Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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Hi,
mapgirl.... first time on this thread....I'm 2 weeks after my second chemo of Taxotere and Cisplatin. Less then a week later both hands blistered and turned fire engine red. My mo prescribed 5% Lidocaine to lessen the pain. Finally they got me in to the office this last Wed and boy oh boy - - my mo's partner got very passionate and told me that Taxotere was the culprit and it was dc'd immediately. Now I get an extra week for my hands to heal before I head in for my 3rd treatment.
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I was gone for a few days and now I am trying to catch up with this thred.
Susan, all great suggestions from the ladies in this thread. Another one, not sure if already mentioned to you is Blood Builder, it is an iron supplement, vegetable that helps during chemo to bring up your counts. Always ask your MO for approval on this type of supplements. Mine ok it.
Also remember to drink water at night if you get out of bed. We don't exagerate to tell you to drink fluids. It will also help preventing mouth sores, but fluids are your best friends in this journey.
An update about me: went yesterday to gastroenterologist and scheduled a colonoscopy to have a base. This will be my second one, I had the first at 40. Today my ObGyn read my blood test results and told my my results are great, CA125 of 6 and vitamin D is low at 29. Need to take vitamin D for a month, 2000 twice a day, then tests again. This pm went to PS and he was very lleased with the healing, although he told me to not to exercise or move my right arm up (the one with the sutures) for another three weeks. I will see him then. I feel I am finally finishing tests and going back to normal, a normal much better than before, more thankful about all things and people around me.
That's all for now, going to bed. Good night!
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glad to hear you have some peace of mind, head.
What age are we supposed to get a colonoscopy? I'm. 45.
Thanks
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Schoolcounselor- I think it is at age 50 years that one is supposed to have a colonscopy. However, I know many bc surviviors that have them done at an earlier age and sometimes after they have completed active treatment ( chemo, rads etc). BTW: How are you feeling?
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50 is the standard for the average person to start with a colonscopy and they're repeated every 5 years unless polyps are found and then it is more frequently. One of the BC gene mutations (not BRCA) is somehow linked with colon polyps according to my genetic counselor. As such, when a woman has BC and over 10 polyps (cumulative) it is recommended to get tested for one of the other genetic mutations. I am going on memory from my discussion with her a few months back so I may not have all my information correct.
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mapgirl12 - I have the same SE on the backs of my hands and yes, the groin too. After the first Chemo it was just the knuckles but after the 2nd chemo by Day 12 I was back to the see the Nurse Practitioner. It has now covered BOTH hands and all the tops of them. Red, purple, swelling, blister-type bumps etc. She said it was a 'red flag' for them and that it was all about the Taxotere reaction. I have a cortisode cream but found when it flares up to put ice packs on your hands to take down any swelling, redness and relieves itchy, soreness. The results of this could be (for me) either (1) reducing the Tax dosage next time, (2) changing treatment drugs, (3) or stopping all together. Not sure what they will do as next chemo is in 7 days. Also 2nd chemo I had to have Bendryl IV due to reaction to Taxotere infusion - it was brutal; so make sure your button is handy the next time. The NP said that the Tax builds up in our system so that each time it may get worse; so make sure you stay on top of it. I found the best way is to be assertive in your treatments and get all the information and ask questions and try not to quess what they are saying (reading between the lines) - ask point blank. Remember, you CAN do this! Keep the faith.
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Rabbitvelvet & Carren LB
Thank you both so much! My NP and MO wanted to see the rash today. It has spread more on my neck and face. I am on MethylPrednisolone for 6 days to control any other reactions. My MO told me to call him tomorrow morning with an update!
I see the dermotologist on monday afternoon.
Funny thing it doesn't hurt or itch.
Sincerely,
Nancy
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Thanks Warrior and Melrose for that info.
I am doing okay, I got a prosthesis for my left breast where I lost the tissue expander. I am asking my PS next week, to let us set a tentative date for surgery, he says I have to wait 6 -8 weeks for surgery. Next week I will have a lexi stress test due to my shortness of breath. I am so grateful that I have taken time off, there is no way, I could work through all of this!
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SC, the purpose of the colonoscopy is to have a base, like with the obgyn of all the possible cancers that can occur. I had one when I was 40. I had hemorrhoids and the dr wanted to check what was going on. Now I am 45 as well. I am not scared of it at all. I do hate the needles and pokes though. I will ask if I can take an Ativan before I go for this procedure.
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SC, Headeast - Ativan for a colonoscopy? I wouldn't think it would be needed or advisable. I was pumped so full of benzodiazepines that I was wasted for hours after.
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My last chemo was 2/13. It has been a long 9 days. There were a few very dark days. Today is one of the good days. I am so thankful for all of you! I know that I am not in this alone!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
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Headeast & SC -- my dad passed away from colon cancer, so due to the family history, I had a baseline colonoscopy at 48. I am probably due for another one, since that was 11 years ago. It hurt a lot the first time (they didn't give me enough sedative), so I have been dreading another one. Ativan -- good idea -- I may ask about that too, Headeast.
Mapgirl -- glad you made it through the dark days. So are you done with chemo, or was this a decision to abandon chemo due to the skin reaction? My rash was itchy/painful, in fact I thought I had a yeast infection due to the crotch location. I also had very red cheeks -- like someone had slapped my face. Oral Benadryl helped the itching, and cortisone cream mixed with Benadryl gel was helpful on the backs of my hands. Vagisil helped a little with the crotch area. They also gave me Prednisone, but it didn't seem to do much. The skin reactions to Taxotere are more common than I thought (or my MO led me to believe). But if the rash becomes widespread -- and in my case it turned into welts that even appeared on the palms of my hands -- it is dangerous, because of the cumulative reaction. Like bee sting allergies, the reaction gets worse with each exposure. If you have any difficulty breathing, it deserves a trip to the ER. In my case, we decided my 4th infusion would be just Cytoxan.
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hi ladies~I am 12 days PFC and feeling better each day. I still have some heaviness in my legs now and then but it's not as bad or consistent. My fatigue and shortness of breath have lessened some as well. Lashes and most of my brows are still intact. Thrush is disappearing with meds. Like most of you, my MO wants me to take hormone therapy after rads, but she said not Tamoxifen...I am getting anxious about taking something for 5 yrs! I am lucky that I do not have any other health issues that warrant meds and am not at all a fan of taking them! Anyone have any experience with Aromasin or others?
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Keepthefaith - I'm looking at ten years of Tamoxifen and may be switched to something other after menopause moves along. Ten years, even five years, is a long time for anything. Certainly doable if SEs are minimal. Otherwise it may be one long road. The bottom line is that it will significantly reduce recurrence risk.
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keepthefaith- I know that the mere thought of taking a medication for a long time can be undaunting but it is no more undaunting than taking a daily vitamin/supplement or any daily medication for high blood pressure, etc. I've been on Tamoxifen for 1 1/2 years with minimal side effects ( occasional aches/pains and "not so hot" hot flashes). I look at these hormone therapies as a maintenance drug and hopefully will help prevent future reoccurrence. It is amazing to me how powerful that one little white pill is.I take the drugs for myself, my family, my friends and in honor of those triple negative people who would do anything to just have one more treatment in their arsenal. Yes, these hormone therapies do have side effects; and some women just stop taking the medications on their own for their own personal reasons.. It is a risk that they are willing to take but it will always be my choice to take the drugs and minimize the risk. As for Aromisin, I do have a friend who is taking Arimidex. Let me know if you are interested in private messaging her about her experiences with Arimidex.
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Hi ladies.
Glad to hear most are moving post chemo. My MO put me on Aromasin and I have been on it for a week. There is a very active group here on the boards. I am 45 and expected Tamoxiphen, but I have high blood pressure and was put on Aromasin. I have been on it a week, I took it in the morning made me sleepy, so I switched to the early evening. They say it cause joint pain, we will see. I go back to my MO is a month.
It is one of those things we just have to do. I take the pill every day grateful I have an option. I have hereditary high blood pressure and I have been taking meds since I was in my early twenties.
Last chemo was 1/2 and my shortness of breath continues, so my cardiologist had ordered and echo of my heart and it came back fine and now they have ordered a lexi stress test. My lymphedema is also driving me nuts s I see the LE specialist tomorrow.
Yesterday, we were at the mall and my neighbor called to say a tree branch fell on my moms car and knocked the power out. Thank God I have learned the power of laughter.
To think, I though with BC, you take out teh cancer and that's it, LOL. I laught / sob at the thought!
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Schoolcounselor- You hang in there!!!!! Thank goodness you are able to keep a good attitude about things. I'm sorry you still are short of breath and the LE hasn't gotten in control yet. You will get there...... HUGS and hope you start feeling better soon!!!!
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Keepthefaith - I started on Arimidex two weeks ago, a few days after radiation ended. I've had a few minor hot flashes but so far no other side effects. I joined a good discussion board:
For Arimidex (Anastrozole) users, new, past, and ongoing (in forum Hormonal Therapy - Before, During and After)
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ladies, thanks so much for your words of encouragement. I know it is a small price to pay and I will get through it. It worries me just the same...I will have a list of questions to ask my MO regardless. My Mom made it through w/o any hormone therapy and she was 60 when dx'd. She is fine 20 yrs later. My half-sister took tamoxifen, but stopped after 2 yrs bc of SE's, and she is fine 15 yrs later. Sometimes I wonder where to draw the line. You would think age would be a huge factor. I trust my Dr, but I will be 59 in April...how much estrogen can I possibly be making? No ovaries since 9 yrs ago. I will be looking up the other thread. Thanks SC. I hope your SE's calm down for you soon.
Enjoying the great weather we are having here in CTX!
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keepthefaith - isn't it strange how differently we are all effected. My boss' mom was on tamoxifen from age 79 to 89. The year she stopped her BC metastasized to her brain and she was gone in less than two months. Maybe it was all a coincidence but she is the person I always think of when making the choice to start it this spring. Her story really scares me.
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Hi, everyone -- I've been reading these boards but not posting since I finished my 6th and last TC infusion. My last set of side effects -- whole body muscle aches, breathlessness, queasiness, swollen ankles, nail lifting, same old, same old -- was a little worse than after my 5th infusion, but the positive emotional sense of being DONE DONE DONE with chemo was ALMOST the best medicine of all!
I say "almost" because the very best medicine was really the love and support and advice and venting and humor that I've felt from you all on this stressful chemo journey. It's hard to imagine how much more difficult that trip would have been without being able to read and send messages to you at midnight when the house is quiet and my anxieties always loomed large! Saying "thank you" seems way too small to express the gratitude in my heart, but perhaps if you imagine it written in towering 4th-of-July fireworks in tonight's sparkling cold night sky, you'll have a better picture of what I really mean!
I had my radiation mapping appointment this week, and am going to visit my darling 94-yr old mother before starting that new phase in March. I'll probably get involved in the Spring 2014 rads discussion board soon, as will some of you, too. In the meantime, even if you don't hear much more from me here, you can be sure that I'll be thinking and praying -- and probably reading! -- about you all in the months to come. Much love from BlueGrass!
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(((((Hugs))))) bluegrass!!!
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Congratulations Bluegrass!
SC - I'm glad I knew nothing about BC when I started with all this. I thought it would be a lumpectomy and a few hits of radiation...an inconvenience at most. Little by little the bad news started to pile up. I'm not sure I could have handled it all at one time. Perhaps if I was told what I was in for but reassured that in the end all would be well I could manage. And to think I started off believing that I have a 95% chance of walking away from this and never looking back.
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Warrior Women - I, too, thought it was simply a lumpectomy and then rads. Learning that my recovery would include Chemo was as shock - then reading about being Triple Negative, well that shot all hopes of pills out the window. Coming up to my 3rd infusion this Thursday, I am starting to wise up a bit more. SE's of Taxotere are managable for the moment.
Bluegrass - I am so happy for you, I look forward to no more chemicals in my body; but not looking forward to the rads. This past 6 months I have lost a co-worker and a very dear friend to brain cancer. My friend (of 20+ years & my cancer support) just found out her aunt has brain cancer. I have a bro-in-law with leukemia; whose body can not longer tolerate any drugs. Yes, I agree with you, BC - is doable compared with others issues.
All that said, we have each other! Good to know that there are women out there that KNOW what you are going through because anyone who hasn't gone through this - just does not understand - my opinion. I do not know whether it is denial or lack of knowledge but experience is very mind opening. I find that knowledge is control and humour makes it easier. Warped sense of humour at the best of times!
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Bluegrassharp-- So happy to see you here again!!!! Wishing you the best as you move forward to rads and glad that you find this thread to help you through chemoland. Many (((HUGS))) and lots of positive healing and calming thoughts and energy!!!
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Carren - We're close together on this wonderful course. My 3rd TC is tomorrow. I'm missing out on the radiation since they chopped my boobs off. Here I was in early Sept. minding my own business. Little did I know I would lose my boobs, have toxic waste pumped in me, reduce my workouts to something that resembles some remedial gym class and look like I aged 20 years. Yeppers. Good thing I hadn't a clue of what was to come. On the flip side, I have feared cancer my entire life having lost my mom to it as a child. There is something to be said for facing one's worst fears and not backing down. I am proud of myself for being aggressive with my treatment when I could have chosen differently.
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Hello Ladies,
Today is day 5 from my first chemo and I feel like everything is giving me heartburn? any suggestions, I am not sure if this is considered nausea? I am trying to drink plenty of water but it also tastes so bad. No mouth sores. Thank God. PS I just started to take my Compazine.
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hello SC, Bluegrass, Warrior and all!
Msguera, heartburn happens a lot with chemo. Ask your MO if Omeprazole is an option. I spent all chemo eating cooked foods and lots of bread, mashed potatoes and soups. My stomach suffered a lot. Tell your MO you have heartburn, don't wait.
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Msguera -- I second Headeast's suggestion. Heartburn is common with chemo -- and sometimes there are certain foods that set it off. I was able to handle the heartburn with Pepcid, followed in 20 minutes by Tylenol (for some reason the combo seemed to quell it). I never had heartburn in my life and didn't even know what it was, lol! I thought I was having a heart attack at first! If you are having trouble drinking a lot of water, think about eating watery things (soup, watermelon, Popsicles, all count as liquids), and maybe try vitamin water -- experiment with the flavors til you find one that tastes good.
Bluegrass harp -- what a beautiful post! Congrats, and ((((hugs)))) -- after chemo, rads is a walk in the park!
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Hi Folks, I haven't posted here before, but recently found out some info that has pissed me off in re: the drugs given to me during treatment for BC. I was almost killed with my one and only chemo. Taxotere was the culprit. I "failed" all three AI's b/c of s.e.'s. All of this could have been avoided had my MO paid attention to the Cytochrome450 genetic testing. Of the six genes tested, I have abnormalities in three. All are major players in the drugs I was given. Had I been tested, it would have been known. The drug choice and /or dosage modifications could have been made
Rather than rewrite the details here The link below will take you to a thread that has the posts that I have written in the last few days.
I'm not trying to sell Genelex. Other laboratories are doing genetic testing. But Genelex is the only company right now that provides the application of the genetic results to the drugs we are taking. Other companies, I'm sure are trying to build the same business model. It's the future of drug administration.
Why? Patients will no longer except being experimented upon with drugs that can harm them. If the docs won't do this because it's the right thing to do it. Then we have to PUSH them into doing the right thing.
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