Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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I thought I drank enough yesterday, but didn't. Was floating, but still needed more. Voiding that chemo burned! I had wash, pat dry and use an aloe gel to calm down the irritation. Had another big drink and while it woke me up at 5 AM no more burn!
Ativan and Zofran last night so no SEs yet. Rinsing my mouth and trying to force myself to rest as I have a tendency to do too much to compensate when's have some energy. Did 3 loads of laundry last night after a day at Hopkins. Maybe not so smart. I live in PA and while we have a local breast center.- traveling there because of the reputation of the MO. The clinic is awesome. Can't say enough about the care and nurses!if it wasn't a chemo chair I'd think I was on a cruise. Want to go. On a REAL cruise when this is over. My sister bought me a sundress that looks great with my new flat top. Some spendy designer dress that was $5 as left over from last seasons consignment. It's beautiful and fits like it was made for me. I'm going to hang it up and do a check list to wear it the way kids write in the cake dear only 97 more days of school
Got hair buzzed today. Got Neulasta shot and taking Claritan to help the bone pain they talk about. One of the nurses said one woman had none when she did the Claritan so in hooeful. Go get a wig tomorrow. Just sleeping a lot as they want me to stay on the Zofran and Ativan round the clock for 2-3 days to keep the nausea away.
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Sounds like you are doing well, Chloesmom!
Cubbie, My first infusion was through an IV in my arm. Within a few minutes it felt like my arm was on fire.... extremely painful (and I've had 3 kids!) They changed the dilution and carried on. My veins were discolored and painful for months afterwards. My MO called it vasculitis.
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Cubbie: I had no reaction during my first and second CT. During CT 3, during the Taxotere infusion I started to feel very flushed. I had read that was one sign of the allergic reaction, so my family called the nurse. They stopped the infusion, added more benedryl, then restarted the Taxotere. Did you have a reaction?
Chloesmom: glad your infusion went well - please hydrate hydrate and do rest - it is so hard to rest but it will help and you deserve it!
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chloesmom...I had my first CT on the same day. I am feeling ok. Taking the Reglan in the morning for nausea, Dulcolax stool softener and Prilosec to help ward off the side effects. I was tired yesterday and somewhat emotional in the morning but today I actually got myself to work and was fine for about 4 hrs. Then started with a bit of a headache so I came home. I have been managing well so far. The hardest part for me is to keep drinking when I am already feeling so full and bloated. A friend of mine that works with an OB/GYN gave me one of those squirt bottles to use after urinating to help clean that area and prevent the burning. I haven't had that issue at all. She also suggested coconut oil to that area for soothing the burn.
Hang in there! We are all in this together and will get through it together!
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I never had the problem of. Burning during urination. I credit the pre-chemo prep that my MO did. Full bag of saline to start - helps protect the bladder, Emend to ward off nausea, Prilosec to help with heartburn, a steroid to help with SEs, lastly Benedryl to prevent allergic reaction. Then once that was done they started the Cytoxan and Taxotere. I think some MOs do not give Benedryl unless you show signs of allergic reaction, mine gave it proactively
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Welcome Newbies!!!
Sorry for the side effects that some are experiencing. Hopefully each of you will get the help and your questions answered as to what to do.
As for the allergic reaction to the Taxotere, it happens. I was fortunate that I never had an allergic reaction during any of my 6 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere. I know I was given a pre-chemo IV cocktail in my saline IV which included Benedryl, Ativan, and a steroid. If you had a reaction to the Taxotere, at the next infusion and next onco appointment, make sure you let the MO and infusion nurses know that you had a reaction the last time and what that reaction was and how it was treated. That way, if the pre-chemo IV orders need to include Benedryl, that can be done before the actual Taxotere infusion.
As for the drinking of water and fluids, I know it isn't easy to get those fluids in. Water can become boring and the notion of drinking the volume of fluids that one needs to take in may seem overwhelming. I drank from two 32 ounce Nalgene bottles that I purchased from Target which help ensure that I drank at least 64 ounces of water a day.. For some reason, looking at two containers of fluid seemed less daunting than drinking 8 glasses of water. Remember that your fluid intake can include fruit juice, flavored waters, tea, broth, fruit that have high water content such as watermelon, grapes, etc and frozen popsicles, fruit juice ice cubes, Icees, etc
Yes, it is important to keep hydrated to help flush the chemo through and also to help dilute. If you are experiencing burning, the medical squirt bottle is great. If you can't obtain one, use a sports water bottle with a nozzle; those work pretty well too. As for covering the sensitive area, you may want to try using some baby diaper rash cream like Desitin or Dr. Boudru's butt paste.
I used to drink ice water and suck on ice chips during my infusions. Yes, I meant I did have to get up when the next chemo drug was going to be administered. I would get the nurse or my husband to unplug the IV pole and I would head to the bathroom. When I got home the first few days after chemo, I would make sure that I got up and emptied my bladder more often than i normally would to get the chemo flushed out.
No matter what keep pushing forward. I know at times, the time in chemoland seems so very very long. However, you can and are getting through it. Emotions run everywhere while in chemoland. Remember to be easy on yourselves...... rest..... eat/hydrate..... exercise/take a walk.. Wishing each of you a calm and peaceful weekend and minimal side effects.
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3 days later and nauseous for first time. Wondering if I'm not drinking enough or it just is what it is.
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Chloesmom- It is possible to become nauseous a few days post chemo. At this point, you may have taken completed taking your post-chemo anti nausea meds that your onco prescribed. I took Zofran for several days post chemo. I also had a back up antinausea med ( Phenergan) that I took with me wherever I went since I never knew if and when I might not feel well. Fortunately, I never had to use the back up drug. The other thing to remember is that those anti-nausea meds should be taken with food and not on an empty stomach. Those drugs can cause nausea on their own. I don't know what your eating schedule is. I ate 5-6 small meals every day while in chemoland so that I always had some food in my tummy. I kept a food diary so I could keep track of what I ate and what foods worked the best .
If you are still feeling nauseous and you have taken the anti nausea meds and those don't seem to be working, call your MO asap. It doesn't matter what day of the week it is or what time of day it is.
Keep us posted...... sorry you are feeling this way.
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snacking on GF pretzels. Will try real food. Thanks!
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Chloesmom- If you are wondering what I ate right after chemo, I kept the foods on the bland side. I had what I called my "White Meals"---- mac n cheese, mashed/ baked potatoes, baked chicken or baked fish. For breakfast, I ate a scrambled egg and toast or had a bowl of rolled oats with banana, blue berries, a splash of milk and a handful of wheat bran for crunch. Sometimes for lunch, it was half a sandwich, a fruit and of course water chasers with all of my meals. One needs the nutrition and fuel to help the body recover and heal. If you need some more help with the eating, you can always private message me. Hang in there!!!!!!
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I could mostly eat anything for the first day until I lost my taste. I couldn't drink very much unless it was sweet.. had to put lemon in my water with a little sugar... or dilute the water with cranberry juice or orange juice.. very little to give it a little flavor. I drink the carnation instant breakfasts in the am..since I am not really a breakfast person...maybe some cereal and lots of fruit. Strawberries, blueberries and bananas.
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Chloesmom - The night that my side effects started after my first round of chemo, I drank icy cold ginger ale. It seemed to help a little. I've also read where some drink ginger tea or eat ginger chews to help with the nausea feeling.
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Chloesmom, I am the nausea queen! I can even make myself car sick when I'm driving! I was severely nauseous days 3-6 after chemo. What did the MO give you to take for nausea? If it's not working, call your MO. He/She can call a prescription in to give you relief. In addition to the food advice above, I'd like to add fruit smoothies. Hope you get relief soon!
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I see that we all experiencing the side effects differently. I had nausea pretty much non stop for the first five days after my first treatment. I kept it controlled with Zofran but I did have to take my backup, Compozine a few times.
My worst SE was heartburn. It hit me the third day after treatment and it made me sick. I called my nurse and she said to start on Prilosec. I have been taking that twice a day and it helped so much.
Then I got a horrible rash across the back of my hands. It itched like crazy and I had to take Benadryl and put Cotizone cream on it. The rash spread to the trunk of my body but thankfully it didn't itch...(I think I would have gone crazy if it had). Eventually it disappeared. I will be taking an oral steroid the day before, of and after my next treatment to help with the rash.
My taste disappeared too. I started eating with plastic wear because metal made everything taste awful. I have a little taste coming back but everything is off. The few things that taste normal to me are Berry Gatorade, cheese quesadillas, and white rice.
The final SE for this week was my hair started coming out. For two days I struggled with it. Crying. Feeling helpless. Seeing it come out in handfuls. I mean I controlled and managed everything else somehow but losing my hair wasn't going to be of those things...until I realized I COULD do something. So last night I had my husband buzz it off. I snot cried afterwards but this morning I felt so good about that choice!
Today I have felt close to normal as I have since my first treatment. #2 is coming up on the 12th so I'm sure it will be back to almost square one. At least it will be cause for a mini celebration because I'll be halfway through treatment!
Hang in there everyone! My thoughts are with all of you!
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Hello and hope everyone is feeling well.
PoppyK and Ratherbecooking, I didn't have any kind of immediate reaction with the infusion, but I later developed a rash with each of my two T-C treatments. The first rash was on the back of my neck, and now I have a rash covering about a third of my hand. I'm curious whether it is caused by one of the chemotherapy drugs. With my first treatment I developed a really bad sinus headache on Day 3 which I've read was probably from the Cytoxan. And now something scary happened to me this time on Day 9. I was just sitting at the computer when suddenly I got really hot and felt like I was going to pass out. I laid down trying to get some blood to my head, and the feeling passed, but I was wondering what the heck that was all about! I imagine reactions to the chemo drugs come on quick if they're going happen, don't you? Probably just SEs then?
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anyone get a yeast infection? Wondering if that's where tha sore bottom is coming from. Feel like a yeast infection in gut not girl parts. Earing Yougurt and taking probiotics
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Hello Ladies, just found out I will be doing Chemo, oh joy. Came here so I can get an idea of what to expect and get prepared for. Not looking forward to this, I had cancer in 1995, thought I had it licked, DCIS 1.5 cm, did chemo, rads now I am back for another adventure with this. I know that reading your advise, posts will help.
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Has anyone had their whole body ache from the shot the next day after chemo? I could barely get off the couch. Everything aches, including the sides of my neck, shoulders, legs, back. Had aches the previous three times but this is so much worse..
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revup-65- Welcome!!! Hope you find the support to help you get through chemoland.
ThinkingPositive- So sorry you are aching all over!!! You may want to call your MO asap to get some extra pain meds for that Neulasta shot pain. I was fortunate that I did not have pain from the Neulasta shot; the regular 24 hour Claritin that I took may have helped. That is not to say that I didn't have aches and pains though; one of the side effects of this chemo regimen is joint pain and muscles aches. Hope you get some relief soon!!!!
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Thinking positive: I too had the worst group of days after the neulasta shot - whole body ache and particularly painful lower back and knees. I found heating pads brought some relief, plus extra strength tylenol and pain meds. At the next rounds I had neupogen shots instead of neulasta (same medicine, but 7 to 10 neupogen shots equal one neulasta). I had much much less pain with the neuopogen shots than the neulasta. With round two , just two shots did it, in my current round 3, I've had four shots and will find out if my numbers have come up. The extra shots were much less pain producing than the neulasta, so I prefer that. Maybe ask your MO if you can have the neupogen in the future?
Report from down the rabbit hole: exhaustion much worse with CT #3, but I guess that is predictable. Each day is different, some days I have energy, some days my "get up and go has got up and gone" . Hoping my numbers come back up this week so I can go back to work.
cubbeblue: you are so right, it seems that each infusion brings its own set of mysterious SE, the never knowing what will happen next is not at all fun. I just assume that whatever is happening must be the chemo and my body trying to bounce back.
to all those in chemoland: keep your eye on the prize: being done with chemo. I am exhausted but gearing up for #4 the last infusion. After #1 I never thought I would get here, so you all will also!
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Dont know if this is the place to post and burden you all. Just needed to tell people who ar struggling tans might understand. I just got through the first nausea week and a little pain, trying to keep up my spirit and attitude. Just got a call from my Dad. He was just diagnosd with bone cancer all through his ribs and is starting hospice. My heart aches for him and I am struggling to keep my cookies down with the added anxiety and can't do a blasted thing.
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Oh ChloesMom - I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. What a heart breaker. Does he live anywhere near by? Sending prayers for you both.
And for you - If you have nausea, you need to call your MO. There are drugs to totally control it. They can add Kytril or Emend to your next infusion too. And I swore by the Decadron steroids the day before/day of/and day after also. Please don't struggle w/this. Give them a call. Hugs.
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Thank you Minus Two! He lived in Minnesota and I'm in Pennsylvania. Went out to see him 2 weeks ago before starting chemo so he wouldn't know what was up. The nausea is ok now with Zofran. I practically slept the first week with Zofran, Compazine and Ativan. Just changed today to only the Zofran, I'm just heartsick and struggling to keep my spirits up to get through this chemoland trip with the best outcome for my family. Might go back to Ativan tonite an the anxiety has knotted up the belly.
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ChloesMom - I know it makes it even harder that he doesn't know about you so you can't talk about freely. What had the docs said as they moved him into hospice? Sometimes there's a fairly long time frame. Hopefully his docs will talk to you.
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Am doing better now than earlier today. Between my own journey, losing my brother to cancer 1 1/2 years ago and now my dad I thought I was going to go off this deep end. Had a lot of cleansing tears and a few deep breaths to handle the next punch. Don't know what's next punch will keep the old chin up and soldier on
Hugs!
Susan
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Chloesmom, I'm glad you are doing a little better. ((hugs))
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Chloesmom- Sending you many calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy. I know life has hit you hard all at once. We are with you. Hang in there..... (((HUGS)))
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Chloesmom - so sorry to hear the news about your dad. you have so much going on right now. it seems this is the perfect place to vent, so vent- away. sending you warm wishes and hopes for some calmer times ahead.
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Thanks all! Much better now. Have to stay focused on what we all need to heal and can't get our energy so diluted that it's detrimental to our own recovery. Sometimes that feels selfish especially for moms that have always eaten the broken cookies or no cookies if there weren't enough to go around. Am being incredibly selfish the last 2 days. Sitting with my dogs, drinking tea, watching Animaniacs DVDs, doing yoga... They say if you don't love yourself you can't love others. If we aren't healthy we can't serve others. The bet I can do for my dad is to pray and have another cup of tea and help myself heal.
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Chloesmom...you have been on my mind and I am hoping you are doing okay still. Sounds like you are in the right frame of mind now and while it is tough I'm glad you've found a way to cope.
Today I had my second round of chemo and so far so good. Of course I realize that won't last because the SE pop up around day 3. At this point I have an indication of how to handle them. The bonus is that I am halfway through my treatments. Celebration!!!
I hope everyone else is doing great...good...or just okay.
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