Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide

Ann65
Ann65 Member Posts: 19
in Breast Cancer #1
Yesterday was my first session A/C, highest dosage of each as my cancer tracers have not gone down enough during the first 12 session first 3 with taxol and last 9 with taxotere. Lucky me.

First reaction was very positive. I have had extreme swelling on both ankles since the last two of the taxotere. By late afternoon the swelling was way down and this morning no swelling when I got up! Yea!!

Now I'm looking at what to expect next. I know hair loss, as I had not lost all with prior chemo, urine color change for a few days, so far no nausea.

Now what?

Comments

  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #2
    Ann,
    A/C is a little tougher
    Ann,
    A/C is a little tougher than taxol and taxotere. I had this first. They gave me steroids and anti nausea meds for the first 3 days. I also got the neupogen shots to help with my blood counts.
    I didn't have much nausea because of the meds. The 4th day after I would be a tired because I was done with the steroids. It would last a couple of days at first, by the 4th round it was longer. Other than just feeling toxic, I really didn't have much trouble with the A/C. My hair fell out at 3 weeks from the first injection. I gained weight because of the steroids. Some smells were hard to deal with, you will figure that out. I kept a jug of water on the counter and made sure I drank the whole thing each day. I added one serving of protein to my diet because I don't eat alot of meat. Protein is suppose to help your cells repair.
    There is alot of good information on the ACS website for what to eat, staying away from germs and how to manage fatigue. Everyone is different on what works for them. Find your comfort food, that will help. Let people take care of you! And take care of yourself.
    You will get alot more information from all the ladies here too.

    Cindy
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #3
    We're all different!
    There is no way to know exactly how your body will react. For some A/C is worse - for some Taxol is.

    For me - A/C was not bad at all but Taxol was BAD. I had 4 DD A/C. before surgery and 12 Taxol after. I lost head hair on A/C and about 1/2 of lashes/brows but not 'body' hair but did lose all on Taxol. I lost all sense of taste and smell, also all appetite. My eyes and nose ran like a spigot tjurned on. No nausea at all. No pain. Was a bit tired on day 3 and 4 but noot enough to stop me if I had something to do. The only problem I had with the neulasta shot was that almost to the minute 2 hrs after injection I would go to sleep for 2 hours. That's about all I remember now.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan
  • Ann65
    Ann65 Member Posts: 19
    #4
    Thanks for the input
    I have had good and strange effects. Swelling all but gone from from Taxotere.

    Day to late afternoon and into evening I had joint aching like coming down with the flu. Today the beginning of day 3, fatigue and some ache, but not like yesterday so far.

    I'm retaining water, so I took a water pill today as nurse practitioner suggested to keep swelling and retention down.

    So far food has not been too much of an issue. Some foods I cannot tolerate, cheese being one. I have had a few foods that were on my do not eat, tried some, and most I could eat but at the end of the meal they did not taste as good.

    I appreciate your thoughts and input very much.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
    Ann65 said:

    Thanks for the input
    I have had good and strange effects. Swelling all but gone from from Taxotere.

    Day to late afternoon and into evening I had joint aching like coming down with the flu. Today the beginning of day 3, fatigue and some ache, but not like yesterday so far.

    I'm retaining water, so I took a water pill today as nurse practitioner suggested to keep swelling and retention down.

    So far food has not been too much of an issue. Some foods I cannot tolerate, cheese being one. I have had a few foods that were on my do not eat, tried some, and most I could eat but at the end of the meal they did not taste as good.

    I appreciate your thoughts and input very much.

    Water retention
    I was told quite emphatically that if I did get some water retention (I didn't) that to call in but not to decrease drinking fluids as cutting back on fluid can actually cause the body to retain more and 'mess up' mineral balance. About 1/2 way through Taxol I started having a problem keeping my K (potassium) even close to normal so was on mega doses of it daily - it's still a bit of a problem but not as bad.

    Not sure your age or overall health which I would think can play a part in how we handle TX. I was 63 when DX (66 now) and was very healthy and active. Only health issues then were arthritis in upper back and osteopenia (both had been around for quite a few years). Not quite so good anymore - more arthritis, now osteoporosis (both could have progressed anyway), now have gall stones (only have shown on scans so far that developed from the gall bladder sludge from Taxol), hypo glycemic, thyroid doesn't like to work anymore and developed cataracts a year ago (surgery last Feb). Oh yeah LE too. I'll take all and more rather than to have not fought with all that was available - I would not be here today to live everyday. (Sorry for rambling on so.)

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #6
    Ann65 said:

    Thanks for the input
    I have had good and strange effects. Swelling all but gone from from Taxotere.

    Day to late afternoon and into evening I had joint aching like coming down with the flu. Today the beginning of day 3, fatigue and some ache, but not like yesterday so far.

    I'm retaining water, so I took a water pill today as nurse practitioner suggested to keep swelling and retention down.

    So far food has not been too much of an issue. Some foods I cannot tolerate, cheese being one. I have had a few foods that were on my do not eat, tried some, and most I could eat but at the end of the meal they did not taste as good.

    I appreciate your thoughts and input very much.

    Wish I could give you some
    Wish I could give you some input, but by not having chemo, I don't know anything to help you inre to how chemo will effect you.


    I just want to tell you how proud we all are of you and you hang in there. Come here to vent, ask questions, or, whatever you need.

    We're here for you.


    Sue :)

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