Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
Comments
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Bondsy, it is not true, at least for me, to have cumulative SE. It depends more on your BC. In my case on my third TC it was better than for the ones before, and it was because my BC were very good. This time, my fourth, it is getting a little better, but my WBC was 3.9 and I know it is because I didn't have my three protein shakes and banana a day.0 -
Virginia, glad you could let the hair go so easily and had so much support.
audra, you are one treatment ahead of me. I hope this one goes well for you. Yes, the port is great! I have been having some congestion, so nurse says to go in to get checked, just to be safe.
Hope you ladies stay warm! No snow here, but plenty of cold and wind!
BRRRR
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joanmj58, Everyone is different, but I had no nausea from the chemo itself. i was given Aloxi with my preinfusion meds, and the dexamethasone helps a little with it too. I was given Neupogen and Neulasta with later infusions however, and they did cause nausea for me...which is NOT a typical side effect of those. Compazine did not work well for me for that, but Zofran did. A lot of women here have had good luck with Compazine, and no luck with Zofran, so it is a matter of seeing what works for you. You may not need any of them. The biggest thing you can do is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate... Water, juice, Gatorade, flavored water, soup, fruit, etc. Do not take anything for constipation or diarrhea until you know which way you will lean. i had neither. I ate oatmeal and fruit every morning, and ate lots of fruit, nuts and whole grains, and I think that helped. Days when i had no appetite, i survived on yogurt and applesauce. Chemo is no fun at all, but this regimen is very doable. For most people days 3-6 are worst. If you have questions, ask away!0 -
Kbeee, you gotta love Iowa winters. When I moved to STL it seemed a lot warmer. It's 18 right now. Plus they called off school today for about 2 inches of snow. That would never have happened back home!
Joan, I did fine with Compazine. I just had to learn to take it at the first feeling of nausea and not let it get ahead of me. I would urge everyone - take all the medicine you need and don't feel bad about it for a minute. Chemo is a bear and you need to fight it with all the ammo you have!
I'm getting so close to the end of treatment - done with rads on Tuesday. When I was in the middle of chemo, I couldn't imagine that I would ever get to this point. Feeling so much better at 2 months out. Keep the faith, warriors, you'll all get here!0 -
Lately my eyes have been twitching. Particularly the right one. Driving me nuts and it also tears up. Wondering if anyone else gets this.
Today is my daughters swim party. I hope she has fun. She is 11. Next weekend is my olde daughters party, she is 14. By then chemo SE will be kicking my butt, so DH will take her and her friends out.0 -
Joan -- MO gave me 3 Rx for nausea prior to 1st tx: Zophran, Compazine & Ativan, I had only a moment of queasiness after 1st tx, and took a Zophran just in case it was going to turn into nausea. I got a headache, but no nausea. Since then I have only taken the Ativan -- sometimes just half a pill. I had some heartburn and queasiness following tx 3, and took Pepcid and Ativan for it. They also give you a lot of anti-nausea stuff in the infusion, so that helps. Will be thinking of you next week -- hope the SEs are mild!
SC -- My left eye has been watering for about 4 weeks. I am told it is he Taxotere SE.
JeriGrace -- Thanks for the check in and the vision of feeling so much better two months out..... I am feeling really tired of battling the SEs this week, so it was a beacon of hope to see your post.0 -
SchoolCounselor-- Welcome to "Taxo-tears" time. Yes, your eyes can water and start twitching because of the Taxotere. My eye twitching started around the 4th round of chemo and did eventually stop after I had finished chemo. As for the tears and watery eyes, that is also one of the side effects. I used some OTC eye drops GenTeal when I had dry eyes. I also got some prescription eye lubricant drops from my retina specialist before I started chemo. The tearing does get better/diminish after a while once you have finished chemo. You are okay.....ps... Happy Birthday to both of your daughters. Glad to know that your hubby is helping out with the birthdays. Just got to love him for being there for your family.
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Hi TC sisters -- If any of you will be starting rads in the next couple months, I started a Winter rads group, and I invite you to join us: All Topics → Forum: Radiation Therapy - Before, During and After → Topic: Winter 2013-2014 Rads
We will continue to get through this TOGETHER!0 -
who will be starting with Tamoxifen this month or the next? I am supposed to start in three weeks.0 -
hi all,
I'm glad everyone is faring pretty well! Good to hear from you, wrenn. That is a hard decision. Just follow your "gut"...that wasn't supposed to be a pun! Anyway, we all have to go through difficult decisions right now, so do what is best for you. You know your body better than anyone!
I am feeling good today after taking Ambien last night. Nice to get some sleep.
I hope you all have a restful week-end~
((HUGS))
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Head. I think my tamoxiphen will be starting in February or early march. Still going through chemo though.0 -
head -- I should be starting Tamoxifen in about 5 weeks. It will overlap with most of my rads.... MO says that is not a problem, but I am nervous about that.... Or maybe I am just in chemo funk today. I didn't react well to the news that chemo will last an additional week.
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I started tamoxifen about 3 weeks ago. Since then I've had the most awful body aches and pain. It's mostly in the hips, low back and left ribs. The more reading I do the more people I see that have had this problem. I don't think it's one of the main side effects though. I hope it wears off. Chemo aches and pains were easier than this. At least during chemo I was walking 3 miles a day. Now I've stopped since walking is making the hip pain so much worse. Sorry I'm whining.
Wishing all still in chemo freedom from nasty side effects.
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If you are heading to rads, you may want to check out this cream which I've been told works great..... Miaderm. You can purchase it on Amazon. Here is the link to the Miaderm.com website so you can read up on it.... http://miaderm.com/. Aquaphor was also recommended to me which you can get at any drug store, Target, Walmart.etc. I thought I would be having rads and didn't find out until my 5th round of chemo that I would not being having rads. The tumor board met on my case again and recommended no rads.
I've been on Tamoxifen since September 2012. I usually take it in the morning at breakfast time so I don't forget to take it. At this point, the Tamox "not so hot" hot flashes that I had during chemo are not as frequent and the aches and pains seem to have lessen. I do get feet/leg cramps which my onco said is a side effect of the Tamoxifen. I've found that the best thing to do to handle those is to get up and move and stretch which seems to help those cramps.
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Jerigrace, So glad to hear you are almost done with rads! One step closer!
Wrenn, I am so glad that you are feeling a bit better. you are over the hump now, and should feel better and better each day. I hope the conversation with the MO goes well. You have to do what's best for you, and what may be best is one and done, now that w've seen how they affect and have worsened your preexisting condition.
SC, My right eye started twitching around treatment 3, but stopped around a week after treatment 4. Taxotears started in my left eye immediately after treatment 4...always new surprises...
Keepthefaith, Glad you are sleeping better!
Headeast, I start tamoxifen on Monday. I am not sure why I am nervous, but I am...probably because it is 5 years. I am hoping for minimal side effects, but will keep you posted.
Brown471, You aren't whining. You just are telling it like it is. I hope you discuss the side effects with your MO...and I hope the side effects decrease for you.0 -
Melrose, do you have pain or did you bevause of the Tamox? A lot?0 -
Hi girls,are you in Holidays mood yet?well I just had my 3rd Chemo,and my fourth and last one is the day after Christmas.My question is...what to expect after being done with my last round of chemo?what kind of checkups are ahead of me?could you girls give me some helpful infos?what should i talk about or what kind of question should I ask from my Onco?Thank u all.0 -
Headeast- I know you are nervous about taking the Tamoxifen; I was, too. The research coordinator that was in charge of the clinical trial I'm in, sat me down and told me to think it like taking birthcontrol pills which I took years ago. She said that there were side effects to taking birthcontrol pills and the same is true for all meds. I decided that I wanted to take the Tamoxifen and view it as one more way that may prevent breast cancer in me. I take the Tamoxifen for myself, my family and friends and also in honor of every triple negative bc person since those who are triple negative would give anything to have one more treatment in their arsenal to help prevent breast cancer. As for the pain, I had the usual aches and pains in my muscles and joints from the chemo which did take some time to get better. At times, I would have to take my time to stand up/walk after sitting or laying down. Everything would hurt when I first stood up and then I had to wait a second or two to start walking since at times I didn't feel steady on my feet. I can't tell you exactly when that lingering chemo pain went away. I know that I have been pain free since April of this year. I do make an effort to get out for walks whether those walks are in my neighborhood or out walking and shopping at Target, the grocery store, the mall, etc. That walking that comes with shopping is a form of exercise and I did that throughout my time in chemoland since it was too hot during the summer of 2012 to take walks in my neighborhood. I also know that some people talk about the possible weight gain from the Tamoxifen. I have not gained any weight since I finished chemo over a year ago and started taking the Tamoxifen. I was told by one of the oncologist at my infusion center that the reason some women gain weight after starting Tamoxifen is because they have regained their taste buds post chemo and may be enjoying their favorite foods/beverages a little more than they should. I watch what I eat very carefully since I do not take any vitamins or supplements. Yes, it is harder this way but it is what my oncologist has recommended for me. I hope that you have minimal side effects with the Tamoxifen. Just try to take regularly and at the same time each day and with a glass of water.
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Thanks for that explanation Melrose. I am having my 3rd TC on Monday and I am already thinking ahead to Tamoxifen and my exchange surgery. Knowing I will have more than one surgery ahead is a bit frustrating, but it is what it is.
My MO already told me I will be on Tamoxifen for 10 years and then something else, so I have a long road of pills but I also am starting an exercise program again, I stopped abruptly when I was diagnosed , but really miss it, and I just do not nedd or want to gain weight.0 -
seitzand- I saw my onco 3 weeks after I had finished my last round of chemo and then have had appointments every 3 months. I had a mammogram on righty in January 2013 and will have another one January 2014. As for any additional tests or scans, I have not had any additional PET/CT scans since the one I had right before I started chemo. I haven't graduated to having appointments every 6 months yet or just once a year. I participated in the Herceptin B-47 Herceptin clinical trial and did receive the Herceptin. I have had additional blood tests and echocardiograms throughout the time I was being infused with the Herceptin. Echocardiograms are necessary to monitor one's heart if given Herceptin. I know that there are scheduled onco appointments that are required to follow the clinical trial protocal. So my situation may be different from yours. You may want to ask your onco
- how often you will see her;
- what kinds of testing (Blood tests, CT/PET will be done ( if any) on you,
- diet recommendations,
- exercise recommendations
- gynological examines ( ask if you need to have a transvaginal ultrasound since Tamoxifen can cause endometrial thickening of the uterus
- vitamins, supplements
- limitations on your activities?
- how long it will take for you to feel better once you are post chemo
- if you are having rads, when you would see the radiologist oncologist and start the rads.
These are just some of the things you may want to ask. Wishing you the best....
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SchoolCounselor- As you get closer and closer to being finished with your chemo, please try to be patient with yourself. You will still have the usual 3 week recovery period post final chemo. The recovery time for chemo may be longer than one would like but rather than frustrate yourself, just take it easy. You will notice some improvement every day and there will be days that you feel great and then days when you don't feel so great. You may want to make sure that you continue to eat well and healthy post chemo and start walking a little bit. You will need to do whatever you can to help your body recover so it is ready for the next surgery.
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Melrose, thank you. Great explanation. I haven't had any leg pain or pain in general during chemo. I didn't have any Neulasta shots either. Should I guess I won't have any pain?
What I have during chemo is fatigue and some stomach cramps. I am swollen and have gained 30lbs. And no issues with taste buds. I was reading the thread about Tamoxifen and everybody hurts. I didn't with chemo and hope I wont with Tamox. I also hope I will lose all the weight and not to gain more.
You are definitely right by pointing out about the triple negative. We have one more tool to fight and i a grateful for it!
Seitzand, I just had my last chemo and my MO recommended to have an appointment with my ObGyn to have a base line around the sixth week after the day of the chemo. He told me to start with Tamox on the third or fourth week after chemo. He also told me that fluid retention would go away slowly, which I really hope.0 -
if it's any consolation - I took tamoxifen for 5 years and had very few SE's - or none that I could definitely blame on the tamoxifen. Sometimes a headache (but not all the time).....sometimes achy feet when I first got up in the am- but again not all the time. Still got my period the whole time I was on it.....though a lighter flow.
melrose - I was triple positive my first time -had Herceptin and 5 years of Tamox. My onc put me back on Tamox for another 5 years but then whammo, I was Dx'd triple negative. My world fell out from under me not only bc I had a recurrence but bc I was triple negative. Your words truly hit home that I would give nothing more than to have more treatment in my arsenal than just chemo.
Anyhow, with that being said, I practically begged my onc on Thursday to let me take he tamoxifen again (even though I am TN) and she agreed since my first cancer was positive.
If there is any way to spin my recurrence as positive the Herceptin and tamoxifen seem to have done their job!
When I was first Dx'd in 07, the nurse at Sloan called tamoxifen a miracle drug and said it should be in water she thought it was that great.
I think often times in forums, people tend to focus on the negative- there are those out there who tolerate tamoxifen ok!!!!!0 -
Virginia, you are absolutely right. We share our SE and pains asking for advice on what to do with those.
I will be joining the Tamox thread and will continue with my journey.
This TC4 is different. I am more swollen than ever and I am sweating so much that I actually drip! At night I touched my skin and was completely wet, my scalp, all. My sheets were damp! Today is day 4 of TC4 and I feel so hot and sweaty! If anybody has ideas about what to eat or drink or do about this, please let me know.
Have a wonderful Sunday, ladies!0 -
Headeast-I had same reaction with my 4th one. It really does a number on your ovaries. At the CTCA, they told me to try Remifemin (you can get at Amazon.com or grocery store..maybe Walmart?)..anyway, they had tested it and it did contain the amounts printed...It does not have any estrogen in it at all. It takes about 2 weeks to get in your system good...and it has been a miracle worker for me. I went from abut 30-40 HORRIBLE hot flashes a day..so bad that I would become nervous and queasy...and MAD..LOL...hot hot hot...to now maybe I have a flush or two a day..depending on if I have something with caffeine. My cousin tried it for hers and has worked for her. I hope you get some relief!0 -
Headeast---- For those crazy hot flashes, I would drink lots of cold lquids.... water, juice, ginger ale... ate popsicles, Icees... just about anything to keep my body temperature down. I kept an insulated tall mug of ice and water on my bedside table so I could get a quick cooling drink whenever at night. I remember getting up at night to get a refill of ice and water and just standing in front of the opened freezer. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that the hot flashes will cool down once you finish chemo. If they continue to be that hot, talk to your onco about the situation.
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ckmoss and melrose, thank you for the advise. This is the first time my DH complained about having the ac so low, lol! I was usually the one under the blankets until last night.
It is still hot here in Fort Lauderdale, in the high 80s and we keep the ac low but never this low! Oh well, I will ask my MO about Remifemin and will exchange my mug for an insulated one, that is a great idea. I never had icy cold drinks because i was always cold. Time to change!
Does caffeine give hot flashes? I am not drinking coffee now, but I was thinking about going back to my regular coffee in the am routine once chemo is out of my system...0 -
Happy to report that my SE's have been minimal so far. I think my body is confused on the Big C or Big D, now, but hopefully, I will find a balance! My achiness seems to be subsiding today:).
I have a follow up, blood draw on Tuesday. I hope my counts are good! My grandson's fifth birthday is on Saturday and I surely don't want to miss it!
Headeast, you can send some of your warm weather to Central Texas! I hope you can find a way to get rid of those hot flashes! I am post-meno, so not an issue here.
Isn't this forum wonderful??? Getting advice and encouragement from around the world. Amazing!
((HUGS))
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keep- good to hear you are feeling ok-ish
. I go for treatment 2 tomorrow. Got an alternate anti nausea and something for e horrible gas pains I experienced last time. Willing no SE's for myself lol
On a positive note, I have the steroid energy today - made a huge pot of chicken soup, a spinach lasagna, did 2 loads of laundry and finished Christmas decorating
Best wishes to everyone having chemo tomorrow - I will be thinking of you as I am having mine....0 -
I am getting my third TC tomorrow and I have an appointment with my PS in the morning. Unfortunately there is a storm coming. Snow and ice. I'll have to see what happens. I might miss the PS for the fill. No way am I missing chemo. Sadly I am going to a different infusion center because my doctor is not in on Thursday , so they switched the day and the center. Anxious about going to where no one knows me..... First time I can ever recall me not wanting a snow day.0
