Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Melrose & CKMoss: I completed 6 rounds of Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin & Perjeta in August. I used a prescription from my MO & approved by my optholomogist for Latisse. I put it on brows & lashes at bedtime. I never lost either, although they thinned some. My head is indeed covered like the Velveteen Rabbit. Now I've had one round of Cytoxan & Adriamycin so I'm continuing the Latisse. It's expensive but it sure did work. Oh yes - & I'll lose what head hair I've gained in the last 3 months.0 -
MinusTwo- Oh my.... I didn't know you were back in the chemo chair with a different chemo
. I also had a prescription for Latisse but never filled it. I decided to see what would happen with my chemo. BTW: If you are having chemo in Houston Medical Center area, private message me. I'd be happy to come and sit with you if you need a chemo buddy.0 -
Melrose: Thanks for the note. I've started reading this thread in addition to the Taxotere/Carboplatin thread and hope that I pick up more knowledge about the Cytoxan.
Yes, I'm at the Med Center - Baylor Clinic for infusions. I'll PM you.0 -
MinusTwo- I drank lots of icy cold water and sucked on ice during the Cytoxan part of my infusions. That was to help keep mouth issues to a minimum. You may want to start rinsing your mouth several times with the 1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1 cup of warm water solution which may also help. Just make a new batch every time you do a rinsing session. I also know that you are getting the Adriamycin aka the Red Devil. If you need a little more info about the side effects of Cytoxan, here is another website you may want to check out...http://chemocare.com/. It may give you a little more info in addition to the information that the BCO.org main website has. Wishing you the best!!!!! Keep us posted.
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Uuuuuuugghhhh!!!! My neutrophils rose from 0.27 to 0.29. They need to be 0.5. Come on bone marrow. Get to work and do your job!!!!! It apparently did not get the memo that I want to go home!!!!!!!!!!0 -
Kbee-Know how you feel! I hate being in the hospital! Yes they are all nice..but not happy unless in my own bed when I'm sick! Praying they rise for you quick! How many chemo treatments do you have left now?0 -
Kbeee,
Somebody mentioned about Blood Builder, I asked my MO and he approved. It is iron and doesn't hurt the stomach. I am taking it. I ordered it via Amazon. Brussel sprouts, broccoli, Vegan-soy free-dairy-free protein shake and tons of bananas.0 -
Headeast, I have blood builder at home. It has worked to keep my hemoglobin up which is what it is intended for. Unfortunately, it does not make more neutrophils. My bone marrow just needs to realize that I have things to do, places to go, and people to see...besides nurses. Hopefully the Neupogen will kick in soon!
ckmoss, I have either 1 more or 3 more. I will not know until I get my oncotype results. If low, we will stop at 4. If high, we will do 6. We'll see if this changes things. It will change the fact that he did not think I needed neulasta or neupogen!0 -
Kbeee, I didn't know about that. Just knew to take Blood Builder. I will see if it works this Wednesday. They do my blood work minutes before my infusion. I am not taking Neulasta nor Neupogen.
Are you still in the hospital?0 -
Kbee-Did you have any lymphs positive?0 -
I am still in the hospital. My,neutrophils went from 0.27 to 0.29. They need to be 0.50 for me to,go home.
Has anyone gotten a racing heart and nausea from neupogen?
Ckmoss, I had no positive nodes.0 -
Kbee-It seems you should have only 4 chemos..your stats are all better than mine..way better. But then again..maybe I should have gotten 6? I don't know. One thing Ive seen..from surgery to each chemo..every Dr or surgeon is different..I didn't have the neupogen..but racing heart I got. I was told it is side effect of one of the chemo drugs..can't remember C or T. I got that on my 3rd and 4th time around. Aggravation.0 -
Kbeee hang in there. Sending positive thoughts!!!0 -
I agree with ck. You should only need 4 cycles with your Dx and no rads
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KBeee- Bummer you are still at the hospital. The racing heart is a common side effect of the chemo plus being a little winded and feeling fatigued. I had a rapid pulse and was winded and just tired after several rounds of chemo. It does get better once you have completed all of your chemo rounds.
FYI: For those who don't know about the Neulasta shot and Neupogen shots, both are drugs used to help the bone marrow produce white blood cells since the number of blood cells decrease because of the chemo. The Neulasta shot is usually administered 24 hours after the chemo infusion and administered in a one time shot. The reason why some oncos do not order it automatically after the 1st round of chemo is because it is expensive and must be approved by the insurance and the patient needs to demonstrate a true need for the shot ( ie high fever, extremely low white blood count, etc.) Here is a link to the chemocare.com website (founded by Scott Hamilton, the former Olympic ice skater who is a cancer survivor) where you can read more about the Neulasta http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Neulasta.aspx . The Neupogen shots are a series of shots with the same chemical that that is administered over a several day period post chemo infusion. Here is the link for more info: http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Neupogen.aspx .
I had Neulasta shots after chemo rounds 3, 4 ,5 & 6 since I developed a very high spiking fever and chills at the end of the nadir period after Round 2. The nurse would have me hold the shot in my hand to warm it up before she administered it. I had the shots injected in my tummy area since for once... having some body fat there was a good thing. The nurse would also inject it slowly so that it would not sting or hurt. I also took regular 24 hour Claritin ( NOT Claritin D) for 7 days beginning the morning that I would receive my afternoon Neulasta shot to help prevent bone pain. This is the drug protocol that is being followed by an on going clinical trial investigating whether the Claritin does help prevent the bone pain from the Neulasta and Neupogen. Fortunately I did not have any bone pain.
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Headeast-I see you are about to have your 3rd chemo..by the time I was at my 3rd one..the day or two before was like I was fixing to leave on a trip. Got all housework done..food (especially things I had craved previously)..and the very last thing...washed the sheets on the bed so I would have a soft clean bed to live in for 3-4 days..lol.. Do you do this?0 -
ckmoss, that is too funny! I vacuumed today, cleaned the kitchen and cooked, something I never do. I felt I needed to have a few things ready to eat for the chemo day and after.
I haven't thought about the sheets but it is actually a good idea.
My head is itching and have things that resemble pimples. Inflamed.
Has anybody had that?0 -
Headeast, yes to the itchy scalp pimple thing... I think it was after my second round? I found rubbing my head with peroxide and/or vinegar helped clear it up. No idea what caused it but sure wasn't comfy (and I thought it would last all through chemo and I would be the ugliest bald person ever LOL, but it didn't, and never returned after the other rounds!!)0 -
Headeast, I had the pimple thing on my head after rounds 1 and 2. I used acne medicine for a few days, and it cleared up.
I got a racing heart after Neupogen #2 yesterday too. It lasted for a few hours. That was followed by a lot of nausea, and then awful back pain...about like labor...yikes! It was not a fun few hours. Thankfully, I feel much better this morning, and am ready to eat! They drew labs an hour ago. My white count has risen nicely. My neutrophil count is not in yet. Think good numbers!!!!!0 -
Good Numbers Kbee!!!!!
Sendong positive thoughts...thinking about you!0 -
Woohoo!!!!!! my numbers just made it! I get to go home today!!!!!! Yahoo!0 -
Yeaaaaa Kbee!!!! Home will never feel so good!!
Headeast- My stylist said to use a natural bristle brush (back brushes are good) and brush your scalp once a week or use a gentle exfoliating scrub like Oil of Olay..or really whatever you have so your pores won't get clogged. You can actually get "cradle cap" if you aren't careful..ICK! So I was pretty religious about that and mine went away after 1-2 washings. I only did the brush thing twice..mainly because it was just weird ..and did the exfoliating gel then washed with a tea tree oil shampoo I got from stylist (sell at Ulta too). I think, though, really any of the ideas prev posted are good. I have read one lady used witch hazel. I think you just want to keep the pores from getting clogged. When the hot flashes start (mine after round4), I'm more careful because the hats and wigs get reallll hot then.0 -
KBeee-- YIPPEE!!! Going home ..... that is wonderful!!!
Head bumps
- I had the head bumps too after the hair started falling out. I used Neutrogena TGel shampoo which seemed to help. The hair follicles can get clogged and irritated. You may also try getting some Sea Breeze Astringent at CVS/Walgreens. The rest of the time I used Aveeno Baby Natural Conditioning shampoo to help keep my scalp clean.Wishing for a good week for all and minimal side effects!!!
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Kbeee, yeeeh! Home!!0 -
Thank you for all the suggestions about the head bumps. Never thought the pores could get clogged, hum... I have used oxigen peroxide and seemed to do the trick.
TC chemo tomorrow! Who else?0 -
I was advised to use original Head & Shoulders for the itchy, bumpy scalp. Worked like a charm.0 -
MinusTwo, I will buy that one then. I was using my regular shampoo, but with no hair I guess is different.0 -
Headeast: Edited to add - there are so many Head & Shoulders choices now it was hard to find the old original. Check out the sample/travel sizes. I bought two but am still on the first small bottle 6 months later.0 -
Headeast, I hope all goes well with your infusion today, and that your side effects are minimal and manageable.0 -
here waiting to be over... TC #3 down!0
