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Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

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Comments

  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 150
    edited December 2015

    First chemo went swimmingly. We had a winter storm come in, but it was raining when we went to the hospital, and raining when we left; all the sleet/snow fell while we were inside.

    I feel surprisingly good. Still taking dex and zophran through today. Dex is over tomorrow, so aware of the possible crash. Appetite is OK, no smell problems yet. Going to get errands run today while still up on the steriods, plus snow is forecast for tomorrow. I don't get out if I don't have to.

    Octogirl and MustLovePoodles, I had a total knee replacement in 2013 of my right knee. Read about it on my blog http://adventuresinknees.blogspot.com/ . Best thing I ever did. I will eventually need to replace my left, but will deal with cancer first. Right now I'm keeping it at bay with EuFlexxa shots.


  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2016

    So glad to hear things went so well for you Brithael!

    After my 2nd treatment on 12/30, I continue to do great. I haven't even had the horrible itching that I had last time. I have had very minimal effects from the Neulasta and it's doing it's job well. Because of how well I've responded to the Neulasta, I even get to forgo the Day 8 blood work for the last 2 treatments coming up (Yay!).

    I have had another wrinkle that came up this time though. It seems the treatments have triggered early menopause. My medical oncologist said things may return to normal after treatment (or may not). At my age (45) it can go either way. All in all, I'm okay with that. My personal summers haven't been too bad. Where I'm having issues is trying to get some sleep. I have some insomnia and when I do sleep, I'm frequently plagued by bad dreams. Any advice?

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 845
    edited January 2016

    gakristi - sorry you are having sleep problems, but I'm glad you are handling the chemo ok. Sleep problems are a sign of menopause or chemopause. Ask your doc about taking a 5g melatonin about 4 hours before bedtime to help your body prepare for bedtime sleep cycle. I struggled because I had too drink so much water that I had to urinate at night! I can't help you with the dreams, BUT if it helps at all, you can focus on the idea that since your cancer is hormone positive, being in menopause is actually helping you fight it by not making estrogen. It helps me with that trade off.

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited January 2016

    Hi Ladies...

    I begin TC on January 19th. Very anxious but happy to have found all of you here. I think I'm prepared with I will need for possible side effects. However, I just heard that facial breakouts can happen. Has anyone had that experience. If so, what did you do to resolve the issue?

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 845
    edited January 2016

    cathytoo - My face broke out the first time, not bad, but it's not like chemo isn't stressful enough. So, the MO reduced my steroid, and I was fine.

  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2016

    Hi Cathytoo - like Sloan15, my face also broke out after my first treatment. However, I didn't have that problem after my second. As for resolving it, just keep to your regular routine and wash your face regularly, tone, treat, moisturize. It will clear up in due time. It did take several days before my skin was back to normal.

    Sloan15 - I'm not at all worried about being in menopause. I certainly won't miss that monthly visitor!! My oncologist said the same thing about it actually being a good thing as far as my cancer goes. My nights have gotten better. I remembered I had some ZzzQuil on hand and gave that a shot. Worked like a charm.

  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 150
    edited January 2016

    I posted this on other forums, but I'll be repetitiously redundant and say I wound up with neutropenic fever and two nights in the hospital. My MO says she'll reduce the amount of chemo on the next round and definitely give me the Neulasta shot afterward. I feel much better now, although I am concerned about some swelling in my arm during the hospital stay. I have an email into my LE therapist.

    I still have my hair (Day 15) and a wig consult tomorrow. It'll be a race to see which happens first.

  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2016

    I'm so sorry Brithael that happened to you, but really glad to hear you are on the mend now!

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited January 2016

    Thanks to everyone who answered my facial breakout question.  Here's another one...

    I have chronic cystitis.  I've heard that CT can bring on an attack.  In reading all the side effects, I haven't seen any mention of this or even ordinary urinary discomfort.  Anyone had these problems?

  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2016

    Cathytoo - I haven't had any issues with my bladder, but my medical oncologist did stress the importance of getting in plenty of water to flush the chemotherapy drugs through my system since if they linger too long (I can't remember if he said in the bladder or the kidneys), it can cause irritation or even hemorrhaging. I get in about 80 oz of water a day now and haven't had any problems with that. I wasn't much of a water drinker before, but since I started chemo, I've given up caffeine and water is pretty much all I drink.

  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 150
    edited January 2016

    I've had no bladder problems, but I too like Gakristi drink a prodigious amount of fluid. I think that helps a lot.

  • KimmieM
    KimmieM Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2016

    I started TC on Jan 7. I have minimal side effects but the one that is most bothersome is the dry nose and nose bleeds is anyone else experiencing this?

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited January 2016

    Hi KimmieM...I start TC in two days. Can't believe I'm actually doing this. Hope you continue with minimal side effects. And, hope I can say the same.

  • biscuits
    biscuits Member Posts: 2,158
    edited January 2016

    KimmieM: I suffered from the dry nose, nosebleeds and nasal sores from TC. I used Ayr nasal gel and it really helps. Use it after each infusion and it will help guard from getting those problems again

  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 150
    edited January 2016

    Second on the AYR gel. Haven't actually had the nosebleeds, but really dry, plus we're having a real winter now in Chicagoland, and the air is soooo dry. Our humidifier runs about every 10 minutes. Also, I spent two nights in the hospital where the air was so dry, and they had nothing to give me for my nose. My husband brought the AYR up for me, thank goodness. The gel is a lifesaver.

  • Paxton29
    Paxton29 Member Posts: 76
    edited January 2016

    I finally got my start date: January 22, first of four rounds. Need to get that wig bought this week. I'm looking forward to getting it over with

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited January 2016

    Hi TC Sisters...

    Tomorrow is my day. Infusion #1. Thanks to this wonderful site, I feel calm (surprised myself), well prepared and hopeful for an easy ride. I followed every suggestion for the posted pre-chemo shopping list. I think i have everything and anything for whatever might pop up!!! Today i surprised myself even more when I decided to get rid of most of my hair. My hair stylist gave me a longish buzz cut. it looks pretty cute and it won't be such a shock when it's all gone in a few weeks. Bought myself a few cute wigs, bangs, a halo, caps, turbans, and a newsboy cap. So, I think I'm ready. Sending all of you positive thoughts and many big hugs. Tomorrow I'm off to kill some cancer. Hope I have the least of the worse side effects. Only each day will tell the story.

  • thinkingpositive
    thinkingpositive Member Posts: 564
    edited January 2016

    Cathytoo...good luck to you. I am sure you will do fine. I finished tc in February 2015. Wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. No nausea for me which is what I feared the most. If they have you doing the neulasta shot the next day make sure you take the Claritin. It really does help!

  • gakristi
    gakristi Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2016

    We're doing this thing together Cathytoo - I go in today for my infusion 3!

    For those of you that suggested the AYR gell - thank you!! I've been meaning to ask about the nose dryness / bleeding, but kept forgetting. :)

  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 150
    edited January 2016

    Had my second CT on Monday and the Skele-gro shot yesterday. Other than hot flashes from the "Dex" I'm doing OK so far. I take Claritin daily because of seasonal allergies, so don't know if that's going to help. I did get bone pain from the Neupogen shot, so my MO dialed back the amount of Neulasta. My hairdress buzzed my hair down to about 1/8 to 1/4", and now all those little, tiny hairs are falling out into my caps and washing off in the shower.

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited January 2016

    Gatriski....good luck to youwith number 3. So far so good two days out from my first TC infusion. I got no allergic initial reaction from the Taxotere. I was worried about that. Everything went smoothly. Went out to lunch with friends, had a nice dinner with another and then had a good night's sleep. They did give me the Neulasta patch will activates around 5pm today. Took Clariton this morning and will continue for five more days. Hoping it will relieve or keep away bone pain. They told me I would "crash" tomorrow and might have three bad days. We'll see. Hoping for the best but well prepared for anything else...I think!!!

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited January 2016

    Gakristi...sorry I spelled your user name incorrectly

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited January 2016

    ThinkingPositive...thanks for your good wishes. As you probably see from my previous post, I did take the Clariton. I'm hoping for a week of good days. I have a friend staying with me and we want to go to the movies this weekend. I guess if I'm too tired I can just take a nap in the theater's nice reclining seats. LOL My MO said the movies would be OK if I went to the early shows. Less crowded

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited January 2016

    Need some Zofran advice...I think I read that it works best to keep ahead of nausea by taking Zofran BEFORE it starts. But, my MO said it will cause constipation...to use Compazine if needed. Any tips

  • biscuits
    biscuits Member Posts: 2,158
    edited January 2016

    Compazine worked great for me! If I began feeling a little queasy, I took a pill and it took the queasiness totally away. Beginning the evening of infusion, I liked to take a pill in the morning and one in the evening and it kept it at bay. I followed that regime for a week each time. I never used the Zofran, as it can cause bad headaches and I am prone to migraines, so I didn't want to chance it

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited January 2016

    biscuits...thanks for the advice. I'll stay away from the Zofran. I bought a wrist sea band which I just put on. Hoping for no tummy upset.

  • jensgotthis
    jensgotthis Member Posts: 673
    edited January 2016

    Cathytoo,

    Maybe ask your chemo nurse what to take the day of. I mention that only as my infusion included the max dose of ZOfran for a day, so she told me to take compazine if I needed it the day of, and then to start the Zofran the next day if needed. Good luck with your first!

  • thinkingpositive
    thinkingpositive Member Posts: 564
    edited January 2016

    Cathytoo...I never took anything for nausea besides what they had given me in the IV each chemo treatment. Hoping no nausea for you.

  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 150
    edited January 2016

    I take Zofran and have to be on the look out for constipation - taking colace and Miralax. Haven't had any problems with headaches. I have compazine, but have not had to take it.

  • Mommadigs
    Mommadigs Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2016

    Hi Cathytoo. I had both meds in case I needed them Compazine first then Zofran if needed. I never needed either, no nauseous experienced during any of my treatments. I did experience constipation during each cycle ( starting the second week) so I would suggest collace to stay ahead of that as it causes a lot of discomfort if it gets ahead of you.   I had Neulasta with my first two cycles. The bone pain discomfort I experienced lasted about twelve hours and I ran temps both cycles so we switched to neupogen the last two cycles and I seemed to manage that better than the Neulasta. Just offering this as information. Best of luck to you. I finished my treatments at the end of November and have my peach fuzz growing and chemo brain leaving. There will be a light at the end of the tunnel, promise. 

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