Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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AnnieLane- hooray- another treatment milestone behind you!
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Congrats, AnnieLane! I was so happy to get my port out. It made me feel 'done.'
I found out I need to do 6 rounds for sure. So, I'm halfway finished!0 -
Way to go AnnieLane!!!
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AnnieLane- Yippee on the deportation!!!! Definitely one more step forward!!!
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"Deportation" - I love that Melrose!
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Hi all, Hope everyone is having a good day, I have a question. I have had my 2nd of 4 treatments and my nails are still intact, If they were to lift or turn black or fall, when does that happen????
Trying to be careful, keeping them short and polished, but really worried.
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Worrywart9390- Not everyone experiences nail damage from the chemo. I know a few who did not ice and didn't have nail damage and didn't ice. The lifting/discoloration can occur at any time so not easy to give you a time frame. I iced my nails during the Taxotere infusions at all 6 rounds of chemo. I was fortunate that I didn't have any lifting or very dark discoloration.
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ty melrose, lucky for you, i haven't iced, just wondering like our hair if it was pinpointed to a time frame. I 'm hoping it doesnt happen for me either, cant wait till i can say, my hair is back, my nails are good, NED, etc. etc. etc.
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Worrywart, in addition to icing, I used Sally Hansen Hard as Nails, which I read on here that some centers give you in a package from the makers of Taxotere. I have had no nail issues and I am about 5 weeks pfc.
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Worrywart
I never iced or did anything. I had the very slightest, slightest faint white line...four of them to be exact, one for each treatment I had. My nails were a little brittle but I just rubbed some sally hansens cuticle oil on them each night. They were fine.
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My nail experience was the same as Starynights. I would add that I had some brown discoloration as well. Because they were brittle, I kept them short, and well lubricated with Curel Hand and Cuticle cream.
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You ladies are awesome!!!! Just wanted to tell you that because each one of you continues to forge ahead and not let anything stop you from moving forward!!! I know the emotional and physical highs and lows can be frustrating but in time you will come to understand that you are all so much more stronger than you ever thought was possible. Sending a round of virtual (((HUGS))) and lots of positive calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy!!! No matter what, it's all good!!!
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Thank you melrose! Just what I needed to hear today. Having a "low" day. 18 days PFC, muscles still hurt, stamina low, anxious about rads on Monday... It'll all be okay.....
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I'm hopeful my nails will be ok...i have been keeping them short and polished i think with sally hansen hard as nails, will have to check when i get home. even though i still have a lot of hair on top of my head, it is still falling out daily.
have a great day everyone!!! the sun is shining here in new york!!
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I also iced for each of my 4 treatments and had no problems with my nails, not even discoloration.
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my center doesnt let me ice or do cold caps or anything, the most they let me do is chew on ice chips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I don't ice. I didn't the first time I had chemo and I had no nail problems. I did see some horizontal ridges, mostly on my toenails, as they grew out in the following months. I also kept nail polish on my toes and a super sheer nude color on my fingers.
I'm doing the same this course of chemo, mostly because that's what I always do.
My infusion room is pretty cool, as in temperature. I wear flip flops or sandals. During Taxotere I just make sure I'm sort of cold, no blanket or sweater, and I switch holding my ice water bottle. I have NO idea if that makes any difference, but icing seems like a PITA for me (for me! no judgements!). I've never seen anyone ice at my infusion roon. When I'm done I ask for a blanket! I do T first, then C.
I suspect the nail damage is dependent on the dosage and individual.0 -
Sisters,
Sorry to here of all of the nail problems. My nails were CRAP until I took chemo. and it actually made them much stronger! Go figure. Also, when I am outside on the patio here or in the pool, the bugs do not bite me. Huh, must still have all of the poison in my bloodstream, huh? I still do have intense joint pain in every part of my body tho. Made an appointment with my MO for Friday to discuss that issue and also to discuss this potentially upcoming ovary removal. Really! I just do not want to get that done at all! In fact, what I hope to do if he agrees with me and says I do not have to get that done is pack my new Jetta to the gills, toss in the fat little Pug and get the heck out of TX. for good! So many family issues going on here with my 17 year old ADHD nephew that I just want to "go home" and help my folks out as much as possible. Of course I WILL have to find a job sooner than later as my funds seem to be dwindling very quickly. NUTS! Wishing everyone on this site a peaceful and pleasant day with no SE's. Peace y'all!
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Carolyn, I also observed that my nails seem to have become stronger during and since chemo. I wondered if it was all the supplements I was taking. And the mosquitos still don't like me nearly as much as they always have. Hope that lasts awhile!
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AnnieLane - Cool! Hope your RADS are still going well. I have had 6 of 15 treatments and it is a "walk in the park" compared to that darn chemo. Peace and Blessings to you and ALL of my Sister Warriors.
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Anybody experiencing for the first time? burning in hands and feet following last treatment on May2nd. Is it from Taxotere. I ran out of the Lipoeic(sp) Acid,and I'm wondering if I need to get more. I'm almost half way done with rads..going pretty good. Skin is starting to pink up,tissue is slightly swollen,but I'm cleaning house today! Take care women. Any input would be appreciated.....thanks......
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Patti, I'm not taking the Alpa-Lipoic Acid during rads because it's a strong anti-oxidant. My RO didn't tell me not to take it, but I want to play it safe in case the anti-oxidant action might interfere with the anti-cancer effect of radiation. I am still taking over-the-counter Vitamin B12 & B6 though, which I think have helped me a lot with the nerve pain. I would guess that you are still feeling the effects of the Taxotere, but you probably want to talk to your MO about this.
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Question: I have a butt load (about 84 pills) of Tamoxifen here in a drawer that I will NEVER be able to take again. Can anyone out there use it? I will be happy to mail it right out. Send me a PM with your mailing address please and "first come, first served"!
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Is anybody on Tamoxifen yet? Melrose help! these hot flashes are awful
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I'm on the Tamox and have been since September. Fortunately, my hot flashes are about the same as they were on chemo--- not so hot but still a little warm at times. If you are having a lot of problems with those hot flashes, talk to your onco about Effexor; supposedly helps those hot flashes. I don't take any Effexor. or any kind of supplements to help with the hot flashes. But do ask your onco about what you can take or do if those hot flashes are unbearable. You probably need some relief!!!
I do notice more at night than during the day. I keep an insulated mug of ice and cold water on the nightstand so I can get some cold water without having to make a trip to the kitchen in the middle of the night. The blankets on and off is a nightly ritual but not too bad. I try to sleep in cotton at night to try to stay cool. I've been told that Soma has some "wicking" pjs that help with the night time sweating.
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Melody, I'm starting Tamoxifen in less than a month... are the hot flashes worse than chemo+steroid hot flashes??? ::shudder::
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dont want to scare you but hell yes they are for me
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Thanks Melrose, I'm starting to think maybe coffee is a problem and wearing wigs and hats definitely doesn't help. I have the same night time ritual with the sheets and blankets but that is actually getting a little better. Its the day time stuff thats really bothering me. I am taking effexor 1/2 dose at night but its not helping the day time stuff, he told me I could take a dose in the morning too but I'm not too sure I want to be on it at all.
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Hi all!
Well I am one week away from my last TC treatment. AND BOY! and I ready! I don't need rads so if all goes as planned I will go on Arimidex in mid July and have my exchange surgery in mid August. WHEW! I start school in ear;\ly September. IDK if you know this but an uncompassionate boss let me go after my first treatment stating something about not being a good match or some nonsense. So I will take that and change my life! School for massage therapy so I can help others and eventually buy a currently operating business that's for sale..lock stock and barrel and only I can fire myself in the future! loll how long after last treatment will fatigue subside? How long is recovery from exchange sugery?
hope up are all having a good week so far
gentle hugs to you all
runnermom
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melody- You may want to try the 1/2 dose in the morning to see if it helps. I know you may not want to take it but it is worth a try so you can see if it really makes a difference for you. I know of several gals who are on Effexor and the quality of their lives has greatly improved. I know what you mean that you don't want to take any more drugs than you have to. If you are wearing wigs and hats a lot, you are right..... those could be the culprit. Please don't think I don't get those hot flashes during the day because I do. I just get a glass of ice water/lemonade and forget about them. I drink only one cup of coffee a day. Hope the temperature of those hot flashes go down soon for you!!!
For those who haven't started Tamox or Arimidex: Please make every effort you can to start taking the drugs soon after your onco has prescribed them. Try not to sit and stare at them because you are afraid of the possible side effects. Those little pills are so powerful and are there to help us. If you have side effects, note them and talk to your onco. As for the time period, one will need to take them, I don't focus on that aspect. I view the Tamox like I do my blood pressure medication---- I just need to take it for maintenance.
Runnermom- The post chemo fatigue factor does get better as you have more weeks and months PFC under your belt. The first 3 weeks post chemo are the same as with all of the prior chemos; so don't expect to be running around full of energy during that time. As your blood counts start to recover, you will start to feel a little better everyday. I can't really say how it will be for everyone since everyone reacts differently to the chemo. I can tell you that within 6 weeks of being post chemo, I did feel less tired. Eating healthy and well, getting plenty of rest and good sleep and of course exercise will help you recover. I didn't have any recon so I can't tell you about the exchange recovery time.
Wishing all of you the best..... you have done well!!!!!
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