Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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I had to take my Compazine in the few days after treatments 2 and 3. It does cause constipation though, so I also take a couple of Colace each day during that time as well. Staying ahead of that constipation is important too. I almost didn't with this treatment (3) and I was very uncomfortable for one day.
Did any of you have to get a transfusion for low hemoglobin? If so, what did it feel like when your levels dropped below the threshold to need one? I have really sore fingernails, extreme fatigue, and a constant mild headache.
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Hi gakristi, do you just have one more chemo left? I had four. I didn't need hemoglobin but after chemo #3 my blood pressure was very low and stayed low for a while. I was very tired - had to lay down a lot, light headed and had mild headache. Take care and be well....not long now! Oh, at the chemo suite, they gave me iced gloves to wear when I was getting Taxotere and I had no issues with my nails. If you aren't doing that try putting your fingers in iced water through the infusion. Good luck
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Round #2 is Thursday. I have started losing my hair big time. Its weird to see how small my head is without hair. My question ladies is how have you or how do plan to take care of your bald head?
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Day 7 of first infusion...today I had my first side effect and it sure wasn't fun! Unbelievable back pain that was unlike any pain I've had. I had the Neulasta patch and took Clariton for five days. That was enough, so I thought. Big mistake. Called my MO and she told me to go back on the Clariton and add Aleve. Two hours later the pain was gone. Next time I'll stay on the Clariton for ten days. I had heard about the bone pain from Neulasta, but never expected it to be so bad. Other than this episode, everything has been mild. Wishing everyone an easy time.
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KimmieM - When my hair really began to fall, I had my hairdresser buzz it down to about 1/4". I was hoping that would keep any of the razor rash from happening. I'm still losing those 1/4" hairs with each day, but so far, no bumps. I do find my scalp as so much of my skin is really dry. I used Head and Shoulders on my head and rubbed Aquaphor on it after last shower. That did seem to help with the flakes.
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Cathytoo - I had that back pain when given Neupogen after first infusion when I became neutropenic. Because of that, my MO dialed back the amount of Neulasta after my 2nd chemo, and I've not had the back pain this time. Just hoping I don't get neutropenic again this time.
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Thanks CatsRUs.
My MO doesn't seem concerned about the fingernails so I won't either, I guess.
I checked with them today regarding the symptoms I'm having and they are pretty sure it's just side-effects from the chemo and not the anemia. While my numbers are low, they aren't at the level to require intervention.
And yes.. just one more to go (2/10). That was my mantra during those few days (Sat / Sun / Mon) when I felt so bad. I'm so ready.
After the last treatment, when does the hair start coming back? I just realized my drivers license is up for renewal this year on 4/26. Because of regulations implemented one year after my last renewal, I have to go in for a new picture.
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Hello Ladies,
Today I start T/C and feeling nervous but reading your posts have helped with some of my fears. I have a small .5 mm tripple Neg IDC and have BRCA1 thus the chemo. I'll be joining the other 2016 newbies in the battle.
KimmieM. You are on two today and I starting. I will be following you. I went to the hairdresser with a wig that was similar to my current hair color and style and she cut them to look the same. I'll wear the wig when meeting clients. I am CPA tax accountant. I sure hope I can work. Otherwise I purchased some cute caps and will look for a halo. Anyone have an online halo supplier recommendation?
I just found this forum I have lots of reading of past posts to pick up tips. I appreciate any and all advice including tips in using this forum.
Off I go....
SAM
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Samcpa - so sorry you're having to be on this board, but know that we all have your back. I'm 50% through my chemo if I can just get through this week without cratering my neutrophils!
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Samcpa...welcome and good luck to you today! I'm just one week behind you. I, too, was very nervous, especially thinking of the possible allergic reaction to the Taxotere. I have had, virtually, no side effects. I did have a day of extreme pain from the Neulasta shot. Seems as though I stopped the Clariton too soon. Next infusion I'll stay on it for ten days. I think what helped me the most was staying well hydrated. I'm not a big water drinker, but I've been keeping a water bottle with me and drinking often. I did get a bit of constipation and immediately took a Senokot and Colace, along with a few prunes. Things began moving again the next day. To avoid possible nausea, I followed a suggestion from another TC sister and bought a sea band. I wore it constantly. Just took it off yesterday. I didn't have any nausea, so maybe it worked. I'm wishing you an easy time. I'm sure you realize already that there is always someone to help you here. I hope you have an easy time.
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Welcome Samcpa!
We're sorry you have to be here, but really glad you found us! Please let us know if you need help navigating the boards at all.
We look forward to hearing more from you!
--The Mods
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Sampca, I got a halo from voguewigs.com made by Jon Renau and I love it. They have two lengths - I went with the shorter bob and am incredibly pleased with it. So comfortable and natural looking.
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My first treatment went well. No reactions or any problems. No nausea so far. Having trouble sleeping so tired today. Neulasta shot in an hour and will follow Cathytoo' s advice to take the claritin for 10 days
Jenngotthis... I went to the vogue site and could not find the halo you referenced.
Any suggestions for hydration besides water?
Tomorrow day three ..wonder what the week end will bring. Hoping for the best. Whst are usually the worst days?
Thanks in advance for your advice
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Samcpa, i hope this link helps to find thehalo. I wore mine all day yesterday with a scarf on top and it was so comfortable!
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Hi TC sisters,
Just had my first infusion (out of four) yesterday. I was really nervous beforehand but all went just fine. I had a little bit of dizzy/flush at the beginning of each drug going in but then that faded. The Cytoxan left me with a funky metallic taste in my mouth and a little numbness/tingling in my tongue and lips, so food tastes off (which was frustrating because the steroid was making me hungry!) I've been scraping my tongue with a plastic scraper the dentist gave me and using a baking soda/salt water rinse and that seems to help temporarily. The steroid made it hard to sleep the last couple nights but I was able to nap for a bit earlier this afternoon. Now that the steroid has worn off and the day is winding down I definitely feel more tired and foggy but so far I'm keeping nausea and pain away with a variety of edible cannabis products (which have the side benefit of not being constipating). Using cannabis lip balm on my tingly lips seems to be helping too. I was supposed to have a Neulasta shot today but my white cell counts seems unusually high at the moment (possibly because I had a cold last week and my immune system is still on alert), so my MO said to do bloodwork to check in next week and then do the shot if needed. I will definitely remember to take Claritin if and when I do based on Cathytoo's example.
I have heard that things can start to feel worse around Day 3 so we shall see what tomorrow will bring. My nose is starting to feel pretty dry so I may go get some of that Ayr Gel. The good news is that most people seem to report feeling better again by around Day 7-8. Hope you all are hanging in there with all this craziness. We got this!0 -
Quixhobbit you're off to a great start. My WBC was very high also, but I still got the Neulasta patch. Who knows why. Every doctor thinks differently. I hope you have as easy a time as I did. With the exception of the bone pain, which I attribute to my error, I only have that funky taste in my mouth...and day 4 I was constipated. Other than that, I tolerated the TC pretty well. Really hoping that #2 is the same. My MO did say that I would become more fatigued with each infusion. He said by #4 I'd be too tired to make dinner. That's nothing new for me. I've been that way for years now‼️😊 Keep up the good work and be sure to let us know if you need help
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Samcpa...you asked about the worse days. I have TC friends who had side effects on day 3 to day 5. Others said days 7-10 weren't so great. You'll know soon enough. We're all different. I have a few friends who never had one bad day. Hope your journey will be easy. Keep us posted
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Quixhobbit - Our motto in the August Chemo Group was Expect No Side Effects, and if you have them, treat them. So, hopefully you'll be SE free (except for that metal-mouth taste you mentioned). I didn't have any problems for infusion 1, and my tired day for the others was day 5. My WBC also crashed after every infusion, so I had the Neulasta shots and had no problems. Good luck!
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I also had minimal side effects. My biggest complaint throughout chemo was the steroids which was a double edge sword - it makes you feel better but I barely slept for the 5 days that I took it. So we played around with the amounts but when I cut back I felt worse. In the end I decided I would rather be tired and feel better than feeling yucky.
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I've had 2 of 4 CT infusions and I find that days 4-5 are the worst for me as far as feeling "fragile" - not really queasy or nauseous. My second session was much easier than the first since I was on top of the constipation issue better, but still needs work. Maybe I'll have this figured out by session 4. The lower GI issues seem to be the worst for me - either constipation/diarrhea or gas - can't seem to get normal.
I managed to get past the low blood count days - just had some "flu-like" symptoms on Wednesday, but temp never went higher than 99.8. I think I'm now on the upward swing before getting zapped again on the 8th.
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Ladies, I was wondering if you can provide some advice. I am starting TCX4 on 2/5 and am extremely nervous. My one fear is that I had always had migraines and am afraid that that will be overwhelming during chemo. Do any of you know what I can do to lessen occurence or if any drugs have helped. Also, if any drugs I should avoid, I know some pain killers actually give me headaches like hydrocodone and valium.
Thank you so much.
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Kiks1: Your post spoke directly to me! I have suffered from migraines for over 30 years. The Imitrex that I take only takes the edge off, but helps me make it to work. Painkillers, extreme changes in the weather, perfumes and stress, set a migraine off. I worried when I started TC what life would be like. If one good thing came out of my infusions (other than not having to shave...LOL)...it was the fact that I haven't had a migraine since I started chemo! My last infusion was 5 weeks ago and still migraine free. It has been almost 4 months! I am knocking on wood, as my life consisted of 2-4 migraines A WEEK. I can only hope that this continues and I pray that maybe the same SE will happen to you! I would be interested in knowing how you are doing with this particular problem along the way, so please keep us posted
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Biscuits, thank you for the encouragement. My PT told me that her mother had horrible migraines before and during chemo but had not had one since chemo 15 years ago! She is still cancer free as well. I am so happy for you and keeping my fingers crossed that we would both be migraine free for life.
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Thought this info may be helpful for some ladies wondering about neutrophils. We are all very different as are our side effects.
"When neutrophil levels begin to drop depends on the type or dose of chemotherapy. Neutrophil counts generally start to drop about a week after each round of chemotherapy begins. Neutrophil levels reach a low point called the nadir about 7 to 14 days after treatment. At this point, you are most likely to develop an infection. Your neutrophil count then starts to rise again as your bone marrow resumes normal production of neutrophils. However, it may take three to four weeks to reach a normal level again."
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Day four. Thank you Jengotthis. I found the halo and ordered one. Quixhobbit we are on same day. I was not too bad yesterday. Was tired in the evening. Achey, bone pain and ringing in my ears today. Going to take some Tylenol. How are you doing? Cathytoo you are a week ahead can I expect to feel fairly normal in a week?
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Samcpa...I have had a really easy time. Today, which is Day 12 I feel just like myself. The weird taste in my mouth is gone. No nausea, not tired at all, no GI problems. The only thing is that my head feels tingly. I guess it's getting ready to dump my hair, which will be hard for me handle...even though it's cut very short. It's actually surreal knowing that next week I'll be bald. I hope you bounce back to normal soon. Overall, I think that TC is a bit easier to handle than ACT. Keep us posted. Good luck
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Samcpa...try an Aleve if you haven't taken the Tylenol already. It worked wonders for me
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This is day 4 since second TC infusion. I had Neulesta in Friday so I feel like I've been run over by a Mack truck. Trying to stay hydrated because it helps big time with side effects. I hope everyone is hanging in there with minimal side effects. The next few days are rest days for me. Hoping to go to work tomorrow but I'm not putting any pressure on myself. Love and light to everyone.
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Kimmie M I feel the same way re the truck. I will try the Aleve as cathytoo suggested. Let's hope we both are better tomorrow.
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Hi Everyone...I haven't posted in a while so thought I'd give an update and check on your progress. In a few hours I'm off to my #3 of 4 infusions. I was given permission to extend one week, so basically I'm 4 weeks out from #2. Last infusion I had horrible facial burning that finally left after 4 days. Began in day #16. Strange feeling when I got up from sitting. Felt like I wasn't going to fall flat on my face. This left on day #7. I still have my eyebrows and just began using Brian Joseph gel to try and save them. On Saturday I went to a big dance party and danced the night away, which really surprised me. The party might be over though. My MO told me that this infusion would really knock me out. Hope not, but we'll see soon enough. Hope all of you are doing well and having few side effects. ❤️
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