Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Thanks Gina. I am on the same schedule as you except I am HER - , so no Herceptin for me.
I am 38 years old which put my risk way up. My Onco score came in at 53.....
I will check into that chemo kit! Let me know how you are feeling. Good luck to you also!
Sherry
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I will begin TC on July 14th. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. Is there anyone else
out there with Stage 4?
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Otter ... Thanks for the updated chemo schedule...It was so exciting to see DONE by my name !! YEAH. Thanks for all your efforts it has really been nice.
To all those in chemo this week hope it went well or goes well on Friday. Heres to no side effects and a peaceful weekend.
Anxiety...I am not one that has had much anxiety in my life but strange as it may sound I was driving today and they stopped all the cars on the freeway which put me in a middle lane at a complete stop with cars in front, in back and on each side. I could not see anything but cars and I actually started to panic a bit. I am use to driving in traffic but the complete stop with no way out and I was really uncomfortable. Never thought it was what I am going through but now it makes sense... a sense of losing control once again. Strange. I take Ativan on decadron days. It helps me sleep which is not easy these days.
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VBG, I wasn't told either to stay away from fresh fruits and vegetables, in fact my doctors encouraged my continuing to use them. I agree it all depends on how you prepare and when I prep and clean veggies and fruits I do more than just run them under the cold water faucet.
I'd rather cook veggies that I cleaned and prepped myself rather than use frozen or canned, after all they were once fresh veggies too and I don't know how they were cleaned and prepped. That concerns me more
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Well, I I've become a germaphobe after my 7/4 fever, and yesterday it went up again, thankfully only to 99.2...and that's after I've been ridiculously careful. So frustrating. I feel like a hypochondriac with all this temp checking, hand washing, not going out, etc.
Glad to know I'm not losing it by having the anxious, out-of-control moments....I'm like you Sandra (and probably most all of you), have gone through all this with a "let's get it done", "capable person" attitude, no weeping and wailing; now it's like an alien has invaded my body (I guess it has) and I'm just not me. Wish I could convince my onc to let me have 4 treatments instead of 6, then next week I'd be 3/4 through instead of 1/2. OK, I'm not going down the whiney road today.
I've had a couple of cocktails in the evenings now that I'm into week 3, but I'm second-guessing that too--wonder if that precipitated the fever yesterday?? Arrrgghhh...too many unknowns. If we're all completely honest, is there anyone who has the evening cocktail from time to time? (I see that wine loses its taste for lots of us, but I'm not a wine drinker....) Anyway, it just helps me relax but I don't want to be doing something stupid. I'm annoying myself now with all these questions.
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I am a wine drinker - normally I have a glass every evening with dinner. My onc. says that's absolutely fine, except on dexamethasone days. I'm on day 4 (last dexamethasone was Wednesday night) but haven't had the nerve or taste for a glass of wine yet. maybe this weekend.
I felt OK for days 1-3, but woke up this morning with that "run over by a truck" feeling that feels flu-y. Bad taste in my mouth, and a bit of a fear for the weekend. No nausea but some constipation (for which I'm taking Senekot S).
How is everyone else doing?
Gina_M
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Gina,
Just a word of advice. That bad taste in your mouth is going to make your wine taste bad. I know I tried. If you are on the 21 day schedule it should taste fine the weekend before next treatment.
Enjoy the day, Karin
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Well, round 1 went okay, yesterday. Was extremely lightheaded when I left, and felt pretty wasted the rest of the day, but then I'd only gotten a few hours sleep the night before, so that may have contributed. Now have ambien for the decadron days. My major complaint is the stomach upset--can't even call it nausea, just a plain old stomach ache. They gave me Zofran (for when I don't want to get sleepy) and Phenergan (for when I do) to try and they both help, but I was woefully unprepared when it came to food for the evening--not a can of soup to be found! So while I was out getting my Neulasta shot this morning, I picked up the fixings for a nice chicken soup, and it's in the pot as I write.
One strange thing was that despite copious amounts of fluid during the day, I hardly went to the bathroom at all yesterday, and by the time I went to bed I'd gained 7 pounds!! Luckily, (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it) the problem was resolved through the night with every 2 hour trips to the bathroom, and this morning was back down to my normal weight.
Does anyone know where the chemo kit thread is? I did a search, and found alot of mentions of it but couldn't find "it".
I got a hint from the RN yesterday about bone pain. She said to start out with Ibuprofen, and if that doesn't work, to add the Vicodin that I have left over from lumpectomy, and if that doesn't help to try Clariten. She said she's been hearing some buzz about it, no one seems to know why it works, but for some people it does. Has anyone heard of this?
Enough rambling...got the decadron chatters today...hope all is well with all of you!
Blessings to all,
Sherri
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PS--Does anyone know if any of the ingredients in Zyflamend interfere with TC, or perhaps know of a resource I can check?
Thanks,
Sherri
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ggrose how have the last couple of days been for you? We are on the same schedule, I think, and I also started having hot flashes and extreme fatigue. I feel like I am dragging my feet behind me when I walk. I went to pick up a prescription (for my mother!) and there was a long line. I was exhausted by the time I got to the back of the store and I guess you could tell by looking at me because the lady at the front of the line told me to go ahead of her! I actually just left a message at the drs office because they had said at the beginning to call if the "hit by a truck" feeling lasted over a week. Guess it's going to be a quiet weekend at my house
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Sherri,
That is something I would ask my Onc about. Through all the cancer research I have done since being diagnosed I have read numerous times NOT TO take any herbal supplements without first checking with your doctor.
In the brochure the Onc gave me on Taxotere it said the same thing.
Enjoy the day, Karin
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MsKarin...when I get the shot of Nuelasta I take one Claritin every day for seven days. I have had no bone pain what so ever. I hope this helps you but almost everyone takes Claritin with the nuelasta shot.
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Tigwin,
You have me confussed. Did you mean to address the above post to me to someone else? I have not had any bone pain with my nuelasta shots.
Enjoy the day, Karin
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I am Day 12 out from Tx 3 and have been running a low grade temp all week. My clinic directions said not to call unless it reached 100.5 and it's been hovering just under 100 and I have felt pretty flu-y with a shallow cough, runny nose and no energy. I finally called today knowing that if I got worse over the weekend it would be much harder to deal with. To my surprise an antibiotic was ordered for me to take for 5 days. I can't remember which one since DH will pick it up on his way home. I don't want to jeopardize getting my last infusion on July 21 by harboring some kind of infection but antibiotics are so hard on my GI tract! I think I need to pick up some Activia. With Tx1 I ended up on the BRAT diet for 6 days before everything settled down and I do not want a repeat of that. On the topic of Neulasta, I opted not to take the Claritin because it made my sleep problems worse. I have been doing my walking every day and I think that helps with bone pain. My pain has been in my hands and wrists and I am blaming the taxotere for that.
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Does the constipation go away on its own? This is really the most significant SE for me at the moment. I feel very achy and like I'm floating with all the liquids etc, but am still constipated and have no relief with Senekot (2 days worth), lots of fiber, lots of liquid, prunes, etc. I am on day 4 TC and I think fear is getting the better of me. Thanks.
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Senekot was WAY TOO MUCH for my system. I just went back to my daily routine of 6 capsules of Metamucil which sounds like a lot but is actually one dose. I find the capsules easier to deal with than the water mixture. I have not had any problem with constipation since Tx1. I have a mild case of irritable bowel syndrome and really need to keep my GI tract steady.
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Gina_M, everyone is different with respect to the constipation problem. I had what I considered mild constipation with my 1st TC tx. I finally got serious about it on day 3 and started taking Colace twice a day. Poof (so to speak)! It turned directly into diarrhea.
With tx #2 I had 2 days of constipation, but the Colace kicked in and I was fine after that (until the diarrhea started up on day 5).
With tx's #3 and 4, I don't think I was constipated at all.
OTOH, my onco admitted she was a "minimalist" when it came to meds for SE's. She used Decadron and Zofran in my pre-med i.v. and gave me oral Decadron for 2 more days, plus Ativan and Phenergan if I needed them for nausea. That was it. I never took the Ativan, and only used the Phenergan 2 times on the day after my infusions. I think one reason I didn't have worse problems with constipation was because I wasn't taking the heavy-duty anti-nausea drugs, which are supposedly a major cause of constipation. Anti-nausea drugs and narcotic pain meds (Percocet etc.) are the main culprits for us.
otter
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Diane I have completed my 3rd of 6 and am going for my 4th next week I have had a mood swing this last treatment and ran a low grade fever when I first got up. I also have a terrible time sleeping the first 5-6 days after but other than that its not been too bad I shaved my head it was coming out and hurting a month ago tonight and I can feel the stubbles coming in very very slowly. I dont know why but the girls on this site told me it was common about your 3rd one being the hardest on my others I felt great after about 7-8 days after it was great. My nails tend to be sore certain ones but not falling off and I still have eyebrows. Good luck and I am not sure what to tell you about the soduim thing but your doctor will know what to do they probaly see this allot. Good luck with your treatments thats great that you only have 4 so you will be done before you know it.
Maura
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Thanks collector and otter for your speedy responses! I really appreciate the support. I'll take Colace tonight and hope for the best on day 5. Meanwhile, how long do we need to keep drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day?
Thanks.
Gina
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TIgwin--Well, there you go. Should have just done a search on Claritan before writing.....I'm glad I picked some up. Some complain of sleep problems with it...when's the best time to take it? When do you start? Day of injection? It's 6pm here and I'm leary of taking it this late. With the decadron on board, don't feel like I need anything else to interfere with sleep, so will probably wait until tomorrow. Thanks for the input!
Sherri
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Gina - I had mld constipation the first 3 days if I didn't take colase. Then around day 5 it turned to diarhea, so about 1/2 day.
Sherri - I also took claritin and had only slight problems with bone pain. I took it the day of injection and for the next 3-4 days (depending on if I remembered it. I always took it in the morning.
Lee
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I think it was on this thread that people were prescribed Levaquin for presumed infection. My husband just bought home my prescription and that's what it is. Anything I should know about it? The pharmacist says to take before bed with crackers and not close to any antacid. I'm also on Protonix which I usually take in the morning so that seems doable. I HATE taking prescription drugs....
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Collector - if you feel any pain in the back of your legs - achilles tendon - while taking Levaquin stop it right away. It probably will start about the 3rd day... this causes tendon rupture and it doesn't ever go away.. I stopped it on the 3rd day because I read the blacklined warnings... it still hurts sometimes.
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Collector,
I had to take Levaquin too, and wasn't too happy about it. I think it contributed to the acid reflux problem, but I also think it gave me hives. I broke out in hives the second day I took it. The hives started to resolve 2 days after the last pill. I am allergic to penicillin so maybe that's why?
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Debbie - yes, fatigue was terrible with TX3. I managed to work all week but was totally wiped-out by the time I got home. Was in bed by 7 every night. If I stood for too long, my legs felt like they were jelly - ready to give out any time. I took all my energy just to pick my foot up to take a step. Fortunately, I turned the corner yesterday (stayed up until 10 - wohoo!). Doc's did a blood workup yesterday while I was in for hydration and everything came back OK. My period has stopped so I wasn't surprised when the hot flashes started. I notice them mostly at night. I read a few suggestions here that really help. Keep a fan next to the bed and flip your pillow over. The cool side of the pillow feels great on the skin and the fan cools me down in no time! Even though this TX has been tough, I am so looking forward to final TX in 2 weeks. Can't wait to get chemo behind me. Are you feeling better now? Hopefully you have turned the corner too!
GinaM - be careful with the constipation, it can get very painful if you let it go too long. My onc suggested that I call for a script if the OTC drugs don't work within 3 days. Please call your doc if you haven't found relief yet.
Now that I feel better, think I'll get some cleaning done. The house has really gone to pot lately!
Hope that everyone is well and enjoying the day!
There is a light at the end of the tunnel! In reality I still have have a long way to go -- radiation and 5 years of hormone therapy but I can't help but think that the hardest part of this journey is almost over.
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Thanks for the advice on the Levaquin. I took the first one last night and didn't sleep too well. I felt achy and couldn't get comfortable. Tried to do a step class this morning but it was NOT pretty. Legs felt like lead and my knees hurt. This third Tx had been harder in every respect except the sores on my head are not as bad. Looks like we will have an overcast and cool day. I plan to be curled up with some books and the crossword puzzles and let this miracle drug cure me.
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Hi All, I haven't been on for awhile, too busy with work and wanted to respond to some of the posts as far as my experience has been. My onc told me that a lot of women take 1 claritan and 2 Alleves the morning before getting the Neulasta shot. She said there is no evidence of why it helps with the bone pain, but many say it does. I wasn't told to keep taking it after that. The only pain I had was in my chest which I was told would happen because it is in the sternum that the Neulasta stimulates the most wbc production.
I had diarreah two day's after tx and took Immodeum and then of course constipation followed. After that I took a couple of stool softeners every day and never had a problem again. I too was told not to call unless my temp got to 100.5. Felt horrible, flu symptom and fever of 99.5 on day 6 after tx. Onc had me come in and my wbc was way down and said if I didn't come in then I probably would have ended up having to come in for iv antibiotics. I too was given Levaquin for 10 days. I never had a problem with it, luckily. So if anyone else runs a low grade fever for a few days I wouldn't wait to call.
My hair started coming out exactly as expected on day 14. I had cut my already short hair even shorter before 1st tx and was putting a spiking gel on it so my first experience of the hair falling out was practically glued to my hands and I couldn''t get it off to get rid of it. Thought that was symbolic .
As far as alcohol, I too enjoy a couple of cold beers (not a wine drinker) before dinner or more on weekends. The first week after tx I didn't have a taste for it, but two weeks out now and I have a few. I too felt guilty that I'm going to mess something up. But then I think, if it feels good do it!
For nausea my onc has me take 1 compazine (which I haven't heard anyone mention) every four hours and 1 Zofran 4 hours after that for 3-4 days after tx. I guess mine is not a minimalist. I hope that is not over doing it.
Sorry this is so long, but I have a question. Has anyone had the oncotype done? My breast surgeon sent my tissue for this test without telling me and now I get a letter that my insurance will not pay for it. It can be appealed, but I don't know if I'm responsible for doing this or the Dr. The letter was addressed to my surgeon and cc'd to me. I don't think I should have to pay anything since I never authorized the test. I heard it's extremely expensive. Just curious if anyone else has dealt with this.
Have a good weekend everybody!!
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Terri, My onc told me right out that my insurance wouldn't pay for the Oncotype test because I was ER+/PR+. I was really frustrated by that because the results would have told me if I needed chemo or not. I decided not to do the test (would have cost me over $5,000) and did chemo to be on the safe side. Sorry you have to deal with insurance problems along with dealing with BC. Maybe it would help if your surgeon writes a letter to the insurance carrier on why it was necessary to have the test. It seems crazy that you should foot the bill since you didn't authorize the test.
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I agree, I am not planning on paying a penny. Apparently I was the topic of a weekly meeting of surgeons because I had two tumors in my left breast and they were different types of cancer, one was ductal the other lobular. I guess this made me an unusual case and I'm assuming that is why it was sent out for the oncotype test. I wouldn't have authorized if I was asked. My onc said she would have recommended chemo regardless of the oncotype score because of the two different types. My score was 17 which is pretty good. The jury is out on whether chemo is beneficial for these middle of the range scores and there is a study going on which I could have done. They would decide by a flip of the coin if I would get chemo or not. I decided to to do the chemo, didn't want to leave it up to fate.
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Terri,
I'm on MediCare, which does pay for the Onco testing, but I also enlisted in the TAILOR-X clinical study, which also pays for it. (They can duke that out between them) My score was 29 so I was not eligible for the randomized wing of the study. But, since I enlisted, they will follow my care as one of the high-end "controls".
I think there's room for some "play" in that study though. The recruiter at St. Joe's indicated to me (kind of under the table) that if I got randomized in a way I didn't like, they might still be able to include me if I opted to go the other way. Frankly, I think most people with low scores don't want the chemo, and so they may be a little short of people with low scores that want it, so I think they juggle things a bit. That's just my impression. YMMV, but if there's someone you can trust and talk to about it, you might try. Otherwise, I can't imagine that they can hold you to having to pay for it if you didn't authorize it. My understanding is that the testing costs $3600.00!
Good luck with that! I'm worried right now because I just learned that the CAT and PET scans ordered by my oncologist were billed to insurance at $16,000+, and I think my co-pay on non-routine diagnostic procedures like that s something like 20%--Yikes! I guess I can't complain. Up to now I've only shelled out a couple hundred dollars out-of-pocket on my care and drugs. MediCare (at least as administered under the Blue Shield 65+ Advantage Plan) is pretty amazing.
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