Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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I finished TC on February 5th, 4 treatments.. and was then put on Letrizole, can anyone please tell me what kind of side effects you have been having and when they started? I have been experiencing achiness...after laying down or sitting down for long periods of time.. then getting up. Sometimes my had feels numb when I wake up... and my shoulder joint hurts but not sure if thats from exchange surgery and reconstruction. Its so hard wondering all the time if what you are feeling is from the drugs or if its something else... how do you ever know??
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This is my experience with heartburn/gas. After round 1, I had horrendous heartburn/bloating/gas - I put it down to the Dexamethazone, as it is listed as a side effect. MO prescribed Pantoloc (a similar drug to Prilosec). 2nd round, my MO told me to keep taking Pantoloc along with the Dexamethazone but also to stop the Dexamethazone earlier - i didn't do the reducing dose part of it which I had first time round. I had no issues with heartburn/gas at all but was very slow to 'bounce back' and had extreme fatigue for much longer. Round 3, took Pantoloc while taking Dexamethazone, and took the reducing dose - though not quite as long as round 1. I seem to have 'bounced back' energy wise quicker but I have had some mild digestive issues. Nowhere near as bad as round 1. So it appears I can be fatigued longer or have mild stomach issues...the choice, I guess us mine!
ThinkingPositive, I have heard that Lestrizole causes joint ache/pain issues. This is what I'll start taking after Chemo...joy. I'm told that it can settle down, others have said it doesn't. Some have found switching from generic to name brand (Femara) has improved things. There are threads on the subject if you do a search. Good luck, hope you feel better quickly.
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thinking positive, I also finished 4 rounds of TC on February 20. I am now on Letrozole. I am on my third month of the Letrozole. I also have shoulder joint pain, especially in my left shoulder, and standing up after a long sit is a little tough...but is doable. I have had a few hot flashes (not too many)....I take the Letrozole at night. My MO wants me to take it; she says it is the best AI for me. I don't mind it at all..especially if it does its job and keeps BC away! I had more hot flashes in the beginning (at night)....on wake up I would be soaked...but they have stopped. I am hopeful that my body is getting used to it and the SE will stay the way they are now or even get better. Our treatment looks very similar as does our diagnosis. Did you have oncotype?
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JosieDS..thanks for the info on your side effects with Letrizole. I have not experienced any hot flashes.. just the joint and muscle aches like you described. I did not have the oncotype test.. My MO said that it would probably come back high and would take three weeks... I am thinking more and more that I should have had the test done? Did you? What does it tell you ?0 -
JosieDS...thanks for the info on your side effects. I do not have the hot flashes, only the muscle and joint aches that you described as having. I just have it in the back of my head that its related to other "things" that I don't want to think about. So at least hearing what I have is common and others are experiencing it puts my mind at ease....well at least for a little while. No I did not have the oncotype test. My MO said that since I had one node positive and I was grade 3 with a KI67 at 27%, my oncotype score would probably come back high, plus it would take 3 weeks to get the results.. it just seemed like he was not interested in having the test done for me. Now I am thinking now that I know more I should have had it done. Did you have it and if so what did the results state if you don't mind me asking..0 -
Josiedx, one thread to look at is Arimidex Uses. I will be starting Arimidex sometime after chemo. If you do not find anything helpful there, those ladies will guide you to where you need to go. Although, as Cats said, there is probably a thread for what you are taking.
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Thinkingpositive, Check out the Femara topic; it's been very helpful to me. I second the responses you received above. I've been on letrozole about 2 months. The joint pain and stiffness was horrible in the beginning, but has improved. I still have a hard time standing up after sitting or getting out of bed or the car. I'm hoping it will continue to get better. I also changed manufacturers of the letrozole, so that may have helped, too. I'm seeing a therapist to regaining full movement in the shoulder on my surgery side. I did the arm exercises post surgery, but after rads I noticed tightness in my side, breast and shoulder. It seems to be partially due to being unable to move due to the burns from rads and scar tissue formation. It's kind of painful, so I thought I would mention it in case it's something affecting you, too.
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10 days out from 3rd T/C and feeling so bad. Bone pain still that I can hardly walk. For those of you finished, did you have longer snd longer side effects. I can do much of nothing. So worried about number 4 next week.
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ThinkingPositive, I have no problem in sharing! I did have the Oncotype test. I got an 18. I was node negative and invasion negative....but I am hardly PR positive (3%) so my MO said I should do chemo anyway. I did four rounds of TC. The 18 Oncotype score is on the border between intermediate risk and low risk of recurrence. With chemo and the AI therapy, my risk of recurrence is about 8-9 percent. Without chemo, it was 11 percent. I did the chemo because my MO didn't like other factors...like the PR. I am ER positive and HER2 negative, and my KI67 was low, 7%. Mysunshine, my chemo side effects are long gone. You will get better. I too had exhaustion and bone pain during TC. PM me if you want more information.
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Mysunshine: Sorry you are in so much pain. I suggest you call your MO tomorrow and explain how you are feeling. Chemo is serious treatment, and they have so many ways to help us with our side effects. ((hugs))
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Cats and Sunshine - You are in my thoughts!!!! Glad your lung scan was clear Sunshine. You are both almost through! My round 4 was better than 2 and 3, mostly staying on top of the meds and figuring out how to manage the hives/fever etc helped. For some reason, I had no hoarseness at all even though my Cytoxan was the same, day 4 always the worst for me too. I am feeling so much better, away from the boards, lost track of weeks PFC, diminishing side effects, and down 4 lbs of the bizarre weight that just ballooned on (10 - 12 lbs total in chemo). I have started radiation and Tamoxifen but am determined to be one of those people who lose weight on Tamox - surely it is taking away my appetite??????? The mind is powerful - may be I can convince myself! Hopefully that is the best news as I found the "unearned" weight so discouraging.Samaileku - you made my day!!!!!!
Love to you all, special hugs to you who are still attending the spa.
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Hi all, I have popped in and out of this thread but right now feel a little crappy to try and find a comprehensive list of side effects of TC. I had my 2nd infusion this past Tuesday 7/6 and just today am feeling nauseous. I only took the steroids through Tuesday as I had no nausea after round 1. Just took a Compazine, guess I need to take a laxative too now! lol. Can someone please point me to a list of side effects? Peace and positive vibes to all my sisters!
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Here's a list of SE: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/side_effects
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Here's a link to the BCO list of chemo drugs: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/druglist
You can find both Cytoxan and taxotere on the list a click to their SE.
I was nauseous with treatment, too. Call your MO. They should be able to call in an rx to help you manage the nausea.
I had to take the laxative for a couple of days after infusion, then stop until the next round.
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Thanks you guys! xoxoxo
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I have not read too much about long term effects of these drugs. I know there are cardiac issues with some other drugs. Anyone have ant information about this?
And, in the chair Thursday for T/C number 4 and praying for no worse side effects. Number 3 has been difficult.
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mysunshine48 and others who have been through rd #3 do you mind telling us about rd #3 or have you lived it enough and are done with it? I'm just curious as I'm just past rd #2 and we are hoping to take our usual family vacation a week after rd #3. So many moving parts in this with kids jobs, hubby's job, dogs, and then adding chemo side effects! I'm at day 7 for rd #2 and was surprised by nausea yesterday. I never had nausea with rd #1 and thought I was far enough out to be safe.
Also, a question to those who have tissue expander(s). Are you still getting fills during chemo? My ps doesn't want to fill until after blood test to see how white blood cells are doing which had basically made it impossible to schedule and I'm frustrated. I KNOW,,,,let it gooooooo, there is no control! HA!
peace!
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Rebecca, I just had a lot of bone pain (I get Neulasta) and weak legs that I did not have after 1 and 2. So weak this past 2 weeks. No nausea. I just could not do much of anything. Before, I could go to the grocery store, but today is the first time I will venture to the grocery and it has been 17 days. We are all different, so I hope you can still go on your family vacation. Good luck!
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Oh, and no, I am not getting fills during chemo. Chemo has been enough without adding fills. I am at about 500cc's now so plan to wait until 3 or 4 weeks after last treatment.
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Rebecca, as Mysunshine says, we are all different. Recovery time from #2 was the longest for me. My blood pressure was very low and I had to lie down a lot! #3 hasn't been bad for me. I wish you well and hope the family vacation is wonderful.0
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My chemo was last fall and I found the SE to be predictable on their timing. For example, weakest days would be 4-6, nausea over by day 7 and so on. I experienced more fatigue with each round. I also got some odd SE which didn't stop me from doing things (such as watery eyes "taxo-tears").
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I finished chemo on February 20 (4 rounds of TC). I also was a little more tired with round 3, but I think I was so excited about round 4 being my last I didn't think about the fatigue. I didn't have nausea at all....I hated the steroids but I guess they helped. I just had no energy...I was in my recliner a lot. I felt ok by week two and good by week 3. I didn't get the watery eyes but I did get the sensitive nails, and they turned a little brown but not until I was done with chemo. I also had to get Granix shots (6 after each treatment) for low white blood cells, and just driving in to get the shots every day was exhausting. I also had some chest pain that was related to chemo and the bone pain, but I was insecure about it. All was well. I say go for your trip! As long as your family is understanding that you will have fatigue and be fragile.
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Does anyone else wonder when the phone will ring and it will be one of the millions of Drs you've seen telling you that it's all a mistake?? It's someone else who has cancer!
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DONE!!!! Just got home from my last chemo. Now I just have to get through the next 1-2 weeks and then hopefully I'll be good to go. Mind you, I start Letrozole in 2 weeks so a whole new set of SEs to watch out for!
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Congratulations, Cats! Woohoo! Chemo is done!
I'm on letrozole, too. Started about 2 months ago. The SE are nothing compared to the ones I had with chemo.
Have you joined the Femara thread? I found it helpful.
I strongly recommend you have a dexascan (bone scan) before you start letrozole. I noticed on the boards that some docs aren't scheduling this for their patients.
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Done too! Same as you, Cats, got to get through the next 2 or 3 weeks. As you know, I get the bone pain! Then, I will also be starting Arimidex. So hope little or no side effects from that! I have had enough side effects with chemo!
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Congrats to you, Sunshine! Happy dance time!
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Thanks PoppyK, I am following the Femara thread, and am glad to hear the SE sound manageable. I will be getting a bone density test but I will likely have started Letrozole before I get an appt, hopefully won't be too long before. Although I have been very happy with the treatment and speed of treatment I have received here in Canada, sometimes the wheels do move somewhat slowly.
Sunshine, happy dance for you albeit in my head... the fatigue seems to be setting in already. I hope your bone pain is non-existent or at least minimal this time. I know it took it's toll after round 3.
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Thanks, Cats, feeling pretty good today.....steroids probably giving me energy. In fact, I am going to walk to the community gym and walk on the treadmill and maybe a little on the bike. Shot this afternoon. Ugg! Then, the crash and probably bone pain, but with the relief I can focus on getting stronger. I need to find out about estrogen inhibitors, I still have exchange surgery and from what Inread cannot be on that prior to surgery. Still much to find out. Plus I am dealing with Coumedin too.
Thanks PoppyK! How are you doing after being out of trestment 7 months?
To all of you, thank you for all your support
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Glad you have energy, Mysunshine, the fatigue has set in early for me even with the steroids. I'm usually good until Sunday but It started yesterday and is a little worse today. Neulasta shot this afternoon but hopefully no bone pain again. I start Letrozole in two weeks, I won't be doing reconstruction until sometime next year, if I bother at all, still undecided.
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