Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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tommy too...agree with everyone here, you CAN do this! So blessed you do not have to work, and concentrate on YOU.
NOMATTER....prayers, prayers, prayers. I am sure I speak for many in saying we are rooting for a big FAIL on the test!
I also used the coconut oil toothpaste and no mouth sores. Felt thrush coming on but called right away and got the rinse.
Baking soda salt rinse also.
Blessings,
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Tommytoo,
You've received lots of excellent advice from your chemo sisters! I would like to add that you should call your MO right away. Let them know you are not sleeping. My MO adjusted the timing of my meds and also added a new med to help me sleep. (Ambien only got me 4 hours of sleep.) You will feel better with sleep.
Let them know about the intestinal distress and pain, too.
The first week is the hardest. It gets much easier after that.
Poppy
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thanks for the encouragement; that is why I belong to this group.
I will call the MO tomorrow and see about some relief. It is the middling pain and discomfort that has crippled me. I know to get help for acute, dire pain.
I finally got a tv with Netflix set up so I can watch mindless movies while I don't sleep.
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I have a question. Do any of you doing CT have ovary pain? I have cysts and wonder if the chemo is making them worse. I am scared of something else developing down there after the BC. My mo isn't talking about the ovaries yet. I am going to see my gyn after the last infusion.
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I have had some cramps similar to period cramps, but no "ovary" pain.
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Hockeycat, Mulligan and anyone else with rash/itching. I found out during round 3 of Taxotere that I had a drug rash! Onco prescribed Atarax and pumped me up with more steroids (which made me look like a ballpark frank with red splotches). Please ladies if anything itches - report this to your Dr. Please don't wait so long like I did. I managed to finish 6 rounds chemo with an allergy to Taxol, but I can never repeat chemo. Finished rads too, but that's another story. Watch for swelling in ankles or knees (common Taxotere culprit) - mine took months to go away. Now planning a flap reconstruction due to an encapsulated implant; Good news, hair came back, then eyebrows, last in were eyelashes - in reverse order of what fell out. lol For those of you working, I worked through chemo; one week off, then worked 2 weeks, etc. You can get through this.
Love to all you ladies!0 -
I had some itching on my fingers and toes but didn't get rash. I thought that might be a symptom for neuropathy. This morning I woke up around 5 (I've been having trouble sleeping), and found I got rash around my eye, on my necks and ears. I'm at Day 10 from my 3rd infusion. Could this be from Taxotere? I just emailed my onc and took Benadryl. I'm going to ice around the rash now. So itchy...
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Hockeycat- You are smart to contact your MO asap about that rash. Yes.... that allergic reaction can show up anytime and may be the Taxotere. You may want to write down the details about the rash ( when it started, location, itch factor, etc.) and take that to your next infusion round to remind your MO and the infusion staff about this rash. Hopefully the rash goes away soon and you get some relief from the Benedryl and ice. You may also want to have a little chat with the MO as to how he/she would like to handle your next round of chemo. I know you probably would like to know if you will getting Taxotere again, if there will be a dosage reduction, or what pre-chemo IV drugs will be given to you at the next round and what other things that you can do or can be taken to minimize the possibility of having that rash. Keep us posted......
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Thanks Melrose. Good idea about taking notes about the rash in detail, as now it's spreading to my hands. I exchanged email with my MO, she called the pharmacy to order a course of steroid... more sleepless nights for me. My husband suspects that could be from my cat. My cat (Dobby) likes to come up to our bed early in the morning and snuggle with me. All the rash started above my neck. I hope I am not allergic to my baby!
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Hockey.... On first round I had dryness and itching on hands....and bottom of feet hurt. I thought it was normal
Today is one week post 2nd tx. Wednesday my fingers and hands starting hurting. I too thought it was neuropathy. Yesterday bottom of feet
Today my hands look raw. Red. Both hands between thumb and pointer. I took pics for my MO because my weekly blood draw office is closer to work. I showed the RN who called my MO.
No itching, but it is a side effect of the taxotere. Pain is really bad. I can manage that.
Will probably have to lower dosage or spread out.
prior to the pure rawness and red it was peeling. Told to cover with utter cream, at night cover in aquaphor, no dishes, etc.
certainly made for a "down day"
Keep us posted !!!
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Benadryl helped for a while but the rash/hives on my face and neck came back in the afternoon and now spread to my hands and knees. I started taking the steroid med my MO prescribed. Need to take it for 6 days. I put Benadryl cream and am icing my knees.
Toby, sorry to hear that you are getting more side effects. Hope your pain goes away soon.
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Hockey, you too! Does your MO think it is a taxo reaction?
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She only said it may be because of chemo... I'll follow up with her on Monday to see if she is going to change anything for the my next round (last one!)
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Thanks to you ladies and all your tips, hints, advise and support I have made it through the chemo palace. My LAST day with my favorite nurses and I had to share it with you!!!! I will still be around, you are not getting rid of me yet.
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Nomatterwhat, Congratulations! Happy Dance time! I am so happy for you!
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CONGRATS TO YOU, NOMATTERWHAT!!!!! Welcome to the other side of chemoland!!!
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congrats Nomatterwhat....a great feeling!!
Hockeycat...I finished chemo, TAC in June...but on my 3 rd infusion I had a really uncomfortable rash and itchiness around heals of feet! I also used ice pack which helped. I wasn't going to mention it to my MO but my sister insisted I do...he ended up cutting back my TAXOTERE....now 4 months out and my hands and feet look super dry and cracked...not painful, just different and I believe it's from chemo...good luck to you and always mention any weird side effects! Rosie
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Rosie, thank you for sharing your experience. I'll ask my MO to see if she'd consider reducing the dose next round.
The steroid meds she gave me is pretty powerful, all the rashes are gone overnight.... I was able to sleep a few hours, woke up around 3am, watched some movies. I felt so tired and weak in the morning, but my hubby took me out for brunch and walked around for about a half hour. I'm feeling better in the afternoon, and now cooking for dinner! Hope everyone us having good weekend.
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Lalalady, hockeycat, Toby, my MO said it's an allergic reaction to Taxotere too. He has me taking methylprednisolone after doing the dexamethasone. So far 2nd infusion treatment no more rash and itching!
Hope you all can get relief.
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mulligan, I'm taking the same steroid med, methylprednisolone right now. But some rash came back tonight.
I also took Benadryl to ease itchiness and help to sleep. Hope all the rash are gone by the morning.... Good night!0 -
hi ladies! I'm new to this post just found out today that chemo is in my near future Cytoxan and taxotere 4 rounds starting Nov 17 would love any advice. I cried with the news but I know this is to help me so I accept it. Any tips or advice to help would be greatly greatly appreciated!
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Enlm, Sorry you have found your way to chemo land.... but glad you found us. Read through the old posts and you'll find a lot of helpful info. I would type more info for you, but I'm too tired to even get out of bed today...
So, it's been two weeks since my second infusion and I'm too tired to get out of bed. Did this happen to anyone else?
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enlm20- Welcome to chemoland!!!! We are here.... some still in chemoland and some like myself are not currently in chemoland. If you have questions, please post. If you want anything reposted from older posts, let us know.
Poppyk- Sounds like the chemo fatigue side effect may be what you are experiencing. As i recall, there were times I could barely get myself up off the couch or out of bed. The fatigue may be also from a decreased red blood cell count and possibly anemia. The red blood cells are what carry oxygen through our bodies. I know you feel so tired but try to keep moving a little.since exercise and walking helps the body produce red blood cells. On the days I had extreme fatigue, i did take it easy and rested. You are still doing great..... Hang in there!!!!
Hockeycat- Hope those itchies go away soon!!!!!
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PoppyK, I agree, I'm exhausted!!! This is day 4 after chemo and I had to drag my butt out of bed this morning to go to work. I am seriously considering not going back to work this afternoon. Hmm..... a nap????Enlm, Welcome to the board. There are some awesome ladies here to help. Ask away and please do read older posts. I cried for days and weeks when I got the news, but you get stronger and wiser as you go through this. You will be fine. I had the 4x of CT and finished just last Thursday. Amazing how time flies, even when you are not having fun!!!!
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Nomatterwhat, congrats on finishing! And thanks for the support. I will definitely read the older posts, I need all the info I can get... going thru thisi found out that the more you know the less shock you have when it actually happens! Thanks again!
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enlm20....I went into warrior mode and knew I just had to do it!!! Drinking at least 100 oz of fluids...water, juice, soups etc with water being best...helps so much !! I started charting intake 3 days before treatment...during and at least a few days after....then if I couldn't get 100 oz I made sure to drink at least 64 oz but tried for more!! Very important! Also taking Claritin if you get neulesta shot day after infusion...helps with bone pain...I even took 1 1/2 tabs of Claritin for a week after and 2 days before shot....call mo with any side effects! They start you with dosing but as you go in doses may be changed depending on tolerance...at 3 rd infusion I had rash so he cut taxotere back....then also lowered it for neuropathy issues...chemo is doable if you take care of yourself and pay attention...it becomes your job!! Best of luck and before you know it you will be living life again and appreciating things so much more!!! Hidden blessings perhaps...Rosie
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Hi TC gang. I'm new to this forum board and new to breast cancer and new to chemo .... after 2 surgeries, my TC treatments begin this Thursday (10/30/14) - 6 treatments, once every 3 weeks. I've gotten so much helpful information and tips from reading all your posts that I just wanted to say thanks and that they have helped me feel more prepared to face this journey .... certainly a lane changer!
I'm trying the Penguin cold cap therapy .... if anyone has experience with them, please let me know.... should be interesting!
In support and strength ... I look forward to communicating with you all and sharing my experience in hopes it benefits others.
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Just remember, ladies, you are not alone in this. If we can be of ANY help, please do not hesitate to ask. My goal now is to help as many newbies as I can make it through their journey!!!!
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Rash is almost gone, but there are still several itchy spots here and there. Steroids + Benadryl + anti-itch cream are my best friend right now...
Nomatterwhat, sorry I'm late to congratulate you on finishing chemo! My last one is next Wednesday. Can't wait to finish but not looking forward to all the side effects, as it gets harder every round...
Jiilmare, check out the Cold Cap Users forum for more info on cold caps.
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Hockeycat, I do the Benadryl and Claritin cocktail daily for a week after infusion (along with my steroids) because of doing neulasta shot. They also keep telling me to moisturise my skin so as to avoid itching. I have a big tub of eucerine just for this.
hope your itching stops.Welcome all the ladies to the group!
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