Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Annie-B-7-14, I don't have the information at hand, but think this was the brand used in the study I read:
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My breast nurse told me to paint my nails with a dark colour polish to help protect the nail bed. I didn't lose any nails.
My Nuelasta was injected into the stomach too.
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MelroseMelrose, thank you! The repost is so helpful! VLH thanks for the link to the gel mitts. Also, it sounds like I want to me sure they put my Nuelasta pod on the tummy- I wonder if that will work since I will only be 7 weeks out form a DIEP flap reconstruction- might have to go for my "good" arm instead. Thanks all!
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Annie - I think the Nulasta could also go in your thigh since it's sub-Q. Or the other side of your tummy.
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Just checking on those who just had their first round of chemo....... Hope each of you is doing well.
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Melrose, I am 1 week post 1st chemo. I had an allergic reaction (flushed face, difficulty breathing, hip/lower back pain) during the infusion, so they had to stop for about 1/2 an hour and give benedryl. The rest of the infusion went well. They will start all future treatments with benedryl. I am also cold capping and icing my hands/feet. I think the ice on my hands and feet was the worst during infusion. Just made my whole body cold. Someone in another forum mentioned that it is not proven to help with neuropathy, so if it doesn't I may decide to forego that on future treatments. Need to do some research on that. Symptoms were fine until day 3. Once I had my neulasta pod injection, I had a very bad headache and bone pain in my sternum, spine, neck, and ribs. Nurse said to try Claritin. I did and the next day was significantly better. Not sure if it was the Claritin or not, but I will be taking it the day before, of, and after my neulasta injection next time. Also, I had some pretty bad heartburn. Some prescription strength Prilosec took care of it within about an hour. I am supposed to stay on it for the duration of my chemo. Of course nothing tastes the same and all my taste buds feel burnt. I've been swishing with salt water and baking soda 2-3 times per day and that seems to keep the thick feeling away. Ears feel achy and so does my picc line arm. Last, I just feel dizzy/loopy a lot of the time. I am working and the 1st day back, I was not functional. Think I may take that day off next time. The rest of the week has been ok and I've put in full days. Yesterday, I felt really good. Almost normal. Today is shaping up pretty well too. One concern I have is that part of my skin from radiation is not healing. I've got a call into my RO, but it's been 2 1/2 weeks and about a nickel sized area is still very weepy. It does not look infected, just not healing. I see my MO today and get labs, so maybe he can take a look at it too.
My husband has been great and taking such good care of me. I need to do something nice for him. My kids seem to be handling everything ok and I think maybe they were expecting me to be worse.
I hope everyone else is doing well! Here's hoping that the next 2 weeks are relatively normal now that the worst of my symptoms seem to be resolved.
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Kechla - I ended up with neuropathy, so if you determine there is any chance to avoid it by icing - I'd do it. I did ice, however i did it for my nails and I didn't loose those. Anyway, I wore a winter parka, a stocking cap, gloves, etc. in addition to blankets and just managed to stand the cold.
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Kechla- Glad to hear you have the first chemo done. I know the icing and cold capping is tough and uncomfortable but do your best to move forward. I iced my finger tips and toes and so glad that I did since I've had minimal neuropathy. I viewed the icing as a tradeoff and felt I could get through the icing process immediate effects versus dealing the possible long term effects of neuropathy.
As for the Claritin, I took it the evening of chemo day and then continued for 7 days afterwards. I did not experience bone/joint pain associated with the Neulasta. FYI: there is a clinical trial that was investigating this ( Evaluation of Loratadine for Prevention of Pegfilgrastim-Induced Pain - clincialtrials.gov)
Eating can be challenging. I used to eat small meals 5-6 times a day, drank lots of fluids and kept a food diary. The food diary helped so I could know what I could eat during the 3 weeks right after the infusion. I usually ate what I called my "white meals" for a few days after chemo which consisted of mashed potatoes, mac n cheese and baked chicken or fish. Yes, my taste buds usually went on vacation a few days after the infusion which means things tasted like cardboard. Thank goodness by the beginning of the 3rd week post chemo, my taste buds returned. One of my go to foods was a baked potato with whatever I wanted on it ( cheese, bacon, sour cream, etc). You may want to check out 2 books which i found helpful during my time in chemo land--- "Eating Well Through Cancer" by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD and "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen" by Rebecca Katz. Rebecca Katz's book has recipes and great pics and has recipes for soup which may be something you may want to check out.
I used to have chemo on Tuesdays and my Neulasta shot on Wednesdays. I felt great for 48 hours after chemo and then on Friday I would experience the downhill slide. I would spend the weekend resting and Monday I was ready to go again. Hope you have an easier time with the next round. Enjoy your good days and keep taking care of yourself which means eat and rest and keep moving.
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Hi ladies!
I had my first infusion Wednesnday 8/31 and the nurse informed me that recent research shows less toxicity if you drip each chemo drug for an hour instead of 30 minutes, and the order of cytoxan and taxotere is important, BUT I FORGET WHICH MUST GO FIRST (darn- will find out and post).
My MO says 25mg of B6 and 10 grams of L-Glutamine daily will help prevent neuropathy in hands and feet. Also I am taking loratadine for bone pain.
I am taking Thorne research prenatal vitamins which has enough B6 (for neuropathy), plus biotin (hair and nails), magnesium (blood sugar and constipation) and iron and other good stuff. I am ALSO taking 1000 mg Silica for hair and the L Glutamine too. MO said they were all ok. I am taking 6mg of melatonin nightly as research shows it inhibits breast cancer, plus it helps with sleep.
Overall my side effects are mostly - fatigue, moderate bone pain, mild nausea, irritability, and scorched feeling mouth.
Hang tough!
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I was taking b6 to prevent neuropathy,biotin for hair, iron, fish oil, digestive enzymes, probiotic, vit d, and calcium. All approved. However, my liver enzyme levels were too high on my last labs so am off everything except probiotic and antibioticto give my liver a break until it returns to normal.
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How's everyone feeling this week? I am 9 days from my first infusion and was able to take a 2 1/2 mile walk this morning w a friend. Woo hoo. Labs last Thursday had my wbc very low (.04) and also elevated liver counts. Brought on some thrush on my tongue, rash on my chest, and thought maybe a little cold coming on. I feel like maybe the neulasta has kicked in now though. I'll see on Wednesday at my next lab check.
I've actually felt mostly good since about day 6. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
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Hi all!
maybe this is old news, but I hope it's helpful re: order of administration:
http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/content/81423-102
Reduction of toxicity by reversing the order of infusion in docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC).
Subcategory: Cytotoxic AgentsCategory: Developmental Therapeutics - Clinical Pharmacology and Immunotherapy Meeting: 2011 ASCO Annual MeetingSession Type and Session Title: General Poster Session, Developmental Therapeutics - Clinical Pharmacology and Immunotherapy Abstract Number:
2576
Citation: J Clin Oncol 29: 2011 (suppl; abstr 2576)Author(s): D. Miura, M. Fujii, T. Iwatani, T. Takano, H. Kawabata; Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
Abstract:
Background: Although TC (docetaxel 75mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600mg/m2, q3w) combination is among the most widely used neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy for primary breast cancer, allergic reactions including rash and edema are occasionally met. This study aimed to determine whether adverse events (AEs) particularly allergic reactions were more common in TC, docetaxel infused prior to cyclophosphamide compared to reverse TC (rTC), cyclophosphamide infused prior to docetaxel. Methods: Retrospective analysis was done at a single institution in consecutive 85 patients treated with TC or rTC for stage 1-3 breast cancer from 2007 to 2010. TC was used in former 2.5 years and rTC in latter 1.5 years. Dexamethasone was administered to prevent allergic reaction in both. Two tailed Fisher Exact test was used to evaluate the significance of proportional differences in AEs between two regimens according to CTCAE ver.4. Results: Among 85 patients, 50 were in TC and 35 in rTC. Baseline characteristics of two groups were not different. Significant decreases in fatigue (11% vs. 72%), edema (11% vs. 48%), neuropathy (14% vs. 66%), and myalgia (6% vs. 48%) were observed in rTC as compared with TC. There were also decreased incidences of grade 3 and 4 edema (0% vs. 2%), neuropathy (3% vs. 10%), myalgia (0% vs. 2%), and rash (6% vs. 10%) in rTC. All 2 cases who did not complete their treatments were in TC due to rash. Hematologic AEs were not different in 2 regimens. Conclusions: Patients receiving cyclophosphamide infused prior to docetaxel were decreased risk for several toxicities as compared with docetaxel infused prior to cyclophosphamide. The immunosuppressive effects of cyclophosphamide may reduce hypersensitivity reactions with docetaxel by reversing order of infusion.
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Hi everyone. I've been lurking in the shadows on this topic😊 But it's time to jump in. I will have my port placement next Thursday, Oct. 6, and receive my first TC infusion Oct. 13. I think I'm more nervous about the port than I am the actual chemo! I've made my list of things to have on hand. I've cut my hair super short. Should I just go and get my head shaved before the first session? I've been planning to do it the following week, but if it's better earlier I have no problem with that. I'm prepared with a wig and already have countless scarves.
I guess I'm just looking for insight and a support system. Is there anyone also starting chemo in the next few weeks? Would love to have someone to compare notes with on how things are going.
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Mothership - if you check active topics, there is always a 'starting chemo' thread in the works. Might be Fall 2016 or September 2016 or... I also found it useful to read the one for the period before since that group was just finishing up. Sorry you have to join us, but you will find great support.
Also if you go to my profile and put in your 'stats', people will be able to respond to your specific issues.
My port was easy & I had my first infusion the next day. I would recommend that you do NOT shave your head at all. I cut mine like a short butch cut after listening to several women say stubble was uncomfortable. Just keep a lint roller on hand & consider a sleeping cap after the 2nd week.
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Here you go Mothership. "anyone starting chemo October 2016" link below
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...
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Hi Mothership,
I had my first TC infusion 2 weeks ago. Last week I buzzed my hair (#3 on the hair trimmer) as the wig shop recommended no shorter and no shaving for wig comfort. It's very liberating to have little hair and for me better control for the hair loss to come. I haven't even wore headscarves yet!
Good luck with your port this week - I don't have one. Word of caution on reading a lot about chemo on these boards in advance....it made me very nervous seeing others report their SEs. Just remember that people tend to post when they feel poorly versus when they feel okay.
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Thanks beebs2704! i live in South Florida, and Thursday (my port day) we are supposed to get hit by hurricane Mathew. The office where I'm supposed to go is over an hour south of me, so starting to worry about getting there! Thinking I might go down Wed. night. I really don't want to delay starting the chemo. Seems like it's always something, right? 😬
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Mothersip--- Checking on you since Hurricane Matthew made a visit your way. Let us know how you are doing!!!
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Kechla thank you for all the advice...I am apparently limited to the amount of messages I can send...so I can no longer respond ;( I will get the extra ice and try not to panic through the rotating. I am thinking I will be capping for like 5 1/2 hours due to the fact that I am only doing taxotere...xeloda is pill form.i will request extra caps for next time. And let's hope we do it right...fingers crossed. I am due to have treatment every three weeks...possible for six rounds. Time will tell.
Tomorrow will be an emotional roller coaster to say the least. ;( ;(
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I'm sure they sent you what is needed for your treatment. You will do well. Good luck tomorrow
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Melrosemelrose - I thought I'd responded to your post but don't see it. Sorry!
We dodged a bullet. The landfall was 5 miles south of us. We got strong winds and trees damaged but nothing catastrophic. We didn't even lose power!
My port placement was moved to this past Tuesday and my first chemo was today. I was anxious about the whole thing but shouldn't have been. The port area is still sore, but the treatment was a piece of cakes. The 3+ hour treatment was uneventful and I feel fine. It's been almost 6 hours. I'm staying busy and plan to go to my yoga class tomorrow
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Mothersip- Glad to hear that you made it through the hurricane. Yay on getting through the port placement and first round of chemo! FYI: I usually felt fine 36-48 hours after having chemo and then i would begin to feel not so great. I also had a lot of energy the next day after having chemo --- probably because of the post chemo meds and steroid (Decadron). I would rest for a few days and was ready to get up and go by the beginning of the second week. Hope your side effect are minimal and manageable.
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Melrosemelrose - thanks! My plan is no SE. I'm I big believer in mind over body and that's the plan!😬 (We will SE how that goes!
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Mothersip...glad to hear you are doing well and continue to plan to do well!!!! I had same treatment as you, in fact our DX is almost exact! I never got sick and didn't have very many side effects at all. I felt tired more than anything. Drink lots of water and rest! My taste was off, but you can deal with that. Keep us posted how you are doing!
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getting achy bones ( chemo was last Thursday) and sore mouth but can deal with that. Just glad I've not experienced any nausea. I truly hate that!
What I'm most uncomfortable with is the constipation. I'm getting more than enough water, eating right, probiotics and Metamucil. Nothing helps. It's bad enough to cause a back ach! Any ideas
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Mothersip--- Sorry the constipation has come your way. You may try some Senekot with a stool softener or Colace. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of fluids if you take one of these. There is a herbal tea called Smooth Move that you can get at the grocery store/ Target, etc that has the same ingredient (Senna) as Senekot. Just make sure you call your once's office to make sure it's okay for you try any of these things.
FYI-- If you take Zofran as one of your post chemo drugs, this may be the cause of the constipation. I didn't figure that out until after I noticed things were moving slow after chemo despite my eating prunes, drinking apple juice/prune juice combo, eating oatmeal with wheat bran and banana and blueberries and doing every else you are now doing. After I found out it was the Zofran, things seem to get better but I tried to eat or drink my way out of constipation with some success.
Keep us posted. Hoping you have movement soon!!!!
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drink plenty of fluids and stool softener will definitely help. I only experienced it for a few days after each treatment. Glad you are not getting any nausea!!
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My docs had me get Colace before any surgeries as a stool softener, and told me to use Senakot D when ever I take pain killers, the same that Melrose is recommending. Personally I had the opposite with chemo - lots of Big D. If things don't get better, don't let it go too long,. There is a useful & amusing constipation thread on these boards. Lots of great recommendations for ongoing 'relief'.
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I also had the Big D, that generally came first, then came the constipation.
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Thanks! I do have the stool softener - forgot to mention it. And this morning made a shake with lots of fruit and fiber. The wait goes on...
Late day four, started to see what might be more significant SE. Aching, flu-like feeling, but today seems to have passed. Still feeling blessed I've not had some of the problems so many people have, especially with taxotere.
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