Pain after Taxotere?

prayerangel
prayerangel Member Posts: 147
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
The pain in the bones (where my bc spread to) after I get the Taxotere - the oncologist said it's the cancer, not the Taxotere. Does that mean that it's killing it, or does it mean the cancer in the bones is getting worse? Have any of you resorted to using a cane. It is very difficult for you to use stairs" It is killer for me. Any other stories out there?
Karen

Comments

  • LesleyH
    LesleyH Member Posts: 370
    #2
    Karen, I am so very sorry. I would not hesistate to use a cane. You need to make this as easy for yourself as possible. I do believe it is a side effect of the Taxotere. I'd like to think it is the Taxotere killing the cancer cells. I hope you are getting good pain medication.

    Hugs.

    Lesley
  • krkath
    krkath Member Posts: 72
    #3
    Hi Karen,
    Yes, my onc. still blames the Taxotere. I had 6 infusions of Tax combined with Adriamycin and Cytoxin.

    I still have not heard from anybody else that has gone through 6 treatments. Only 4. The last 2 treatments I could NOT get off the couch.

    However, I'm the one still complaining about the bone/joint/nerve pain. And have shrunk 2 inches.

    I have a very difficult time climbing stairs. I found that when I go to the store, I walk real slow, otherwise I will be so stiff I have trouble getting up off the chair. I feel like a cripple.

    I hate to say it but misery does love company. I am so sorry you are in the same pain(if not worse) than me.

    I have considered using a cane. My onc. filled out the "Handicapped" sign for my car. I use it all the time to save steps and hang it on my mirror. I am NOT ashamed to use to little go-carts in the store! And find myself not going to stores that don't have them.

    I have upped my prescription of Neurontin (Gabapentin)to 2 @ 6am / 1 @ 9am / 2 at noon / 1 @ 3pm and 2 before bed. Plus I take 5 Percosets a day.

    Now at just under a full 2 years (June) I can shop for my groceries. Before I had to have my best friend, who was also my caregiver, go shopping for me. So, it does get better.

    I have heard cancer in the bones is painful, but I can assure you my hip, leg and overall joint pain is not from cancer. And my oncologist does blame the Taxotere.

    I will keep you posted since I am going in for the MRI for my neck on May 5th. I only hope it hasn't gone to the bone. Ya, I'm scared.

    Taxotere is now being used for a lot of chemo resistant cancers, so that tells me it's super strong medicine. Sorry but poison is more like it.

    OK, this is long winded enough. Ask your Onc. about the Neurontin and I hope you have Pain Meds.

    HUGS to YOU!

    Kathy R.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #4
    Hi Karen, I get my last taxotere tx tomorrow, thank God, and I have to say I was shocked by the amount of bone pain I had with it. It's not even listed as a side effect. Myalgia and Arthralgia are (muscle and joint) but not bone. I almost went to the emergency dept but
    am the type of person that won't wake anybody up in the middle of the night. I was on
    T3's that time which helped but was definitely not enough.

    The 2nd tx I got them to cut me back 25%. I tried Gabapentin and that helped too but it only took the pain back so far. I was on 800 mg /day divided up but apparently you can take up to 6000 mg/day of it. I should have done that but wasn't thinking straight. I went off it too soon and at any rate, didn't go back as my pain had lessened.

    When my bones hurt I like to think that the chemo is preventing bone mets by being so active on my bones. Did I say that right?? One thing we know for sure is that the chemo is affecting your bone met site and that is what we want it to do. So I will keep everything crossed for you (fingers included) with lots of positive energy and prayers that the chemo is kicking some butt :) Kathi R is right, check out the Gabapentin, you'll probably notice a real difference.

    I have already used a cane a few days........but we still have SNOW and ICE ugh!!!

    Lots of luck to you
    jan
  • Skybuf
    Skybuf Member Posts: 143
    #5
    krkath said:

    Hi Karen,
    Yes, my onc. still blames the Taxotere. I had 6 infusions of Tax combined with Adriamycin and Cytoxin.

    I still have not heard from anybody else that has gone through 6 treatments. Only 4. The last 2 treatments I could NOT get off the couch.

    However, I'm the one still complaining about the bone/joint/nerve pain. And have shrunk 2 inches.

    I have a very difficult time climbing stairs. I found that when I go to the store, I walk real slow, otherwise I will be so stiff I have trouble getting up off the chair. I feel like a cripple.

    I hate to say it but misery does love company. I am so sorry you are in the same pain(if not worse) than me.

    I have considered using a cane. My onc. filled out the "Handicapped" sign for my car. I use it all the time to save steps and hang it on my mirror. I am NOT ashamed to use to little go-carts in the store! And find myself not going to stores that don't have them.

    I have upped my prescription of Neurontin (Gabapentin)to 2 @ 6am / 1 @ 9am / 2 at noon / 1 @ 3pm and 2 before bed. Plus I take 5 Percosets a day.

    Now at just under a full 2 years (June) I can shop for my groceries. Before I had to have my best friend, who was also my caregiver, go shopping for me. So, it does get better.

    I have heard cancer in the bones is painful, but I can assure you my hip, leg and overall joint pain is not from cancer. And my oncologist does blame the Taxotere.

    I will keep you posted since I am going in for the MRI for my neck on May 5th. I only hope it hasn't gone to the bone. Ya, I'm scared.

    Taxotere is now being used for a lot of chemo resistant cancers, so that tells me it's super strong medicine. Sorry but poison is more like it.

    OK, this is long winded enough. Ask your Onc. about the Neurontin and I hope you have Pain Meds.

    HUGS to YOU!

    Kathy R.

    Hello, my name is Buffy and I had 6 treatments of Taxol after A/C.....nasty stuff but it works.
    I still have trouble walking, use a cane or stick whatever I can find to help walk, I also use the carts at WalMart and wherever they have them, they need MORE for people to shop with. I can't stand or walk long at all, have a handicap sticker for the vehicle, wished I had it at Christmas! I can't shop now or exercise for my sore burning feet......I hear ya girl.....lets just pray this goes away in time...I hear mixed messages as to how long, my OC dr even said the word 'permanent' mercy.........God bless you and all you going thru this.

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