Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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My hubby thinks it's weird that I put on the calendar for days 14-17 "Jules losing hair". He thinks I'm being morbid, I said I'm being proactive and giving myself an idea when to expect to lose my hair before I buzz it too.
Toby how freeing it must be to buzz it off. I went and bought satin pillowcases just for the occasion. I couldn't believe Target doesn't carry any so I just ended up buying it online as I didn't feel like driving out to the mall. They should be here in a couple of days. hehe
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Poppy, thanks for that, it makes me feel better and to get a better idea what to expect.
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Mulligan I'm having a "Bald is beautiful" or whatever people want to call it this Thursday. I have long, curly hair that I'm having buzzed before it begins to fall out. I feel more in control and like I did it - not cancer! Time for a new look but hasn't quite figured on this drastic but it is what it is! Got a coupon today for a half-price Brazilian wax! Lol Completely cracked up laughing! Off to bed a little early tonight so you all have a great night and restful Sunday.
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good for you Yurmani!
Mulligan, I completely understand. For me, it really was day 14, and I am so glad I was proactive. Trust me, the mini meltdown this morning after shower and brushing was not fun ! I took your advice and went to bed bath and beyond and got satin pillowcase for tonight
Thanks!
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Hello. It has been a long time since I posted, but here I am with a question. My final chemo was in March. I never had the nail problems I read about. Until now! My toenails seem to be covered with white patches, particularly two nails. I have no idea if this is related to the TC especially since it only started to appear around August. I am on Arimidex now. If anyone has dealt with this, I would love some suggestions. Thanks so much, momat927
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Yurmani and Toby I think I'm going to buzz my head on the 19th that will be day 16 no matter how much hair is falling out. I want to take control too.
Momat I haven't had any nail issues yet but I'm being proactive and putting tea tree oil on it per recommended by my Onco. Maybe others that ran into the issue can chime in.
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Mulligan I think we lose so much control with all the testing, probing, scans, shots etc. , that I wanted to have a say in something so obvious such as hair loss-- when and where and with whom I shared this time with. I have awesome friends who sprang into action and said if we're going to do this - it's going to be big! Actually gave me something to look forward to and just knowing I'll have my family and friends there, will make a difference. I realize everyone is different and wants to handle this personal task in their own way and I completely respect that. Do what feels right for you-party, solo-whatever! Just remember it will grow back and I'm trying to keep up a positive attitude with the whole thing! Let me know how your hair day goes! I'll post pics of mine!
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Tea Tree Oil. Okay will try. Thanks. momat927
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Essential oils, tea tree oil and lavender oil may not be good for bc survivors. I hate spreading this kind of info without proper documentation. But heard it from several people now.
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Suebe, thanks for the info!!!! I use the tea tree oil per my MO nurse just prior to tx and a few days after....rest of time use hard as nails.
Yur, I have friends that have had big parties also!!!!
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Well, I have been spraying white vinegar on my toenails that appeared to be covered with a fungus and didnt think it was working. Today, after weeks, it is disappearing! Wanted to share this with all of you! I am 7 months post chemo but struggled with weird things like this for awhile. Good luck to all of you. momat927
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My hands have been burning and itching like crazy since Sunday and I've broken out in rashes all over my body. From Dr. Google I either have hand-foot syndrome or just having a delayed reaction to one of the chemo meds. The old issues of numbness and tingling aren't the same issues as this burning and itching of my hands and I can feel bumps all over my fingers. Anyone else have this issue?
Thanks momat!
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Mulligan- You may want to call your MO and let him/her know about this new side effect and to get some help. You may also want to make sure that when you go have the next round of chemo that you tell the MO (again) and also tell the infusion nurse before she starts your chemo round. The infusion nurse may want to double check with the MO about this. Yes, it is better that the MO and infusion staff be made aware of this situation before the chemo infusion. Keep us posted and hope you feel better.
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thanks melrosemelrose, I see him tomorrow for a follow up. I didn't want to call him since I see him tomorrow. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again.
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Mulligan I am broke out as well in, what looks like, huge acne bumps on my face, neck and hairline. Not sure where these came from but they're large - not a small rash appearance at all. Was extremely tired yesterday and missed work last night. Back at work tonight but having stomach problems and body aches. Hoping to make it through this without having to take too much time off work. I had the burning and itching fingers with tiny bumps when I was pregnant - drove me crazy! It was an allergy to the fake fur stuff in gloves and slippers so that was easily remedied but chemo allergies and side effects appear to have a mind of their own! I wish food would taste good again! How long until taste buds get better? Interested in what the MO says about the burning and itching.
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I had my first treatment today--no allergic reaction to Taxotere. Whew! Next hurdle is the Neulasta (and yes, I have the Claritin)I started oral steroids the day before. My treatment today started with an IV push of Aloxi. Has anyone else used this? It is supposed to stay in my system for three days. It is the same family as Zofran, so I can not take Zofran for nausea until Saturday unless I want an excruciating headache.
So my big question--when will I get the first bouts of nausea, stomach irritation, mouth sores--the good, bad and ugly. I know the hair will go between days 10-14. I've got wigs and scheduled my buzz cut. But as everyone on this board knows, it is the loss of control that is so bad. My MO's nurse said the stomach stuff is usually days 5-10. All I want to know is when will I feel like sh-- so I can plan for it?
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Yurmani, I heard the acne thing is common with chemo because it's coming out our pores too. I feel like I have some sort of plastic covering on my tongue so I can only taste a bit of what food should actually taste like, with that tasting like that, I only eat half of what I usually eat, I guess on the positive side it will help me lose weight, lets hope so! I go see my MO tomorrow, I'll let you know what happens.
Tommytoo, I haven't had too much nausea and no mouth sores so far *knocks on wood*. I've been trying to keep hydrated by drinking lots of water and swishing my mouth with Biotene mouth wash especially the first few days post chemo. Every time I went to the bathroom (suppose to pee a lot to get Cytoxan out your system, to avoid bladder/kidney issues) to pee I'd go swish my mouth out. I've been so focused on my itching/rash/hive problems that I haven't really noticed any nausea and I've been consistent with taking the anti-nausea meds (I took it even though I wasn't nauseous) for the first week post chemo. There are a lot of anti-meds that you can try if you have a reaction to Zolfran, tell your MO any issues you have so they can note it and change the meds.
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Tommytoo, I had my second infusion of TC today. I also have the Aloxi push. I had severe nausea on the third day the first time around... even though I was taking Zofran every 8 hours starting the day after chemo.... at my MOs recommendation. I didn't experience a headache with the Zofran.Today I met with the pharmacology oncologist. This round, I will be taking Zofran every 8 hours around the clock, starting the day after transfusion.
I didn't get mouth sores and used Biotene mouth rinse and salt water mouth rinse. I kept well hydrated and took cranberry supplements to prevent bladder problems. Right away I had heart burn. I took Prilosec, which handled it.
I have wigs, but recommend some hats and scarves. They are cooler and easier to throw on if someone drops by.
My worse days are days 4-8. I am not getting the neulasta shot, so how you feel may be very different. Your immune system will be the most vulnerable week 2. I feel tired, but otherwise good the following week.
I wish you minimal side effects!
Poppy
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Tommytoo I had the Aloxi as well and only had mild nausea yesterday (day 4), feel like I have the flu with body aches, fatigue and slight headache. I took the Zofran yesterday every 6 hours like prescribed and noticed some heart burn. Not tasting foods right is quite bothersome! Been taking my Prevacid but it's only taking the edge off at this point. No mouth sores. I haven't had the neulasta shot but if my counts bottom out they'll give me that on the 3rd round. I hope to steer clear of that because of the horrible pain I've read that goes with it. So for day 5 I'm ok, missed last night at work but back tonight then off until Sunday night. I work in a hospital in pediatrics so I'm concerned about all the colds and respiratory viruses children come in with. Trying to keep everything sanitized that I come in contact with! We'll see how it goes!
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mulligan - my hands and feet have been itching since last weekend too. I don't have any rash luckily, but just itchiness. I washed my hands with cold water and put some moisturizer that seems to help.
My chemo #3 today. Thanks to steroid, I cannot sleep, and feel restless. I took ativan but didn't seem to help. I'm going to watch a movie to get my mind off of it.
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Hockeycat I found I can't sleep as well either even with Ambien and Ativan! Guess it goes with the territory. Enjoy your movie! "This too shall pass" is my motto these days!
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Yurmani - I like your motto! Ativan worked for me for the first two rounds, but not any more... I'm going to ask my onc about that at the next appointment.
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poppy, were your WBC high enough to not get the shot? Hockey did you get it?
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My blood test results were great yesterday. My liver function was high, as expected for a chemo patient, but the blood cell counts were normal. So no nuelasta. I'm not expected to need it next round either, but it all depends on the blood test results.
Ambien and Ativan weren't cutting it for me, so my MO removed them and started me on Restoril. Huge difference; easy to fall asleep and stay asleep. I wake up clear headed and rested. Ask your MO about it.
Yesterday I met with the pharmaceutical oncologist, which led to a new drug regimen to manage the side effects. Prilosec, Zofran, Compazine, scopolamine patch, meds to help with the hot flashes that are strong and disrupting my sleep and life. I am hopeful this all will help.
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poppy, were your WBC count high?
I too wake up DRENCHED. Sleep through it tho. Had hysterectomy this summer, but was post menopausal then
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Tobycc - my WBC account was fine, I had the infusion. I'll get a half dose of n-shot tomorrow to see if that helps for bone pain.
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My WBC count was in the high normal range, so no neulasta. I recovered enough to not need it. Of course, it will be checked with each infusion to see if I need neulasta as I work my way through this process.
If your hot flashes are too much, talk to your MO. There are options. Mine were getting very disruptive.
Still feeling okay, but last infusion my worst days were Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully the new drug protocol will help!
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Okay, ladies, I have had the Neulasta shot after every infusion. Every time I have asked how my blood test has been, they have told me that my WBC was in the high normal range and everything else looked good. WTH???
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No Matter....can yiu access your records on line? My labs are all posted. Friday my WBC was a 12, which is high
We shall see Friday. I do NOT want to postpone a tx. My last one is day after Thanksgiving and I have a huge fund raiser the following Friday. I would rather wait and skip that shot......
I plan on asking for something for the pain though.
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Hockeycat, just went to see my MO today about my rash. He has me on prednisone, that should help (I usually have to be on it when I get bad reaction from mushrooms or how I found the hard way any type of self tanners) He told me it should give me burst of energy. I just want the itching to stop. I'll take tiredness over itching any day. Cold helps me too. I have to constantly run my hands in cold water or hold ice packs, they give me temp relief but better than nothing.
My next infusion is next Fri (24th) hopefully I'll be rash free by then.
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