm asking because my parents have a pool and I'd planned on spending a lot of time with my girls there this summer. Plus they live just across the street. I've never had a summer off before and I want to do the fun things we haven't done all of the other summers that I was working. Would it be safe to be out early in the morning or later in the afternoon as long as I'm not in direct sunlight. I have a medium complexion and always tanned well as a teenager.
Thanks for your help,
Julie
0 -
Wow, there's been a lot going on here. I'll try to do this in order...
collector, you probably should call your onco about the bad cramps & diarrhea. This late in your chemo cycle, there might be something going on in there that needs to be treated. Please don't get too worried, but when chemo messes up the mucosal lining of the colon (which TC does), the colon can get overgrown by a nasty bug called "Clostridium difficile." C. difficile will make you miserable and it's bad bad bad. Whenever I had diarrhea it was much earlier in my cycle, but my onco and nurse were always concerned about it.
As for the acne-type rash, I've always (even in my 50's) had an oily, troublesome complexion. It cleared up completely during round #1 and 2 of TC. This round (#3), I developed some zits but knocked 'em back with an antibiotic ointment. Now my skin is clear again...but my back is covered with an acne-type rash! It's beginning to dry up, just in time for tx #4.
Debbiem and catlover, please don't turn down Emend on my account, if your onco prescribes it for you. The only "con" I can think of is the possibility that you will have more trouble with constipation if you take Emend than if you don't. But, heck, I would choose constipation any day, over nausea and vomiting! Oh, and don't ever ever ever let yourself get close to vomiting. I'm not even OK with queasiness, much less nausea; so if you think you are getting nauseous, please take the anti-emetic drugs. Don't tough it out. The one good thing that has happened to chemo treatments is that oncos can usually keep us nausea-free (with Emend, Zofran, Kytril, etc.). Phenergan works for me, but for others here it hasn't been strong enough.
Tigwin, thanks for the update on Jimmy. That is such a tough situation. There are lots of good thoughts radiating collectively from your TC friends.
Leg hair? What's that? I've shaved my legs twice since I started chemo. All I have is very fine stubble, like I would normally have the day after shaving...but it has been 3 or 4 weeks!
Julie, I was warned, or read, somewhere along the line, to avoid sun exposure while on chemo. Some chemo drugs can sensitize the skin so it burns more easily, or even develops a rash, with sun exposure. I am so fair-skinned anyway, that I burn in about 15 minutes if I'm not using sunscreen with SPF 356 or something. So for me it's a combination of things--the possible effects of the Taxotere, my usual risk of burning, and my poor bald head. Just be careful, and maybe ask your onco or nurse about it if you think you'll be in the sun a lot.
I'll just add a "hi, y'all!" to everyone I haven't mentioned, and a "you GO, girl!" to everybody attending chemo camp this week. I'll be there with you, on Wednesday afternoon.
otter
0 -
Thanks Otter about the tip on nasty bug "Clostridium difficile." I had diarrhea really bad with treatment #1 and they started me on 7 days of a strong antibotic. Now it has started again 4 days after treatment #2 so I will be sure and tell the doc when I see him Wednesday. I was just going to write if off as a another side effect and actually thought it might be something left in my stomach after my Guatamala mission trip in the fall when I got really sick.
I tried the hemorrhoidal wipes with witch hazel (like baby wipes) because I just had some in the closet and they work really well when you get sore and raw.
0 -
Hi Everyone. I have been reading here for a few days and wanted to check in to thank everyone for sharing their experiences. It's help me a great deal.
I started TC treatments 5/22, 2nd round is scheduled for 6/12. I expect to lose my hair within the next few days. My scalp is getting itchy and sore and a few stray hairs are already coming out.
For now, I'm just trying to enjoy the good days and not dwell on the bad.
0 -
Julie - My oncologist said little to no sun exposure during chemo and if so, with lots of sunscreen. Just told me that I would burn very easily.
Karen0 -
Welcome ggrose - we are on the same exact schedule. I also started on the 22nd. I haven't noticed any stray hairs yet. Looks like I will make it to my daughter's high school graduation tomorrow night with my hair! yea!
I have needed a haircut for a couple of weeks now but I figured that was a total waste of money. Hopefully people at work will just think I got a haircut when I show up in my wig! LOL
0 -
I go tomorrow for the last TC -- I think that algw, otter, SQK, RNKaren, Trii, and cinlee are also finishing up this week. Thanks to everyone for the advice along the way. In addition to my fig newtons and limeade, I've stocked up on animal crackers (thanks Amy) and banana and rootbeer popcicles (I think that was otter's suggestion). I never fully bounced back this time, so I'm a little worried that things will go haywire after this round and I'll lose my nails, swell up in my feet and legs, have red burning soles and palms -- but I hope not. Heal fast everyone.
0 -
Well I am starting weight watchers on Wednesday UGGG I am hoping to lose but going through chemo maybe just maintain and not gain any more. I have gained 10 lbs with the first three rounds which doesn not excite me. Maybe ww will make the se's go away LOL.
0 -
Tigwin, you're going to try to loose weight in the middle of chemo?? I guess WW sould be the way to go since it is pretty well balanced, but I don't think you should stress about the weight too much until you are though this. Be nice to yourself! I've noticed that my weight totally yo-yos around through each cycle, but with a general upward drift at the prechemo weigh-in. I think some of it is fluid retention. Is your dr. ok with a diet at this time?
0
